Have you ever heard of the saying ‘History repeats’? Well, our social media trends have taken this proverb very seriously! Retro and vintage photography has become a growing trend everywhere. Models and photographers are putting their sense of creativity into bringing back the good old times. Are you one of these retro enthusiasts? Read on!
Retro and vintage photography is an old-time vibe
Retro and vintage photography is about creating an old-time vibe in the pictures you take. It could include models wearing old vintage clothes and it could include actual antique items and locations in the shoot. Either way, this is an experimental area of photography where the creator has wide liberty to pull off the vision of their imagination. Let’s get to know more about this fascinating genre of retro and vintage photography!
TO LOVE RETRO PHOTOGRAPHY IS TO LOVE THE PAST
We earn commissions if you shop through the links below. Additionally, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read the full Affiliate Disclosure.
How to go about retro photography
There are many styles and techniques for retro photography but before we move onto that, let’s see how one should go about a retro photo shoot!
Using old film
Rather than post-processing the images to look antique, how about shooting them the original vintage way? A lot of photographers have vouched for using actual old 35mm film and 35mm cameras to shoot retro photos as it provides for a naturally vintage vibe. There is something about the way old 35mm film cameras were made which makes them less susceptible to light and gives out the exact outcome you desire.
Retro and vintage photography is about creating an old-time vibe in the pictures you take. It could include models wearing old vintage clothes and it could include actual antique items and locations in the shoot.
Understand your equipment
Before you indulge in using any old cameras or film it is important to understand that their functioning is very different from the cameras we use today. Some of the best retro cameras include Canon AE, Nikon F3, Leica M-D and Olympus Pen E-PL6. Because these cameras captured less light than usual, the camera settings also differed from those of today.
The older cameras had a slower ISO because of which all the other features were created to match with similar speed. So, you would usually have a slower shutter speed, lenses and aperture settings whenever you’re working with old film.
Plan retro and vintage photography in advance
Just like any other shoot you need to plan a retro and vintage photography shoot as well. However, in retro shoots, using old film each of your photos is going to cost you far more than digital photographs. The processing of the film and will also become more expensive if you take unnecessary shots. So, you should, plan your shots and the model’s poses.
Antique cameras
If you use antique cameras then the entire process of setting the shot up, photographing and then viewing and accepting the final composition can take a lot of your time. This is another reason for you to be very clear and precise about what you want to get out of the shoot when using film.
Retro photography ideas
Now, here are some unique photography ideas for you to kick start your retro journey.
Playing with grain
Grain is an inseparable feature of retro photography. Playing with grain and increasing the noise of the picture will give it a more vintage look and take it back to the past. Increase the noise by increasing ISO and decreasing shutter speed so that the scene is slightly underexposed. Then, when post processing increase the exposure. This will add even more noise to the image.
Filters
The most obvious and beautiful technique in retro photography is created using filters. A few photographer-favourite filters include sepia, black and white, and RGB Shift. You can also use any other filters that include the colour palette of browns and blacks and bring out the hues of the past.
Vignette
Adding a vignette to certain pictures will just make them look timeless while for retro product photography you might have to make use of pastels and colours that could pop out more.
All of these effects can be created during post processing when photographing with digital cameras.
Retro and vintage photography props
Add retro props in your shots to enhance the vintage feel. Find old items that signify the old era to bring out the old-time ambiance in your pictures. For example, if you are doing a retro fashion shoot then try adding in oversized goggles, hats, bell bottom jeans, knotted scarves, and other retro elements. You can also add retro props like vintage cameras and gramophones in the background. Playing with the hairstyles will also give it a more retro look.
Picture techniques
As mentioned above, the settings for this type of shoot would be slightly different from conventional photoshoots. So here are some pro techniques on how to get that old-school look in your futuristic pictures!
Wide aperture
Set a wider aperture such as f/1/2 or f/2.8 which will allow you to capture just the right amount of light in the picture. You will get a soft background and an overall softer look to the picture due to the increased aperture. Your subject may be partially out of focus, and the shadows and contrasts could also become softer, but that would just add to the retro atmosphere!
Post processing
To finish-off with the perfect vintage photograph, you will need to post-process your photographs. Reducing the saturation and bringing the colours down to a neutral should be the first steps. If you have not used softening during your photography, then add a blur effect while editing to give softness to the picture.
In certain apps, you can find ready-made retro presets that you can apply directly to your images. While in others you can play with the hues as per your taste. You can also add a little fading effect to your pictures to give a more retro feel to them.
Retro Photography Portfolio
Build a website portfolio for you retro and vintage photography images and also display them on your social media accounts at TikTok, Facebook and Instagram.
Retro and vintage photography is a wide genre
Retro and vintage photography is such a wide genre of photography that a person could actually start exploring it and never go back to traditional modern photography! There are so many possibilities, equipment and settings to try out that will give you an immeasurable creativity boost. This is one style of photography that will not just take you back in time but will also help you understand the evolution of cameras and settings if you elect to use antique equipment.
Go ahead, get retro, and start creating a new history for yourself!
Have fun with retro photography!
The old time vibe of retro and vintage photography can be so enjoyable.