How to take better instagram pictures
How to Take Good Instagram Photos: A Step-by-Step Guide
Remember the first mobile phone cameras? And the grainy, blurry, low-quality photos they produced?
Well, these days phone photography is capable of some pretty impressive feats. Plus, unlike that bulky DSLR that you haul out for vacations, it’s always at hand.
Learning how to take incredible shots using only your phone is the best way to stand out and build a strong presence on Instagram.
In this post, you’ll learn how to take good Instagram photos using only your phone, and some Instagram picture ideas to inspire your feed.
How to take good Instagram photos on your phone
Learning how to take good photos on your phone requires understanding some basic principles of composition and lighting, and honing your own instincts as a photographer. You just need to follow a few simple rules.
Step 1: Use natural light
Lighting is the foundation of a good photo. Understanding how to use light is the first and most important rule of getting great photos using only your phone.
Avoid using your flash in favor of natural light, which creates photos that are richer and brighter.
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A flash can flatten out your photo and wash out your subject. If you can’t shoot outdoors, take photos near windows or in well-lit rooms. Even at night, it’s preferable to find sources of ambient light, like street lamps and store windows.
Step 2: Don’t overexpose your images
You can brighten up a photo that’s too dark with editing tools, but there’s nothing that can fix a photo that’s overexposed.
Prevent overexposure by adjusting the lighting on your screen: tap and slide your finger up or down to adjust exposure.
Another way to prevent overexposure is by tapping your finger on the brightest part of the frame (in the case above, it would be the windows) to adjust the lighting before snapping your photo.
Step 3: Shoot at the right time
There’s a reason photographers love golden hour. This time of day, when the sun is low on the horizon, makes every photo more beautiful. It’s nature’s Instagram filter.
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A post shared by Peter Yan (@yantastic)
If you’re shooting at midday, clouds are your friend. It’s hard to get a good shot under direct sunlight, which can be harsh in photos.
Clouds diffuse the light from the sun and create a softer, more flattering effect.
Step 4: Follow the rule of thirds
Composition refers to the arrangement of a photo: the shapes, textures, colors and other elements that make up your images.
The rule of thirds is one of the most well-known composition principles, and refers to a simple method of balancing your image. It divides an image into a 3×3 grid, and aligns the subjects or objects in a photo along the grid lines to create balance.
For instance, you can center your photo:
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A post shared by Valley Buds Flower Farm (@valleybudsflowerfarm)
But you can also achieve a pleasing effect with “balanced asymmetry”, where the subject is off-center but balanced out by another object. In this case, the flowers are arranged in the lower-right area of the photo, and are balanced by the sun in the top-left corner.
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A post shared by Valley Buds Flower Farm (@valleybudsflowerfarm)
Pro tip: Turn on the gridlines for your phone camera in settings, and use them to practice aligning your photos.
Step 5: Consider your viewpoint
When you take a photo on your phone, you probably hold it up around eye level and snap, right? That’s what everyone else does, too. Resist this natural tendency if you want to take interesting, unexpected photos.
Taking photos from a different vantage point will provide fresh perspectives, even when it comes to a familiar place or subject. Try shooting from above or below, crouching low to the ground, or scaling a wall (if you’re feeling ambitious).
Don’t break your leg in pursuit of the perfect shot, but challenge yourself to see things from a new perspective.
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A post shared by demi adejuyigbe (@electrolemon)
Step 6: Frame your subject
Leaving space around the focal point of your photo can add more visual interest than zooming in.
Sometimes you get a surprising detail that makes the photo even better, like the moon high in the sky of this photo:
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A post shared by nicole wong 〰 (@tokyo_to)
Unlike a camera with an adjustable lens, your phone camera “zooms in” by shrinking your field of view. In effect, you are just pre-cropping your image. This can limit your options for editing later, and you might miss interesting details, so avoid doing it.
Instead, just tap your photo subject or focal point to focus the camera.
If you want to give yourself even more options, you can buy an external lens that fits on to your phone.
Step 7: Draw the viewer’s eye
In photography, “leading lines” are lines that run through your image that draw the eye and add depth. These might be roads, buildings, or natural elements like trees and waves.
Keep an eye out for leading lines and use them to add motion or purpose to your photo.
You can use leading lines to direct the viewer’s gaze to your subject, as in this shot:
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A post shared by Daichi Sawada (@daiicii)
Step 8: Add depth
It’s easy to focus solely on the subject of your photo, whether that’s a person or a handsome slice of pizza. But photos that include layers, with patterns or objects in the background as well as the foreground, are naturally interesting because they offer more depth.
This photo, rather than just cropping tightly on the flowers, also includes the railing behind them, a tree beyond that, and then a sunset and horizon. Each layer of the photo offers something to look at, drawing you in.
