This Photo Edit Had No Clear Vision
And yet, it came to life. Here's how.
In my previous post, I shared a photo I’d snapped using a very old camera and how it turned out after some photo manipulation. 👇🏽
In this one, I want to share another piece I created using that same camera.
Here’s the story behind it.
The candle (1/3)
New Year’s was approaching, and I wanted to make an edit that felt connected to the season. So I asked myself:
What do I associate with that time of year?
These came to mind right away:
Nighttime
Glowing lights
New Year’s feeling (undefined at this point)
Then, I started scrolling through my photo album and stopped at these photos:
This was a super cool candle I had used a long time ago that would change color every ten seconds or so after being lit. So, what you’re seeing above is actually just one candle, photographed at different moments as it glowed in different colors.
And like I mentioned before, these pictures were taken with a very old camera, but I felt like that grainy, imperfect aesthetic would match the vibe I was after.
Plus, I got my glowing lights.
Nighttime
Glowing lights ✅
New Year’s feeling
The process (2/3)
I took the three candle photos and overlapped them into one image. Then, I made the background black for that nighttime atmosphere.
I know, this image screams trust the process. But hey, I got to check another box.
Nighttime ✅
Glowing lights ✅
New Year’s feeling
Now, if you think that having just one step left meant I only had a third of the work remaining, you’d be wrong.
See, the last step was the most important one. Therefore, the most time-consuming one.
The feeling (3/3)
This was the most difficult step.
I wanted the final image to feel like New Year’s. But I didn’t know how to represent that feeling visually.
So I started experimenting.
I changed the colors, adjusted the light, played around with different effects and so on.
Basically, I went back and forth, clicking around, until everything slowly started to come together. And at some point, I made my final adjustment.
The feeling I was searching for was there.
Nighttime ✅
Glowing lights ✅
New Year’s feeling ✅
What was the feeling?
The end-of-year season comes with mixed emotions.
Closing the chapter on a year that was once a blank canvas and is now filled with memories, lessons, and growth, brings a sense of melancholy.
At the same time, a fresh canvas awaits, ready to be filled with new memories and even more growth. That gives us hope.
When I look at the image I edited, I see both of those emotions.
But the beauty of art is that it’s subjective. So you tell me.
What feelings does the image give you?
I’d really love to hear your interpretation, so 👇🏽
Can’t wait to read what you share!