Blurred yellow and white image with a chaotic movement effect and thin vertical poles.
Gondolas covered with blue tarps docked at a misty pier in venice with san giorgio maggiore church in the background.
A motion blur photo of a jockey in green and white silks riding a galloping horse on a racetrack.

Filters that soften, lower contrast, and create mood.

Five blank id badges with blue borders scattered on a white background.

DIFFUSION FILTERS

Diffusion filters are used to soften the image without making the subject look out-of-focus. They are manufactured from a wide range of textured-type patterns, including nets, concentric circles, tiny lenslets, subtle ripples, minuscule particles, frost-like glaze, and various computer-generated configurations.

Each type is usually supplied in sets of 3 to 5 strengths. Depending on the type used, along with the lighting conditions, each produces its own unique effect.

Some flatter the subject by smoothing-out wrinkles and toning-down blemishes, some lower contrast and pleasantly mute colors, and some flare highlights while adding a mood to a scene.

. . .There are at least two dozen popular types, all of which are attainable through the Filter Gallery.

A woman with long blonde hair lying on her stomach, resting her chin on her hands, and looking directly at the camera, with a gray backdrop.
Black Diffusion
Close-up portrait of a smiling woman with blonde hair wearing a purple shirt, indoors with soft lighting.
Classic Soft
Close-up of a smiling woman with a veil adorned with small golden beads, wearing red lipstick and a red and gold outfit.
Gold Diffusion
Woman with an elegant updo and pearl necklace, looking over her shoulder, wearing a white dress near a pool.
Mitchell
A woman with an elaborate hairstyle using chopsticks, wearing a sparkly black dress and gold bangle bracelets, smiling at the camera.
Softnet Black
A woman wearing a green patterned headwrap and matching top, with subtle makeup and gold earrings, looks slightly off-camera with a soft expression.
Bronze Glimmer
Close-up portrait of a middle-aged woman with curly hair, smiling, her hand resting on her cheek, wearing a blue ring.
Soft Centric
A smiling woman with curly red hair wearing a plaid shirt against a blurred yellow and blue background.
Soft-Fx
A woman in a gray turtleneck smiles gently while sitting at a wooden desk, her hand resting on her chin.
Black Frost
Woman smiling outdoors with wind blowing her curly hair, standing in front of a colorful mural with palm trees.
Warm Center Clear
Close-up portrait of a woman with long dark hair and blue eyes, looking directly at the camera against a blurred background.
White Frost
A woman with blue eyes and brown hair smiles gently at the camera, wearing a red top and gold jewelry.
Black Promist