Photoshop offers a wide range of powerful filters that can be applied to images to achieve different visual effects. Filters provide an easy way to create interesting textures, correct color issues, sharpen details, blur backgrounds, distort perspectives, stylize an image and more. Learning how to properly filter images in Photoshop is an essential skill for any graphic designer or photographer.
Selecting a Filter
Photoshop filters are located in the Filter menu at the top of the screen. The various filters are organized into submenus based on the type of effect they produce. Here are some of the main filter categories in Photoshop:
- Blur – Blurs all or parts of an image.
- Distort – Warps or deforms the image.
- Noise – Adds graininess.
- Pixelate – Renders the image in blocks/pixels.
- Render – Creates cloud, lens flare and lighting effects.
- Sharpen – Enhances edge contrast to increase apparent sharpness.
- Sketch – Adds a hand-drawn look.
- Stylize – Produces painterly and artistic effects.
- Texture – Adds texture based on a chosen pattern.
The best way to get familiar with the different filters is to experiment with them. Apply various filters to a test image to preview their effects. Pay attention to filters that might be useful for your projects. Here are some commonly used and versatile filters:
- Gaussian Blur – Softens detail and reduces image noise.
- Motion Blur – Creates impression of movement.
- Radial Blur – Produces circular blurring effects.
- Unsharp Mask – Sharpens edges and details.
- Smart Sharpen – Advanced sharpening that minimizes artifacts.
- Noise > Add Noise – Introduces grain for stylistic effect.
- Pixelate > Crystallize – Renders image in polygon shapes.
- Pixelate > Mosaic – Divides image into colored blocks.
- Sketch > Graphic Pen – Mimics hand-drawn pen/ink outline.
- Texture > Texturizer – Adds customizable texture.
Applying a Filter to the Entire Image
Once you have decided on a filter to use, applying it to your entire image is straightforward:
- Open the image file in Photoshop.
- Select the layer in the Layers panel that contains the content you want to filter.
- Go to Filter > (filter category) > (filter name). For example, Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur.
- Adjust any filter settings in the dialog box and click OK to apply.
The filter will affect the pixels on the selected layer. Filters permanently modify the image data, so you won’t be able to revert back to the original once a filter has been applied.
Filtering a Selection or Layer
Rather than filter the entire image, you can limit a filter’s effect to only a portion of the image content. There are a couple ways to do this:
- Make a selection – Select the area you want to filter using one of Photoshop’s selection tools. Then apply the filter. Only pixels within the selection will be affected.
- Use a layer mask – Add a layer mask that hides part of the layer content. Filters will only modify the visible areas not masked out.
- Filter a layer copy – Duplicate the layer, filter just the copy, then blend it with the original.
Filtering a selection or layer gives you more control over the end result. Important areas can remain unfiltered, while just specific regions get the filter applied. The filtered layer can also be blended to reduce the effect intensity.
Non-Destructive Filtering
As mentioned earlier, most filters permanently modify pixel information. However, two special filter types act in a non-destructive manner:
- Smart Filters – Convert a layer into a Smart Object first, then apply a filter. The filter will appear in the Layers panel below the Smart Object as a separate sublayer. You can adjust, remove, or hide the filter later.
- Lens Correction – Found under the Distort filter category. The settings are applied non-destructively and can be readjusted.
Using Smart Filters and Lens Correction lets you re-edit filters after applying them. This is helpful when you need to tweak the filter settings to get the look you want.
Common Uses for Filters
Now that you understand the basics of using filters, let’s look at some common examples of how they can be used to enhance images:
Blurring Backgrounds
Blur filters like Gaussian Blur and Iris Blur are frequently used to soften background elements in order to make foreground subjects stand out more. For example, you can apply a strong Gaussian Blur to the area around a person to make them “pop” from the scene.
Reducing Image Noise
Photos shot in low light often contain visible grain and speckling. A light Gaussian Blur helps smooth out this noise. The Median filter is also effective for removing noise while preserving edges.
Boosting Sharpness
Unsharp Mask and Smart Sharpen filters are go-to tools for increasing the apparent sharpness and fine details in an image. They add contrast along edges to make details look crisper.
Correcting Lens Distortions
The Lens Correction filter fixes common lens flaws like barrel/pincushion distortion and vignetting. It readjusts the image pixels to counteract the lens artifact.
Creating Artistic Effects
Filters like Cutout, Posterize, Palette Knife and Paint Daubs give photos an abstract, artistic appearance. They can transform an ordinary picture into something that looks like it was hand-crafted.
Simulating Movement
The Motion Blur filter convincingly adds apparent movement to static images. For example, you can use it to make a running person look like they are in motion by adding blur to the legs area.
Aging Photos
To make an image look vintage, try using the Noise or Add Grain filters to mimic grainy old film. The Sepia filter tints the image in warm, faded tones for an antique look.
Combining Multiple Filters
You can apply more than one filter to a photo to create a composite effect. For complex filter effects, it often helps to work in two stages:
- Do initial filter adjustments on a duplicated layer above the image.
- Set that layer’s blend mode to adjust how the filters mix with the original image.
- Add any final filter tweaks to finish the effect.
Blending filtered layers gives you greater control over the end result. Common blend modes for filtered effects include Soft Light, Overlay and Color. Don’t be afraid to experiment with combining filters – unusual combinations can produce very interesting visuals.
Improving Filtered Results
Filters don’t always give perfect results the first try. Here are tips for improving a filter effect:
- Vary filter settings until the preview looks right.
- Use Smart Filters for ongoing edits to the filter.
- Mask out areas to limit the filter’s coverage.
- Apply Image > Desaturate to just use filter texture, not color.
- Change the layer blend mode or opacity.
- Add adjustment layers above for color/tone correction.
With practice, you will get better at fine-tuning filters to create precisely the effect you have in mind.
Key Points
Here are some key points to keep in mind when using filters in Photoshop:
- Experiment with different filters to see what they do.
- Check the Filter menu to browse available filters.
- Use Smart Filters for non-destructive editing.
- Try filtering just selections or layers instead of the whole image.
- Blend and mask filtered layers to control strength.
- Combine filters for unique custom effects.
- Refine results with blend modes, adjustments, etc.
Learning to use filters effectively will expand your ability to transform images. Pay attention to how filters can help you achieve particular goals for the look of your photo projects. With practice over time, you’ll gain an intuition for which filters can provide the visual impact you want.
Conclusion
Photoshop’s filters open up a vast range of creative possibilities for enhancing images. Take time to get fluent with the different options available. Filters can be invaluable for adding visual interest, adjusting technical qualities, correcting flaws, and generating stunning artistic effects. Learn how to apply filters to entire images or specific layer content. Utilize Smart Filters and masking to maintain editing flexibility. And don’t be afraid to stack multiple filters together – some of the most fascinating results come from combining filters in imaginative ways. With this wide toolkit of filters, you’ll gain immense power to turn ordinary images into extraordinary visual artworks.
