Trying out filters on the same picture! pt 3

Hey everyone! I'm so excited to share more about my journey into photo filtering. After trying out so many different looks for my dog's forest picture, I realized how powerful filters can be in transforming a photo's mood and storytelling. It's not just about slapping on a preset; it's about understanding what each adjustment does! Speaking of different looks, have you ever wondered how to get that cool, slightly nostalgic vibe, maybe something reminiscent of popular photos from a few years back, like around 2015? While there might not be a single '2015 filter' button, you can totally recreate those classic aesthetics with a few simple tweaks in your favorite editing app. I've found that often, those older styles involved a bit less saturation, perhaps a slight desaturation in greens and blues to give it a muted, dreamy feel, and sometimes a subtle increase in highlights to make certain areas pop without overexposing. You could also play with the black-point to deepen your darks or lift them for a faded look. I've been experimenting with settings similar to what I saw in some 'strawberry skies' filter examples, where tweaking warmth and tint can dramatically change the sky's hue and overall atmosphere. For that vintage feel, I often dial down the vibrance just a tad and sometimes add a slight cool tint. Contrast is your best friend here – a little more can make your subject stand out, while a bit less can give you that softer, faded appearance. Don't forget about clarity and sharpness; sometimes a slightly softer image with less sharpness can contribute to an aged, artistic look. One trick I love is playing with the highlights and shadows. By recovering some details in the highlights and perhaps lifting the shadows slightly, you can achieve a less dramatic, more balanced exposure that was common in many popular styles from the mid-2010s. It’s all about subtle adjustments to brilliance and exposure to get that perfect balance. My advice? Don't be afraid to experiment! Take a picture you love, like my dog running through the leaves, and just start playing with the sliders. See what happens when you push the saturation, then pull it back. Notice how warmth changes the feeling of the light. You'll quickly develop an eye for what works for your personal style and how to achieve those specific looks you admire, whether it's a modern crisp finish or a charming throwback vibe. Happy editing!