Creative filters is a feature that allows you to enjoy visual effects that cannot be achieved through conventional photography by applying digital effects to the image, thereby giving a totally different look to your photos. In the following article, I will explain how to operate the camera to use the Creative filters and the qualities of the respective Creative filter effects. (Photos and text by: Ryosuke Takahashi)

 

Live View allows you to check the effect while setting

To make full use of the Creative filters feature, you need to know the best mode to choose for a specific scene. Creative filters can be used in various ways on an EOS 80D, but works particularly well with Live View shooting as you can check the digital effect in real time.

The following shooting procedures are rather straightforward; however, note that when you select the Creative filter mode using the Mode Dial, “Art bold effect” will not be available in the options. To make use of this effect, set the shooting mode to one of the Creative Zone modes, such as “Av” or “P”, then select the Creative filter icon from the Quick Control screen. 

On the setting screen for each of the Creative filters, you can specify options such as the strength of the filter effect, drive mode and white balance. Note also that the image cannot be recorded in RAW format.

 

Steps to apply Creative filters

1. Align the Mode Dial with the Creative filter mode

To prepare your shoot, align the Mode Dial with the Creative filter mode. Doing so switches all the settings to the standby mode.

 

2. Enable the Live View function

Turn the Live View shooting/Movie shooting switch to select the Live View function. Check to ensure that the Live View shooting feature in the shooting menu is set to “Enabled”.

 

3. Press the Start/Stop button

Press the Start/Stop button at the centre of the Live View shooting/Movie shooting switch to start up the Live View function. Upon pressing the button, the mirror will swing up, and the Live View function is enabled when the Live View image appears on the LCD monitor.

 

4. Press the Quick Control button and select the Creative filters icon

Press the Quick Control button or the “Q” icon on the LCD monitor to enable selection of the different shooting modes, including Creative filters. In the photo illustration above, we can see that the Grainy B/W Creative filter has been selected.

 

5. Use the Multi-controller to select a Creative filter effect

Pressing the SET button displays the Creative filter effects in a list. Use the Multi-controller to select the filter you want to use. You can also make use of the other dials to perform this operation.

 

6. Set the strength of the filter effect

While most of the filters make changes to the colour, Grainy B/W allows you to set the strength of the contrast and Miniature effect offers an option to blur the image in the vertical or horizontal direction using the Magnify button.

 

Effects of the seven Creative filters

A total of seven Creative filters are available, each of which has its own unique qualities. These filter effects come in handy when you want to add a personal touch to your photos. You can choose to apply them either during shooting or to an image you have already captured.

 

Grainy B/W

Creates a grainy black-and-white image with strong contrast. This Creative filter adds a news-footage-like touch to the photo, and is thus best suited for street photography. It also matches well with landscape and portrait shots. Contrast can be adjusted to one of the three levels for you to emphasise the highlights and shadows.

Before

 

After

EOS 80D/ EF-S18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM/ FL: 18mm/ Aperture-priority AE (f/7.1, 1/40 sec., EV-0.7)/ ISO 320/ WB: Auto (Ambience priority)/ Creative filter: Grainy B/W (Contrast: Strong)

 

Soft focus

Adds a soft look to the entire image. Besides flower and food photography, this filter is also a great effect to try on wine glasses, or when taking portraits of female subjects. It can be applied regardless of the aperture setting, so you will be able to obtain a soft-looking depiction even if a deeper depth of field is used.

Before

EOS 80D/ EF-S55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM/ FL: 70mm/ Program AE (f/4.5, 1/8 sec.)/ ISO 100/ WB: Auto (Ambience priority)

 

After

EOS 80D/ EF-S55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM/ FL: 70mm/ Soft focus (f/4.5, 1/125 sec.)/ ISO 1600/ WB: Auto (Ambience priority)/ Creative filter: Soft focus (Blur: Standard)

 

Fish-eye effect

Resembling the image produced by a diagonal fish-eye lens, the effect can be further enhanced if you set the lens to the wide-angle range. Besides buildings, you can also apply it to a close-up shot of the subject to create an effect as if the centre part of the image was protruding out. For example, you can use it to exaggerate the nose of an animal.

Before

EOS 80D/ EF-S18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM/ FL: 35mm/ Program AE (f/7.1, 1/160 sec.)/ ISO 100/ WB: Auto (Ambience priority)

 

After

EOS 80D/ EF-S18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM/ FL: 35mm/ Program AE (f/7.1, 1/160 sec.)/ ISO 100/ WB: Auto (Ambience priority)/ Creative filter: Fish-eye effect (Filter effect level: Standard)

 

Toy camera effect

Changes the colour tone of the image into one that is reminiscent of a toy camera or an old colour film. The four corners of the image appear darker, which adds a unique retro feel to the photo. You can choose to apply a warm or cool colour tone. This effect is recommended for street and landscape photos.

Before

EOS 80D/ EF-S18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM/ FL: 18mm/ Aperture-priority AE (f/5.6, 1/1250 sec., EV-0.7)/ ISO 100/ WB: Daylight

 

After

EOS 80D/ EF-S18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM/ FL: 18mm/ Aperture-priority AE (f/5.6, 1/1250 sec., EV-0.7)/ ISO 100/ WB: Daylight/ Creative filter: Toy camera effect (Colour tone: Warm)

 

Miniature effect

Blurs those parts of the image other than the area in focus to create an effect that resembles a macro shot of a miniature model. By applying it to a shot that overlooks a town from an elevated spot, for example, you can create an ambience that is reminiscent of a fairyland. You can tilt the area to keep in focus in the vertical or horizontal direction.

Check out the following article for more details on how to use the Miniature effect filter:
Step by Step: How to Accentuate Distant Landscapes with Miniature Effects

Before

EOS 80D/ EF-S18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM/ FL: 35mm/ Aperture-priority AE (f/5.6, 1/500 sec., EV+0.3)/ ISO 100/ WB: Auto (Ambience priority)

 

After

EOS 80D/ EF-S18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM/ FL: 35mm/ Aperture-priority AE (f/5.6, 1/500 sec., EV+0.3)/ ISO 100/ WB: Auto (Ambience priority)/ Creative filter: Miniature effect

 

Water painting effect

Reproduces the image in pale colours that resemble watercolour paints while emphasising the outline. This effect stands out when the subject has a well-defined outline. It adds an artistic touch to an ordinary scene, and is particularly suited to street photographs. Try applying it on a subject with a wide array of colours.

Before

EOS 80D/ EF-S18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM/ FL: 78mm/ Program AE (f/5.6, 1/200 sec., EV-0.3)/ ISO 500

 

After

EOS 80D/ EF-S18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM/ FL: 85.0mm/ Program AE (f/5.6, 1/250 sec., EV-0.7)/ ISO 800/ WB: Daylight/ Creative filter: Water painting effect (Colour density: Standard)

 

Art bold effect

This Creative filter effect is closer to that of a painting rather than a photo. Applying it on a landscape shot, for example, adds a stately feel to the image. You can adjust the colour saturation to convey a totally different atmosphere. While replicating the unique texture of a paint brush, this effect also has its own distinctive character and is ideal for subjects that are suited to stately depictions.

Before

EOS 80D/ EF-S18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM/ FL: 50.0mm/ Program AE (f/5.0, 1/60 sec., EV-0.3)/ ISO: 500/ WB: Auto (Ambience priority)

 

After

EOS 80D/ EF-S18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM/ FL: 50.0mm/ Program AE (f/5.0, 1/80 sec., EV-0.3)/ ISO 500/ WB: Auto (Ambience priority)/ Creative filter: Art bold effect (Filter effect: Standard)

 

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