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If you've ever recorded a video, played it back, and thought, “Wow… why does this look like it was filmed on a potato?” - welcome. You’re in the right place. Video filters are the secret sauce behind dreamy lighting, aesthetic vibes, and just generally better-looking everything.
Whether you’re filming brunch, a city stroll, or your cat doing taxes (he’ll never finish, but it’s cute), adding the right video filter can instantly elevate the entire moment.
In this guide, we’ll break down what a video filter actually is, why people use them, how to apply them on iPhone, and how to unlock seriously next-level effects using YouCam Video, including AI-powered transformations that take your edits from “nice” to “OK wait, how did you DO that?”
Let’s dive in.
What Is a Video Filter?
A video filter is a digital effect applied to your video to change its overall mood, color, lighting, or style. Think of it as a preset that instantly shifts the vibe.
Some filters brighten dull footage. Others add warm tones for a cozy feel. Some lean full-on cinematic with moody shadows and highlights.
Why do people use video filters? Because raw video is… well… raw. And sometimes harsh. A good video filter gives your clip personality and polish without requiring hours of editing.
With the right app (hi, YouCam Video), it’s as easy as a tap. And with today’s tech, you can go beyond simple adjustments.
Features like AI video filter effects can completely transform your footage into stylized worlds you’d see in animation, art, fantasy, or even trending TikTok aesthetics.
Popular Types of Video Filters
Video filters come in all flavors, and creators often switch depending on what they’re trying to express.
A few fan favorites include:
• Aesthetic Filters
Soft tones, pastels, dreamy glow - these are perfect for lifestyle, OOTD, or travel videos.
• Retro Filters
Grain, texture, vintage colors. Because everything looks cooler when it pretends it’s from the 90s.
Read More - How to Try Vintage Filters on Videos [iPhone, Android]
• Cinematic Filters
Think movies: dramatic tones, high contrast, rich shadows.
Read More - 5 Tips to Make Your Video Cinematic With the Best Video Editing App
• Food Filters
Boost saturation and warmth for those delicious “yes, I did spend an unreasonable amount of money on avocado toast” moments.
Read More - Fall Filters: Best Video Editing App for Creating Fall Videos
• Seasonal Filters
Winter glows, autumn oranges, summer brights. So, basically Mother Nature, but enhanced.
And thanks to AI tech, AI video filter tools can now create cartoon styles, fantasy looks, futuristic edits, and surreal animations you’d never pull off manually.
How to Add Video Filters on iPhone
iPhones come with built-in options that keep things simple. You won’t get the huge variety of a dedicated video filter editor, but it’s a great starting point.
Step 1: Open Your Video in Photos
Step 2: Choose “Filters”
Scroll through options like Vivid, Dramatic, Warm, Cool, Mono, Silvertone, Noir, etc. They’re subtle, but effective.
Step 3: Adjust Intensity
Step 4: Save Your Edit
Tap Done.
This is great for quick corrections or a light effect, but most creators eventually want more. More filters. More styles. More customization. More fun. That's where an advanced video filter editor comes in, especially one packed with AI tools.
How to Add Video Filters Using YouCam Video
Here’s where things get exciting.
YouCam Video gives you an entire world of editing tools: hundreds of video filters, aesthetic presets, adjustment controls, and incredibly impressive ai video filter options that can completely change the look of your clip.
Let’s walk through the full process step-by-step.
1. Download YouCam Video
You can grab it from the App Store or Google Play. It’s quick, easy, and free to start.
2. Upload Your Video for Editing
3. Navigate to Edit → Filters
YouCam Video offers a massive selection of filters organized into categories so you can match any vibe instantly:
- Trendy: perfect for creators posting on TikTok, Instagram, or YouTube Shorts
- Food: bright, warm, deliciously eye-catching
- Retro: grain, film textures, vintage color palettes Seasonal: holiday, summer brightness, cozy fall tones
- Love, Travel, Fantasy, and more
Tap a filter to preview how it transforms your clip. Tap again to adjust intensity. Easy.
4. Try the AI Tools: Effects, Animation & AI Editing
Filters are great. But YouCam Video also gives you AI superpowers. And yes, this is where things get viral-level cool.
AI Effects
These apply stylized looks to your footage: neon glow, artful strokes, surreal textures, dynamic spirals, and more. Think of it as a smart AI video filter that amplifies your video’s mood.
AI Animation
Turn your clip into a cartoon-style animation. Your selfie video becomes anime. Your pet becomes a Pixar-ish character. Your brunch becomes a cute illustrated scene. It’s weird, wonderful, and incredibly fun.
AI Editing
Transform your entire video using AI-driven scenarios. Want your clip to look like it’s filmed in winter? Want to change your clothing color? Make the subject of the video look older? This is the tool for that. YouCam Video analyzes your footage and reimagines it without requiring any manual adjustments.
This is where a regular video filter editor stops and YouCam Video keeps going.
5. Save and Share
Once you’ve polished your video, tap Save. Export in high quality and share it instantly with your friends or keep it in your camera roll to admire privately (we don’t judge).
You’ve now created something polished, aesthetic, and totally scroll-stopping.
Make Every Clip Pop with YouCam Video
Whether you're after subtle aesthetic tones, trendy social-media looks, or a full AI-powered glow-up, YouCam Video makes the whole process fun, fast, and incredibly creative. It’s everything you need in a video filter editor - and then some.
Ready to make every clip pop? Download YouCam Video and start transforming your videos today.
Video Filter FAQs
How can I put a filter on a video?
You can put a filter on a video by using a video editing app. Most apps let you upload your clip, choose a video filter, adjust the intensity, and save the result. On iPhone, you can use the built-in Filters tool, or try advanced apps like YouCam Video for more styles and AI effects.
What is the best free video filter app?
YouCam Video is one of the best free video filter apps because it offers hundreds of trending filters, beauty tools, and AI effects for creative transformations. It’s easy to use, works for short and long clips, and includes advanced features you won’t find in most basic editors. You can try all filters before upgrading.
Can you add a filter to a video on iPhone?
Yes. On iPhone, open your video in the Photos app, tap Edit, and choose Filters to apply built-in options like Vivid, Dramatic, or Mono. For more advanced styles, aesthetic looks, or AI filters, you can use editing apps such as YouCam Video, which offers a much wider variety of creative filters.
Can you put a filter on a video already taken?
Absolutely. Any video you’ve already recorded can be edited with filters afterward. Just open it in the Photos app or import it into a video filter editor like YouCam Video. From there, apply filters, adjust the style, or even use AI effects to transform the look of your existing footage.
Do filters work on videos?
Yes, filters work on videos the same way they do on photos, enhancing the mood, color, and overall look of your footage. Modern apps add even more options, including beauty filters and AI effects. With tools like YouCam Video, you can apply subtle corrections or complete style transformations to any clip.
