![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.theedublogger.com\/files\/2012\/05\/intagramlogo-2d97c62.jpg\" "\\"Instagram")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
I’m not the most dedicated Instagrammer (need to get out more) or the best photographer (wish I was) but like many other educators, I enjoy sharing my photos on Instagram.<\/p>\n
Why? \u00a0It’s fun! Easy! I can quickly share photos taken on my iPhone when I’m out and about! \u00a0Or have fun editing photos and sharing from my camera on my iPad! \u00a0And in the process I’m learning more about photography, photo editing and other Instagram users.<\/p>\n
Here’s my advice to help you get started or get more out of using Instagram. <\/a> Launched\u00a0in 2010, Instagram is one of the fastest growing mobile media phenoms; with just over 15 million users at the start of 2012 it now has over 50 million users.<\/p>\n Instagram is\u00a0a free photo sharing app for android and iOS devices that lets users take a photo, apply photo filters and share through a variety of social networking services including Twitter, Facebook, Flickr and on Instagram.<\/p>\n Instagram is sort of like Twitter – except instead of connecting with others using 140 characters or less, you’re sharing photos.<\/p>\n Signing up for an Instagram account is as simple as:<\/p>\n Tips for creating your account:<\/strong><\/p>\n Here’s a quick overview of the main tabs inside Instagram to get you started:<\/strong><\/p>\n A key aspect of using Instagram is connecting with other users. \u00a0So\u00a0once\u00a0you’ve shared a couple of photos it’s time to start following other users.<\/p>\n Finding people to follow is as simple as:<\/p>\n <\/a> To share photos on Instagram you can either:<\/p>\n But before sharing photos it’s worth first discussing Smartphone and tablet cameras because the quality the photos you take depend on the device you’re using.<\/p>\n Smartphones are now the camera of choice by many people; iPhone are the most popular device for uploading photos to Flickr and whole communities have formed for\u00a0iphoneography (iPhone and iPad photography enthusiasts).<\/p>\n Why are Smartphone cameras popular? \u00a0It’s always with you!. \u00a0See something interesting and you can take a quick photo. \u00a0And better of all with photo apps you can quickly enhance and manipulate photos in ways you once dreamed of!<\/p>\n The camera specs for most of the latest smartphones are fairly similar; many are now 8 megapixels with HD video capture.<\/p>\n Below’s a\u00a0comparison\u00a0of iPhone cameras:<\/strong><\/p>\n Whereas the cameras in tablets, such as iPads, and devices like iPod Touch’s aren’t as powerful and their photos aren’t as good as those by smartphones like the iPhone 4S.<\/p>\n Ultimately, \u00a0to some extent, it really depends on how you want to use the photos you take. \u00a0Higher resolution photos are ideal for printing\u00a0whereas a lower resolution photo is fine if you just want to share online.<\/p>\n One of my favorite photos I’ve shared on Instagram was taken with my old iPhone 3; it’s quality isn’t as good as a photo taken on my iPhone 4S but it tells a story and captured a sense of that moment in time. When saving photos on your device it is important to realise that Instagram photos are designed in the shape of the old polaroid picture so you need to keep in mind that your picture will be cropped as a square \u00a0i.e. avoid making the entire image you want to share fill your camera screen when saving photos to your device.<\/p>\n Sharing a photo saved on your device using instagam is simple:<\/strong><\/p>\n 1. \u00a0Just tap on the “Camera\/Share”<\/strong> button.<\/p>\n 2. Tap on the Image<\/strong> Icon<\/p>\n 3. \u00a0Choose a photo from your photo library,<\/p>\n 4. \u00a0Position the photo within the square crop box — you can use a pinching motion to zoom in and out of the photo.<\/p>\n 5. Then tap Choose<\/strong>.<\/p>\n 6. \u00a0Choose your effects (lux and tilt shift), filter, if you want to show\/hide border<\/a> and, if\u00a0satisfied\u00a0with your image, tap on the green check mark to continue to add caption, location and share<\/a>.<\/p>\n The cool part of Instagram is you can apply filters, effects and borders inside Instagram before sharing the photo.<\/p>\n Here’s a quick overview of the different options and what they do:<\/strong> Filters are ready-made effects for your photos. \u00a0Using filters, you don’t have to make separate adjustments for color, saturation or other image characteristics to achieve a particular look because the filter does it for you.<\/p>\n Just choose a filter and your image is transformed into a different look and feel; they can soften imperfections, draw lights and colors in\u00a0interesting\u00a0ways.<\/p>\n Instagram comes with 17 filters you can use. \u00a0Which filter works best depends on the light, the content on your photo and what you’re trying to achieve. \u00a0The best option is to try each filter on your photo to see what creates the look you want.