VSCO filter
/ˈvɪskoʊ ˈfɪltər/
CommonA photo preset from the VSCO app, associated with a specific washed-out, film-inspired aesthetic.
Can be used sincerely or mockingly. As a style descriptor, it often implies a specific early-2010s aesthetic of slightly desaturated, warm, film-inspired edits. Calling someone a 'VSCO girl' was a whole separate cultural moment.
| # | Example | What it means | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | slap A4 on it and call it a day, classic VSCO filter era | Applying a specific VSCO preset was the go-to edit for a whole period. | tiktok, 2023 |
| 02 | everything in 2015 had that same VSCO filter and I miss it honestly | The widespread use of a specific aesthetic is remembered fondly. | x, 2024 |
| 03 | my mom still edits every photo with a VSCO filter and I think that's valid | Using an older editing style is being defended, not criticized. | reddit, 2024 |
| 04 | not the VSCO filter on a sunset photo in 2024 | Using this editing style now reads as dated. | instagram, 2024 |
Use it when
- Referring to a preset applied in the VSCO app.
- Describing the washed-out, film-inspired aesthetic associated with VSCO.
- Mocking or referencing the early-2010s Instagram editing style.
Do not use it when
- You mean any photo filter or preset, not specifically VSCO.Use “filter” instead.
- You mean Lightroom presets, which produce a different result.Use “lightroom-preset” instead.
VSCO filter vs Lightroom preset
VSCO filter
VSCO filters are mobile-first, quick to apply, and tied to a recognizable aesthetic. Associated with casual creators.
lightroom-preset
Lightroom presets are more complex, used by photographers who want granular control, and generally associated with a more editorial or professional look.
Origin and context
VSCO (Visual Supply Company) launched its mobile editing app in 2012. The app's built-in presets, especially the A, C, and M series, became associated with a specific warm, faded, film-inspired Instagram aesthetic throughout the mid-2010s.
- First seen
- 2012
- Confidence
- high
Cite this page
Use this stable URL to reference the entry.
https://slang.fyi/vsco-filter