fotofilter

Fotofilter is a term used in photography to refer to an accessory or effect that modifies the light entering the camera lens or the image after capture. Traditionally, it denotes a physical piece of glass or gel placed in front of the lens, while in modern practice it also covers digital filters applied during post-processing. The purpose is to correct color balance, control exposure, alter contrast, or create creative looks.

Common physical filters include UV or skylight filters for protection and slight glare reduction, warming and cooling filters to adjust white balance, polarizing filters to reduce reflections and deepen blue skies, neutral density (ND) filters to reduce overall light for longer exposures, and graduated ND filters to balance bright skies with darker foreground. Color filters used in black-and-white photography can alter contrast, while diffusion or soft-focus filters soften textures. Specialty filters such as infrared, color-splitting, or star filters offer specific effects.

In digital photography, fotofilters appear as in-camera presets or software-based adjustments that mimic traditional filters, including LUTs and film simulations. Many brands offer filter systems in screw-in, bayonet, or square formats compatible with various lenses. Usage spans still photography and video, with physical filters valued for optical quality and shooting in harsh lighting, and digital filters valued for flexibility and nondestructive editing. See also: color filter, neutral density filter, polarizing filter, post-processing.