What are Snapchat lenses?

Snapchat lenses are augmented reality (AR) filters that add interactive and dynamic effects to your photos and videos. These effects are applied in real-time using your smartphone's camera and can enhance or transform your appearance, alter the environment, or create engaging visual effects. Here are some key features of Snapchat lenses:

1. **Face Filters**: These lenses use facial recognition technology to apply effects such as virtual makeup, animated characters, or humorous alterations (like changing your face into a dog, adding sunglasses, or giving you a funny hat).

2. **World Lenses**: These lenses add AR elements to the environment around you. For example, they can place virtual objects or effects in your surroundings, such as floating text, animated characters, or interactive elements that react to your movements.

3. **Interactive Elements**: Many lenses include interactive features that respond to your actions. For instance, some lenses might make objects move or change when you tap the screen or make specific facial expressions.

4. **Seasonal and Themed Lenses**: Snapchat frequently updates its lenses to align with holidays, events, or trends, offering themed effects for occasions like Halloween, Christmas, or major cultural events.

5. **User-Created Lenses**: Through Snapchat's Lens Studio, users can create their own custom lenses. These can be shared with others or used personally.

6. **Lens Explorer**: This is a feature within Snapchat that allows you to discover and explore a wide variety of lenses beyond the default ones available on the camera screen.

Lenses make Snapchat engaging by allowing users to creatively enhance their content and interact with augmented reality in fun and imaginative ways.