Old shots, new magic.

Welcome to my latest blog, which this week is about how you can revive your old photos by undertaking some simple edits.

If you're like me, you've probably got thousands of photos sitting quietly in your digital libraries, from holiday snapshots, family moments, creative projects, to random experimental edits. At the time you took them, they captured something meaningful, but as time passes, you've probably forgotten they're even there. Revisiting and re-editing old photos isn’t just a trip down memory lane, it can breathe new life into your photography and reveal potential you perhaps missed the first time around.

Here's five reasons why you should consider re-editing as a worthwhile activity.

Over time your editing skills will have undoubtedly improved. The way you edit evolves with experience. Tools you barely understood years ago might now feel second nature. You're not still fumbling with sliders and are probably better able to apply subtle changes rather than applying big, not too subtle edits. Re-editing lets you apply new techniques, styles, and tools to photos that deserve a second chance.

Editing software inevitably gets more powerful every year. Features such as AI masking, noise reduction, and advanced colour grading can transform older photos that were once limited by hardware or software.

When you scroll through a set of photos, we often focus on the highlights. It's a bit like re-reading something, your brain thinks 'I know all this' so it partially switches off. There may be hidden gems, candid expressions, unique compositions, or atmospheric lighting, which if you view your photos as if you're looking at them for the very first time, can come alive with fresh editing possibilities.. A fresh look can help you find new favourites.

Your artistic vision isn’t set in stone: a photo you once edited with heavy filters might now look better with a more natural approach. Revisiting old work lets your past creativity evolve to match who you are now.

Looking back can remind you how far you've come as an editor and as a photographer. It can spark new ideas, and reconnect you with stories attached to those images. It's not just a technical exercise, it can be a deeply rewarding creative routine.

 I'd like to now present a case study of one of my own photographs that I recently re-edited.

The original of the top photo (see below) was taken in New England in October 2017 on my smartphone (I can't remember which make or model I was using then). It was a casual holiday snap, similar to those all of us take whilst visiting a new destination. I hadn't 'discovered' photography then, that would come during COVID in 2020, so my camera was on auto and my compositional skills were zero. 

Post-2020, when I had learnt a little about photo editing, and about Snapseed in particular, I decided to play around with the blues in this image. The top photo was the outcome. At the time I thought my new, edited image was very good. That was then, though, and I like to think that my editing skills have improved since.

The original and the edited version have sat dormant in my archive for years. A few days ago I was scrolling through my old holiday snaps and came across it. I decided that with 5-years' more editing skills under my belt, I would have a go at re-edited it.

I decided a tighter crop might work, so focusing on the post in the middle of the photo, I produced the image below. I also desaturated the blues.

But I still thought that those blues were a bit overwhelming, so I hit the Black and White Tool in Snapseed to convert the image to monochrome (see below). I was happy with this, but thought a vintage look might work.

This is the vintage look (see below).

Before I posted this on my socials I added a retro frame and my watermark.

Of course these edits are just one of many possibilities. Photography is a very subjective art form. You may disagree with what I have done, and have your own ideas, which is how it should be.

It's good to experiment with various looks for your photography. As I take more and more images I am finding that I am increasingly drawn to monochrome. My overly blue, and not very well composed holiday snap certainly looks better in the final edit.

Next time you’re stuck for inspiration, don’t reach for your camera, open your archive. Your best photo might already exist; it just needs a fresh edit.

Thanks for taking the time to visit and read my blog, which I hope has given you some inspiration to revisit and re-edit some of your old photos. Please leave a comment and tell your friends and family about me. You can also follow me on Instagram and Threads @smart_phone_photographer_53.