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A post shared by ALICE GAO (@alice_gao)
Step 9: Don’t forget to get creative
Some photos on Instagram are so popular that they become cliches, inspiring an entire Instagram account dedicated to repeat images. Don’t get so caught up in Instagram photo trends that you lose your creativity.
You want to stand out from other brands on Instagram, so always challenge yourself to find a fresh angle on a common subject. This will also help you establish a distinctive and memorable brand identity.
Watch this video for even more tips on how to take good Instagram photos on your phone:
10 Instagram picture ideas
Now that you understand the principles of photography, let’s talk about subjects.
There are certain subjects and themes that perform well on Instagram because they offer wide appeal and tons of visual interest.
Take note, because posting engaging content boosts your visibility on Instagram.
Here are a few Instagram photography ideas to consider:
1. Symmetry
Symmetry is pleasing to the eye, whether it appears in nature (Chris Hemsworth’s face) or the man-made world (the Royal Hawaiian Hotel). Symmetrical composition often enhances a subject that might not be exciting otherwise.
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A post shared by ALICE GAO (@alice_gao)
You can also break up your symmetry to add interest. In this photo, the bridge creates vertical symmetry while the trees and sunlight break it up.
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A post shared by scottcbakken (@scottcbakken)
2.
PatternsOur brains also love patterns. Some Instagram accounts have even amassed huge followings by documenting beautiful patterns, like I Have This Thing With Floors.
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A post shared by I Have This Thing With Floors (@ihavethisthingwithfloors)
Our universal love of patterns also explains the viral appeal of Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama’s mirror rooms, which create infinitely repeating patterns of simple shapes and colors:
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A post shared by USA TODAY Travel (@usatodaytravel)
Look around yourself for inspiration.
Architecture, design and nature are all sources of mesmerizing patterns.
3. Vibrant colors
Minimalism and neutrals are trendy, but sometimes you just crave a pop of color. Bright, rich colors make us happy and give us energy. And when it comes to Instagram photography, they make a big impact on a small screen.
They can even make a plain high-rise building look beautiful:
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A post shared by Zebraclub (@zebraclubvan)
4. Humor
If you want to be depressed about the state of the world, go to Twitter.
Instagram is a happy place, which means humor plays well here. Especially in contrast to the perfectly composed and edited photos that proliferate on the platform. Funny photos are a breath of fresh air for your audience, and they show that you don’t take this whole thing too seriously.
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A post shared by Caroline Cala Donofrio (@carolinecala)
5. Candid action
Capturing your subject in motion is tough, which is what makes it so impressive. A compelling action shot is exciting and arresting. It turns even an ordinary subject into something lovely:
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A post shared by stella blackmon (@stella.blackmon)
You don’t always need to strive for perfection either. Sometimes a little blurred movement adds an artistic, dreamy touch:
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A post shared by Valley Buds Flower Farm (@valleybudsflowerfarm)
When taking action photos, take multiple options to increase your odds of an amazing shot. You can use burst mode (by holding down your camera button) to capture 10 photos per second.
6. Detail shots
A sharp focus on an unexpected or interesting detail can be attention-grabbing, especially in a feed full of busy, dynamic photos. It’s like a palate cleanser, offering a sense of stillness and calm.
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A post shared by Truvelle | For modern brides (@truvellebridal)
Using Instagram editing tools like vignette (dimming the edges of your photo) or tile shift (which creates a soft blur around your focal point) can enhance detail photos.
Take your photo from a close distance to preserve quality. Shooting from far away and cropping lowers the image resolution, leading to grainy, lackluster photos that damage your brand. Make sure you’re uploading images that are sized for Instagram.
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A post shared by Caroline Cala Donofrio (@carolinecala)
7. Captivating backgrounds
This is a simple technique, but it works: take advantage of an awesome background! It’s the reason you always want to take a selfie in a restaurant bathroom with killer wallpaper. People curate good photo walls for a reason.
The more creative your background, the better. As in this example, a gorgeous background can be the perfect complement to a product post.
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A post shared by Charlie & Lee (@charlieandlee)
8. Animals
Some things are true, even if we don’t really understand why. Yawning is contagious. Light is both a particle and a wave. Instagram photos are better if there’s a cute animal in them.
It would be fair to say this is the cheapest trick in the book. But if you have an adorable pup at your disposable (or, just putting this out into the universe, a miniature pony) it would be a mistake not to use them.
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A post shared by Kaia & Nicol 🇨🇦 (@whereskaia)
9. Food
Did your mom ever tell you that your eyes were bigger than your stomach? Nowhere is that more true than Instagram, where we can’t get enough of food photography.
