I mean, not to brag or anything, but I do have a superpower. At exactly midnight, I transform into a bat and save the universe. Yep, you can call me Batwoman.

Lol, I’m kidding. I can’t keep a straight face even for a second! Hi, my name is Mide, and today, we’re talking about my actual digital superpower. I’m not out here saving the world (yet), but I am saving people’s pictorial lives. Simply put, I have the uncanny ability to turn bad pictures into aesthetically pleasing images.

How, you ask? Well, I wouldn’t call myself a professional photographer or beauty editor, but I’ve mastered the art of using digital photo and video editing apps like a wizard with a wand. Think of me as the fairy godmother of filters, textures, and touch-ups, lol.

How It All Started

I can’t pinpoint exactly when this skill emerged, but I’ve always been passionate about bringing pictures to life. I geek out over the tiny details; color grading (saturation, warmth, vibrancy), texture adjustments (sharpness, clarity, grain), and, of course, those beauty edits that make everyone go, “Wow!”

Here’s the thing though, I believe in keeping things real. I don’t go full “new face, who dis?” on my own photos. My mantra is simple: let the edits enhance you, not replace you. My people know this, and I advocate for authenticity every time. That said, as we Nigerians say, "the customer is always right". If someone asks me to make their nose smaller or their jawline sharper, who am I to deny their wish?

Why I Don’t Call Myself a Pro

While I do get requests from friends, family, and close associates, I wouldn’t list “photo editing” on my LinkedIn profile just yet. Why? Because there’s a boss level of editing I haven’t reached. Until I dive into that rabbit hole, I’m sticking to the simpler (but still powerful) tools in my skill set.

My Favorite Projects

Let’s talk about the edits I’m most proud of!

• The Birthday Glow-Up: A friend’s birthday photoshoot needed some magic, so I added special effects like a sunset lamp vibe, overlay, and grain. The result? She was obsessed, and her happiness made my day.
  

• Faux Sunset Masterpiece: I wanted a sunset lamp look for another project, but guess what? No lamp. No problem. I edited it to perfection, and you’d never know the difference. At least, that's what people said, lol.
  

• Personal Birthday Shoot: For a recent project, my aim was to keep the complexion original, reduce background noise, and make the outfit the star of the show. Three apps later, mission accomplished.

• The Home Photoshoot That Stole My Heart: My favorite project, though, has to be a photoshoot I organized for my mom.

Backstory: my mom is what I call “photophobic.” She isn't a fan of pictures, at all. So, my siblings and I schemed. We got her dolled up, picked out stunning dresses, and gave her no choice but to play along.

The original pictures were great, but I wanted to take them to the next level. I edited the background to give her a dreamy, elegant home setting. When she saw the transformation, she was speechless. I told her, “Mum, one day, you’ll stand in a house just like this. It’ll be your home.”

Now every time she looks at those photos, it’s not just a memory, it’s a promise of hope and a reminder of how far we’ll go together as a family.

Why It’s More Than Just Edits

Sure, my digital superpower might sound simple, anyone can do it, but for me, it’s so much more. It’s about preserving memories, inspiring hope, and giving people a glimpse of their best selves. I mean, who needs a cape when you have Apps?

All images used in this article are mine
Thank you for reading!