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The Photo Filter in ON1 Effects adds a color tint to your photo, just like a physical colored-glass filter or lighting gel will do optically. With the digital tools, we can select any color tint we want and have total control over what areas and tones of our images are tinted.

Photo Filter Sliders And Controls

The Photo Filter includes a variety of shapes and built-in styles that simulate warming filters, graduated filters, and other tints. Styles provide a good starting point. Then use the sliders to refine the look and blend of the tint. There are several controls that are common for all varieties of the Photo Filter:

• Filter Type: Set the shape of the filter. The next section has more details.

• Color/Hue: Set the color for the tint

• Amount: Control the strength of the color tinting.

• Saturation: Adjust the saturation of your image (not the tint color). Changes in image Saturation also change how the tint mixes with your photo.

• Polarizer: Simulate a polarizing filter. This slider tends to downplay glare and deepen shadows.

• Mode: Refine how the tint mixes with the tones of your image.

Using the sliders and popup menus, you can quickly dial in the right amount of tint for your photo. Also, the different modes can protect shadows and highlights from receiving too much color shift from the tint.

Filter Types - Solid, Graduated, Bi-Color, And Center

By default, the Photo Filter applies a solid filter type - the selected color tint is applied to your entire photo. There are several different filter types available with the Photo Filter.

• Solid: The default filter type. The selected color tint is applied to the entire image.

• Graduated: A classic graduated filter, transitioning from a color tint to neutral.

• Bi-Color: Creates a graduated transition from one color to another. Individually set the hue and saturation of both filter colors.

• Center: Transition from the selected color to neutral, radiating from the center of the photo. The popup toggle of Center and Edges swap the direction of the transition.

For Graduated, Bi-Color, and Center types, the position and transition of the Photo Filter is controlled with the Distance, Rotation, and Transition sliders at the bottom of the filter controls. Bi-Color also presents a second set of Color/Hue and Saturation sliders, as well as a Swap Colors button, to craft your two-toned look.

In practice, I do not use the Graduated or Center filter types. I prefer to use the masking tools with a Solid type because that combination yields more control over the look and feel for my images.

Masking Tools

As noted above, I prefer to use the masking bug with the Solid filter type of the Photo Filter. The on-screen masking controls are easier to work with than the sliders in the Photo Filter. Also, using the masking tools provides more controls. You can use the masking tools to create a reflected gradient or elliptical shaped masks, which are not possible using the Photo Filter controls alone.

Even more powerful is using Luminosity Masks with the Photo Filter. Adding a color tint to specific tonal regions is a nuanced, natural way is very easy leveraging ON1’s excellent masking tools.

Finally, don’t overlook the blending options. While the Photo Filter has the mode control for options including Clean Shadows and Clean Highlights, the blending options give you even more control over what tonal regions are affected or protected from a Photo Filter color tint. In the example below, I used the Clean Highlights mode of the Photo Filter to keep the boats a crisper white. Additionally, the Shadows slider in the blending options kept the tint out of the deep shadows. The result is a signature look for my imagery.

Example: A Sunset Kiss With The Photo Filter

Here is a quick recipe for a “sunset kiss” using two Photo Filters in ON1 Effects. The process is:

1. Add a Photo Filter and select a warm tone. The 85 or Orange styes are a good starting point.

2. Open the Masking area and click the Lumen button.

3. Adjust the slider controls to taste

This adds an extra bit of warmth to the brighter parts of the image. Next, give the shadows a treatment.

1. Add a second Photo Filter and select a purple hue. I like the Lavender Grad style for this. If you use this style, switch the Filter Type to Solid after applying.

2. Open the Masking area and click the Lumen button.

3. In the Masking area, click the Invert button.

4. Adjust the sliders to taste.

The second filter adds a twilight purple tint to the shadows and darker tones in the image. When both Photo Filters are enabled, it adds an extra bit of life and vibrance to your sunset photos.