Practical Photoshop
Enhance a dull-looking landscape with the Live filter feature in the powerful, low-cost image editor Serif Affinity Photo
Tutorials from the cusp of image editing, now including Affinity Photo
Love them or hate them, filters are one way to give photographs a specific look. There are two types of filter: those that let you add effects, like turning your photo into a sketch; and those with more practical uses, such as sharpening and blur.
In Affinity Photo there are more of the latter than the former. You’ll find powerful sharpening tools; a range of blur tools for crafting depthof‑field effects; and a Haze Removal tool that outperforms Photoshop’s similar option.
When it comes to applying filters in Affinity Photo, you have two options: either add the effect directly to a pixel layer, or use the clever Live Filter feature, which places the effect on a separate layer. This means the filter remains editable and retains the benefits of working with layers. You can mask the effect to make it selective, alter the opacity to tone it down or change the blending mode, if you decide to.
In this way, Live Filter layers are similar to Adjustment Layers in Photoshop. You can build up an effect by using a combination of filter layers, and even switch the order around.
Haze removal 1
You can use the Haze Removal filter to enhance misty details. Highlight and duplicate the bottom layer (Ctrl/Cmd+J) then go to Filter > Haze Removal. Experiment with the sliders to cut through the haze. It can leave the image looking too dark, so try increasing the Exposure slider.
Add a mask 2
Next, you can use a layer mask to restrict the haze removal effect to the background mist. Click the Add Layer Mask icon at the bottom of the Layers Panel. Grab the Brush Tool (press B), then paint with black over the foreground and the trees to the left to hide the effect in these spots.
Fix the horizon 3
Go to Layer > New Live Filter Layer > Perspective Filter. Make sure the newly created Perspective layer is at the top of the layer stack, so that it affects all the layers below. Drag the top-left corner of the grid upwards. This lets you fix the horizon without having to crop in to the image.
Blur the water 4
Affinity Photo has an array of blur filters, including Motion Blur. Go to Layer > New Live Filter Layer > Motion Blur. Leave the Angle at 0 and increase the Radius to make a horizontal blur. Then add a layer mask and paint with black to hide, so that the effect affects only the water.
High Pass sharpening 5
The High Pass Live Filter results in a wonderful sharpening effect. Go to Layer > New Live Filter > High Pass. Go to the Layers Panel and change the Blending Mode from Normal to Overlay, then increase the High Pass amounts to apply the right strength of sharpening for your photo.
Tone mapping presets 6
Press Ctrl/Cmd+Shift+Alt+E to merge a copy of all layers into one. Click Tone Mapping in the top left, then fiddle with the presets on the left. I used the Urban Bright setting under James Ritson Customs. Click Apply and adjust the layer opacity if you want to reduce the effect.