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A red 25A filter was used for this image. Notice the tonal effect on the US flag flying in the foreground.
Julie, Linc, and Pete (the original Mod Squad characters from the 1960s-70s TV series) have nothing on this color filter triptych mod for your iPhone. While it’s shocking that Apple did not include color filter simulations in its smartphone’s feature set, physically adding filters to an iPhone is a trivial pursuit involving two elastic bands.
What do you need for the mod?
In addition to these two bands, you’ll need to equip your “squad” with three color filters: red, green, and blue. Each of these filters has a unique spectral definition for describing the filter’s color density. This naming convention includes red as 25A, green as X1, and blue as 82A (see Figure 1).
Figure 1. Your three best friends for providing some visual punch to your iPhone photographs.
Actually, blue is the “odd man” out in this bunch. A true blue filter is very hard to find (Note: Rollei sold blue filters for use with their twin lens reflex cameras). Therefore, a color correction blue filter is used in this mod. In film photography, the 82A filter is used to add a “cool” color temperature to an overly warm scene. Such as balancing the warm color temperatures of incandescent lighting with tungsten-based film or cooling down a hot sunset or warm sunrise.
Yes, there are other filters that could also be used. For example, yellow, orange, yellow-green, etc., are classic color filters used for contrast and tonal control in black-and-white photography. Feel free to substitute any/all of these filters for the trio used in this mod.
However, rather than experimenting with the rainbow of all available color filters, only red, green, and blue will be used. Why? The visual results from these selected filters are the most vibrant and useful for altering your iPhone’s visual statement.
More than likely, you won’t have these three filters floating around in the bottom of your camera bag. Naturally, you’re thinking of going to your favorite camera store to purchase these three filters. But stop right there.
Be careful with this method
One negative aspect of this mod is that the filters will be subjected to considerable abuse. Normally, color filters are threaded onto the front element of a camera lens, which protects them from being dropped or lost during use.
Unfortunately, threads are not available on the iPhone. Therefore, each filter will be held against the elevated metal lens trim rings embedded in the iPhone camera island. This technique could subject each filter to minor abrasion and the possibility of falling off the smartphone. Therefore, buying a new filter is out of the question. A much better option is to scour the used market for color filters.
How much will it cost?
In typical used photographic equipment fashion, pricing for used filters is all over the map. In “good” to “very good” condition, prices will range between $3 – $13 each. Remember, these filters will be subjected to some possible abrasion, so a less-than-perfect condition is ideal. Also, the least expensive filter should be the blue 82A, while the red 25A will generally be the most expensive. Therefore, your total cost for purchasing a set of three filters should be about $20 – $30.
The prices of these used filters are based on a 52mm diameter. This is the best size for fitting over the entire iPhone camera island. Likewise, slipping two elastic bands over a 52mm filter will hold it securely in place without affecting the camera lens’ visual coverage, as shown in Figure 2.
Figure 2. Carefully slip your filter over the iPhone lens array and attach two elastic bands to hold it in place.
How to use color filters on your phone
Armed with a color filter attached to the iPhone camera system, it’s time to select the Camera app’s filter effect. In the app, press the little “up” arrow located at the top of the screen. This will display a side-scrolling string of 8 icons at the bottom of the screen. The filter effects icon is the final, eighth option in this string.
This filter has ten effects that can be individually selected. Ranging from “original” to “noir,” select the ninth effect,”silvertone.” Your iPhone is now ready for compositional and exposure adjustment. Find your favorite subject and make several test exposures using each of your mod squad filters. See Figures 3, 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d for a side-by-side comparison of each filter’s effect.
Figure 3. The star of our show; no color filter effect has been used on this photograph.
Figure 3d. Figure 3a with the blue 82A filter.
Figure 3a. The same scene from Figure 3, but in plain iPhone Silvertone effect.
Figure 3b. Figure 3a with the red 25A filter.
Figure 3c. Figure 3a with the green X1 filter.
It will take some experimentation until you are comfortable with your newfound vision (see Figure 4 and Figure 5). Most photographers will prefer the dramatic cloud visual statements that can be made with the red 25A filter, while others will cherish the green filter’s effect on foliage and portraiture. Regardless, “keep the faith,” and your new mod squad will deliver some “solid” results.
Figure 5. A Caribbean Blue beach home with the 82A filter.
Figure 4. Zooming over a field of green grass with the X1 filter.
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