Digital Filters On The K-500

The Pentax K-500 has 19 digital filters built in, all of which add a different look and effect to your photos. Here, we run through them all, what effect the give and what they are best used for.
 

Natural - As the name suggests, this option will give you a view of the world as you'd see it through your own eyes. This mode is ideal to use if you want to take photos in scene mode without having to switch back to auto mode on the camera dial. 

Bleach Bypass - This is terminology that stems from the world of film, and the effect is what your image would look like if you skipped one of the stages in film processing. The image will come out darker than usual, so the mode is ideal for subduing bright colours and giving a shady look to images that have to be taken in bright sunlight that would look too harsh otherwise. 

Bright - The bright digital filter lifts the image, and is ideal for making bright colours really stand out. It can also be used on a dull day to inject a little more pizazz into the picture. 

Cross Processing - Another filter option that stems from the world fo film, cross processing will give your image a retro look, almost like the images that are slightly over saturated. The sky tends to look a little washed out in this mode. It's great for a different take on seaside photography with a retro twist that will take you back you your childhood. 


Landscape - This mode is designed to highlight the colours of the greenery and flowers in an image to really make your landscape images pop. It also gives the sky a rich blue colour. 

Monochrome - This black and white mode is great for when you feel an image won't be added to by the colour that's in it. If your subject is strong enough, colour might not be necessary and this mode is an easy way to remove it in camera. It will work particularly well on images which have high contrast areas, like light and shadow. 

Muted - This filter mutes all the colours in the image, giving them a pastel, flattened look. It's great for when a colour is overpowering. It is also useful for portraits where it will help to create an even skin tone and tone down any redness present that isn't wanted. 

Portrait - Portrait mode is ideal for taking images of people and even pets. It's designed to highlight the face and make it the centre of attention in the image. 

Radiant - This mode makes all the colours in the image bright, and gives yellow tones a particular lift. It's great for capturing vibrant images, such as colourful fairground rides or birthday parties. 

Reversal Film - Reversal film gives a little more contrast and brightness to the shot. It makes the shadows in the shot darker, giving an image more mood. It can work well with many different types of images, but it will help to give action shots a more edgy feel. 

Vibrant - The vibrant digital filter makes all the colours in your image strong and vivid, without making them too saturated. It will be ideal for emphasising macro subjects, such as ladybirds or flowers. 

None - This is another mode which is ideal for use if you want to keep the camera in filter mode but don't want a particular effect. It's just like having the camera in auto mode. 

Colour - This mode gives the image an almost rose-tinted colour cast, and will make the sky look a lilac colour. It creates a generally warmer looking image and really highlights the reds in the picture. It also gives a retro feel. 


Extract Color - This mode allows you to choose a colour and have it remain in the image, while the other colours are turned to black and white. This is also referred to as colour popping. It's great for highlighting a certain object or person in an image. 

High Contrast - This mode creates a really bright, stark image. It will really saturate the image. It's ideal for creating pop-art style images of urban scenes, such as graffiti. It can also work well with abstract style image where it's more about the colour than the form. 

Invert Colour - The effect this mode gives is like looking at a negative. It's an interesting mode that will work well with more experimental photography. A different spin on portraits can be achieved with this look, and it works particularly well with trees, which will turn out a skeletal white in this mode.


Retro - The Retro filter gives images a nostalgic feel, but the effect isn't as strong as the bright setting. It's ideal to use if you want to get the effect of a film camera on your digital Pentax. 

Shading - Shading mode adds a vignette to the image. This is a great way to emphasise the subject if it is in the centre of the frame. It can also be ideal for lessening the impact of distracting objects in the corners of the frame. 

Toy Camera - If you want a cross between the vignette effect and the bleach bypass setting, then Toy Camera is the one for you. It creates a darkened image which is darkest at the edges. It's great for capturing a different take on close up subjects and portraits. 

For more information on the features of the Pentax K-500, take a look at the Ricoh website.