10 AI Filters to Create Artistic Effects in Photography

Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming the ways we create and experience photography. Just a few short years ago, extensive editing could only be done on a computer after the fact. 

No longer are you limited to only what your lens can capture in the moment. Now, AI lets you transcend reality by breathing new life and creative visions into even the most ordinary of shots. Whether you see yourself as an artist, a casual snapshot-taker, or anything in between, these powerful AI filters are there to unleash your imagination and take your photography on a magical journey.

In this blog post, I’ll introduce you to 10 of the coolest AI filters available today and show you how to use them to take your photos from ordinary to extraordinary. 

Filter #1: Clarity

This filter is great for bringing out hidden details that might otherwise get lost. Give it a try on landscape shots filled with intricate textures like leaves, rocks, or tree bark. The clarity filter for photos enhances contrast while avoiding the harshness that can come with over-processing. It’s a subtle way to make your images appear sharper and more three-dimensional.

Filter #2: Vignette

A vignette is a classic photographic effect that darkens the edges of an image to draw the eye towards the center. AI vignettes allow you to customize the look with options to choose your preferred color tone and strength.

• Color: Vignettes come in a variety of hues to choose from, including blue, red, yellow, black/white, and many more. Experiment to see which shades work best for your photo’s mood and aesthetics.

• Strength: This controls the intensity of the darkened edges, ranging from very subtle to intense blackouts. Start with low strength and adjust up or down to your liking.

• Smoothness: Softer edges create a more natural frame, while hard edges produce a more dramatic effect. Again, see what looks best for your subject matter and style.

• Roundness: Options include fully rounded edges or a more oval “lens” shape around the center point. Pick the one that suits the format of your image.

• Center Point: Drag and pinch to reposition where the vignette effect is focused within the frame. Make sure your subject’s eyes or the main focal point are at the center for optimal impact.

With so many customizable options, you’re sure to find just the right vignette look to make your portrait, landscape, or other photo pop. Used subtly, it creates a natural frame, and pushed further, it can add drama, mystery or control the viewer’s eye.

Filter #3: Glow

This AI filter adds a soft, ethereal glow to highlights and bright areas that makes images appear dreamlike. It works especially well on close-up shots where you want to bring out subtle textures. I’ve also had success using a light glow on portraits to smooth over skin and give subjects an angelic radiance. Play around with the intensity to find a look that’s subtly flattering rather than over-processed.

Filter #4: Vintage

Nostalgia is big these days and nothing evokes feelings of old Hollywood glamour quite like a vintage filter. AI versions emulate classic film looks with options like faded colors, added grain, and light leaks. I think vintage is perfect for portraits, especially black and white shots where you want a retro, moody vibe. It can also work well on travel photos from historic locations when you want to transport the viewer to another era.

Filter #5: Edge Glow

This filter for photos places a soft-edged glow along the contours of objects for a trippy, ethereal look. It works especially well on shots with high-contrast edges, like architecture, landscapes with defined silhouettes, or products against a plain background. Edge Glow is one of those filters you’ll either love or hate. I say, give it a try and see what you think! When used subtly, it can make for really interesting abstract art.

Filter #6: Color Pop

Sometimes less is more when it comes to color adjustments. The color pop AI filter saturates specific hues you select while leaving the rest untouched. This allows you to draw the eye to focal points without going overboard. I find it’s perfect for food shots where I want the colors of a dish or ingredient to really sing. It’s also great for travel photos, where boosting certain colors makes a landmark or cultural element stand out.

Filter #7: Tilt Shift

Simulating the miniature fakeness of a tilt-shift lens, this filter makes scenes appear like tiny dioramas. It works its magic by selectively blurring the top and bottom portions of an image to flatten the perspective. Tilt-shift is one I save for scenic shots where I want a dreamlike, toy-town feel. Just be careful not to overuse it or your images may veer into uncanny valley territory!

Filter #8: Surreal

As the name implies, surreal AI filters take your photos to another dimension. Options include melting, swirling, kaleidoscoping and more. While they may not result in the most photorealistic images, they’re perfect when you want to experiment with the surreal and abstract. I like applying surreal filters sparingly, such as melting the edges of portraits for a disorienting effect. Go wild and you may find your new creative calling as an AI artist!

Filter #9: Orton Effect

The Orton effect mimics the cross-processing technique used in film photography, blending two exposures to dramatic ends. It adds a hazy, low-contrast glow that makes landscapes feel especially dreamy and atmospheric. I find the Orton effect works best on minimal scenes with lots of open sky or on portraits with soft, diffused lighting. Like with any dramatic filter, less is more to keep images looking natural.

Filter #10: Black & White

Even the simplest of AI filters can completely transform an image. Black and white presents your photos in a new light, distilling the essence of a scene down to patterns of light and shadows. AI black-and-white filters analyze color data to selectively preserve or enhance certain hues for a finely-tuned monochrome look. I like using black and white for portraits to place emphasis on composition and expressions over surface prettiness.

Your Images Await Discovery

So in summary, artificial intelligence has revolutionized in-camera effects with an incredible range of magical filters just waiting to be explored. Get out there and see what surprises your camera roll has in store! With the power of AI on your side, even the simplest of shots has the potential for a new life as a work of art. I can’t wait to see what visions you dream up.