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A post shared by Great White (@greatwhitevenice)
The secret to an excellent food photo? Shoot from above, take advantage of photogenic surroundings, and use natural light. The last one is especially important, because the people eating next to you definitely don’t want to be interrupted by your flash.
10. People
Research has found that people love looking at faces on Instagram (hello once again to Chris Hemsworth). In fact, photos with people get up to 38% more likes than photos without.
To take a stunning portrait, follow the principles above: use natural light, choose an appealing background, and explore shooting from different angles to capture a more interesting shot. Some phones even include a portrait mode, which will optimize lighting and focus.
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Now that you know how to take amazing photos using your phone, learn how to edit them using our step-by-step guide, or watch this video tutorial that walks you through the foundations of how to edit your photos for Instagram using Adobe Lightroom on your phone:
Save time managing your Instagram presence using Hootsuite. From a single dashboard you can schedule and publish photos directly to Instagram, engage the audience, measure performance, and run all your other social media profiles.
Try it free today.
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How to Take Gorgeous Instagram Photos with Your Phone
Long gone are the days of lugging around a DSLR to take gorgeous Instagram photos.
You can get the perfect Instagram shot by using what you already have on you at all times — your phone!
We’ve put together this handy guide to taking, editing, and sharing Instagram photos all from your phone. With our tips and tricks, you’ll be getting that A+ content in no time.
Step #1: Check Your Camera Settings for Higher Quality Instagram PhotosBefore anything else, in order to level up your Instagram photos, you have to check your camera settings.
Most phone cameras are super-powerful, with a 12-megapixel front-facing camera and a ƒ/2.2 aperture, but the tricky part is learning how to use them.
So the first rule of Instagram photography is to always look at what you’re working with before you begin shooting.
#1: Turn HDR OffHDR — or High Dynamic Range — is a feature on both iPhone and Androids and it’s basically there to help you take better-looking photos.
It takes a few of the same photo at different exposures and puts them together in one, so the final photo has a ton of detail.
If you’re confident in working with HDR, it can be awesome. But, it’s hard to get right and can sometimes actually make your photos look unnatural and off.
To make things easier, let the camera do the heavy lifting and turn your camera’s HDR setting off. You’ll still get high-quality images without the need to think too deeply on your exposure levels.
#2: Check the Photo ModeThere are so many different settings on phone cameras these days that sometimes it’s hard to know what settings are useful and which ones aren’t.
One popular photo mode is “portrait mode”, which automatically detects a well-lit subject within a certain distance from the camera and creates a bokeh effect (depth of field).
Portrait mode is great when you’re taking — you named it — portraits. But that’s not all it’s good for! Many bloggers and influencers use portrait mode for food or product shots too!
Now, let’s talk about the photography pitfalls — portrait mode isn’t great when you’re shooting inside or in low light.
This photo mode also requires a subject that is still. For example, if you’re shooting someone jumping or walking, you’re going to want to turn off portrait mode and switch to another mode.
But don’t let that dishearten you, portrait mode should still have a place in your photography arsenal — just be selective on when you use it!
TIP: If you’re using an iPhone and are shooting a moving object like someone posing against an Instagrammable wall, try shooting in live photo mode or holding down the shoot button to enable burst.
With burst, your iPhone will shoot up to 10 photos allowing you to sift through and choose the best one after.
Don’t worry, if you’re using an Android, you can also enable the burst feature by holding the shutter down.
Step #2: How to Capture the Perfect Instagram Photo on Your Phone#1: Understanding Depth of FieldCreating DOF (or depth of field) with your phone camera is a really cool way to up your Instagram photo game.
It’s not too difficult and once you get the hang of it, your followers will be asking what camera you use to take your photos!
Let’s say you’re taking a picture of a person facing the water and you want the person in focus and the background blurry, tap your subject and wait for a yellow square to appear (if using an Android, tapping the screen to focus works too!)
Where you see the yellow square shows who/what is in focus. You’ll have to move around to get that perfect DOF.
The best photos take trial and error, but we’ve no doubt you’ll find your mojo soon enough.
#2: Get Your Composition RightGorgeous Instagram photos direct viewers to the subject of the photo while capturing an emotion or a story.
When you’re taking a photo with your phone camera, the composition is what will help your picture go from “good” to “great”.
So, how do you get the composition on point? With something called the rule of thirds.
Known as the golden rule of photography, the rule of thirds helps break down your image into (you guessed it) 3 portions or sections.
The goal is to put the most interesting aspects of the photo in the intersections of the grid to create a balanced and natural-looking photo.
If you can’t imagine the grid yourself, both iPhone and Android cameras have an option to turn the grid on when shooting.
Note: If you’re working with an Android phone, go to your Camera Settings, and select Grid Lines
Like any rule, they are made to be broken, right? You don’t need to follow the rule of thirds when taking Instagram photos with your phone camera. But it’s just there to help you as a guide if you need it.
