TheGrain App Adds Film Grain to Photos
Munich retoucher Andreas Gamsreiter has released a desktop app that generates bespoke film grain for individual images.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Photography
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Andreas Gamsreiter, founder of the Munich-based retouching studio RETUSH, has released TheGrain, an image-editing app for Windows and Mac that generates film-style grain tailored to each photo. The app runs entirely on the user's machine and offers a free plan with a limit of 15 image exports per month.
Why it matters
Gamsreiter said nothing on the market gave his images the authentic-feeling grain he wanted, so he built a tool that generates grain based on image content rather than overlaying a pre-made texture. The release gives photographers a local, offline option for film-style looks.
TheGrain's free plan permits full downloads with all features unlocked but caps output at 15 image exports monthly, while paid tiers run €20 monthly, €150 annually, or €250 for a lifetime license. The app ships with 10 pre-made film recipes, including simulations of Kodak Portra, Fujifilm Pro 400H, and Kodak Ektar 100, and independent performance data has not yet been reported.
The players
Andreas Gamsreiter
Gamsreiter is the founder of the Munich-based retouching studio RETUSH and the developer behind TheGrain, which he built to achieve film-style grain his own work lacked.
The details
TheGrain generates millions of grain particles placed according to image content, and users select a film recipe before fine-tuning grain size, texture, chromatic variation, and luminance across highlights, shadows, and midtones. Additional controls include a Focus Control parameter that adjusts grain in defocused areas and halation settings for soft glow around light sources.
Timeline
Author tested TheGrain in the weeks before publication.
TheGrain was released on November 5, 2026.
Culture Shift
The app extends a long-running photographic nostalgia for classic film stocks such as Kodak Portra and Fujifilm Pro 400H into a digital, per-image workflow. It reflects a broader trend of photographers seeking analog textures in digitally captured images.
Photographers can download TheGrain for Windows or Mac and test its free plan, which allows full feature access capped at 15 exports per month. Those needing more exports must choose a €20 monthly, €150 annual, or €250 lifetime plan.
The takeaway
Photographers chasing film aesthetics can now generate grain tailored to each frame, but should test the free export limit before committing to a paid tier. Trying the app on a few representative images will show whether its recipes fit a personal workflow.
Further reading
Explore more Photography tools and techniques for recreating film looks in digital images.
More information
Download or purchase TheGrain from the TheGrain download and purchase page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Amateur Photographer.
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