Polaroid 04 Vintage Instant | Instant Film Preset for Lightroom Mobile & Desktop

P4 is for travel and personal photographers whose work benefits from the specific quality of aged analog photography — photographs that feel timeless and carry a sense of memory.

For photographers who find P1 and P2 insufficiently vintage and want the more aged quality of P4 without committing to the maximum fade of P5.

The vintage quality feels authentic. P4's increased fade and amber shadow warmth reference the specific way Polaroid photographs age over time — organic rather than obviously processed.

It suits travel and candid photography. The nostalgic quality of P4 adds emotional resonance to travel and candid moments that more contemporary-feeling presets cannot achieve.

It references the photography of memory. P4's character is the visual language of photographs that matter to people — the quality of images kept in wallets and on refrigerators.

1 × P4 Vintage Instant DNG file — for Lightroom Mobile
1 × P4 Vintage Instant XMP file — for Lightroom Classic
Installation guide
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This preset captures the moody, cool-shifted aesthetic similar to the legendary P4 filters. It’s the perfect professional alternative for those wanting an analog-inspired look that feels "indie" and substantial. By emulating the color rendering of cool-stored instant film stocks, the P4 ensures your digital shots have a polished, cinematic finish that feels like a vintage film still.

Step 1 — White balance first. P4 assumes a warm-neutral starting point — 5,200-5,600K for outdoor daylight. The aged amber quality reads most naturally on a warm foundation. On cool white balance, the fade can read as slightly grey-green rather than warmly aged.

Step 2 — Apply P4 Vintage Instant. The vintage colour rendering, more lifted black point, amber shadow warmth, and grain apply simultaneously.

Step 3 — Adjust Exposure per photo. P4's darker shadows and lifted blacks mean that the correct Exposure is typically 0 to +0.1 — slightly more than for lighter presets.

Portrait photography with P4: the amber shadow warmth of P4 creates a warm, intimate portrait quality. In warm ambient light this reads naturally. In cool or overcast light, add White Balance +300K before applying to keep the amber reading as warm rather than slightly yellow. Add Orange Luminance +6 if skin reads slightly flat.

On phone photos: 81-83% strength.

What is the difference between P4 and P5 Faded Instant? P4 has more vintage character than P1-P3 but remains accessible — the aged quality is present without being extreme. P5 Faded Instant pushes to maximum lifted blacks and maximum colour fade — the most deliberately nostalgic preset in the collection. P4 for accessible vintage depth, P5 for maximum retro effect.

Does P4 work for street photography? Yes — P4's aged, vintage quality suits the documentary register of street photography well. The nostalgic character references the tradition of black and white and film street photography adapted to colour.