Photobooth
Photo filters
Black and white, sepia, warm or cool tones: apply a filter to an event's photos, let guests choose, and keep the originals.
Feature being rolled out. Filters are arriving gradually in BoothX versions. The list of filters and the location of the settings may differ depending on your version.
A filter gives photos a particular look: an elegant black and white for a gala, warm tones for a rustic wedding, a vintage style for a theme party. Filters are applied by the booth, without internet and at no cost.
Filter families
The exact list depends on your version. You'll usually find:
| Family | Look | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|
| Black and white | Soft or strong contrast, no color. | Galas, chic weddings, portraits. |
| Sepia / vintage | Brown tones, old-photo look. | Roaring Twenties parties, retro themes. |
| Warm | More golden skin, cozy atmosphere. | Weddings, cold venue lighting. |
| Cool | Bluish tones, modern feel. | Tech events, winter parties. |
| Vivid | More saturated colors. | Parties, kids, colorful decor. |
| Soft | Reduced contrast, bright look. | Portraits, softening harsh light. |
Filters are color and contrast adjustments applied to the image. They don't alter faces and don't require any AI processing on our servers.
Three ways to use filters
An imposed filter
Every photo of the event gets the same filter. It's the simplest way to get a consistent visual identity: a black and white wedding, a booth in a brand's colors.
A choice left to the guest
After the shot, the review screen offers a few filters as thumbnails. The guest taps the one they like; the preview updates. Offer three or four filters at most, otherwise choosing slows down the line.
No filter
The camera's natural look. This is the default setting.
Set up a filter
- Open the event's photobooth settings (on the event's page or in the capture settings, depending on your version).
- Choose the default filter, or turn on guest choice and check the filters to offer.
- Take a test photo and print it: a filter is judged on paper as much as on screen.
- Adjust the template if needed: a colorful design around a black and white photo can look superb… or clash.
Filters and printing
The printer reproduces the filter exactly as it's computed. A few things to watch:
- a black and white photo printed on a dye-sublimation printer may lean slightly warm or cool depending on the ribbon: do a test;
- vivid filters accentuate the flaws of colored venue lighting;
- check skin tones on the printer's test page. See The Printers page and print settings.
Keep the originals
Depending on your version, BoothX can also save the unfiltered photo. This is useful if your client changes their mind after the event, or for a photographer who wants to rework the images. It doubles the disk space used for the photos concerned.
Filters, GIFs and bursts
Filters apply to every format: single photo, strip, GIF, boomerang, burst. For an animation, the filter is applied to each frame. See Photobooth capture formats.
Tips
- Start with the light: a filter won't rescue an underexposed or blurry photo.
- Match the filter to the decor: ask your client about the room's dominant colors.
- Keep it understated for weddings: the couple will be looking at these photos in twenty years.
- Test on different skin tones: a warm filter can make some skin look too orange.
Frequently asked questions
Do filters slow down the booth? Very little: they're computed in a fraction of a second. On a very old computer, the live filter preview can be turned off in favor of a simple preview after the shot.
Is a filter an AI effect? No. AI effects (background removal, background generation) are pay-as-you-go server processing. Filters are local and free. See Free forever or pay-as-you-go.
Does the filter apply to the live preview? Depending on your version, the preview may show the filter in real time, or only after the shot. Either way, the saved photo has the chosen filter.