#3: Think About Lighting and ExposureYou know when you take a photo outside you’re excited to post it, only to realize later that it’s totally overexposed? It can happen to the best of us!
One of our favorite photography hacks is to combat this: underexpose your camera!
When you’re shooting, it’s always better to have an underexposed shot to fix in post, rather than having a blown-out photo.
This is super easy to do on both iPhone and Android. If you’re using an iPhone, tap your phone screen when you’re taking the shot and wait till the yellow box appears.
Once it’s there, move the little sun on the right of the box and you’ll see the exposure lowering and keep moving the yellow sundown until your liking.
It’s basically the same deal on Android — just tap the screen on darker and lighter parts of the shot and it’ll manually balance the exposure.
TIP: The absolute best way to get a killer Instagram photo is to shoot in natural light! If you’re able to use natural sunlight or actually be outside, do it. You’ll notice your photos will look so much more professional than shooting inside or with flash.
Once you’re ready to post the photos, you want them to stand out on your feed, right? Plan and re-arrange your feed posts with Later’s Instagram Visual Planner.
Later’s Visual Instagram Planner is the best way to plan your Instagram feed and make sure all of your photos are flowing together — it’s an aesthetic game-changer!
Use Later’s Visual Instagram Planner to see where your new photos will sit in your Instagram Feed.
Plus, you can do it right on mobile (iOS and Android).
With Later’s Visual Instagram Planner, you can Quick Schedule new posts, see what your scheduled posts will look like on the feed, and drag and drop scheduled posts to rearrange them.
Ready to nail down your Instagram aesthetic? Design, curate, and plan your feed with Later!
Step #3: Learn How to Set Up the ShotYou’ve got your camera settings down and now it’s actually time to take the photo.
Whether you’re taking a selfie, a flat lay, a picture of your lunch or a picture of a blogger in front of a mural wall, it’s important to consider the art direction of your shot!
On Android, you can set up and capture your shot with voice control. Take a photo by saying “smile”, “cheese”, “capture”, or “shoot”.
The voice control feature can be helpful for selfies and those moments when you have the perfect shot but don’t want to push the button and ruin the moment.
Mastering The Flay Lay:Flat lays have always been super-popular on Instagram, but nothing looks better than food in a dreamy flat lay set up!
When you’re taking pictures of food, there are a few things you have to remember.
Food looks best from above and with natural light.
Think of using textured backgrounds when you’re planning your shot. Whites, light concrete, marble, wooden tables, and pastels are great options.
Jenna Rae Cakes, the cute aesthetically pleasing Canadian bakery, does a great job of photographing their baked goods.
Of course, it’s not just food that works in flay lay setups — product shots, and the fun “deskie” always works well in your grid!
You don’t need to have a professional photo studio or photoshoot to take killer content for your brand or business. With a minimal budget, you can set up your own at-home photography studio.
Ready to take beautiful product shots at home? Check out all of our tips and tricks here.
Finding the Perfect Backdrop:If you’re looking to capture scroll-stopping Instagram photos, you’ve got to find the best photo spots. But, remember, you can make any spot Instagrammable using your creative eye.
Whether it’s the city you live in or are traveling, you can browse locations and hashtags on Instagram for inspo!
Studio DIY Wall Crawl is a great place to start to find those awesome backdrop walls for your next shot!
Tip: Posing in front of the camera is hard, instead, ask your photographer friend to take bursts of you and just keep moving in front of the camera — some of the best shots are taken while in motion.
Think About Props
Whether you’re going to be the subject of your photos, or you’re capturing some product shots, a prop or two can go along way in building a better photo.
From holding a cute coffee cup, to green foliage and plantlife, having something “extra” to your frame can bring it to life.
Step #4: Editing and Post ProductionYou’ve captured the photo and you know it’s the one, but now it’s time you bring it to the next level.
#1: Edit using Lightroom PresetsUsing Lightroom to edit your photos is one of the best ways to get your photos looking beautiful for Instagram. And, on top of achieving super trendy beautiful photos, Lightroom presets make the editing process super easy and fast.
Plus, you can edit with Lightroom CC on your phone for free!
Once you start editing with Lightroom, even just by using the in-built Lightroom presets (which are like “filters”), you’ll start to see your image quality drastically improve, and you’ll start to develop a style that is unique to you and your Instagram feed!
When you’re happy with your content and feel ready to post, save time by scheduling, and auto-publishing your content with Later.
Taking the time to schedule a few days’ posts all at once is a great way to batch posts at the beginning of each week so you can spend more time shooting and planing your content without having to spend so much time on your social channels each day!
On mobile, view your scheduled Instagram posts in a list, preview, or on a calendar (iOS only).
