Tips for applying special filter effects

Try the following techniques to apply special effects with filters.

Apply edge effects You can use various techniques to treat the edges of a filter effect applied to only part of an image. To leave a distinct edge, simply apply the filter. For a soft edge, feather the edge, and then apply the filter.

Apply filters to layers You can apply filters to individual layers or to several layers in succession to build up an effect. For a filter to affect a layer, the layer must be visible and must contain pixels--for example, a neutral fill color. (See Filling a new layer with a neutral color.)

Apply backgrounds By applying filter effects to solid-color or grayscale images, you can generate a variety of backgrounds and textures. You might then blur these textures. Although some filters have little or no visible effect when applied to solid colors (for example, Glass), others produce interesting effects. You might try Add Noise, Chalk & Charcoal, Clouds, Conté Crayon, Craquelure, Difference Clouds, Glass, Grain, Graphic Pen, Halftone Pattern, Mezzotint, Mosaic Tiles, Note Paper, Patchwork, Pointillize, Reticulation, Rough Pastels, Sponge, Stained Glass, Texture Fill, Texturizer, and Underpainting.

Improve image quality and consistency You can disguise faults, alter or enhance, or make a series of images look related by applying the same effect to each.

Applying Filters and Effects > Tips for applying special filter effects