What are your favourite filters?

[Tasha Chawner]

Lina's (@sourkraut) thread about vignette has inspired this thread - thanks!
http://365project.org/discuss/tips-n-tricks/7903/when-is-it-appropriate-to-use-vignette

So my questions to you are:
What are your favourite effects? (edited to replace the word filter with effect - oops!)
What photo editor offers them?
How often to you add effects to your photos?
And why / how to you add them to achieve the best effect?

Thanks too to Maribel (@maribelrivera) for the ideas on the questions to ask!!

I'm a relatively new convert to fiddling with my photos. Before that I was a bit of a 'purist' but I'm loving that I can change the look and feel of a photo with a simple click.

My favourites are:
Cross-process - in Picnik. I don't add it that often, and when I do it is very much a gut feeling thing. If it pleases my eye, then I add it.
Orton-ish and 1960's - again both Picnik - are two more that I seem to gravitate toward.

I've recently discovered Pixlr-o-matic as well -
http://pixlr.com/o-matic/
with which you can add a base, overlay and borders. I've got a few favourites in all three sections here. Well worth a check out!

[maribelrivera]

I use PhotoScape a lot, and Picnik too. In PhotoScape I love the Antique Photo effects, and the Film effects, too. I use vignetting, the dark one, not the white one (;P). I also use the Out-of-focus spot effect. It all depends on the pic, obviously.
In Picnik I love the Cross-process, and all the lighting effects. The Lomo, HDR and Orton effects are also among my favourites(this last one is specially useful with portraits)....Anyway, I don´t use all of them at the same time, of course (although I usually think that my editings are excessive...I have to try and control myself,hehehe)

[maribelrivera]

@tashachawner Tasha, I just had a look at pixlr, and I simply love the frames...thanks for the contribution!

[Vikdaddy]

I'd class a filter as something you physically put on your camera lens...

[Tasha Chawner]

@maribelrivera Thanks Maribel. And you're welcome on Pixlr-o-matic - it's good fun!

@vikdaddy Perhaps I should have used the word "effect" instead of filter here Vikdaddy.

[naladka]

I really like Velvia and Reala 400 in Picnik (found in Curves). It makes photos more saturated and gives better contrast.

[Paul Kelly]

Malboro

[Nimi]

I love the Pixelating tool in picnik. I use it very often and you can see it in most of my pictures if you view my project ;)

[Tasha Chawner]

@naladka Natassia, I haven't signed up for a Premium account with Picnik yet, but think I might have to. Just been in to have a look and play with the ones you mentioned... not bad!!

@tolpol Paul, what and where is Malboro??

@nimi Thanks Nimi. I haven't played with the pixelating tool much myself. It doesn't lend itself well to my photos. Like your project though!

[Nimi]

@tashachawner Thanks so much

[Paul Kelly]

@tashachawner A filter tipped cigarette! ;0)

[Tasha Chawner]

@tolpol Thought as much!