How To Make Your Images Retro On Olympus Cameras

Olympus cameras have a number of filters built in that can help to give images a retro look. OM-D range cameras, the E-M5, E-M1 and E-M10, are well equipped with built in features, minimising the amount of post processing work needed to achieve stunning images.

If you're after the retro feel, then the following filters might help in certain situations:


Grainy Film - The Grainy film filter includes a 'rough around the edges' style frame, making the image look a bit like an old, worn out printed photo, adding to the retro feel. Grainy film increases contrast in the image, giving it a more moody feel. It's ideal for urban style shoots, and a different take on portraits. 



Pinhole - Pinhole gives your images an oval vignette, to simulate the image look of a DIY pinhole camera. It's great for landscapes or shots of groups of people, where you want the emphasis of the shot to be on the middle of the image. It can make images look idyllic, bringing attention away from any distracting areas that can't be avoided at the corners of the frame. 



Sepia - Sepia will give your images a vintage retro feel, taking you back to the early days of photography when sepia and black and white films were the only option. It's a great filter to use a grand old mansions and houses, as this transports the scene back in time to its heyday. It's also good for giving portraits a timeless, classy feel too. 



Dramatic Tone Colour - The dramatic tone filters are covered in more detail in our previous article here, but the colour version gives a saturated feel to the images, making them look like film from the 1970s era. It's great for city skylines, and country landscapes alike, giving real depth to the shadows and more contrast to the images. 



Cross Process - The Cross Process digital filter mimics a film processing procedure, giving the image a green tinge, making everything a slightly aqua blue colour. It will give a slightly abstract, quirky feel to images.

To find out more about Olympus cameras and their features, take a look at the Olympus website.