With Later’s Visual Instagram Planner, you can Quick Schedule new posts, see what your scheduled posts will look like on the feed, and drag and drop scheduled posts to rearrange them.
Ready to nail down your Instagram aesthetic? Design, curate, and plan your feed with Later!
#2: Edit Using Editing AppsLooking for quick-as-a-flash edits to help you level up your photos? There are tons of apps that can help you do that — with on-trend filters, clever editing, and perfect color correction tools.
These are some of our favorite photo editing apps to try.
VSCO
Tezza
Snapseed
A Color Story
But the editing fun doesn’t stop there, check out our 12 Best Photo Editing Apps for Instagram blog post for more great photo editing tips and tools!
#3: Stand out from the Rest with Collages and StickersInstagram overlay stickers and collages are the new creative trend on Instagram.
Many users are hopping on the trend and it’s working! If it’s in line with your brand, consider adding overlay stickers to your photos for a little fun touch.
In fact, we love the Instagram overlay sticker trend that much, that we created our very own stickers for you to use on your posts!
Instagram photography shouldn’t feel overwhelming, or out of your reach — with just a phone you have all the tools you need to create standout images and posts for your profile.
But the first step to getting that gorgeous grid is to getting out and snapping your content!
To spend more time shooting and planning your photos, Auto Publish your content with Later!
Plus — if you have an Instagram business profile — you can enable Auto Publish right on your mobile (for both iOS and Android).
If you’re a beginner, stick to these tips and you’ll soon be feeling confident in your photography skills.
Ready to start posting your gorgeous Instagram photos to your grid?
Don’t forget you can plan, schedule, and automatically post to your Instagram account with Later for FREE.
Sign up today!
How to take a beautiful photo on Instagram: from theory to practice
You must have heard that Instagram* is a social network for visuals, and photos are of paramount importance here. Not without exceptions, but that's how it is. What to do if you want to conquer Instagram *, but you have never been a photographer? How to take cool photos on Instagram*? Don't be upset, believe in yourself and read this article!
Benefits of Instagram* for non-photographers
If you have long been attracted by the art of photography, but are frightened by the number of complex words, technical nuances and long processing, your hour has come - Instagram* will solve problems and awaken dormant creative potential. After all, everyone can take cool photos on Instagram* and upload normal, high-quality content to their profile! nine0003
A phone is enough
You don't have to buy a big expensive camera to take cool photos for your Instagram account*.
You can get by with a smartphone with a good camera.
Single photo format
By default, there are two types of photos on Instagram*: square and rectangular. This means you don't have to worry about cropping, weight, or photo size. The social network will think about it for you. Catch cool shots and upload to your account by publishing a post or story. nine0003
Read our blog about the nuances of uploading photos to Instagram* without cropping.
If you make it a rule that your profile will contain only Instagram photos*, that is, square ones, you can do the following:
No photoshop needed
In the case of a regular camera and a regular website (or social network), it takes effort to turn a simple photo into a beautiful photo. Pictures will have to be uploaded from the camera to a computer, deal with processing programs (Photoshop or similar), learn a lot of complex words, like “exposure” or “trimming”. It's easier with Instagram.
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The application itself has a shooting function. You can edit brightness, contrast, saturation and other parameters in the application by moving your finger along the scale. Here, on Instagram*, there are many filters that are superimposed on the photo with a touch, even a child can handle it.
When standard photo editing tools are no longer enough, check out our articles for more applications:
- photo and video editing for Instagram*;
- top 25 services for working on Instagram*. nine0039
Tip: If you don't want to share a photo taken and edited with Instagram*, save it to your smartphone.
After applying the filters, click "Download"Insta photography theory
When deciding how to take good photos on Instagram * on your phone, follow a few simple rules.
Daylight
Light from a chandelier and lamp makes a photo yellow and distorts colors, so if you are new to photography, shoot only in daylight - it is the most advantageous.
Daylight doesn't mean sunny day, it's just daylight hours. In this light, the photo turns out “as if alive”: with natural colors and shadows. nine0003
You don't have to go outside to take a photo on Instagram* in daylight, you can also take pictures at home. If it's dark at home, get closer to the window, shoot on the windowsill, or set up a photo zone next to the window.
Compose
The social network is not an online store, and photos of items on an etched white background that look great in a store window on Instagram * usually do not arouse much interest. Here they love photos with details and textures that are interesting to consider. In this case, you can use a white background, but if it is a sheet or a blanket, the frame will become more interesting. In addition to them, you can use a special photophone. Backgrounds come in different textures and colors: under the tree, under the concrete, under the brick - choose any. nine0003
The photophone itself, of course, is not very interesting.
