It’s Filter Friday!  This week I used Color Efex Pro 4 to enhance a portrait shot on a slightly overcast evening at the beach.  I used a lot of the different filters within Color Efex Pro 4 to achieve some subtle changes that really made the image stand out.

Here is the original:

I liked what I had to start with here, but the image needs contrast.   I wanted to add contrast and enhance the details as well as modify the color cast, density, and saturation of the image.   I used a combination of filters within Color Efex Pro 4, applied at different strengths, to accomplish this.

As you can see, I have 10 different filters applied to this image!   Even though I have so many filters applied, the overall difference is subtle, which is what I was going for with this image.  Each filter, even if not overly noticeable, is playing a part in enhancing this image.  I even used one filter twice, the Cross Processing filter, using a different Method for each one.  In the first Cross Processing, I used the B02 Method type, which opened the shadows and very slightly warmed the sand in the image.

Then, I added a second Cross Processing filter, with a method type of L03.  This is one of my very favorite filters, and I use it on many of my portraits.  I love the effect that it has on skin tones.

Here is a screenshot of the interface with all 10 filters applied:

And here is the final image:

© Sara Schneider

Share an image where you used either a digital or glass filter or both, and tag your image #filterfriday curated by +Laurie Rubin. We’d love to see how filters have helped to enhance your images!