Sometimes, it doesn’t take much to enhance a flat, monotone image and give it more depth and artistic flair. By using a filter in Color Efex Pro 4, we can transform an image quickly and easily.  The Film Efex: Nostalgic filter creates effects based on imagined film types and gives the feeling of having been captured by a toy camera.

This image was taken in Kenya, Africa of a baboon family along the side of the road. We watched this group of very interactive and entertaining baboons for about an hour before they decided it was time to run back into the tall grass.

© Laurie Rubin

The Film Efex: Nostalgic filter has 12 different Film Types.  These Film Types are a great place to start. I selected Film Type 6 and made a few adjustments with the sliders to get the look that I wanted.

Color Efex Pro 4 interface displaying the Film Efex: Nostalgic options that are available

Selecting the side-by-side preview will display the before and after images. As you can see below, I have created a different style and look to the original image.

Side-by-side preview

I encourage you to be creative and try out some of the different Film Efex filters that are available. You may be pleasantly surprised by some of the different looks that you can achieve by simply selecting a Film Type and making a few adjustments.

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