Faded 70s look

I'm just curious.

Recently, in the last 3 months or so, I have noticed a sharp increase in the number of pictures posted that have a faded, 70s look.

I was wondering why the sudden increase in this look. Is there a new feature in PhotoShop (I don't have PhotoShop or LightRoom yet) or is it just a trend like desaturated pictures, except for one color on a subject, was a few years ago?

BTW.. when we took color photographs in the 70s, the color looked pretty good and vibrant. It is just that the dyes have faded over time that has caused those shots to look like that now. They do look kinda' cool thought.

There are plug-ins out there Moth that will achieve the look (don't know what they are off hand) and as you've indicated it can be easily achieved with basic PP technique in PS.

Why are we seeing so much? I suspect that perhaps it's because that for so long we've seen the oversaturated, "super-popping" high contrast look, and this offers a different alternative for what has become so common. In other words, it's the latest FAD - I'm not saying it's good or bad, although it can be skillfully handled or misused in the right/wrong hands - but it's the latest THING.

Personally, I don't care for it. As you say, it looks like faded '70's color photos.... in other words just like that box of cheapa$$ drugstore prints I had done back in 1973 that I was too miserly to invest in; and now I'm paying the price in fading photos. Bottom line, we'll see this for a while and then folks will get tired of it and move on to the next thing.

This is one reason why my own style tends to be a little more classically neutral. My hope is that it will enjoy greater longevity from the viewing public and not tend to "date itself."

Best thing about digital is you can keep going back and restyling images with ease. I have some I initially did black and white that I know find I prefer in color. So I reprocess the RAW and I am set.

sapearl wrote in post #10749599
Personally, I don't care for it. As you say, it looks like faded '70's color photos.... in other words just like that box of cheapa$$ drugstore prints I had done back in 1973 that I was too miserly to invest in; and now I'm paying the price in fading photos. Bottom line, we'll see this for a while and then folks will get tired of it and move on to the next thing.

Waiting for this fad to die too. Why can't we all just go back to selective color...

Fads come in go, create your own signature style it will last longer and your clients will appreciate it.

there's a preset in Lightroom called Aged Photo; perhaps that explains it.