To make it interesting, you need to put something on it. It can be postcards, books, magazines, cookies, flowers, travel magnets - all that junk that gathers dust on the shelves and it's a pity to throw it away.
But if you are thinking about creating an online store, read “How to take a professional photo for Instagram *”, “Hand-Made. How to make a selling photo of a product” on our blog.
Clean lens
It may be obvious and funny, but it is the smudged lens that often prevents you from taking normal photos on Instagram*. One day I decided that my phone was broken: all the photos turned out to be cloudy. A few hours separated me from buying a new phone, when I realized that I just needed to wipe the lens.
Wipe the lens. Always clean the lens.
Focus on
There may be more than one subject in the frame. The most clear should be the main one. To "catch the focus" it is enough to poke your finger into the desired object on the phone screen.
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Take a lot of shots
Back when everything was shot with film cameras, every shot was worth its weight in gold. Now, in the digital age, we can click the shutter until our phone runs out of space. Then remove the excess and click again. This is good, because it is not always possible to "see the frames" the first time.
Tip: Take multiple shots at once. Swap items in places, add new ones, remove unnecessary ones. Then choose the best option and publish a post or story. nine0003
The practice of insta photography
In theory, everything is simple and clear, but in practice, accounts are full of trash pictures. Why? Because after the lecture it is necessary to work out seminars to consolidate the material. And if “just a photo” in stories is still somehow appropriate, then beautiful photos should always be taken for posts on Instagram *.
Find examples
Taste can be trained like a muscle. Perhaps now you don’t know what a “beautiful photograph” is, how to build a frame, how to lay out small things on a photo background.
But there are many who know and post cool photos on Instagram* - find them! Subscribe to accounts that you like, whose style is close to you. Let their photos constantly flash in your feed. nine0003
Practice
You can't use other people's photos. But you can take your photos "based on". At first, this will help you to “fill your hand” and feel the insta-style in photography. Do not worry that you are repeating, because you are unlikely to get exactly the same photo.
Over time, you yourself will learn to invent and see shots, and the need for repetition will disappear by itself. Repetition is only needed at the very beginning while you are learning. I myself went through this, learning to photograph from other people's photographs. nine0003 Friend / foe
Gather base and ideas
Among the pictures you look at, there will most likely be those that you can hypothetically repeat for your profile. Surely you also have beautiful bedding, or a cool mug, or you can also lay out dry leaves in a book, or it’s interesting to gut a bouquet.
If you like the frame and you understand that it is not difficult to recreate it, take a print screen and save the idea for creating a photo in the Instagram format*.
Change your angle.
The simplest thing you can do. What is the point? You are asked to take a picture of a person. You take your smartphone, stand in front of it and press the button. Do not do like this.
Squat or stand up so that your faces are at the same level to prevent the person in the photo from turning out to be short-legged. For the next shot, climb somewhere higher and take a picture from above. Squat down and take a picture from below. Come closer and again from below. Take a photo from the side. Go behind the tree and take a couple more shots through the leaves. This is called changing perspective. nine0003 lissa.zn and _lsvln_ just put a smartphone in an unusual place for shooting, and the result was not “just a photo”
When you look at cool pictures on social networks, not necessarily people, think for a second where was the photographer at the time of the shoot.
And how would the frame turn out if the photo was taken in a standard way, from a height of human growth.
The technique is also suitable for subject shooting. You can take a beautiful photo of a mug on a table on Instagram* from a dozen angles: from the side, placing the smartphone on the table, just from the side, from the side of the handle, from the top in the center, slightly tilting the smartphone from above, and so on. nine0003
Reflection.
Also an easy trick. Look for reflections: in shop windows, in puddles, in mirrors, in sunglasses, and even in broken glass, if you're not superstitious.
irenaponaroshku and kristikut are experimenting while relaxing on the beach and taking Instagram photos* for posts and storiesGet deeper.
Cool trees, flowers, grass, children's climbing frames? Don't stand in the background, go inside if possible.
nine0003 akmaral_bekmaganbetova and analim_oni were not afraid to go deep into the thickets
Seasonal photos.
There is something beautiful in every season. If you get stuck with ideas, remember what is now, what will not be later, and take a picture with it. In winter, it is snow, snowmen, a fairytale forest, garlands in the city and cool shop windows, snow fun. In the fall ... yes, you yourself will continue this list better than me!
In spring nature wakes up and photographer.victoria28 takes a photo with everything that woke up, filling the feed with spring contentFocus on one subject .
Often, seeing something cool, we take and take a photo thoughtlessly. Tip: Your shots will look more professional if only a small part of the beauty is in focus, and the rest goes into the background.
An example from my dacha. Pay attention to the grid - the main object is better placed along the lines or at the intersection points of the lines.
The eye is so pleasing A part of myself.
