Editing a photo to achieve an aesthetic look can be a fun and creative process. Whether you want to enhance the colors, adjust the lighting, or add filters, there are several techniques you can use to make your photos look visually appealing. Here are eight beginner tips to help you edit your photos for an aesthetic Instagram feed:
1. Edit with filters and presets: Filters and presets are a quick and easy way to give your photos a consistent aesthetic. Many photo editing apps, such as VSCO, Lightroom, or Instagram’s built-in editing tools, offer a wide range of filters and presets to choose from. Experiment with different options until you find the one that suits your desired aesthetic.
2. Mind the composition: A well-composed photo can greatly enhance its aesthetic appeal. Pay attention to the rule of thirds and try to position your subject or key elements off-center. Consider the background and foreground elements to create depth and visual interest.
3. Adjust individual photos: While maintaining a consistent aesthetic for your Instagram feed is important, it’s also essential to edit each photo individually. Adjust the exposure, contrast, saturation, and white balance to enhance the specific characteristics of each image.
4. Adjust the Lux settings: Many photo editing apps offer a Lux or Clarity tool that can help improve the overall look of your photos. This feature can enhance details, add depth, and make your images appear more polished. Experiment with this tool to find the right balance for your aesthetic.
5. When in doubt, crop it out: Cropping can be a powerful tool to improve the composition and focus of your photos. If there are distracting elements or unnecessary clutter in your image, consider cropping them out to create a cleaner and more visually appealing composition.
6. Focus on minor edits: Sometimes, small adjustments can make a big difference. Pay attention to details like removing blemishes, adjusting the brightness of specific areas, or sharpening important elements. These minor edits can help elevate the overall aesthetic of your photos.
7. Desaturate artificial colors to stick to one theme: If you’re aiming for a cohesive aesthetic, consider desaturating or toning down artificial or distracting colors. By sticking to a specific color theme or palette, your photos will have a consistent and harmonious look when viewed together on your Instagram feed.
8. Optimize the size: Before posting your edited photos on Instagram, make sure to optimize their size. Large file sizes can affect the image quality and loading speed on the platform. Resize your photos to fit within Instagram’s recommended dimensions and compress them if necessary to ensure optimal quality.
Remember that editing photos for an aesthetic Instagram feed is a personal and creative process. Experiment with different techniques, find your own style, and have fun expressing yourself through your edited images.