Moods in Google Photos: A New Approach to Retro-Themed Filters

The author of this article has been using beauty filters for years, but recently realized that they don't age well and create an unrealistic version of their face. They decided to switch to a more playful approach with retro-themed filters, which invokes more emotion and nostalgia in their photos.

One of the features they now use is Moods, part of a Google Photos update released on September 24, 2026. Moods allows users to apply retro-themed filters to their photos without needing professional editing skills. The presets are already balanced, making it easy to get started.

The author's favorite Mood is Crisp 35mm, named after the traditional format that produced most photographs from the last century. This format was popularized by Leica in the 1920s and became a standard for photography. Moods doesn't enhance picture quality but works on top of processed images, changing tones and contrast.

The author compares the results of using Crisp 35mm with other filters, including Honey, Isla, Desert, and Clay. The latter layered a fixed tint over the same blown-out yellow base, making the photo warmer and flatter than the original. In contrast, Crisp 35mm corrected each frame's white balance by hand, producing natural-looking results.