How do I disable automatic smoothing effect/filter on MacBook Neo?

If your MacBook Neo is producing a noticeable smoothing or softened appearance even though you have not intentionally enabled an effect.

macOS Tahoe does not provide a documented setting specifically called “Skin Smoothing,” “Beauty Filter,” or “Retouching” that you can turn off. 

Apple’s documented camera controls cover features such as Portrait, Studio Light, Center Stage, Edge Light, Reactions, and Background, but none is identified as a skin-smoothing control.

Use video effects and mic modes during video calls on Mac

For a clean test, open a video application and click the Video menu in the macOS menu bar. 

Make sure Portrait, Studio Light, Center Stage, Edge Light, Background, and Reactions are off. 

Apple describes Portrait as background blurring and Studio Light as changing illumination, rather than as skin-retouching features. (Apple Support)

Apple also says that some applications may have their own camera-quality settings, so it is worth checking the settings within the particular service you use for your counselling sessions. (Apple Support)

If the smoothing remains across different applications with all documented video effects disabled, I would not claim that there is a hidden Tahoe setting or definitively identify the cause without further testing. 

At this point, Apple simply does not document a user control for removing that particular appearance.

One practical workaround is to use an iPhone as the Mac's webcam through Continuity Camera. 

This gives you a different camera source rather than the Neo's built-in camera. Apple officially supports Continuity Camera in macOS Tahoe. (Apple Support)

The important point is: you are not missing an Apple-documented “turn off skin smoothing” switch.

There currently is not one documented for macOS Tahoe.

There may be two different effects at play. You can turn off macOS and video app “beauty” effects, but the MacBook Neo’s builtin camera also uses an advanced image signal processor/computational video and Apple does not provide a system setting to disable that underlying processing entirely.

First turn off macOS effects. While your camera is actively being used in a call click the camera/video icon in the menu bar at the top of the screen. Turn off the following,

1. Portrait which removes simulated background blur.
2. Studio Light which removes face illumination/background dimming.
3. Center Stage which stops automatic reframing, if present.
4. Reactions which prevents hand gestures, animations.
5. Background which remove any virtual/replaced background.

If a control has a small adjustment button beside it, open it and move its strength to zero or turn the effect fully off.

Apple documents Portrait and Studio Light as a per call menu bar effects. Studio Light in particular alters the brightness of your face and background, so it can be mistaken for a beauty filter.

Next check your counseling app, many telehealth/video platforms add their own processing, independently of macOS. Look in the app’s Video, Camera, Appearance, or Effects settings for options such as “touch up my appearance” or “inhance appearance” or “portrait lighting” or anything similar that may be altering your appearance. For Zoom app specifically, disable touch up my appearance and any low light enhancement. For browser based sessions, check the meeting platform’s in call effects/video settings as well as its main account settings.

Without specific examples, I can only deal in general terms. Let us know how this works for you. 

You’re welcome!

Do you have an iPhone? If so, the iPhone can be substituted for the built in camera on your Neo. Image quality is improved and you have more control over image processing. Owl-53 has a link for setting up Continuity Camera in his post.

Our friends give good guidance here. 👍🏽

And while I know my post here does not address your issue directly, in the big picture it may be worth your time to leave product feedback directly to Apple about this. You know, the squeaky wheel, etc.

Product Feedback - Apple

Hi, I’m lacking context to understand what you’re experiencing. Are you having issues with the camera or an app or both?