The picture will attract more attention if you shoot not just an interesting street or forest, but insert a part of yourself into the frame. Let it be your legs, or a hand with a hat or ice cream, it doesn't matter.
There is a story behind such shots...Shoot life .
When you blog and look for footage, walk the streets of the city and take a closer look at your surroundings. We all often hurry somewhere, and do not notice many interesting things. You can also ask to take a picture of you "in the crowd." Here you are going somewhere, or sitting on a bench thinking, and people, bicycles, cars are hurrying around. Just make sure the focus is on you. nine0003 Tip: if it's difficult, imagine that you are a reportage photographer, and your task as a newspaper editor is to capture the life of the city :-)
Natural frames .
Arches, a large mesh fence, an art object, even an inflatable swimming ring can become a kind of photo frame.
Repeating objects, symmetry .
A row of identical cars, a long fence, even identical white sneakers lined up - all this attracts attention with its repetitions. The same with symmetry: the eye automatically begins to look for inconsistencies in ideality, and you have earned attention to your photo.
monika0305 sees symmetry in architecture, red_apple_photo in nature. When there is no symmetry around, create it yourself like ya.shedowUse shadow .
Difficult but interesting technique. An ugly shadow will spoil even a beautiful shot. Do you want chic? Train your eyesight and repeat like a pro.
little_studio and irenaponaroshku and their shadow games Funny shots .
The main rule is not to overwork. Such shots are best done by people with a good sense of humor. nine0003 Which of the “fu, not funny” photos do you think?
Selfie stick and tripod .
The tripod helps you avoid hand shake when taking pictures and take selfies without help. And with the help of a selfie stick, you can get breathtaking and amazing shots.
What is strength, brother? In stick, selfie stickCamera zoom .
Do not use the zoom on the smartphone, it is better to approach the object yourself. In a smartphone, the zoom is not the zoom of a professional camera. It will ruin the photo quality. nine0003
As you can see, everything can be learned if you really want to. And Instagram itself is ready to teach you this. Your task is only to find what you like, remember and practice a lot.
Cool shots for you!
How to take cool photos for Instagram*
InstagramProduct belongs to an organization recognized as extremist in the Russian Federation.
remains a social network about beautiful photos, so you can't do without good shots. Amplifer support manager and InstagramThe product belongs to an organization recognized as extremist in the Russian Federation. - blogger Anastasia Chernykh has already told how to blog in InstagramThe product belongs to an organization recognized as extremist in the Russian Federation., and now explains how to learn how to take cool photos, find your own style and make publications more attractive.
Learn the basics
You don't have to use a camera to take beautiful photos for Instagram* - your phone's camera will often suffice. But getting basic knowledge about photography is still worth it. nine0003
First, get familiar with the basic concepts:
- Exposure is the amount of light that hits the camera matrix. The exposure determines the brightness of objects in the frame.
- Composition is the arrangement of objects in a photograph.
- White balance is a color tone that reflects the lighting and temperature of a picture.
- Contrast is defined as the ratio of the brightness of the lightest area of the image to the darkest. nine0039
- Saturation is the intensity of the color in the photo and how rich and vibrant the photo looks.
This knowledge will help you avoid mistakes at the very beginning.
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Study the composition of the frame
The composition is responsible for how the objects in the photo are located - this helps to make the frame harmonious and interesting. If you are not going to do photography professionally, then basic knowledge will be enough for you. I'll tell you about two options for arranging objects in the frame that I use:
Rule of thirds . Divide the frame into 3 equal parts horizontally and vertically so that the main objects are located at or along the intersections of the lines.
The subject is at the intersection of lines
Diagonal rule . Draw a diagonal from one corner of the photo to the other. The diagonal from the lower left corner to the upper right is more "calm" and is called descending , and the opposite, from the lower right corner to the upper left - ascending , it is more "active".
An example of a composition with a descending diagonal
This means that if you arrange objects along an ascending diagonal, the frame will be more dynamic, and if you place it diagonally downward, it will be harmonious and peaceful.
An example of a composition with an ascending diagonal
You can turn on the grid in the camera settings on your smartphone - turn it on and it will be easier to deal with the composition.
Shoot in good light
A photo in good light is good for an avatar - it's an important part of your profile. Light is the basis of everything.
When it is good, the photo does not require additional processing. nine0003
Good lighting on the left vs bad on the right
For beginner photographers, daylight will be a real help and will do most of the work - the frame will be rich, with natural light and shadows.
In winter it is better to take pictures from 10 am to 3 pm in clear weather, and in summer there is much more time - suitable light from 7 am to 9 pm. These recommendations are suitable for most residents of the European part of Russia.
