TikTok is a popular social media app that allows users to create and share short videos. One of the app’s key features is its wide variety of filters that can be applied to videos to alter their appearance and add creative effects. TikTok filters can change the look of a video in many ways, from adjusting colors and lighting to adding animated elements and distortions.
After recording a video in the TikTok app, users have the option to apply filters before sharing the video. TikTok’s filters are diverse and constantly evolving, with new ones being added all the time. Applying filters is an integral part of the TikTok video creation process for many users. Filters can enhance videos visually, set a certain mood or tone, and help videos stand out on a user’s feed. Overall, filters allow TikTok creators to get creative with their content.
Why Apply Filters After Recording?
Applying filters after recording gives you more control over the final look of your video. When you apply a filter while recording, you are stuck with that filter for the entire clip. By waiting until after recording to add filters, you have the flexibility to change your mind, experiment with different options, and fix any mistakes.
For example, you may realize after recording that a certain filter you chose initially is too dark or washed out. Or you may find that a filter you thought looked good on the preview screen before recording ends up looking distracting or cluttered when applied to the full video. Applying filters after recording makes it easy to remove any filters you don’t like and try different ones until you get the desired aesthetic.
It also allows you to apply different filters to different parts of the video. You can use one filter for the opening clips, switch to a different one for the main action, and then try another look for the closing shots. This level of control isn’t possible when applying a filter pre-recording. Overall, adding filters after recording gives you flexibility to perfect the video’s look and feel.
How to Apply Filters
It’s easy to add filters to your TikTok videos after you’ve already recorded them. Here are the steps:
- Open the TikTok app and go to the video in your profile that you want to add a filter to.
- Tap on the pencil “Edit” icon at the bottom of the video thumbnail.
- This will open the video editor. Tap on the “Effects” tab at the bottom.
- Here you will see all of the available filters. Swipe through and select the filter you want to apply.
- You can preview how the filter looks on your video. Once you’ve picked one, tap “Save” at the bottom.
The selected filter will now be applied to your video. You can go back and edit the video to change or remove the filter at any time. The editing capabilities in TikTok allow you to fully customize your videos after recording.
According to TikTok’s own support article, “Effects are used to customize and add details to TikTok videos. Effects can be added before or after recording a video.” This confirms that adding filters after recording is not only possible, but a built-in feature of the app.
Source: https://support.tiktok.com/en/using-tiktok/creating-videos/effects
Types of Filters
TikTok offers a wide variety of filters that can completely transform the look and feel of your videos. The filters are grouped into categories like Color, Beauty, Creative, and Face Filters to make it easier to find the perfect one.
The Color filters add a bold, vibrant overlay like the classic Vibrant filter that boosts contrast and saturation. There are also softer Color filters like Dawn that wash the image in pastels. Color filters are great for landscapes, food videos, and adding artistic flair.
The Beauty filters smooth skin, add makeup looks, and enhance facial features. Some of the most popular include Golden Hour for a sunkissed glow, Beauty 2 which adds a subtle glam makeup look, and Angel Face for smoothing and brightening. Beauty filters are ideal for selfie videos, dance clips, and fashion.
Get creative with filters like Blur, Glitch, or Mirror that add trippy, futuristic effects. Blur smudges and softens the background, Glitch adds digital distortion, and Mirror creates a flipped kaleidoscope effect. Play around with Creative filters when you want something unusual.
Face filters transform your look with headpieces, accessories, animal features, and more. Some fun examples are Nerd Face with thick glasses, Bunny Ears, and Rainbow Uni adding a horn and rainbow mane. Let your imagination run wild with all the possibilities!
Most Popular Filters
TikTok has a wide variety of filters that cater to different aesthetics and video purposes. Some of the most popular filters on the platform include:
Beauty Filters
Beauty filters smooth skin, adjust colors, and enhance facial features. Some of the top beauty filters are Beauty Mode, Flawless, and Soft AFL.
Funny Filters
Funny filters distort facial features or add silly effects. Top funny filters include Cartoon, Time Warp Scan, and B&W Color Strokes.
Aesthetic Filters
Aesthetic filters create stylized or atmospheric visuals. Popular aesthetic filters are VHS, Glitch, and Fairy Dust.
Green Screen Filters
Green screen filters allow overlaying custom backgrounds. Frequently used options are Green Screen, Blue Screen, and Green Screen 2.
TikTok’s effect library has filters for any video theme or purpose. Knowing the most popular filters in different categories can help creators find the perfect look.
