Embodiments in accordance with the present invention encompass self-imagable polymer compositions containing a colorant which are useful for forming films that can be patterned to create structures for color filters and microlens having applications in a variety of microelectronic devices, optoelectronic devices and displays, such as for example image sensors. The compositions of this invention can be tailored to form positive tone images for forming an array of images, which can be thermally transformed into an array of microlens. The images thus formed can then be used in color filter applications.