{"id":396487,"date":"2026-04-25T04:15:30","date_gmt":"2026-04-25T04:15:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/396487\/"},"modified":"2026-04-25T04:15:30","modified_gmt":"2026-04-25T04:15:30","slug":"instagrams-retro-flash-filter-is-both-viral-and-controversial-but-im-a-photographer-and-that-retro-flash-look-is-actually-easy-to-create-with-almost-any-camera","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/396487\/","title":{"rendered":"Instagram’s retro flash filter is both viral and controversial. But I\u2019m a photographer, and that retro flash look is actually easy to create with almost any camera"},"content":{"rendered":"

Instagram<\/a>\u2019s new \u201cflash look\u201d filter quickly went viral on social media \u2013 but not without its controversy. The new filter quickly went viral for the retro look, but some users reported the AI-generated filter drastically changed their face and even ethnicity.<\/p>\n

The viral Instagram flash filter mimicked the retro flash look with harsh shadows and film-like colors. The filter briefly disappeared from the app’s options but has since returned.<\/p>\n

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The filter isn’t among the usual carousel of Instagram filters. Instead, the viral Instagram flash filter was a \u201cCreate with AI\u201d option located inside Stories and Effects that uses AI to re-generate the photo with the popular retro look.<\/p>\n

Article continues below <\/p>\n

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While the filter quickly went viral, some users reported that the tool appeared to change ethnicity<\/a> . I tried it out myself, and it certainly created a retro look, but it also changed my eye color from blue to green, serving as a reminder of one of the pitfalls of using generative AI.<\/p>\n

Tried Insta\u2019s viral Flash filter and it has changed my face completely lol pic.twitter.com\/VBIwXkPquV<\/p>\n

\u2014 cantworkitout on\u00a0April 18, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

The Instagram flash filter went viral for all the wrong reasons \u2013 while some loved the look, others realized the shortcomings of AI-generated imagery<\/a>, including portraits that no longer looked like the person in the photograph.<\/p>\n

But here\u2019s the thing \u2013 I\u2019m a photographer, and I think the retro flash look is actually one of the easiest flash effects to create, even if all you have is a smartphone. While using flash to mimic natural light or create dramatic portraits takes time, practice, and expensive lighting set-ups, the direct flash look is as simple as just turning the built-in flash on.<\/p>\n

The look that the viral Instagram filter comes from is based on the look of 35mm film compact cameras, which were consumer cameras and not complicated options geared towards professionals.<\/p>\n

The best camera deals, reviews, product advice, and unmissable photography news, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n

Getting the retro direct flash look in camera has just one key step: Turn the flash settings to always on.<\/p>\n

How to get the viral retro flash look on a smartphone<\/p>\n

\"Screenshots<\/p>\n

Image credit: Future<\/p>\n

\"Screenshots<\/p>\n

Image credit: Future<\/p>\n

On a smartphone, tap the lightning bolt icon to turn the flash to \u201cFlash on\u201d or \u201cAlways on.\u201d (On an iPhone, tap the advanced settings menu icon next to the flash icon, then tap the flash option until \u201cFlash On\u201d pops up.)<\/p>\n

A smartphone flash isn\u2019t always super powerful, so the retro flash look is easiest to recreate indoors and in limited light than outdoors on a sunny day. Move the phone physically closer to the subject rather than switching to a zoom lens, as getting in close will create those dark shadows. The rear-facing flash is also the strongest, so this effect doesn\u2019t work very well with the selfie camera.<\/p>\n

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Pro tip: If the flash look isn\u2019t strong enough, try lowering the exposure. Taping the screen, then drag the sun slider to make the image a bit darker.<\/p>\n

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\"Screenshots
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(Image credit: Future)<\/p>\n

That creates the harsh shadows, but you\u2019ll need to open a photo editing app \u2013 or apply one of Instagram\u2019s filters \u2013 to finish the look with the retro film-like colors. Once you have taken a photo with the flash on, then just open an image editor and apply a retro preset \u2013 VSCO<\/a> is my favorite for retro filters. The free VSCO camera app<\/a> is also great for controlling the flash on a smartphone and adding other film-inspired effects.<\/p>\n

How to get the retro flash look on a mirrorless or compact camera<\/p>\n

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\"Godox\n<\/p>\n

These harsh shadows were created with the budget Godox iM20 flash<\/a> (Image credit: Matthew Richards)<\/p>\n

A compact camera<\/a> or a mirrorless camera<\/a> can create an even stronger retro flash look, as the flash on dedicated cameras tends to be even stronger. If your camera doesn\u2019t have a built-in flash \u2013 which is becoming more common on high-end and compact mirrorless cameras<\/a> \u2013 you\u2019ll need to add a hot shoe flash<\/a>. But, even a cheap flash can mimic the direct flash look.<\/p>\n

For the retro look, go into the camera settings and set the flash to always on. You don\u2019t want to use auto flash because if the scene is bright enough, the flash won\u2019t fire at all.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re using a hot shoe flash, just power the flash on and leave it on auto and unmodified.<\/p>\n

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\"A
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The Camp Snap CS-Pro<\/a> is a cheap retro camera that has a powerful built-in flash for that retro look <\/p>\n

While flash modifiers<\/a> are often key to getting a specific look, for the retro flash look, you want an unmodified flash \u2013 don\u2019t add a diffuser or tilt the flash to bounce off the ceiling. Aim the flash right at the subject with no modifiers; this creates those harsh shadows.<\/p>\n

In most instances, you won\u2019t even need to take the flash off auto mode, as most auto flash modes tend to create those harsh shadows. But if the flash isn\u2019t harsh enough for the retro look, use flash compensation<\/a> to increase the power of the flash.<\/p>\n

Finally, open the images in your favorite photo editor<\/a> and apply a retro preset to finish the look with colors like the 35mm film the AI preset is inspired by.<\/p>\n

I love the retro flash look \u2013 but frankly, I think using AI to get a retro look feels like an oxymoron. Using energy-hungry AI to get the look is silly when it\u2019s as simple as turning on the flash and using a retro, non-AI filter to modify the colors.<\/p>\n

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Want to go all in on that retro compact camera look? Here are the best retro cameras<\/a>. Or, take a look at the best hoe shoe flashes<\/a>.<\/p>\n