Nikon Learn & Explore
Intermediate

Effects Mode

D5100 Miniature Effect

Select Nikon digital SLR cameras feature special effects that can be used when recording still images or D-movies. For example, on the D5100, they can be found by selecting Effects on the camera's mode dial, and scrolling through the various effects via the command dial. You can preview which effect will be used when the camera's menu is set for the Classic or Graphic mode or when the D5100 is set for Live View operation. These special Effects work with JPEG files (if JPEG + NEF is chosen; or NEF however, only JPEG files are recorded).

Some of the Special Effects are:

Night Vision: For recording at night or in low light conditions. Images are recorded as monochrome at high ISO settings.

Silhouette: This mode silhouettes subjects against a bright background.

High Key: For use in capturing bright scenes, to create images filled with light.

Low Key: For use in capturing low light scenes to create dark images with prominent highlights.

Color Sketch: The camera detects and colors the outlines of subjects in the scene for a color sketch effect. When shooting D-movies in this mode, the video playback looks like a slide show made up of a series of still photos.

Miniature Effect: Distant subjects captured in this mode appear as miniatures. When capturing D-movies in this mode, playback looks like a time lapse movie and sound is not recorded.

Selective Color: All colors other than the selected color(s) are recorded in B&W. Users can select a single color or a secondary color and even select a tertiary color.

Lindsay Silverman

Lindsay Silverman retired several years ago after a 30+-year career at Nikon in a variety of capacities, included general manager of Nikon House, senior product manager, senior technical manager, company spokesperson and Nikon rep on special assignments with many of the world’s greatest professional photographers. When he’s not out photographing, he teaches online courses on the Z8 and Z9 for the Creative Photo Academy at Paul’s Photo in Los Angeles and for the online Santa Fe Workshops. He’s also currently putting together an online birding photography class. For more about Lindsay and his photography, check out his Facebook page, his Santa Fe Workshops listing and his Instagram page.

More articles by this contributor