Photo filter: 10 free tools to retouch your photos

 “A picture is worth a thousand words”… Users of social networks and companies looking for communication know this better than anyone, you still have to create THE photo that will hit the mark.

Beyond simple illustration, a freelance graphic designer specializing in Photoshop will be able to extract all the substance of an image to get your message across and impact people's minds.

To edit the image you need, you will find 10 tools for retouching your photos, instructions for putting a filter on your images and our tip for successful retouching.

1. Professional quality for your photos: Darktable

Designed by photo professionals, Darktable is free open source software that will allow you to improve the appearance of your photos down to the smallest detail.

Very complete, it nevertheless requires time to master its different functionalities (play on image exposure, shadows, contrast, highlights, white balance, vibrance, etc.).

Even if the interface is very intuitive and allows beginners to get started quickly, particularly for creating blog images thanks to the addition of a photo filter, you will need the sensitivity of an experienced photographer to do so. master all the subtleties.

2. PhotoScape X, free software to manage the effects of your images

Although PhotoScape _

In its free version, the software allows you to refine color management in the “editing” tab, and offers a choice of creative filters. The “combine” and “collage” menus are ideal for creating compositions requiring several photos, very popular with image creators for Instagram, for example.

PhotoScape A paid version also exists, giving access to all the tools, but it is not necessary for current use.

3. The “light” version of a big name in photo editing: Adobe Photoshop Express

Here is the little brother of the famous Adobe Photoshop license: Adobe Photoshop Express . If Photoshop requires real expertise, Adobe Photoshop Express is much more affordable technically (beginner level) and financially (software available in free version).

Between the 2 sections “Edit” and “Decorate”, you will find basic functionalities allowing you to adjust the variables of your photos, effects, and the creation of photomontages for a quick and qualitative result.

Available on the web and in mobile application (iOS, Android and Windows), the free version only processes the JPG format. For other image types, you will need to upgrade to the paid version.

4. Edit your photos and videos for free with GIMP

As much appreciated by beginners as by experienced photographers, GIMP has made a remarkable entry into the world of photo editing.

Available on computers (Windows, Mac OS and Linux), GIMP has, in addition to numerous advanced features (color variables, cropping, Face Swap, etc.), a community actively participating in its development. Thus, many plugins are downloadable for free in order to personalize your interface and meet your precise needs.

GIMP can also turn into a studio by allowing you to create GIFs and videos from your images.

5. Pixlr for perfect colors and quality rendering

Very similar to Photoshop, Pixlr offers similar advanced features with a free offer.

Exposure level, eyedropper for color selection, automatic image correction and many other assets make Pixlr a real online Swiss army knife available on mobile and web.

For the more experienced, Pixlr also exists in a Pro version. Novices will be able to get their hands on Pixlr X, the simplified version of the editor.

6. Free editing software made in Windows: Paint.NET

Intended exclusively for Windows, Paint.NET is the descendant of the late Microsoft Paint.

Ideal for beginners, Paint.NET offers all the basic features essential for retouching your images. You can still enhance it if necessary with more elaborate plugins such as 3D zoom.

The most popular filter plugins are 8bf Filter (for a vintage/silver look), Color Efex and Viveza (for vibrant colors), Sharpener (for highlighting image details) and Silver Efex Pro (editing black and white photos).

7. Polarr, the online photo studio

Free and without advertising, the Polarr online interface allows satisfactory editing if you do not want to download software.

Although limited in its functions (no layers or management of RAW files), it offers an easy-to-use solution for small modifications (filters, adjustments and effects). Polarr does not allow graphic creation either, and you will have to turn to more global tools like BeFunky.

The paid version of the platform (Polarr Pro) offers multi-media access, a more extensive range of filters and batch export.

8. Highlight your photos and videos Photodirector 365

Photodirector 365 is professional editing software with a host of tools ranging from converting videos to GIFs to applying effects to a photo to graphic design.

Equipped with powerful AI, Photodirector allows automatic color enhancement, denoising and the application of photo filters (or LUTs) for stunning results. An art generator also allows the creation of illustrations using your descriptive text, which you can then integrate into your image before publishing it on Instagram for example.

9. Photofiltre Studio: the “hundred filters” creativity of specialized software

Here is software that has made the filter its hobby horse! Photofiltre Studio allows you, after a quick introduction, to apply the artistic effect of your choice (black and white, watercolor, mist, polarizer, etc.) and to carry out some photo retouching.

If the console remains “old school”, the software will still make people happy when it comes to simple modifications.

10. BeFunky's ultra-intuitive interface for the contrast and light of your images

Dedicated to image editing and creation, BeFunky comes in the form of a simple interface with advanced functions.

Please note, many options are only available in the paid version and registration will be necessary to take advantage of the creative platform.

However, if you are looking for working comfort, BeFunky offers an impressive stock of customizable templates, image filters and the ability to drag elements on the screen.

Bonus: Collage Maker, the photo application for iOS

Comparable to Adobe Photoshop Express, Collage Maker is exclusively dedicated to iOS platforms.

This powerful editing tool contains numerous filters and editing tools to help you generate the perfect photo for your blog or website.

Bonus: Instagram, beyond the social network application on Android

If the aim of the Instagram application is above all to share photos between more than a billion Internet users, it also offers interesting tools borrowed from image editing and retouching software.

Between the hundreds of texts, filters and effects, develop your own vision of the world by downloading only the social network application.

How to put a filter on a photo?

To take the photo of your dreams, 2 solutions are available to you:

• Take your photo “the old-fashioned way”: this traditional method requires real photographer know-how, experience and professional equipment.

In addition to a high-quality camera, such as the reference models on the Canon, Sony or Nikon market, you will need to acquire filters and equip your devices to have the desired effect. If you want a soft, blurred effect reminiscent of fog or haze, you will find mist filters from suppliers like Hoya.

Other suppliers, such as Recon, offer Matte Boxes allowing you to control the light and save valuable time in configuration, such as the Mc Kinnon edition. You will also find filters for photographing a starry sky, such as alpha filters.

To equip your camera, filter holders and rings will allow you to place the chosen filter in front of the lens. All you have to do is adjust the contrast, brightness, exposure and stops before taking your photo.

• The use of a retouching interface: often intuitive, they allow amateur or professional photographers to correct their photos or enhance them.

Whether using downloaded software, online or an application, you will need to load the photo to be edited before choosing, from the functionalities, the modifications to make to your image (color filter, brightness, contrast, effects etc.) . Some software even allows you to download special filters reproducing the techniques of recognized photographers!

Our tip for using filters well on your photos

Beyond using a standard filter, don't hesitate to adjust the variables of your image for a unique result. However, a natural photo taken with care will always have more charm than a “too perfect” and retouched photo.

If the exploration of nuances and contrasts is not one of your priorities or you are not an expert in photography, you can also call on a graphic designer who will master all the subtleties of the software for you and will guarantee you a quality result.