How do you use snap filters on pictures?

Snapchat filters allow users to add fun effects and animations to their photos and videos in the Snapchat app. The filters can distort facial features, add colorful overlays, insert the current time, incorporate music, and more. Using filters is a key part of the Snapchat experience.

Finding Filters in Snapchat

Snapchat filters can be found in the Snapchat camera screen. When taking a photo or video through the Snapchat camera, users can swipe left or right on the camera screen to browse and select different filters to apply to the image. There are also lenses found by tapping on your face that apply face-altering filters.

Here are some ways to access filters in Snapchat:

Swipe left or right on the Snapchat camera screen to browse the available filters
Tap the explore icon in the top right corner of the camera screen to browse and favorite filters
Tap on your face in the camera viewfinder and select a lens to apply a face-altering filter

Swipe down on the camera screen and select a filter under “Filters”

The available filters change over time as Snapchat adds new options and removes old ones. Checking the filter selection frequently can help you find new filters to try out.

Applying Filters to Pictures

Applying filters to photos taken through Snapchat is easy. Simply take a photo, then swipe through the filters and tap on one you want to apply before sending or saving the image.

Here are the steps for adding a filter to a photo in Snapchat:

Open the Snapchat app and swipe right or tap the capture button to open the camera.
Take a photo by tapping the circular capture button at the bottom of the screen.

Once you’ve taken the photo, swipe left or right to preview the different filters.
Tap on the filter you want to apply.
Take a look at the filtered image, then either tap the arrow icon to send to friends or tap the download arrow icon to save to your camera roll.

The filter will be applied to the photo and remain there as you send or save the image. You can also tap and hold on a filter to pin it in place so it doesn’t change as you swipe through other options.

Using Filters with Videos

In addition to photos, filters can also be applied to video snaps. The process is very similar:

Open the Snapchat camera and tap the capture button to begin recording a video.

Record the video, then tap the red circle button to end the recording.
Swipe through the filters and select one you want to apply.
Preview the filtered video, then tap the arrow icon to send or the download icon to save.

The filter will animate along with the video for a fun, engaging effect. Certain filters are specifically designed for videos while others are for photos only, so check for the video icon when browsing filters to determine which ones will animate.

Saving Filtered Photos

Snapchat images taken with filters applied will be saved with the filter still intact. To save a photo taken with a filter:

Take a photo with a filter activated.

Tap the download arrow icon at the bottom of the screen.
The image will be saved directly to your camera roll with the filter applied.

You can then access the filtered images in your camera roll like any other photo. The filter will remain permanently applied to the saved image.

Sharing Filtered Photos

In addition to saving filtered snaps, you can also share them directly from Snapchat. To share a filtered photo:

Capture an image with a filter activated.
Tap the arrow icon at the bottom of the screen to bring up the sharing menu.

Select the friend or group of friends you want to send the snap to.
Add any optional caption text and tap the arrow icon to share.

Your friends will see the photo with the filter applied. This provides a fun way to share the creative images you capture with Snapchat lenses and filters.

Using Geofilters

Geofilters are a special kind of filter in Snapchat that become available when you are in certain locations. Geofilters feature artwork and designs related to landmarks, cities, events, weather conditions, and more. To use a geofilter:

Open Snapchat at a location that has a specific geofilter.
Take a photo or video to activate the filter picker.

Browse the filters until you see the location-specific geofilter and select it.
Share or save the image to apply the artistic geofilter.

Geofilters help add a unique flair related to where the image was captured. Browsing the geofilters available around you can let you discover fun overlays to incorporate into your snaps.

Creating Custom Filters

In addition to the default filters, Snapchat also lets you create custom filters for special events or locations. To make a custom geofilter:

Go to Snapchat’s geofilter website and login.
Choose if you want the filter for a location or event.

Use the online editor to create your custom overlay artwork.
Submit your geofilter for review and pay the fee (around $5-$10).
If approved, your custom filter will be available in your specified area.

Having a personalized geofilter is a great way to add unique flair to snaps at weddings, parties, company events, or other special occasions. Submitting early gets the filter reviewed sooner, so plan ahead when creating one.

Using Lenses

In addition to overlay filters, Snapchat lenses alter your facial features and expressions. To use lenses:

Open the Snapchat camera.

Tap on your face in the viewfinder to activate lenses.
Swipe through the available lenses and tap one to apply it.
Make expressions and movements to control the lens animations.

Capture videos or photos to share the lens experience.

Popular lenses include ones that morph faces, add virtual makeup and accessories, overlay animations, and more. Play around with the lens options to create fun effects using your own face.

Browsing Lens Explorer

For more lens options, you can browse the Lens Explorer:

Tap the explore icon in the top right corner of the camera screen.
Select “Lens Explorer” to browse recommended and popular lenses.
Tap a lens to preview and try it out before taking a snap.

Favorite lenses you want to easily access again.

Lens Explorer makes discovering new lenses easy. You can browse different categories to find lenses perfect for selfies, memes, holidays, events, and more.

Using Lens Carousels

In addition to individual lenses, Snapchat also lets you swipe through carousels of multiple lenses for even more effects. To use a lens carousel:

Tap on your face in the camera viewfinder to activate lenses.
When multiple circle icons appear below a lens, this indicates it is a carousel.
Swipe left or right over your face to progress through the lenses in the carousel.

Tap the lens you want to lock in and use.

Lens carousels provide a bunch of related lenses in one place. Try them out to add a variety of effects to your selfies and videos with just a few swipes.

Using Snapchat Filters on Old Photos

Snapchat’s filters are designed to work on images and videos captured through the app, but there are a couple of ways to add Snapchat filters to old photos stored on your device:

Post Photo to Memories – Open Memories in Snapchat, tap the camera icon, select a photo, edit as desired, and save the image with a filter applied.
Use Third-Party Apps – Some apps like KoalaPic, Filer, and Snapseed allow applying Snapchat-like filters to photos in your camera roll.

While the effect won’t be exactly the same as native Snapchat filters, these methods can approximate the look of Snapchat filters on any image you choose.

Conclusion

Snapchat filters give photos and videos a fun twist. Browse the wide selection of filters by swiping on the camera screen, tap to add filters before sending or saving snaps, and don’t forget to try out special lenses too. Dig into all the options and get creative with filters to take your Snapchat content to the next level.