Hydrangea: Exploring Olympus OM-D E-M10 Picture Modes with the Olympus 12-40mm f2.8 PRO

Olympus OM-D E-M10 - Picture Mode 1 - iEnhance

Renee brought home some nice Hydrangeas from work, so I thought they might make a colorful subject for exploring the numerous picture modes on the Olympus OM-D E-M10.

Olympus OM-D E-M10 - Picture Mode 2 - Vivid

While not something I would likely use on a regular basis, some of the effects yielded some interesting results.

Olympus OM-D E-M10 - Picture Mode 3 - Natural

These were all shot in "P" mode using spot metering so the camera is making all the exposure decisions here except for ISO which was set to LOW (ISO 100).

Olympus OM-D E-M10 - Picture Mode 4 -Muted

These are all straight out of camera jpgs (OOC) with no manipulation.

Olympus OM-D E-M10 - Picture Mode 5 -Portrait

I set-up the E-M10 on a tripod to keep the framing of the shots consistent, but I didn't notice the edge of the neighboring plant peeking into the shots.

Olympus OM-D E-M10 - Picture Mode - Monotone

Olympus OM-D E-M10 - Picture Mode - ePortrait

Olympus OM-D E-M10 - Picture Mode Art 1 - Pop Art

Normally I would've applied a slight crop in Lightroom to remove the bit of the neighboring plant, but I wanted to show these straight OOC with NO manipulation at all.

Olympus OM-D E-M10 - Picture Mode Art 2 - Soft Focus

To my own surprise, I actually liked some of the Art modes.

Olympus OM-D E-M10 - Picture Mode Art 3 - Pale&Light Color

The Art 1 - Pop Art has a nice punch to the colors.

Olympus OM-D E-M10 - Picture Mode Art 4 - Light Tone

Most of these could be fairly easily replicated in Photoshop, but the convenience of having the setting available in the Olympus OM-D E-M10 makes things quick if you have the desire to use such an effect.

Olympus OM-D E-M10 - Picture Mode Art 5 - Grainy Film

Obviously some of the modes are more suitable for different type subjects, but at least you get the idea of what kind of effect they offer.

Olympus OM-D E-M10 - Picture Mode Art 6 - Pinhole

Olympus OM-D E-M10 - Picture Mode Art 7 - Diorama

Olympus OM-D E-M10 - Picture Mode Art 8 - Cross Process

Olympus OM-D E-M10 - Picture Mode Art 9 - Gentle Sepia

Olympus OM-D E-M10 - Picture Mode Art 10 - Dramatic Tone

Olympus OM-D E-M10 - Picture Mode Art 11 - Key Line

Olympus OM-D E-M10 - Picture Mode Art 12 - Water Color 

 

I probably wouldn't use any of these, at least not on a regular basis.  I usually shoot the E-M10 in Natural mode, although I might use Monotone, Vivid, or Portrait if the situation called for it.  The rest would only be something that might get used once in a blue moon if I had a particular whim that called for it, or if I was just playing around.

Since I usually shoot in RAW+jpg, I have no concern with using any of the picture modes and potentially botching an image since RAW doesn't have these effects applied.  That said, if you're a jpg shooter, I would caution against using these modes in camera and look at applying similar effects in Photoshop later.

All of the above photos were shot with the Olympus 12-40mm f2.8 PRO on the E-M10, and I have to tell you, I LOVE this lens!

Over-all, I'm enjoying the Olympus OM-D E-M10.  It's a wonderful little camera.  Focus is fast and accurate.  Color reproduction is wonderful, and the Olympus jpgs are excellent. 

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Olympus 12-40mm f2.8 PRO