From old and crispy to bold glamour – TikTok filters are helping us tell stories online
Filters are an integral part of the TikTok experience – and they are coaxing life stories out of users.
- Filters are an integral part of the TikTok experience – and they are coaxing life stories out of users.
- However, filters have a long history on social media platforms before TikTok.
The history of filters
- What began as bunny ears and exaggerated features (think Snapchat filters) quickly developed into filters that “perfected” facial features.
- These filters, often conforming to Western beauty standards, would slim the face, sharpen the jawline, enlarge the eyes and whiten teeth.
- While early versions of these filters seemed unrealistic and “fake”, recent filters have mastered undetectable face alterations.
Coaxed affordances
- These are called platform “affordances” and they are the fundamental things that influence how something can be used.
- Affordances allow, and often compel, users to share and interact in specific ways online.
- On TikTok, affordances dictate how users interact with the platform and with each other.
- On TikTok, filters are coaxed affordances.
Filters as storytelling devices
- Creators often use make-up and hair filters to differentiate between characters in a story (all played by the same person), or as devices to highlight themselves at different points in time.
- People can tell stories quickly by using filters, utilising different hair colours or make-up looks to make note of who is speaking.
- Using different make-up filters, Kendra plays the bride, bridesmaids, the future mother-in-law and herself (interestingly enough, without a filter).
- Filters and their applications are developing rapidly and are increasingly ingrained in social media culture.
- While some may decry the use of filters and unrealistic beauty standards, it is undeniable they have wonderful storytelling capabilities.