Adding grain non-destructively in Apple Aperture without plug-in

[peggers]

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For all those of us that use Aperture I have found a way to add grain in a non-destructive manner. It takes a little work to set up, but after that it is simple to apply.

 

1. Create a new library - call it "Test"

2. Open the new library and add one RAW file - I use one from my M9 as its my largest file size

3. Select the Dodge tool, then write the word Dodge on the image (important for finding a file later on.)

4. On the Adjustment panel, set the dodge level quite high some you can easily see the word - say 1.0

5. Repeat steps 3 and 4, but this time adding a Burn layer. Again write the work Burn so its easily visible.

6. Close Aperture

7. Navigate to where the file for the library resides, right click over it and select "Show Package Contents"

8. This will show you a hidden folder. Within there you will find a folder called Masks. Open it and it will contain a number of sub-directories. In each are tiff files, which Aperture uses to blend in its adjustments.

9. You need to find the two files that relate to the Dodge and Burn layers you created earlier on - hence the idea to write the words large on the photo...use the preview to find these files and open them both in Photoshop, or other favourite editing package.

10. Select one of the files to work on - doesn't matter which. Clear its contents. Then generate a grain background across the whole image. In Photoshop this is done by going to Menu->Filter->Add-Noise.

11. As a optional step you may want to then apply a slight blur to the whole image - Menu->Filter->Blur->Gaussian Blur

12. Then use a Level's layer to balance the grain image - you should have a nice curve of values peaking in the mid-tones.

13. Hit save.

14. Select all, then invert the image (Menu->Image->Adjustments->Invert).

15. Then copy.

16. Swap to the other file, and paste the image down.

17. Flatten the image, as it will have added as a new layer

18. Save

19. Quit Photoshop, and reopen Aperture

20. Go into the original file you added. You should now see it has grain!

21. To automate this process, now set the Dodge and Burn levels to a lower level - perhaps 0.1

22. Then go to Effects menu (or Presets in prior version), and select save an Effect. Remove the other adjustments, leaving just the Dodge and Burn layers.

23. Now quit this Aperture library and open your normal working library (You can delete your temporary Library if you want)

24. Go to any photo that may benefit from grain, go to the Effect's menu and you will see the Effect you have just created. Select it and grain will be added. Use the Dodge and Burn levels to adjust how strong you want it.

 

Just a quick few other notes:

- I use a dodge and burn layer to ensure that the process doesn't darken or lighten from the original. You could also achieve the same effect using a couple of Level's adjustments or Curves for that matter. However, because I never use dodge or burn in my normal workflow its makes sense for me to use them, so I don't overwrite other adjustments I may have made.

- If you have a scan of some real film grain you could you this as well

[Steve66]

i was about to propose the same question..can you post a before and after please ?

 

steve.

[Jeff S]

LR4...all non-destructive...

 

Move grain slider(s) until appropriate.

Save action if desired.

 

Go have tea.

 

Jeff

[Steve66]

i was about to propose the same question..can you post a before and after please ?

 

steve.

[Jeff S]

i was about to propose the same question..can you post a before and after please ?

 

For LR 4, see this video (at about 7min, 15 sec).

 

Jeff

[peggers]

I was just trying to help those of us who prefer Aperture.

[Jeff S]

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No offense intended.

 

Many folks ask about the differences between the software.

 

Jeff

[Steve66]

i was about to propose the same question..can you post a before and after please ?

 

steve.

 

the request was meant for Aperture 3 not L/r..be nice to see an example please Peggers

[peggers]

Here's a sample. First without grain, second with. This shot was a touch soft, so benefited from a bit of grain.

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[Steve66]

Thanks Peggers

 

I created a new library etc..selected a photo 'christened' it closed aperture ..how do i locate the file.. have tried spotlight and finder using the leica number but no joy!

 

How did you do it?

 

Steve.

[Ted W]

VSCO

[peggers]

Thanks Peggers

 

I created a new library etc..selected a photo 'christened' it closed aperture ..how do i locate the file.. have tried spotlight and finder using the leica number but no joy!

 

How did you do it?

 

Steve.

 

Its a bit tricky. You need to locate the Aperture library in the finder, then right click and hit Show Content Packages. This will then show another layer of folders. Go to folder called Masks. Now you have to rummage around the number of sub folders to find the two files you will edit...but assuming you started a new Library there won't be too many.