Add film glow or punch with one clarity slider on iPhone
Last updated 2 June 2026
In EditMe, the clarity slider runs from -100 to +100 and does both jobs from one control. Pushing it right adds local mid-tone contrast, so texture and structure come forward and the frame reads with more punch. Pulling it left does the opposite: it softens the mid-tones into a gentle, dreamy glow, the kind of bloom you associate with old film prints. At 0 the tool is off and the image is untouched, and it works the same way on both black-and-white and colour conversions.
How the clarity slider works
Clarity is a mid-tone contrast control, not a sharpening control. Internally it runs as a single large-radius unsharp pass, which is why it affects broad areas of structure rather than fine edges. That one pass is what gives you both directions of the slider:
- Positive values (up to +100) raise local mid-tone contrast. Skin texture, fabric, foliage, and weathered surfaces gain definition and the picture feels crisper and more present.
- Negative values (down to -100) lower mid-tone contrast and let the tones bleed softly into each other. The result is a soft, dreamy glow, the bloom you see in classic film prints and diffusion looks.
- Zero is the neutral point. The clarity stage is skipped entirely, so a value of 0 leaves the image exactly as it was.
Because clarity sits on its own stage in EditMe's pipeline, it stacks cleanly with your other adjustments and you can dial it back to 0 at any time to remove it completely.
Punch versus glow: which way to push
Think of the two directions as two different intentions rather than a single quality scale.
- For punch and grit, move clarity to the right. This suits street frames, landscapes, architecture, and any image where you want the surface detail to carry the picture. Add it gradually and stop before halos start to creep in around high-contrast edges.
- For a soft film glow, move clarity to the left. This flatters portraits, backlit and high-key scenes, and anything where you want a romantic, slightly hazy print feel. A little goes a long way, so try modest negative values first.
Clarity is separate from EditMe's edge sharpness tool, which only adds crispness and does not soften. If you want true film texture on top of either look, reach for grain. For colour shifts and tonal shaping, the grading and curves tools handle that. See Add film grain and toning, Colour grading (Lift, Gamma, Gain), and Curves tool for the rest of the look.
How it compares
| Factor | EditMe | A cloud editor |
|---|---|---|
| Glow and punch from one control | Yes, the same clarity slider does both: negative for glow, positive for punch | Often two separate tools or filters you switch between |
| Range | -100 to +100, with 0 as a true off state | Varies, and a neutral point is not always exact |
| Works on black-and-white and colour | Yes, the same tool in both modes | Depends on the editor and the chosen mode |
| Where it runs | On your iPhone or iPad, no account, no cloud | Uploaded and processed on a server |
| Cost | Free to download, some pro tools are part of an optional EditMe Pro subscription | Commonly a recurring plan or per-export charge |
Frequently asked questions
What does the clarity slider actually do in EditMe?
It adjusts mid-tone contrast. Positive values add local contrast so texture and structure stand out, and negative values reduce it to create a soft, dreamy glow. At 0 the tool is off and the image is unchanged.
What is the range of the clarity slider?
It runs from -100 to +100, with 0 as the neutral default. Negative gives glow, positive gives punch, and 0 skips the effect entirely.
Is clarity the same as sharpening?
No. Clarity is a broad mid-tone contrast effect that works over larger areas, and it can go both ways, up for punch or down for glow. EditMe's separate sharpness tool only adds edge crispness and cannot soften an image.
Does clarity work on black-and-white photos too?
Yes. Clarity applies in both black-and-white and colour conversions, so you can add punch or glow regardless of which mode you are working in.
How do I get a soft, dreamy film look?
Pull the clarity slider into negative territory. Start with a small negative value and increase it until the mid-tones bloom the way you want. For more film character on top, add grain.
Will clarity change anything if I leave it at 0?
No. At 0 the clarity stage is skipped, so the image stays exactly as it was. You only see a change once you move the slider away from the centre.