(Pocket-Lint) – When Google launched the Pixel 6, it also unveiled a new camera feature called Real Tone. The idea is that it will give more natural results for different skin tones.
Google thinks that – most of the time – photos of people of skin color other than white, regardless of darkness and shade, often do not look like them. Often shows contrast-heavy and washed out, or shows a greenish tinge.
With real tones, the idea is that the skin looks naturally radiant and close to how the skin looks with the naked eye. It was initially an exclusive pixel feature, but now Google has introduced the feature in Google Photos on Android, iPhone and desktop.
There are five new real tone-powered filters called Playa, Honey, Isla, Desert and Clay. Here’s how to use them on all your devices:
How to use the original tone of Google Photos on Android
Although this is a Google platform, it may take a while for the update to appear on your Android phone, however, once you have the updated version of Google Photos installed, follow these steps:
- Open the Google Photos app
- Choose the selfie / portrait you want to apply the filter to
- Tap ‘Edit’ on the toolbar – it looks like three sliders / faders
- Swipe across the bar at the bottom of the next screen until you see ‘Filters’
- Select ‘Filter’ and now choose one of the original tone options: Playa, Honey, Isla, Desert or Clay
- Tap the filter again to adjust the power
- Tap ‘Adjust’ to fine tune any other image feature
This is a very simple process if you are not happy with the way your skin tone is obtained from your smartphone camera.
How to use the original tone of Google Photos on iPhone
First make sure your iPhone has the latest version of Google Photos installed. We’ve seen the feature appear in version 5.92, but if you check the App Store for updates, you’ll find it available for download.
- Open the Google Photos app
- Choose the selfie / portrait you want to apply the filter to
- Tap the edit icon in the bottom bar, it looks like three sliders / faders
- Select ‘Filter’ from the options at the bottom of the screen
- Now choose playa, honey, isla, desert or clay
- Tap again on your selected filter to adjust the power
- Tap ‘Adjust’ to fine tune any other image feature
It’s as easy as editing.
How to use the real tone of Google Photos on desktop
Of course, you can access Google Photos from your web browser on Windows, Mac, Chrome OS machines just by going to photos.google.com. Follow these next steps:
- Open the selfie or portrait you want to apply the filter to
- Tap on the ‘Edit’ icon which looks like a three slider control
- It should select ‘Color Filter’ as the default next step, if not, click on it at the top left of the sidebar
- Now choose one of the real tone powered filters: Playa, Honey, Isla, Desert or Clay
- Adjust the slider to increase or decrease the intensity of the filter
Of course, like the mobile app, you can adjust the brightness, contrast and saturation by tapping on the ‘Basic Adjustment’ slider icon at the top.
Written by Cam Bunton.