Jump into the nearest time machine and go and find your great-great-great-grandparents. Odds are good that they’ll be sitting for a portrait – may be the only one they’ll sit for in their lifetime. Now go ahead and explain that, in the future, everyone walks around with cameras on their person at all times, and let me know how they react!
When put in context, the way that technology affects our ability to document our lives is astounding. Not only can we capture memories in high definition, but we can edit them with a single tap on the screen! Too bad Great GreatGreat Grandma didn’t have access to social media and the best filters on Instagram!
If you’re new to The Gram, however, you might find all of the options a little bit overwhelming. The current version of Instagram offers twenty-four distinct presets that you can use to bring your photography to the next level. Keep reading to learn how to use Instagram like a pro, and choose the best filters for your favorite pics!
How to Post Photos to Instagram
To get started, you will want to download the Instagram app from the app store on your phone or tablet. While it’s possible to use Instagram from a browser, there will be fewer functions available. The app works best when you are using it on a mobile device.
Once downloaded, create a free account and set up your profile to begin.
If you click on your icon, you will see your home screen. For now, this will be empty. Over time, however, it will turn into a chronological record of your photos and memories.
Two Ways to Post
You can post a photo to Instagram in one of two ways. You can either choose a photo that is already in your camera roll (a picture you might have taken in the past) or use the in-app camera to take a photo. You can access both of these options by clicking on the “plus sign” icon in the upper right corner of the app and selecting ‘post.’
If you have downloaded the photo to your phone, it should appear as an option. Simply tap that photo to continue. If you wish to take a new photo, click on the camera icon, take the photo, and proceed.
Adding Filters
From there, you will see a variety of presets known as “filters.” You can test these out on this screen. You can scroll to the left to see all twenty-four filters.
Tap on a filter to test it out. You will see the changes temporarily reflected in your photo. If you want to tweak the look of your photo from there, select ‘edit’ and play around with the many sliders and options there.
Once you are happy with the look of your photo, proceed to the final screen. You can write a caption to go along with your post, tag friends, or add a location. You can also automatically share your photo to Facebook, Twitter, or Tumblr.
Enjoying Your Post
Now your photo will appear on your home screen. If anyone is following you, your photo will appear in their feed. They will be able to like and comment on the photo, and you will receive a notification when this occurs.
Once you get good at using the app, there are other things to learn, such as how to repost on Instagram. These other features will become intuitive as you become more familiar with the app.
A Brief Guide to Filters
How do you choose the right filters for your photos? In some instances, it might be easy. For example, you probably don’t want to post your awesome pic of a brilliant rainbow in black and white!
You really can’t go wrong with any of the options on the app. Here are a few guidelines that can help you select the right filter for your photos.
Consider Consistency
As a new user, you might want to try out each and every filter! Experimentation can be fun but consider the bigger picture. When someone clicks on your profile, will the spread of photos be an aesthetically pleasing collection or an eclectic eyesore?
Many users choose just one filter and use it consistently. You might like the green and fresh look of Clarendon for your spring photos and shift to the pleasantly vintage Nashville when Winter rolls around.
Keep It Simple
Clicking on that ‘edit’ option after you select a preset is tempting. Why not play with the contrast, add a vignette effect, and sharpen the whole thing up? Truth be told, it’s easy to get carried away and end up with an over-edited mess.
Have fun and experiment! Learn what the editing features can do. If you know that enhancing something will improve the photo, don’t be afraid to try it out!
Ultimately, however, a good photo with a simple filter shouldn’t need too much tweaking. Keep it simple and you’ll see the likes roll in!
Different Filters for Different Subjects
A look into the most popular filters used on photos tagged #nature revealed a few trends. If you plan on posting a lot of the great outdoors, you might consider using Valencia. It was by far the most popular choice for natural photos, receiving an average of 125 likes!
Likewise, foodies capturing their brunch or a homecooked meal prefer Skyline, while fashionistas overwhelmingly went with Kelvin. Curious about what filter to use on your selfie? The most popular filter was, shockingly, normal – aka no filter at all!
Rock One of the Best Filters on Instagram!
Whether you’re seeking a vintage vibe or a classic color scheme, the best filters on Instagram have you covered! Instagram is one of the simplest and most intuitive social media platforms to master. Once you’ve begun editing your photos and bringing in the likes, you won’t be able to go back to old-fashioned photo albums!
Are you ready to explore other ways to share your photos and make the most of social media? Check out the rest of the blog for more posts about the latest apps and technology!
Discussion about this post