Finding the Right Filter
With hundreds of different filters to choose from on TikTok, finding the one that fits your video best can feel overwhelming. The key is taking the time to test out different options.
TikTok’s filter search bar makes this easy. At the bottom of the filters page in the app, you can search for filters by name or browse categories like “Beauty,” “Fun,” or “Chill.” Tap on any filter result to preview it on your video.
Pay attention to how the filter affects the mood, lighting, colors, and other aesthetic elements of your clip. Consider the vibe you’re going for. A light, faded filter like “Dawn” creates a dreamy effect, while dramatic filters like “Brooklyn” add bold contrast.
Don’t be afraid to get creative and layer 2-3 filters for a unique combo. Mixing a subtle filter like “Island” with a vibrant one like “Summer” can make your video pop. Saving filtered videos to your camera roll lets you compare options side-by-side later.
With TikTok’s large filter portfolio, you’re bound to find one that makes your video stand out from the crowd and captivates viewers.
Filter Combinations
One of the best features of TikTok is the ability to layer and mix multiple filters to create unique and creative effects. By using filter combinations, you can achieve an endless variety of looks to make your videos stand out.
TikTok allows you to apply filters one after the other to layer their effects. For example, you could apply the Glitch filter followed by the Anime filter to get a cool distorted animation effect. Mixing filters like Vintage with Sparkle can give your video an old-timey shimmering look.
You can also apply two filters simultaneously by long-pressing on one filter until a menu pops up, then selecting a second filter. This blends the effects of both filters into one. Some great dual filter options are Daydream + Fairytale or Lollipop + Puppy. The possibilities are endless!
When layering filters, play around to find combinations that enhance each other. Using filters with opposite tones like Matte + Glow can create nice contrast. For videos with people, try soft focus filters like Smoothen paired with a bright filter like Sunshine or Elegance to get a vibrant, dreamy look.
With a huge range of diverse filters to mix and match, get creative with stacking filters on your TikTok videos. The right filter combinations can elevate your content and make it truly one-of-a-kind.
Saving With Filters
One of the great things about TikTok is that you can save your videos with the filters applied. This allows you to export your videos with the filters still on them, rather than having to re-add filters every time you download or share the video.
To save a TikTok video with a filter:
- After applying your desired filter(s), tap the Share icon in the bottom right.
- Tap “Save video” to save the video with the current filter(s) applied.
- The video will now be saved to your camera roll or gallery with the filter(s) intact.
You can also download your TikTok videos with filters using sites like ssstik.io. These sites allow you to enter the video URL and download the video with its filters.
Saving videos with applied filters makes it easy to reuse them in other apps and social platforms. You don’t have to go through the process of re-adding filters every time. It’s a great way to maintain a consistent look and feel when sharing TikTok videos.
Pro Tips for Filters
When it comes to picking the right filters for your TikTok videos, there are a few best practices to keep in mind:
Choose filters that complement your content. Look for filters that enhance or accentuate the theme or mood of your video. For example, the Fairy Dust filter can add a whimsical touch to a dance video while the Retro filter gives a vintage vibe for throwback content.
Test different filter combinations. Don’t be afraid to stack filters or try out filter duos like Vintage + Blush or Fairy Dust + Glitch. Mixing and matching filters can lead to unique effects.
Avoid overusing filters. While filters can elevate your videos, using too many filters or relying solely on them can make your content seem generic. Use filters purposefully and sparingly for the best results.
Customize filter intensity. Many filters are adjustable, allowing you to tailor the effect intensity. Try dialing filters up or down for a look that complements your specific video.
Use relevant trending filters. Stay on top of trending filters and challenges and consider incorporating relevant trending filters into applicable videos to increase discoverability.
Save go-to filters for ease of use. If you have filters you use frequently, save them to your favorites for quick access when editing.
Preview before posting. Always preview your filtered video before posting to ensure the filters complement your content.
Conclusion
In conclusion, applying filters after recording on TikTok can be a great way to enhance your videos and make them more engaging. The platform offers a wide variety of filters to choose from, including color filters, beauty filters, fun effects, and more. While the original, unfiltered footage is always saved, using filters allows you to get creative and customize the look and feel of your videos. Taking the time to experiment with different filters, combinations, and settings can really pay off in producing eye-catching videos that will make viewers want to see more of your content. Hopefully this breakdown of how to find and apply filters after recording demystifies the process and inspires you to take your TikTok videos to the next creative level.