I finally had time over the Labor Day weekend to continue learning about my Sony RX100, so I spent some quality time with Gary L. Friedman’s book Sony’s Cybershot RX100 “Professional Insights for the Experienced Photographer.”
I’ve had the camera for about nine months, but I’ve only scratched the surface in learning all there is to know about this unique point-and-shoot. I’ve certainly obtained photos with this camera that I absolutely love–including a 12×18 canvas hanging above my desk–but to realize I’m only 1/3 of the way through this comprehensive book (425 pages) is a remarkable testament to the abilities of this tiny, pocketable camera.
This weekend I experimented with some of the Picture Effects settings, and the gallery above shows just a few of the choices available. Many of today’s point-and-shoot cameras have these built-in “filters” to add an artsy feel to your photographs, and I must admit I enjoyed the liberation from shooting RAW files; this time I had the camera do the post-production work.
After about two hours and 100+ photos, I found that my favorite effect was the Watercolor. I enjoyed the dreamy, painterly effect of this filter and that the images don’t really look like actual photographs. I certainly won’t use these settings on a daily basis, but I will keep them in mind for future times when I just feel like having some fun with photography–or letting creativity run amok!
So, which do you prefer (or not prefer) and why?
Tricia Booker Photography 
I like the water color effect and the soft focus effects the best.
Thanks! I think the soft focus could be an interesting effect to use on certain images. I didn’t like it as much on the cabin, but I may try it with some flowers or a scenic shot with lots of shadows.
I love the B&W one best. Mainly because I adore B&W photography 🙂
Me, too! Sometimes I just turn this camera on black and white and leave it there for the day. I spent decades in the darkroom, and sometimes I miss it. (Other than all the chemical smells!)
Funny. I liked the Watercolor option the best as well. It just caught my eye the best. Monochrome is nice too, but a different feel. The butterfly is gorgeous!
Thanks, Patti! I think the Watercolor was fun to use and I’ll probably play with that one a bit more. I think it will be good for images with lots of bright colors.
OK….here is another vote for watercolor. Often we say a painting looks like a photograph and now it is fun having photographs that look like paintings!
I like your thought process!
What fun…I would say I like the watercolor version of the cabin the best. To me it looks the least manipulated/most natural.
Illustration high. Not sure why. Perhaps because the thickness of the lines remind me of oil painting. Look forward to your continued experimentation. 😉
I like the HDR Painting low the best…