“A picture is worth a thousand words.”
This quote has probably never been more true than it is today. In this day and age where we can pretty much sum up even a whole day’s worth of experience and share it with others by simply posting a photo of it on Instagram, it has kind of become an unwritten rule for us to always look for that perfect shot to share with the world.
But the thing is, if you want to keep your Instagram feed as aesthetically pleasing as possible even as you fill it with your favorite photos, you need to know that finding a subject, taking a photo of it, and editing it don’t necessarily equate to successfully producing a photo worthy of being added to the feed you want to have carefully curated—this is where the struggle starts.
We all know that most owners of creative Instagram accounts with massive followings use professional tools to capture and enhance their photos, which is why it’s plain to see that maintaining a sophisticated Instagram feed actually takes a lot more work than it looks. But what we’re here for aren’t tips on how to make it seem more impossible for you to do. What we have here are basic tips and tricks you can try even just with your smartphone:
1. Choose a subject.
We don’t need to be a professional photographer to understand that the most important thing about taking a photo is having a subject. Whether it’s a person, an animal, an insect, a plant, an object, a scenery, a moment, or whatever it is you’re trying to capture, make sure that it’s there and it’s focused.
But sometimes, it can also go the other way around when a subject chooses you instead of you choosing it. You know what we mean.
2. Look for what you think is the best angle.
Photo by Djordje Petrovic from Pexels
Don’t just point and shoot. Try to find the angle that you think will best capture not just the visual but the soul of the moment. Look for the perspective that will convey to your viewers what you’re seeing in that particular moment in time.
But make sure you don’t forget to apply the Rule of Thirds while you’re looking for that tricky soul-stirring angle. And as much as possible, try not to include elements that can unintentionally photobomb your masterpiece.
3. Crop.
Cropping isn’t as simple as it seems. In social media photography, it plays an important role on how the final composition of your photo will look. It can help you emphasize the part of the photo where you want the focus to be, so crop carefully.
4. Explore filters/presets.
You can download and use the best apps for free, so try to at least have one or two photo editing apps like VSCO, Snapseed, or Lightroom on your smartphone and other devices. Explore the filters/presets, and go even further by playing with the exposure, brightness, contrast, saturation, and other editing features of the apps you’re going to choose.
If you want your feed to be consistent, you might want to use a specific preset for all your photos. But if you’re more of the anything-goes type, using different presets and editing them to your heart’s content is definitely an option, too.
Insta-worthy
But remember, no matter what the rules and standards are, don’t just post Insta-worthy photos that you think others will like. Post photos that YOU will like so that you can have an Instagram feed you can always go back to when you feel like taking a break from the hustle and bustle of the world.
