Instagram is a photo-based application, the importance of good photos is indisputable. However, you don’t need to be a professional photographer to attract more Instagram followers and to boost engagement with the ones you already have. Our guide will introduce you to the basics.
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LIGHT
Light, light and light!
We all agree that it’s one of the most important elements in photography. The possibilities are two: you can either use natural light or lighting equipment. Learning how to work with natural light is the easiest way for amateurs, use it whenever possible.
Find the right location for your shoot; a sunny room, a windowsill or outdoors. Try out different angles to create a mood. Adjust your exposure to the natural light in the room. Does it sound difficult? Well, you’ll need to experiment a bit but you can get amazing results using natural light. As a Plan B, a lighting equipment or an editing app can assist you, too.
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CAMERA
Of course, without a camera it would be a bit difficult. A DSLR camera is a good choice, learning the basics of photography gives you the possibility to take beautiful shots. However, we cannot carry our camera with us all the time, a smartphone is more suitable for everyday use. Even photographers post mobile photos to their social media so it can work well with Instagram.
Know your camera and learn all features. Keep your phone steady to avoid camera shake and blurry photos. Use additional camera and photo editing apps for greater results, VSCO Cam and Camera+ allow you to focus and set exposure. What are you waiting for? Shoot as a pro.
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EDITING
Edit photos if needed. Adjust the brightness and contrast of the photo, sometimes it’s enough. Decrease the saturation for a more natural look and lower the warmth until any white color becomes a crisper white. Then sharpen to increase the quality of the photo.
With Instagram filters you can add emotion and feeling to the picture, a warm appearance or an icy look can create different effect. In addition, a black and white photo can express the real meaning of an image. Sometimes less is more, #nofilter photos have their own beauty.
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TRENDS
First of all, respect the main rules of composition, like the rule of third, simplicity or leading lines. It will prove your professionality.
Following photography trends will keep your Instagram feed up-to-date. Monochrome, Retro Swag, 90s nostalgia, Greenery, Tropical, White texture, Authenticity and Technology-driven Generation will all dominate this year. You only need to adapt them to your industry. Creating popular photos will make you popular, right?
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BE CREATIVE!
Creating something unique isn’t easy but can give you the possibility to stand out from the crowd. There are more areas you can focus on, just open yourself up to new ideas and experiences; take time to step outside your box.
Amaze your followers!
Photo credit: https://www.pexels.com/photo/blur-display-electronics-hand-174938/