Filters. Thinking about Photoshop filters reminds me of when I first started playing with Photoshop. I over used filters like no other. Ah, the days of twirl, ocean ripple, anything and everything under artistic, sketch and stylize. Not to mention difference and exclusion blending modes. Ha, it makes me laugh. I guess playing with things is the only way you’ll learn what does what.

The truth is, filters are very useful when used at the right time and in moderation. Let me show you some of my most used filters. Also, when and why I use them.

Gaussian Blur

Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur

My number one most used filter. I’ve even created a keyboard short cut for this one. It’s got it’s own gang sign and everything. Control + Shift + Command + B Muthah Fuckah! Ha!

Most Common Uses:

1. Drop shadows
   (I normally set the opacity of my blurred layer to 30%)
2. Depth of field/Tilt shift photos
   (Cut out the object you want in focus, placing it in a layer above your background. Duplicate the background. Blur the top bg and create a mask to define which parts are blurry and which are clear.)

Displace

Filter > Distort > Displace

Displace takes a little bit of work to set up. It uses Photoshop maps. Most of my maps are just photos of textures I’ve taken converted to black and white and saved as a psd. Displace, in my experience, works best in grungy situations.

Most Common Uses:

1. Making objects appear to be on a textured background.
   (PhotoshopCafe.com has a very nice tutorial on the subject)
2. Creating a nice grungy edge.
   (I used 2 on the Horizontal and Vertical Scale, here is what the map I used looks like.)

Highpass

Filter > Other > Highpass

The only thing I ever use highpass for is touching up a photo. Highpass can add a little extra sharpness to a photo. Allow me to show you.

Here are the Steps:

1. Choose your photo and duplicate the layer.
2. With your newly created layer go to Filter > Other > Highpass
   (I normally try to keep the radius around 2.5, but play with it a little)
3. Set the blending mode of the “Highpassed” layer to Overlay. Enjoy!

Notice how it made the edges pop. Gives the photo just an extra bit of sharpness. It also adds somewhat of an HDR effect with the small glow it gives around the edges.