Photographers have the concept of "golden hour" (Golden Hour) - this is the hour after sunrise and the hour before sunset. At this time, the light is soft and especially suitable for shooting. nine0003
Photos taken during the golden hour
Important: You can shoot during the daytime and when there is no sun. Moreover, taking pictures in bright sunny weather is much more difficult than in cloudy weather - extra shadows and sharpness appear.
And it is better to publish beautiful photos on Instagram* through Amplifer. Add a description, hashtags, and tags so you don't forget anything. Try 7 days free trial
Get the most out of your phone
Often your smartphone can do more than you think - be sure to explore the camera's settings and features and see what it has to offer. Portrait mode, stabilization, optical zoom, reticle or HDR will all help you when shooting. nine0003
For example, HDR is available on almost all smartphones - it creates several frames with different exposures and combines them into one shot, so the photo is clearer and more contrasty.
On the left is a photo without HDR, on the right is with HDR
Be sure to wipe the camera before shooting - such a trifle, but the frame will definitely be better 🙂
Do not forget about processing applications make the picture better, keeping the picture natural. The main thing here is not to overdo it with filters - do not use filters to the maximum and do not go away from natural colors.
We have compiled a selection of apps for beautiful photos in Stories. nine0003 And to decorate your photo, try using apps to create beautiful "Stories" in InstagramThe product belongs to an organization recognized as extremist in the Russian Federation.
Applications help you correct light, remove excess, make your photo brighter, emphasize details and bring frames to a unified style. Here are my favorite apps and why:
VSCO is the most popular and easiest photo editing app. It has 15 free and more than 100 paid filters, you can edit the exposure, contrast, sharpness, saturation, add graininess. nine0003
Snapseed is a simple application for editing basic parameters with filters ("styles"). From interesting:
- A photo enlargement function that "enlarges" the photo to the desired size.
- Spot correction removes unnecessary objects from a photo. For example, you can remove wires from a photo.
- HDR adds this effect to the finished photo
- Double exposure combines multiple exposures into one for an unusual effect. nine0039
Lightroom is one of the coolest light and color correction applications that doesn't spoil the quality of the original. There are curves for editing here - they help distribute the brightness of each pixel in the photo.
In Photoshop Fix , you can not only edit light, colors, brightness, temperature, but also remove unnecessary details from photos using the Recovery tools.
Here you can choose point restoration or the stamp function - in the first case, you just need to swipe over the object and the program will delete it for you, and in the second case, you yourself choose from which part of the photo you will take the part for replacement. nine0003
Also in this application there is a Liquify function that will help you adjust the shape of objects and add volume.
Do not abuse, please - real photos always look more interesting than retouched ones to the ideal.
Remove silhouettes of people in the background in Photoshop Fix
To maintain an account on Instagram*, try Amplifier: it publishes photos, videos and carousels to the feed, collects statistics and suggests the best time to post. 7 days free
Shape your style
It's important to find your style - then your photos will catch on. Think about what profiles you enjoy looking at? Through which photos would you like to present yourself? What do you like to photograph?
And go in search of inspiration in InstagramThe product belongs to an organization recognized as extremist in the Russian Federation. and on Pinterest - find a few blogs whose style is close to you, save photos and take note of interesting ideas. Then try to repeat and turn on your fantasy. You should not get an exact copy, because each author brings something of his own to the frame 🙂
For example, I really like the profiles snova_nastia, vicky_od, kate_voina - sometimes I take note of ideas for a photo from them.
Publications snova_nastia
Another way to develop your style is to shoot everything that seems beautiful to you. Take 10-15 frames, process them and evaluate the result. What photos came out? What color is dominant? Is it possible to group them and get a beautiful picture?
Through the search for inspiration and daily practice, you will find what you can call your style 🙂
Don't be shy
Nowadays, a person photographing food, the city or himself does not surprise anyone. There is nothing like stopping, taking a picture, setting the timer on your phone, or asking passers-by to take a picture of you.
Get ready to experiment and look for unusual angles in pursuit of a beautiful photo.
Feel free to ask friends or passers-by to take a photo. The main thing is to explain what you want to see in the frame - then everyone will be satisfied. nine0003
Make a variety of content
Try different styles and don't get stuck on one thing - shoot portraits, food layouts, selfies, architecture, landscapes.
Don't be afraid to shoot close-ups - this way you can get more interesting angles.
The more diverse your content, the more interesting the feed looks, and the higher the engagement of readers will be - everyone will want to go to your feed, view an interesting frame and leave a comment. nine0003
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How to take cool photos for
InstagramThe product belongs to an organization recognized as extremist in the Russian Federation.: - To get started, learn the basic concepts of photography - read about exposure, composition, color balance, contrast, saturation of photography.
- Check out all the features of your smartphone's camera, maybe it can do more than you think.
