Affinity Photo Lighting Filter
On a recent training course the question popped up about filters in Affinity Photo and which one was the best which forced a bit of a frown and a long conversations about filters and filters in general. In the end it was the Affinity Photo Lighting Filter that won the day.
We did actually cover a number of filters in the software and as usual some weird and wonderful effects were created, smiled about and then discarded or used.
We’re good with that although Greta’s still pondering on her favourite filter because she’s not so sure but she did say “it’s like everything with graphics, personal choice”.
What is the Affinity Photo Lighting Filter?
This is actually quite an old filter from around about 2017 or thereabouts but unlike many others not showing its age at all.
Like most lighting filters including Photoshop you can select specific lights including Directional, Spot and Point and then adjust the light source according to your vision.
Any of the light sources you choose can then be editing and different lighting controls added to the mix.
Just to clarify Affinity’s different Light Sources
A. Point Light: gives out an omnidirectional lighting effect similiar to an overhead room lights
B. Directional Light: similiar to the sun this light source falls on to all objects in sight meaning it has no position and light and colour can be adjusted.
C. Spot Light: these a spot light is elliptical resembling a torch or a candle which is focused onto an exact part of the image.
Affinity Photo’s Lighting Panel
Go to Filter Menu >Lighting to open the Lighting Filters panel (shown below)
Click on the Type drop down and select which Light Source you want
As with all things graphical its good to work in a non-destructive way and you can do exactly the same with the Lighting Filter by:
Go to Layer Menu >New Live Filter Layer and choose Lighting from the drop down.
Find out more about Live Filter Layers
Once inside the Lighting Panel you can play around to your hearts content. It’s always worth mentioning that the best approach to working with photo’s in both Affinity Photo and Adobe Photoshop is by using a non-destructive workflow.
How does Affinity’s Lighting Panel work?
Good things to note.
You can always add a second light source to the photo by by clicking on the downward arrow next to light and selecting 2 from the list.
By doing this you could simply add another colour to a light source coming from a different direction or add darker lighting from the bottom.
The possibilities, as they say, are endless.
Affinity Photo Training Courses
If you are interested in our Affinity Photo Training take a look at our course content overview or get in touch to discuss the options for a tailored Affinity Photo Course.
These are available both onsite at your premises or with a live instructor online.
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