<\/p>\n Here’s an\u00a0overview\u00a0of the Instagram filters:<\/strong><\/p>\n Here’s a sample image using each of the different filters:<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/a> Most Instagram filters include the option to add a standard border to your photo. \u00a0Filters that don’t include a border option are: Normal, Amaro, Rise and Valencia.<\/p>\n After applying the filter to the photo you just tap on the square in the far upper left hand corner to toggle the border on and off.<\/p>\n Here’s a Lo-fi adjusted image with and without a border:<\/strong><\/p>\n Here’s a Kelvin adjusted image with and without a border:<\/strong><\/p>\n Lux works by making your photos more vibrant and brings out the details in your photos that you might not have noticed. \u00a0It works by bringing brightness to dark images by filling dark areas with light. \u00a0It can also more depth depending on which filter you are using.<\/p>\n The lux icon is the Sun icon located on the bottom left hand side corner. \u00a0This feature is not available on all Android devices.<\/p>\n The best option is to toggle lux on and off with each filter to see if it improves the look of your image.<\/p>\n Tilt-shift photography involves altering the depth of field for what you’ve captured allowing you to emphasise certain objects in the photo while blurring the surrounding around your chosen objects.<\/p>\n It is normally done using an actual tilt-shift lens on a camera and can be imitated using Photoshop, or using photo apps like Instagram.<\/p>\n To apply a tilt shift in Instagram you just need to:<\/strong><\/p>\n 1. \u00a0Select the drop icon (which represents tilt shift) from the top menu.<\/p>\n 2. \u00a0Choose the linear (-) or radial (o) tilt shift.<\/p>\n 3. \u00a0Drag or tap the double lines (for a linear tilt shift) or circle (for a radial tilt shift) to the desired section of the photo.<\/p>\n Here’s an example of a radial tilt shift:<\/strong><\/p>\n Here’s an example of a linear tilt shift:<\/strong><\/p>\n Back to Top<\/a><\/p>\n Taking a photo using instagam is simple:<\/p>\n 1. \u00a0Just tap on the “Camera\/Share”<\/strong> button.<\/p>\n 2. \u00a0You take the photo by tapping on the camera button.<\/p>\n Before taking the photo you can:<\/p>\n Please note: \u00a0<\/em>Filters, borders, tilt shifts and lux can also be adjusted after the photo is taken.<\/p>\n 3. Once the photo is taken you can use the arrow to rotate your image, adjust your lux on or off (by tapping on the Sun icon), change filters and border options.<\/p>\n 4. \u00a0If\u00a0satisfied\u00a0with your image, tap on the green check mark to continue to add caption, location and share. The final step before sharing your photo is adding the caption and your location (optional).<\/p>\n The idea is to make the caption informative or attention\u00a0grabbing\u00a0so followers can learn more about your photo if they are interested.<\/p>\n Here’s what photos look like in your Home tab so you can see where the caption appears:<\/p>\n Don’t stress if you make a mistake. \u00a0It’s easily fixed.<\/p>\n While you can’t edit a caption or comment; all you need to do is delete it and replace with a new one as follows:<\/p>\n 1. \u00a0Go to your photo.<\/p>\n 2. \u00a0Click on Comment<\/strong> link under photo.<\/p>\n 3. \u00a0Tap on the gear icon on the top right corner of the comments screen.<\/p>\n 4. \u00a0Tap the red ‘Do not Enter’ Button next to the comment you want to delete then tap Delete<\/strong>.<\/p>\n 5. \u00a0Now just write your new caption or comment.<\/p>\n <\/a> You’ll also notice that some users add hashtags to their captions and comments.<\/p>\n Hashtags work similar to Twitter hashtags. \u00a0You can add hashtags to any of your own photos by including hashtags in the caption of your photo or in a comment under the photo.<\/p>\n When you click on a hashtag you’ll see all photos tagged with the same hashtag. \u00a0Here’s an example of all photos tagged #chocolate<\/a>.<\/p>\n You search hashtags in Instagram by:<\/p>\n 1. \u00a0Going to Your Profile tab.<\/p>\n 2. \u00a0Tap on Search Instagram<\/strong><\/p>\n 3. \u00a0Tap on Tags <\/strong>and\u00a0add your search term.<\/p>\n Hashtags help users connect with each other.<\/p>\n Some Instagram users use hashtags for photo contests and groups. \u00a0For example, a weekly challenge where you submit a photo based on specific subject matter, or where everyone uses a specific photo app, and everyone tags their photo using the same hashtag. \u00a0These types of activities help you connect with other\u00a0enthusiasts.<\/p>\n You can check out example of an instagram hashtags here for #bestoftheday<\/a>. \u00a0You’ll see other commonly used hashtags in their captions.<\/p>\n Lots of hashtags in captions can be annoying for some users. \u00a0The solution is simple. \u00a0Write your caption without your hashtags and then add a comment after you’ve shared your photo to include all the hashtags you wanted to use. \u00a0Remember to make your hashtags relevant to the picture.