There is no reason why your old photos shouldn’t be improvised. Just because they seemed perfect at that time doesn’t mean there isn’t room for improvement.
On the contrary, looking at the end result will completely change your mind about revisiting your old photos and giving them the ‘new’ touch.
There is great joy in re-editing old photos. Not only do you get a fresh perspective, but you might also come across something you must have missed before.
Only half of the work is done when a photo is captured. The real work starts when you tweak the photos and turn them into something straight out of your imagination.
Reasons for Re-editing Your Old Photos:
Some may find re-editing old photos as a hassle since what’s done is done. However, you’ll be surprised to know how much you can rediscover about your editing style and how it can help you develop a unique editing style. Here are a few reasons why you should definitely try re-editing your old photos.
Discovering Hidden Gems:
When you are rummaging through thousands of photos to have a few chosen ones, you have particular characteristics and requirements in mind. You may think some photos do not fit what you require at the moment and this makes it easy to overlook many wonderful photos.
Revisiting old photos with a fresh perspective lets you see what you missed before. Reediting those photos can change the way you perceive a certain setting. Moreover, you may even discover some new techniques and ways you can incorporate those edits in the new photos. Thus, paving new ways for you to not become monotonous with your editing style.
Improving the Photo:
The reason why you are revisiting old photos is to edit them in the hopes of turning them into better photos. The best part about re-editing old photos is that you have a better chance of reaching your desired end result. You can take into account the existing version of the photo and save time by not making the usual mistakes.
Moreover, there must have been a dozen new versions of the same editing software since you last edited the old photos. When you use the new techniques and tools updated in software such as Lightroom, you can see the significant difference between both the versions. Using your previous version as a reference, you can definitely come up with a better-looking photo if you re-edit your old photos with a clean slate.
Avoiding Mistakes and Learning New Skills:
We all must have that one guilty pleasure editing trend we used to follow that makes absolutely no sense if you look at it. It’s completely fine and natural. This is why it would be a wonderful experience to re-edit old photos and review your mistakes.
Even though most of you wouldn’t want to go back and look at those mistakes, if you want all your photos to be extraordinary, you have to be your own worst critic. On the other hand, redoing old photos shouldn’t all be about picking out flaws. You can also look at a photo and appreciate the progress you have made. This would be a great opportunity to get motivated and fill in your skill gap.
Many of you would be comfortable with your current style and technique. Switching up may not seem like a lucrative option but if you are inclined towards experimenting, then using old photos for practice is an effective way.
Assessing Your Progress and Editing Technique:
Not two photos you take are the same right? If your photography style and approach is always changing, then how can your editing style remain the same? The point is that photography is all about finding new perspectives and experimenting with your surroundings. The same goes for when you are retouching those photos.
For instance, if your go-to style is lively and all-things-sunshine and you keep doing that to all your photos, then you’ll soon lose the meaning of what your photo was actually trying to portray. Going back to old photos not only shows how much you have evolved but gives you an opportunity to try something new.
Reediting old photos is a perfect opportunity to think outside the box. The change doesn’t need to be big; it can be as small as moving the dehaze slider and suddenly the picture is new.
Old Trends You Can Skip While Re-Editing Old Photos:
Old is gold, there is no arguing this fact but there are some things that are better left in the past. This goes for some editing trends which were really big in their time but the more you look back at them the more you regret them. So, let’s take a trip down memory lane and confront some editing trends that we will not be repeating when re-editing old photos.
The Orton Effect for Landscapes:
Created in the 1980s by Michael Orton, the Orton effect allows you to add that misty look or a soft glow to landscape photos. It is a technique in which multiple photos of the same scene are sandwiched to create the effect. The thing about is that you can create better and realistic effects than this through Photoshop.
Overdoing Composite Images:
These images are made by combining up to two or more photos. A single image is constructed by blending two or more images. It’s not that it is a dying trend as many people still do wonders with technique. However, passing a composite image as natural or ‘real’ is overdoing it especially when someone professional can tell the difference.
The point is that the technique should be used to make images that don’t look impossible to take. Photography has evolved into capturing moments that are real and not inclining heavily towards the fantasy spectrum.
Dramatic Vignette and Oversaturation:
You don’t always have to make a shot vivid and dynamic by excessively increasing the vibrancy and saturation of the image. Remember, the magic lies in the way you capture the shot rather than the post-process. Sure, editing is integral for the finished product, however, when you go back to your first edited photo, you can immediately tell the difference.
You need to use colours to highlight the main subject of the image. The same goes for the vignette effect which can be dramatized sometimes. The excessive vignette can render your subject in the dark rather than being the focus.
Ready for a Blast From the Past?
If you really want to shift to a new style or assess how much your photography has evolved, then it’s a must recommend that you revisit your old photos.
Start from scratch and re-edit old photos with a fresher perspective. You’ll be surprised to know how much practice re-editing can provide for polishing your existing skills and developing new ones.
Revisiting old photos may uncover some hidden gems as well. Retouching such photos with new tools and techniques can definitely broaden your perspective. You might end up having a better photo than the original.