Every photographer sets out to develop their own editing style, that special sauce that makes their photos unique. And for good reason. Because at it's core is the goal of creating a certain feeling. It's the reason we're here.
In this blog I've broken down the styles I use regularly. As a photographer, it's important for me to understand what my clients want to feel when they look at their beautiful photos before the shoot, because each photography editing style benefits from different shooting techniques.
Vintage
Nostalgia is the feeling at the core of this photography style. When you look at the photos you want to be overcome with a feeling of the good old days, awash with how wonderful it was to live that moment in time. This style involves making the photo look old and worn. It works well in shoots involving family, friends, and individuals where you want to invoke that strong sense of fun and nostalgia.
Monochrome
Monochrome means one color. Black and white is the most common, but any color can be used so long as you stick to one and vary only the tones of that color. The feelings evoked by monochrome are varied. Often there is a nostalgic element, but it has a more classical feel to it than vintage. Whereas vintage is often fun, monochrome is often (not always) serious. It certainly is considered more respectable. Monochrome draws all the attention to the subject and so is recommended for headshots, profile pictures. Being so timeless, it is also recommended for weddings and engagement shoots.
Vibrant Contrast
This style involves punching up the colors and adding contrast to the image. You can evoke feelings of power, excitement, and joy. Basically, whatever emotion is present in the photo will be amped up. If it is a serious photo of someone looking into the distance, it will add extra depth, perhaps feelings of sadness, loss or reflection. If two people are dancing and laughing, it will add extra feelings of liveliness and joy. This style is perfect for engagement and family photos.
Muted Contrast
In these photos, instead of vibrant colors you will have one or more colors muted, while still maintaining lots of contrast between white and black. Photos in this style evoke more seriousness and overall quietness compared to vibrant contrast photos. One is the loud, excitable sibling, the other is mature and sophisticated. This style is great for those chill folks who don't want all the seriousness of monochrome, but find vintage and vibrant contrast to be a little - well - extra.
Light & Airy
These photos include lots of white and light and is often applied to a shooting style called High Key. They are often taken on white backgrounds or with the sun/sky behind the subject. This style easily evokes feelings of fun, lightheartedness, playfulness, adventure, and freedom. A highly versatile style, it is great for new parents, newborn sessions, mother daughter sessions, and weddings.
Dark & Moody
This editing style can be applied to a photography style called Low Key (also called Chiaroscuro). It has an overall darker, moodier feel to it than any of the previously discussed styles. It is dramatic, intense, and statement making, and can inspire feelings of awe, passion, and desire. It can be exceptionally powerful when used in engagement, maternity, and personal portraiture.
Putting it All Together
I took one photo and edited it to match the styles I discussed above. Notice how this photo works better in some styles than others. How does each different style make you feel? Which do you assume she's feeling sad in? Which one do you think she's just relaxing and having a good time? And which one do you personally like best? Let me know in the comments!
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