Vintage photography is one of the most challenging, yet rewarding categories in the visual field. A lot goes into mastering its retro concept—it calls for a lot of practice, coupled with resilience, to perfect your skills in this style. Most creators deem vintage photography as one of the most challenging.
A photo that makes the viewer pause and ask questions, makes for a perfect vintage photograph. Read on for a few insights on vintage photography and how best to capture life moments through your lens!
What is vintage photography?
Vintage photography has a deep history that dates back to the 1800s and runs through the 20th century. What’s more, it encompasses every type of analog photography, from century-old cameras to those that used Kodachrome. Of course, it also includes film cameras from the early 2000s.
Vintage photography has a broad definition, especially in our contemporary society. It can refer to any photo captured with an analog camera or a photo shot by modern equipment. The digital photo is then manipulated by a photographer to create a vintage look. Often, it needs format or size changes that can be easily made with the help of an image quality enhancer by depositphotos, to achieve the effect you are looking for.
Photo equipment for vintage photography
To truly capture a vintage feel in your photography, you should incorporate vintage equipment.
1. Analog camera
An analog camera is essentially the key aspect to a retro photoshoot. You can scout for an old generation camera, such as the 1950’s point-and-shoot box camera from a thrift store, or any store that stocks old equipment.
2. Old generation cameras and polaroids
Finding an old generation camera today is still fairly easy—more so since film seems to be making a comeback as more people get into analog photography. Some of the best 35mm SLR cameras available include the Canon AE-1, Nikon FM2, Minolta X-700, and the Leica M6. These cameras have a single-lens reflex and interchangeable lenses that have full aperture metering and Automatic Exposure (AE) coupling.
Try shooting on film which you can develop later. Alternatively, you can use a Polaroid camera, then find a professional photo lab. This way you won’t have to develop the film on your own. That said, recreating a vintage moment will be easier if you’re well aware of how film reacts to specific scenarios and affects image quality.
3. Light meter
Consider getting a handheld light meter. Most analog cameras are less sensitive to light, and therefore are unable to measure light independently. You can also get a tripod, as it will allow you to shoot more deliberately, enhancing the overall quality of the photo.
4. Vintage props
Invest in vintage props for your subjects, then try shooting at vintage landmarks. These props can easily be acquired through most props dealers. Next, get your models to dress in them, and for a more authentic aesthetic, settle for a historical scene to act as your backdrop.
Camera settings for vintage photography
There’s no better way to do vintage than by actually using a vintage camera. It is essential to keep in mind that pre-digital cameras had a slower ISO compared to modern-day digital ones. Therefore, vintage photographers should incorporate a wider aperture with a slower shutter speed to emphasize motion. To avoid blowing out your photograph or under-exposing it, try metering your camera on a mid-tone.
Most vintage photographs have blurred backgrounds; to get the same results, use a wide aperture known as an f-number. The smaller the number, the more blurred your background will appear. The essence of a blurred background is to separate the subject from any distracting elements in the background.
If you are using a digital camera, set it to shoot in black and white mode. Most vintage photographs are monochrome, so this is a perfect way to travel back in time. You can also preset other vintage effects on your digital camera, depending on your preferred vintage style. For example, you can activate selective soft focus, sepia tone, or a grainy film look.
Photo techniques used in vintage photography
Try out classic compositions which include clear vertical and horizontal axes to achieve the ultimate vintage look. Better yet, stick to the Rule of Thirds and the golden ratio composition for the best results.
Don’t try too hard to edit imperfections in photos. It is these imperfections that give photos that authentic vintage feel. You can also add a texture overlay to your digital photographs to make them feel older.
Retro photoshoot tips to get you started
Vintage photography can be challenging at first, but with time you’ll get to enjoy every moment of it. Find below a few tips to get you started and keep you going:
- Shoot in black and white. Black and white settings will help you focus deeply on contrast and patterns, bringing authenticity to your images. Besides, most retro photos are in monochrome, which makes this a superb way of channeling nostalgia.
- Do not underestimate old family albums. They are a great source of inspiration for vintage photography. A wide pool of ideas that can be very useful in your retro photoshoot lies in them. Of course, you could also surf the internet and analyze the available images.
- Try applying texture to your style. The texture is an outstanding characteristic of printed vintage photos. A lot of wear and tear takes center stage in the lives of old photographs, which give them that authentic vintage look. To recreate these moments in modern photography, you will need to apply some texture to your work.
- Blur backgrounds. Vintage cameras were not as advanced as today’s cameras. As a result, most of their pictures were out of focus, with blurred backgrounds.
Bottom line
Despite the fact that most photographers are going for current digital cameras, vintage photography remains a fascinating way for you to tap into the history of photography. You can go back in time by finding a Polaroid camera and developing your own film to recreate vintage moments.
Vintage cameras such as the Canon AE-1 or the Nikon FM2 are ideal for sepia or black and white photographs. However, there is no need to buy expensive vintage equipment, since you can easily tweak your digital camera settings for the effect you want. The above-mentioned retro photoshoot tips will help you get into grips with vintage photography as you start!
Keep being AllDayChic!
