They say time doesn't return, but in the age of artificial intelligence, even if going back to the past is impossible, its atmosphere can be recreated. Currently, an AI trend has gone viral on Instagram that allows modern photos to be transformed into images stylized like the 1980s. When an image is uploaded to ChatGPT, the entire photo takes on the appearance of having been taken by a camera forty years ago.
Users are actively sharing their AI photos in Instagram Stories and posts. Some pictures look like portraits from old Indian film studios, while others imitate frames from family albums. Some users even request the transformation of their photos into the setting of Indian streets from that decade. This trend has gained popularity across all segments of society, including politicians and celebrities.
The most interesting feature of this phenomenon is that it does not require simply applying an old photo filter. Artificial intelligence is capable of changing not only clothing, hairstyle, jewelry, background, lighting, and overall shooting style to match the aesthetics of the 1980s.
The appeal of this trend is that people are not just posting their old pictures, but creating a fantasy version of themselves in 80s style using their modern photograph. In Instagram Stories, users share the AI-generated images using the 'Add Yours' sticker. Thanks to this, other users try this effect, creating a chain reaction of posts.
This is more than just a retro filter. Ordinary retro filters only change color, grain, or lighting. However, with AI, you can completely transform the visual style of the picture. For example, to achieve an image from 80s Indian cinema, you can request clothing, hairstyles, makeup, and a studio backdrop from that period. For women, you can create an image with a voluminous hairstyle, a colored sari, and large jewelry, and for men—an image with a shirt tucked into trousers, a high waist, a hairstyle, and a mustache.
Another fascinating application of this trend is creating a look similar to an old family album. You can ask ChatGPT to make the photo look as if it was taken by an Indian family camera from the 80s. To do this, you can add elements of old clothing, a home background, natural light, and light film grain. Similarly, you can give the picture the look of an 80s Indian wedding, an old movie poster, or a magazine portrait.
If studio shots are not appealing, you can conduct an even more creative experiment. You can ask AI to create an image of your photo in the atmosphere of an Indian street in 1987. In this case, you can include transport, old signs, clothing, shops, and the surrounding environment of that time. It is important to clearly specify in the prompt that there should be no modern cars, mobile phones, LED screens, or other contemporary objects in the picture.
This does not require deep technical knowledge. You need to upload your photo to ChatGPT, state that you want a photo in the 1980s style, and describe the desired details: clothing, hairstyle, jewelry, and background. You should also specify exactly what style is needed: an old family photo, a movie portrait, a wedding photo, or a magazine shoot. If you want the face to be recognizable, be sure to mention it. After generating the image, it can be posted in Instagram Stories.
Here are examples of prompts for creating 80s style photos:
- Classic Bollywood Portrait: Ask to create a photo in the style of an 80s Indian Bollywood studio portrait, adding clothing, hairstyles, and accessories from that period, along with warm studio light and light film grain.
- Old Family Album: Request that the photo looks like a picture from an old 80s Indian family album, specifying the appropriate clothing, hairstyle, background, and lighting.
- 80s Bollywood Heroine: You can request an image with a voluminous hairstyle, a colored sari, large jewelry, and a glossy 80s studio portrait.
- 80s Bollywood Hero: You can request a portrait of a hero with a hairstyle, mustache, a shirt tucked into trousers, and a classic studio background from that period.
- 80s Indian Wedding: To get the look of an 80s Indian wedding, you need to include the clothing, jewelry, hairstyles, decor, and lighting of that time.
- 80s Magazine Portrait: You can request soft dramatic lighting and a simple studio background from that period.