Snapchat filters have become incredibly popular in recent years. The dog filters, flower crowns, and facial transformations allow users to alter their appearance in fun and creative ways. However, sometimes people wish they could remove a filter from a photo after it’s already been taken. So can someone actually remove a Snapchat filter from an image?
Why Would You Want to Remove a Filter?
There are a few main reasons someone may want to remove a Snapchat filter from a photo:
- They want the original, unedited version of the photo
- The filter ended up looking silly or unflattering
- They want to use the photo professionally and filters are inappropriate
- They want to post the photo on another platform but don’t want the Snapchat branding
Usually people apply filters to Snapchat photos for fun and don’t intend for the images to be used outside of the app. But sometimes a really great candid photo ends up with an unfortunate filter that the user wishes they could remove. Or a professional may want to use a Snapchat photo for their business social media or website but doesn’t want the casual filter on top.
Is It Possible to Remove a Filter?
The short answer is yes, it is possible to remove Snapchat filters from photos. However, how easy or difficult it is depends on a few factors:
- The complexity of the filter – Simple filters like color tints are easier to remove than complex filters with overlays.
- The image quality – Higher resolution photos give an editor more to work with when removing effects.
- How much editing is required – Filters that obscure large portions of the photo require more editing to restore the original image.
In general, filters that apply simple color changes or overlays tend to be easier to remove than facial changing filters or animated effects. An experienced photo editor can usually eliminate filters, but may not be able to restore lower quality images to their exact original state.
Steps for Removing Filters from Snapchat Photos
Here are the basic steps a photo editor would take to remove filters from Snapchat images:
- Obtain the original photo file – This provides the editor a filter-free version to use as a reference.
- Match the lighting and color – The editor adjusts brightness, contrast, saturation etc to match the original lighting in the filtered photo.
- Eliminate overlays or drawings – graphical elements are carefully erased while retaining the original background.
- Smooth out blurred or distorted areas – Sections obscured by heavy filters are reconstructed using context like symmetry.
- Retouch details – Small details like skin blemishes or flyaway hairs are retouched to match the original.
- Perform final adjustments – Last checks are made for tone and color accuracy between the edited and original photo.
This is a simplified overview of the filtering process – an experienced editor may use a variety of specialized techniques depending on the specifics of the filter and image. But it provides a general idea of how Snapchat filters can be removed from photos.
What Editing Tools Can Remove Filters?
There are a variety of digital photo editing tools that give users the control to remove filters and effects. Here are some of the most popular options:
Adobe Photoshop
Considered the leading professional photo editing software, Photoshop offers users fine-tuned control over every element in an image. Skilled users can utilize layers,selections, retouching and color tools to eliminate filters and rebuild the original image.
GIMP
GIMP is a free open-source image editing program. While not as robust as Photoshop, GIMP provides users with a range of filters and retouching tools to alter or remove effects.
Snapseed
Snapseed is a photo editing app designed for mobility. The app features selective filter removal using healing brushes and spot retouching.
Fotor
Fotor is an online photo editor and collage maker. Users can fine tune images using layers, overlays, stickers and filter effects.
Canva
Canva provides users with editable photo templates and design tools. The graphics editor allows changing filter strength, blur, vignette and more.
Any editing tools that give granular control over images can likely be used to remove Snapchat filters. The key is finding a tool the user is comfortable with and that meets their desired level of complexity.
Should You Remove Filters From Snapchat Photos?
Whether or not someone should remove a filter from a Snapchat picture depends on the situation. Here are a few things to consider:
- Does the original photo have special meaning or significance without the filter?
- Will removing the filter allow the photo to be used in a way that’s not currently possible?
- Is the process of editing and removing the filter worth the time and effort?
- Does the filter take away or add value for the intended use of the image?
For silly, casual Snapchat photos, the filters are often best left in place to preserve the fun, in-the-moment memory. But a particularly meaningful event or professional headshot could benefit from editing if the filter detracts from the photo’s purpose.
Each situation is unique – there is no universal rule for when filters should or shouldn’t be removed. It’s up to the user to decide if removing a given filter is worth the effort to provide more value.
Risks of Removing Snapchat Filters
While filters can be removed, it’s also important to be aware of the potential downsides:
- It can be time consuming and difficult for inexperienced editors.
- Important photo details may be accidentally altered or erased.
- The final image may still contain artifacts or effects from the filter.
- Low resolution photos may lack the detail needed for convincing editing.
- The original lighting and color can’t be perfectly matched.
- Facial changes like enlarged eyes or smoothed skin can’t be completely reversed.
Photo editing is part art and part science – there is always a risk when attempting to significantly manipulate or reconstruct an image. Setting reasonable expectations helps mitigate disappointment if the filter can’t be completely removed to the user’s satisfaction.
Cost to Professionally Remove Filters
For those who want to ensure the best possible results removing unwanted Snapchat filters, hiring a professional photo retoucher is an option. Here are typical costs associated with professional filter removal:
- Basic color tint or overlay removal – $5 to $20 per image
- Simple facial filter removal – $20 to $50 per image
- Complex filter removal requiring reconstruction – $50 to $150 per image
More complex filters, lower resolution images, and rushed turnaround times can increase costs. The number of photos being filtered also impacts the rate a professional editor charges. But $50 per photo is typical for moderately complex filter removal and high-quality final results.
Alternatives to Removing Filters
For those unable or unwilling to invest the time and effort into removing Snapchat filters, there are a couple alternatives to consider:
Revert to the Original Photo
If the original unfiltered snap is still saved in Memories, simply saving and exporting that version may be easier than editing the filtered photo. The downside is potentially missing a great candid moment from the altered snap.
Re-take the Photo
In some cases, it may be possible to simply re-take the photo without the filter applied in the first place. This ensures an original high-quality image. But spontaneity may be lost attempting to recreate a genuine moment.
Embrace the Filter as Part of the Memory
Rather than removing filters, another option is to accept them as part of the Snapchat experience. The filters we choose represent our mood and add context that may be lost if removed.
These alternatives allow you to work around filters without the intensive editing process – weigh the pros and cons vs removing filters to choose the best solution for each situation.
Conclusion
Snapchat filters provide a fun way for users to enhance their images and selfies on the platform. But individuals who want to use the photos professionally or share elsewhere often wish they could remove the sometimes silly filters. While it is possible to edit Snapchat pictures and eliminate filters with the right tools and skill, there are also valid reasons to embrace the alterations as part of the memories. Each user must decide on a case by case basis whether removing filters is worthwhile or if alternatives like retaking the photo or keeping the filter add more value in the long run.
With the proper expectations and editing tools, Snapchat users can remove unwanted filters to recover original photos in many cases. But the limitations of mobile images and complex editing process means remnants of the filters may remain. Weighing the benefits of removing filters versus efficient workarounds ensures the best outcome for specific images and their intended use. In the end, both filtered and filter-free photos have their place in capturing and sharing Snapchat memories.