Monday, August 6, 2012

Why I Love Instagram

Say what you may about Instagram, but it is the only iPhone app I have stuck with consistently over the past two years. Part of the draw is the simplicity of the app, and I love being able to post photos of my day in real time. I love seeing my friends' daily activities, too.

But the simplicity of the filters and their ability to transform a photo is the main reason I love Instagram. First, the app allows me to take a photo first and then apply one of 18 filters. This is key for me, as I often shoot at a moment's notice and I don't like to be locked into a particular filter effect before snapping the photo. The filters can correct for a myriad of issues, like underexposure for a backlit photo. I like that I am limited to 18 filters - less choices means I choose and post quickly. I've been paralyzed before with some of the apps out there with a gazillion options. Again, I love how simple IG is.

Here's an example of how Instagram transformed a terrible photo I took while riding in the car. I didn't have time to set the exposure lock on the barn and it is completely dark.

SOOC barn

After cropping it on IG and applying the Rise Filter, it looks so much better!
Along the Road #barn

Another example, this time using the Walden Filter, which really highlights the sunflare in the photo. [I deleted the original photo, probably because I liked the IG version so much more]
It's A Perfect Morning #flowers #hydrangea

Sometimes the iPhone doesn't get the White balance quite right. This original photo of the evening skies in our backyard is too pink.
Sky, SOOC
In reality, the sky was lit in a weird, yellow orange color - the kind of sky that occurs after a small, but strong, storm front passes through. We got the clouds that evening, but no storm and no rain (which we desperately need).
So I applied the Lord Kelvin filter, which probably saturated the scene a bit too much, but this filter more accurately represented what I was seeing in the sky. Plus, it invokes so much drama.
Weird Yellow Sky Tonight. #clouds
The Rise, Earlybird, Walden and Hefe filters add warmth while Amaro and Hudson filters add coolness to your photo. Sierra adds a touch of pink, Valencia adds a touch of green. Depending upon your subject, the results are nice.

Which filters do I use the most? Probably Rise, Sierra and Lofi.
Do you use Instagram? What are your favorite filters? If you care to see more of my IG feed, my handle is @shirley319 and you can check it out on Webstagram, too.

7 comments:

  1. such great views. glad you linked up to barn charm. i really was happy when instagram came to the Android phones, i got it immediately. such a fun app. i always laugh because i wonder what instagram has compared to my phone camera? ...they take such different photos. enjoy your day. (:

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  2. i don't have instagram, i just have a basic little phone but my daughter has it and loves playing with it!

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  3. So true, I get tied up in other apps with too many choices. Beautiful captures!

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  4. It's amazing what the instagram did for the photo. I only have a flip phone so don't have any apps.

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  5. Nice shooting and transformation.

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  6. I don't have instagram - just a simple phone, but I've been impressed with what others do with it.
    I like your barn shot this week!

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  7. Quite a difference in your shots! I don't have an iphone, but have seen great shots from them taken by others. I think the next phone will be an iphone!
    Lovely photos BTW. Love that barn and its setting!:>)

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