A Nostalgic Look at Sky-Backed Photography

Back in my Instagram days, I used to experiment with a photography style that used the sky as the backdrop for the subject. Of course, it helped if the sky was clear, without clouds or anything that might distract from the focus. I’d say it’s an old style because I rarely see these kinds of photos anymore. Either we grew tired of it, or the people who used to create them are no longer actively posting.

I do miss those days, so I wanted to reminisce through this post.

Instagram was incredibly popular back then—well, it still is—but it has become so commercialized that connecting with other creative people isn’t as easy anymore. These days, it’s mostly influencers doing cool things and selling stuff.

Back when I was still active on Instagram, trendsetters were primarily focused on sharing their creativity and pursuing their passions. Now, they’re mostly entrepreneurs—still doing cool things, but with less emphasis on creativity and genuine engagement.

That’s what makes Hive such a great space—it allows you to be creative and share your life and craft without the pressure of commercialization. There’s still more genuine engagement here than on Instagram. While IG may have the majority of users, I often find myself unsure of who I’m actually engaging with. I still prefer the level of interaction we have on Hive, even if it’s with a smaller group of people.

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Back to my photos—what I did to maintain consistency was shoot them during a time of day when the light was soft. The blue hour is the best time for this, as it provides subtle lighting and deep contrast.

I used mundane objects as subjects to practice angles and framing. I also applied similar editing techniques to each photo to achieve the consistency I was aiming for. I hope you enjoy viewing this set of photos!

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Photography trends may come and go, but the joy of capturing and sharing creative moments remains timeless. While platforms like Instagram have shifted toward commercialization, Hive continues to foster genuine engagement and artistic expression. I’m grateful for a space where creativity still thrives, and I hope my photos bring a sense of nostalgia and inspiration to those who view them.

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