5 top tips for enjoying Instagram from a user that was at first sceptical, but ended up finding a passion within the creative atmosphere of Igers.

When my colleague, Nicola, first introduced me to Instagram (IG) I was a bit sceptical. Initially I didn’t like the idea of my images being instantly published on the web, for anyone to see. However, I quickly became addicted to the feedback and likes that I received. I love the creative atmosphere and the support you receive from fellow Igers.

IG gives me an amazing platform to experiment with my own style of photography and to see what other Igers are doing. When I first started I would post images taken on my SLR as well as my iPhone, but now I see it as a challenge to only use the iPhone and the Apps to create my IG work. I plan to use what I learn from IG to improve my SLR work.

I am a huge fan of the square format. This format fits perfectly with my favourite App, Hipstamatic. Using the old filters and cropped papers force you to carefully compose every image as you can’t really re-edit after. I have also had some great results using Apps like Pro HDR and I love editing in Snapseed.

I started my first hashtag a few months ago called #HDRme. The idea is to use the double exposure of HDR to capture a self portrait and your surroundings. Pro HDR then blends the two images to capture one moment in time from two perspectives (the above image uses this technique).

In a nut shell, Instagram is a window into an ever changing and inspiring visual playground which will connect you to some amazing people from all over the world.

My top 5 tips for enjoying Instagram

 

1. Forget the Popular PageInstagram has moved on from the Popular Page. It just doesn’t work. It is swamped with One Direction fans and wannabe models. Unless you have 20,000 followers and an average of 1000 likes per image you won’t make it.
2. Don’t rush inTake your time when following people. Don’t just follow back everyone that follows you, as they are probably ghost followers (someone who follows just to be followed back). So how do you know? Well if someone has followed you but hasn’t commented on or liked your images then they are probably just hoping for a follow back.Follow people that inspire you and who connect with you.
3. Get involvedLook for competitions, challenges and hashtags that you are interested in. Enter them and learn from them. And don’t forget, Instagram is a social network, so be sociable. Not because you are looking to be followed, but because you like what someone is doing.
4. Be creativeHave fun. This is an amazing place to experiment with your photography. You get instant feedback and support for what you are doing and you will quickly learn new skills and techniques.
5. Get onlineThere are some fantastic website resources for Instagram users. My favourites are, Instagram’s Blog, INK361, Statigram and WEBstagram.

 

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