Instagram is a massive social platform, with millions of users. Celebrities, bloggers and everyone else in between use the app avidly to give an insight into their day-to-day lives. But just how much of it is accurately portrayed? I explore a few ways in which you can enhance your posts on Instagram, using pictures from my own profile.
Light & Colour
A photo posted by @sidraimtiaz on Apr 22, 2015 at 2:24pm PDT
One of the simplest ways in which to get clearer photos with a better quality is to take them in natural light. Photos taken outside are simply a lot brighter and professional looking – artificial light often results in blurring and a washed out finish. If you must photograph inside, use the light from a window to ensure clarity.
A photo posted by @sidraimtiaz on Feb 20, 2015 at 1:34pm PST
Another tip for instantly giving photos an edgier and more proficient look is using the timeless black and white filter. The picture becomes a lot more creative and artsy with this filter – it is best saved for photos which already have a lack of colour as without a filter they can often be lost in the ever-changing timelines of your followers.
Background
A photo posted by @sidraimtiaz on Jan 8, 2015 at 1:21pm PST
More often than not, if photographing an item I will use a plain white or cream background it. It guarantees that the focus will not be taken away from the subject of the photo. With a distracting background, the picture is less likely to catch the eye of a follower and also makes it less clear what your focus is supposed to be.
A photo posted by @sidraimtiaz on Oct 24, 2015 at 2:01pm PDT
However, a background can also be used to add effect a simple picture. I usually take into account my surroundings when uploading a photo of myself, just to keep it slightly different to the myriad of ‘selfies’ on everyone’s timelines.
Focus & Blurring
A photo posted by @sidraimtiaz on Jul 28, 2015 at 1:21pm PDT
Using a blurred background is a great way to give a photo a high-end look – especially if the object in focus is not central. The book in this photo is clearly the subject of the photo yet the fuzzy background with its bright flowers is an added appealing touch.
A photo posted by @sidraimtiaz on Jul 29, 2015 at 12:51pm PDT
Each photo uploaded on Instagram is individually edited and needs a different approach but just using this rough guide can bring the best out of your gallery!