The present disclosure discloses a method and an apparatus for generating an image filter. The method includes receiving a first image that is selected with a specific imaging effect desired for the image filter, generating a group of images corresponding to the first image, wherein the group of images comprises at least a second image of a common structure characteristic with the first image and without the specific imaging effect, calculating a mapping relationship for transforming the group of images to the first image and storing the mapping relationship to be used as the image filter to generate the specific imaging effect on other images.