Portrait photographers: we know that you’re sick of sterile portraits. And we’re right up there with you. We’re constantly complaining about how dull images are from standard lenses these days. So we’re rounding up some of the best lens filters for portrait photographers that we’ve tested over the years. And we think you’re going to really love these.
Table of Contents
How We Chose The Best Lens Filters for Portrait Photographers
- The Phoblographer’s various product round-up features are done in-house. Our philosophy is simple: you wouldn’t get a Wagyu beef steak review from a lifelong vegetarian. And you wouldn’t get photography advice from someone who doesn’t touch the product. We only recommend gear we’ve fully reviewed in these roundups.
- If you’re wondering why your favorite product didn’t make the cut, there’s a chance it’s on another list. If we haven’t reviewed it, we won’t recommend it. This method keeps our lists packed with industry-leading knowledge. Some of our stories include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
- We took a look at some of the most requested features by portrait photographers. Some of them want more sparkle and dazzle. Others wish intensely for softer skin that glows. These filters have those. And we’d know because we tested them.
- The Best Lens Filters for portrait photographers are typically made by a few companies. The photo industry puts a big emphasis on sterile and clean photos so that a photographer can do a ton in post-production. But these lenses give your images the lifesaving water they need.
Prism FX Radiant Filter
In our review, we state:
The second way it works is by playing with light hitting the lens. Any point light source that reflects off a surface or travels right into the lens will get flared. The effect is really beautiful. This isn’t just lens flare: it’s a ton of tiny lens flares. This is a circular filter, and you can rotate it to get different effects. We tried using it with slower shutter speeds and stuff like car light trails. Generally, it’s better to just use it with point light sources.
Pro Tip: This filter is fantastic when you want random lens flares and have little bits of light in the background to play with. We consider it one of the best lens filters for portrait photographers because of how it presents them with opportunities to play with the lighting around them. If you’re the type that likes to improvise and embrace the beauty of flaws, get these.
Tiffen Glimmer Glass
In our review, we state:
Let’s get something clear: all the Tik Tok influencers who say putting a stocking over your lens to get a film look are speaking complete trash. You can do the same thing with a lower-megapixel camera body and an older lens. Alternatively, you could use this filter to get an even better look.
Pro Tip: Glimmerglass tends to be some of our favorite lens filters around here for various reasons. They’re adjustable by strength and they don’t really take away from the original photo all that much. Instead, they just make it look that much more dreamy. These are some of the best best lens filters for portrait photographers because of the subtle softness they give to skin. Combine it with daylight white balance for beautiful renders.
Lensbaby OMNI Creative Filter System
In our review, we state:
“As a photographer who occasionally likes to introduce distortions and other lighting effects into my photos for added visual impact, the Lensbaby OMNI Creative Filter System allows it with ease, and without having to juggle between different crystals and prisms in one hand while holding a camera in the other.”
Pro Tip: These filters are quite literally prisms that are designed to add special effects to your portraits like light refractions, rainbows, and more. I mean, do we need to say more?
Spektrem Effects Light Speed filter
In our review, we state:
The Spektrem Effects Light Speed filter is a fun tool I’m bound to use over and over again. I’ve bought a ton of prisms and filters over the years. Only a few get used consistently. And this one is bound to be one I end up really liking.
Pro Tip: These filters are fantastic for what they are. But be careful and always carry them in the box. They need protection for sure. We really like using them for the unique effects they give as they make photos so much less boring. If you’re looking to get a completely different look, then there’s no doubt that these are some of the best lens filters for portrait photographers.
Tiffen Cross Screen Filter
In our review, we state:
This is a fun enough filter to keep on your lens at all times just to see and experience the cool effects that it offers. I caught a candid photo of my buddies at a bar I was hanging out at. And behind them is light. The Tiffen Cross Screen filter made the light render in a completely different way, and depending on where you’re focusing, the lights might play out or look totally unique each time. That’s something I really like about the Tiffen Cross Screen filter, you can’t always predict to know what it’s going to look like.
Pro Tip: The Tiffen Cross Section filter is great on wider angle lenses and for those moments when you get the light in the eye. It’s also an effective tool for emphasizing lens flares. Who doesn’t want sparkle in their eyes without Photoshop? That completely makes these some of the best lens filters for portrait photographers.
Prism FX Rose Filter
In our review, we state:
All this aside, the Prism FX Rose Filter is looking to do two things. First off, it gives the images some haze. This softens the way people look and mutes details. It adheres to the aesthetic that Frank Ockenfels III told Pop Photo years ago about digital being too sharp. On top of that, it adds more gorgeous lens flare. If that isn’t enough, it also tints the images a shade of purplish pink. They call it rose! And be warned that your camera might try to compensate for it, so I’d recommend locking your white balance to Daylight 5200K.
Pro Tip: These filters both soften the image and add a warming effect to it. Except this time around, you’re getting a warming effect and a more purple effect. Embrace it. We love it.
Tiffen Pro Mist Black Filters
In our review, we state:
Adding the extra analog look to Fujifilm RAW files is very nice. But, where I think the Tiffen Pro Mist filters are sorely needed is with Sigma and Sony lenses. The companies have more or less engineered the character out of them. They’re, in my opinion, too clinical. That’s not to say that they’re not good lenses. They’re pretty fantastic. But if your favorite flavor of ice cream grew on a tree in your backyard, you’d go for it instead of milking a cow, churning, adding flavor, etc. Similarly, if a lens gives me a look straight out of the camera, why do I need to spend more time in front of a computer editing? Why can’t I just keep shooting and love what I get?
Pro Tip: These are pretty universally the industry standard when it comes to adding haze or halation to your lens output. We love using them with Fujifilm lenses because of the specific analog look you get. They’re very similar to Glimmer Glass.
