KLVN FilmLook: is this $25 stack worth it for Photography?
You know that specific frustration of staring at a RAW file that looks technically perfect but emotionally flat? It’s sharp, it’s accurate, and it’s completely lifeless. You’ve spent years chasing the grain, the soft highlights, and the nostalgic color cast of analog film, but your digital workflow just refuses to give you that dreamy, bloomy aesthetic without hours of manual tweaking. If you are tired of building a film look from scratch every single time you sit down to edit, KLVN FilmLook is the kind of shortcut that actually respects your time and your aesthetic.
Kelvin Kurniawan has spent the last few years refining this specific look, moving beyond generic “vintage” filters to create a tool that mimics the physical characteristics of film photography. It isn’t just a color grade; it’s a system for adding bloom, grain, and softness to your digital shots. For $25, you get a pack that bridges the gap between your camera’s digital precision and the organic imperfections you love about analog. (KLVN FilmLook (Lightroom Presets))
Quick answer
| Best for | Photographers who want a consistent, soft film aesthetic without spending hours on manual bloom and grain adjustments. |
| Skip if | You shoot exclusively JPEGs (the look relies on RAW data) or you prefer high-contrast, hyper-sharp commercial styles. |
| Price | $25 |
| Format | 5 main presets + 14 adjustment presets (.xmp and .dng) |
| One-line take | A refined film-look system that packages bloom, grain, and color into one-click workflows for Lightroom. |
What you’re actually buying
At first glance, five presets might sound like a small investment for $25. But the magic here isn’t in the main looks; it’s in the adjustment layer that makes them work. When you download KLVN FilmLook files, you aren’t just getting five color grades. You are getting a toolkit of 14 specific adjustment presets that let you dial in the “film” characteristics independently.
This is where the pack shines for working editors. You get dedicated controls for bloom (with both “Add” and “Remove” options), grain (with three different intensity levels plus a removal tool), and vignette (again, with add and remove variations). There are also four specific white balance presets (3200K, 4200K, 5500K, 7500K) and an auto option. This means you can apply the nostalgic color cast of “FilmLook A” but tweak the grain to match a high-ISO night shot, or reduce the bloom on a landscape where you want more clarity. It’s a modular approach to a look that usually requires a 20-step manual process. (KLVN FilmLook (Lightroom Presets))
The pack includes five core looks: FilmLook A, B, C, D, and a dedicated Black & White version. Each is designed to handle different lighting scenarios while maintaining that soft, nostalgic signature. Because the files are provided in both .xmp and .dng formats, you have flexibility in how you import them, whether you are working in Lightroom Classic on your desktop or syncing to Lightroom Mobile on your phone. (KLVN FilmLook (Lightroom Presets))
A buyer on Gumroad reviews noted that the presets are “so clean” and that the “smooth bloom effect” actually encouraged them to take more photos. That’s a strong indicator that the aesthetic isn’t just a gimmick—it’s a workflow enabler. If you’ve been hesitating to shoot because you didn’t have a quick path to that dreamy finish, this is the tool that removes that friction.
Why it’s on our radar
Most preset packs on the market are one-dimensional: they give you a color grade and leave you to fight with the sliders for texture and light. KLVN FilmLook is interesting because it treats the “film look” as a multi-layered problem. By separating the bloom, grain, and vignette into their own presets, Kelvin Kurniawan has created a system that is actually usable across different genres of photography.
The inclusion of a Black & White preset is also a smart move. Film lovers often want that monochrome depth without the color cast, and having it built into the same ecosystem means you don’t have to hunt for a separate B&W pack that might clash with your color grading. For $25, you’re getting a complete aesthetic suite, not just a filter. (KLVN FilmLook (Lightroom Presets))
What actually matters
Before you checkout, keep these three things in mind to get the most out of the pack: (KLVN FilmLook (Lightroom Presets))
- Shoot in RAW. The listing explicitly recommends RAW files for the best results. The bloom and grain effects rely on the dynamic range and data depth of a RAW file. If you are shooting JPEGs, the “film” look will likely appear muddy or over-processed because there isn’t enough data to work with. (KLVN FilmLook (Lightroom Presets))
- Use the adjustment presets as modifiers. Don’t just apply “FilmLook A” and stop. Use the
#Grain1or#Bloom (Add)presets to fine-tune the intensity. This is the workflow that saves you hours. (KLVN FilmLook (Lightroom Presets)) - Check your platform compatibility. The pack works with Lightroom Classic, Lightroom CC, Lightroom Mobile, and Photoshop. If you are deep in Capture One or a different ecosystem, this won’t be a direct drop-in solution. (KLVN FilmLook (Lightroom Presets))
Mid-check
If you’re ready to test the look on your own RAW files, See current options to download the pack.
FAQ
Do these presets work on Lightroom Mobile?
Yes. The .xmp files are compatible with Lightroom Mobile, so you can apply the film look directly from your phone. This is great for quick edits on the go, though the desktop version offers more granular control with the adjustment presets. (KLVN FilmLook (Lightroom Presets))
Can I use these on photos that aren’t already “film-like”? Yes. The presets are designed to add film characteristics to any photo. However, the “bloom” effect works best on images with some highlight detail to work with. For the best results, Kelvin Kurniawan recommends using RAW files, which retain the necessary data for these effects to look natural rather than artificial. (KLVN FilmLook (Lightroom Presets))
Is there a refund policy? The listing notes that the product is non-refundable. Since it’s a digital download, it’s worth checking the preview images and the specific description of the “soft highlights” and “nostalgic colors” to ensure it matches your personal aesthetic before purchasing. (KLVN FilmLook (Lightroom Presets))
Bottom line
If you are chasing that specific, soft, bloomy film aesthetic and you’re tired of building it from scratch, KLVN FilmLook is a solid $25 investment. It gives you the core looks plus the granular controls to tweak the grain and bloom to your exact taste. It’s not just a filter; it’s a workflow for photographers who want their digital photos to feel a little more human.