The best free Photoshop filters 2017

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Free Photoshop filters

Photoshop's built-in filters are superb, but you can expand your collection almost infinitely with third-party Photoshop Actions, which essentially 'record' a series of tasks conducted within the software and replay the steps automatically.

Third-party filters are an easy way to apply new and imaginative effects to your photographs, and their developers often offer some of their most popular creations to download and use free. If you love the freebies, you might then consider buying a package containing more.

Another good place to find free Photoshop filters is DeviantArt, where creatives and artists around the world share and critique each others’ work. Search the site for ‘Photoshop filter’ and ‘Photoshop action’ and you’ll find a ton of freebies (though you might have to email the creator for the file).

Here's our pick of the best free Photoshop filters. What are your favorites? Let us know in the comments below.

Get retro kitsch via VHS glitch using this free Photoshop filter from Creativetacos

1. Glitch

Make your photo look like a frozen still from a broken video tape

This retro look will be familiar to both lovers of horror movies like The Ring, or anyone who’s watched their parents’ worn-out 80s wedding video. Glitch is a free Photoshop filter from from Creativetacos that you can use to give a normal photo the look of a glitchy VHS picture from decades past. 

Download here: Glitch

Give a sleek, iconic black and white look to your portrait photos with this free Photoshop filter

2. Weekend B/W

A sophisticated monochrome filter for upmarket portrait shots

Graded with five colours and sensitive to skin tones, this Photoshop filter gives a sleek, classic monochrome look to your photos. It works best on portraits, including wedding, studio and children’s portraits. It’s only compatible with the latest versions of Photoshop, though, so you’ll need either CS6 or the Creative Cloud. This Photoshop action was created by DeviantArt veteran Realgrow, aka Serge, from Russia. 

Download here: Weekend B/W

This creative Photoshop filter is not only great for photos, it’s also very handy if you make comics

3. Halftone Photo Effect

Apply a comic-style effect reminiscent of Roy Lichtenstein

Want to make your image look like a page from a comic book? Use this free Photoshop filter from Creativetacos to create a stylish halftone effect. It works best with colorful photos, and it's compatible with Photoshop CS3-CS6 and Photoshop CC.

Download here: Halftone Photo Effect

Give a cool vintage effect to your photos with this free Photoshop filter from Creativetacos

4. Free Vintage Retro Circle Effect

A stylish texture that lends pictures an old-school print look

Some Photoshop filters are quite subtle, others very dramatic. This one fits firmly into the latter category, using Photoshop's built-in geometric shapes to create a stylish effect reminiscent of old print.

Download here: Free Vintage Retro Circle Effect

Turn back time to the film era with this Photoshop filter from Shutter Pulse

5. Old Film

Recreate the vintage feel of an old colour photo

Inspired by the era of film, this free Photoshop filter from Shutter Pulse will transform a modern photo to give it the vintage feel of a bygone age. You can either download this Photoshop action by itself, or get it as part of a free bundle that includes 20 Lightroom presets and 20 Photoshop actions (provided you're happy to give the developer your email address).

Download here: Old Film

Make a scary photo even more chilling with this free Photoshop filter from Exposure School

6. Cold Nightmare

Add an icy look to your images with this high-contrast filter

Exposure School is a popular blog providing tips and tricks on how to improve your photography. Its creators are giving away this eerie Photoshop filter free, enabling you to add an unsettling look to your stranger snaps. It’s compatible with Photoshop CS3-CS6 and Photoshop CC.

Download here: Cold Nightmare

Great monochrome conversion is tricky. Free Photoshop filter Silver helps you get the balance right

7. Silver

Transform colour photos with a beautiful monochrome sheen

Silver applies a sophisticated monochrome look that can really add a touch of class to otherwise ordinary images. There are versions of this free Photoshop Action for both Photoshop (CS4-CS6 and CC) and Photoshop Elements (11 and upwards).

Download here: Silver

Achieve the soft, warm look of the much-loved Lomo LC-A camera

8. Lomo

Reproduce the fun effect of the Lomo LC-A camera

This free Photoshop filter from Photography Planet applies a fun, toy camera effect to your photos that’s inspired by the much-loved Lomo LC-A camera from the old Soviet Union.

There are two versions of the action included in the download: the low res one, which works best with photos less than 1500px in height or width, and the regular one, which works better with larger photos – the difference being the amount of edge blur. Compatible with Photoshop CS4-CS6 and Photoshop CC.

Download here: Lomo

Recreate the effect created by an imperfectly made analog camera body

9. Vintage Light Leak

Simulate the look of imperfectly exposed film

In the days of film photography, light leaks (where light gets into a camera, exposing the film or sensor) were seen as a problem that could ruin a picture. Nowadays, there’s fond nostalgia for the unintended yet dramatic visual effects that light leaks caused, so this free Photoshop filter from Photography Planet allows you to apply the look to a modern digital image. It’s compatible with Photoshop CS4-CS6 and CC.

Download here: Vintage Light Leak

Reimagine lush landscapes as arid, sandy scenes with a sandy color cast

10. Desert Dust

A view through the eye of a sandstorm

Anyone who’s watched Breaking Bad will know that there’s an eerie, dusty glow to any desert scene. Give your pictures a desert makeover with this free Photoshop filter from Vandelay Design, which summons up a hazy vista of desert dirt and dust. 

Download here: Desert Dust

As twilight sets in, light takes on a bluish hue. Recreate this effect with Blue Evening – ideal for atmospheric outdoor shots

11. Blue Evening

Envelop images in an evocative blue mist

Give your photo a dramatic blue cast with this evocative Photoshop filter from Photography Planet. Blue Evening works in Photoshop CS4-CS6 and CC, and there’s also a version compatible with Photoshop Elements 11 and above. 

Download here: Blue Evening

The free Summer Haze Photoshop filter creates a warm look that’s flattering to skintones

13. Summer Haze

Bring a touch of warmth to outdoor shots

This free Photoshop filter from Photography Planet simulates the look of warm late afternoon sunshine. It’s best used on outdoor photos – especially portraits taken in natural light – and is compatible with Photoshop CS4-CS6 and Photoshop CC. 

Download here: Summer Haze

Each filter in Nik Collection comes with a great range of presets, and you can create your own for future use

14. Google Nik Collection

A brilliant toolkit of professional-quality filters

Google Nik Collection is a set of seven top quality filters for creating stunning monochrome conversions, adjusting colors, applying retro film effects, sharpening, creating HDR images, reducing noise, and manipulating exposure. Each filter includes presets that will transform photos in a couple of clicks, as well as sliders to customize the results.

Download here: Google Nik Collection

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