<\/p>\n <\/a> Once you’ve added your caption, and decided if you want to enable location, it’s time to share your photo by tapping on Done<\/strong>.<\/p>\n You can share your photo to Twitter, Facebook and all your other social network services when you post to Instagram or share to them after you’ve posted it to Instagram.<\/p>\n The benefit of sharing\u00a0to other services later\u00a0<\/span>is you can customised the message you want associated with your photo based on where you are sharing.<\/p>\n 1. Locate your photo.<\/p>\n 2. Tap the “….”<\/strong> link at the bottom right of the photo you want to share.<\/p>\n 3. \u00a0Tap on Share post<\/strong> and select the services you want to share to.<\/p>\n Instagram doesn’t have a web presence for viewing your photos online and instead you use third-party sites like the following to view them:<\/p>\n <\/a> Once you’ve started using Instagram you’ll notice that some users share some really amazing photos (check out the Popular tab to see what I mean!). \u00a0And if you’re like me you’ll start wondering how they create these photos.<\/p>\n Besides taking a great photo some users will process their photos through one or more photo apps before sharing their photos on Instagram.<\/p>\n Instead of using the borders, effects and filters in Instagram they’ll use photo apps to achieve the look and appearance they’re trying to achieve then post to Instagram as a finished product.<\/p>\n The most important aspects to be aware of with photo apps are:<\/p>\n Here’s what you need to consider when choosing photo apps:<\/strong><\/p>\n Types of Photo Apps<\/strong><\/p>\n There are so many photo apps it’s impossible to do them justice in this post so we’ve just included a brief overview below of a few of the different types of photo apps to get you started.<\/p>\n Check out the following resources if you would like to learn more about using photo apps:<\/p>\n Tip:<\/em><\/p>\n Image Editing apps are\u00a0considered ‘must have apps’ if plan to do any extensive manipulation and altering of your photos.<\/p>\n The best of these apps work like high end desktop image editors such as PhotoShop and include adjusting options such as Curves, Levels, Channel Mixer, Un-Sharp Mask, Sharpen, HSL, White Balance, Shadows & Highlights, Brightness & Contrast, Exposure Adjustment, Noise Reduction, Vibrance as well as FX effects (filters), frames and borders and other tools you’ll find in other photo apps.<\/p>\n My preferred image editing apps are:<\/p>\n PhotoForge2’s\u00a0online tutorials<\/a>\u00a0are a good place to learn the basic of what you can achieve using image editing apps.<\/p>\n Here’s an example of using the history tool on PhotoForge2 to compare effect of changes on the image:<\/p>\n Camera apps add in tools missing from your device’s built in camera app. \u00a0Some also include image editing tools for applying filters, frames and making adjustments. \u00a0Examples of camera apps include:\u00a0Camera+<\/a>, ProCamera<\/a>, Slow Shutter Cam<\/a>, Night Camera<\/a>.<\/p>\n
\n<\/a>
\nClick on a link below to quickly go to the section you want to read<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n
\nBack to Top<\/a><\/p>\nWhat is Instagram?<\/h2>\n
Instagram is\u00a0popular because:<\/h3>\n
\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.theedublogger.com\/files\/2012\/05\/instagram51-13m5q5i.jpg\" "\\"Example")
\n<\/a>
\nBack to Top<\/a><\/p>\nCreating an Instagram Account<\/h2>\n
\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.theedublogger.com\/files\/2012\/05\/instagram53-15hlx4t.jpg\" "\\"Signing")
<\/div>\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.theedublogger.com\/files\/2012\/05\/instagram55-26bmhbx.jpg\" "\\"Skip")
<\/div>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.theedublogger.com\/files\/2012\/05\/instagram59-qf5cg9.jpg\" "\\"Main")
\n<\/a>
\nBack to Top<\/a>
\nNow just complete your profile information as follows:<\/h3>\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.theedublogger.com\/files\/2012\/05\/instagram56-1pakmdr.jpg\" "\\"Adding")
\nBelow is an example of profile information on a User’s public profile page:<\/strong><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.theedublogger.com\/files\/2012\/05\/instagram58-100ykw5.jpg\" "\\"Profile")
\n<\/a>
\nBack to Top<\/a>
\nFollowing Other Instagram Users<\/h2>\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.theedublogger.com\/files\/2012\/05\/instagram60-1n0o41i.jpg\" "\\"Finding")
<\/p>\n
\nBack to Top<\/a><\/p>\nSharing Photos on Instagram<\/h2>\n
\n
Smartphone and tablet camera specs<\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.theedublogger.com\/files\/2012\/05\/iphone63-1us8xcv.jpg\" "\\"Iphone\\"")
Cameras on mobile devices have improved considerably. \u00a0While the megapixels on\u00a0these devices fall short of what’s available in today’s point-and-shoot digitial cameras, many of them are capable of producing good images.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.theedublogger.com\/files\/2012\/05\/iphone61-2anvack.jpg\" "\\"iphone")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.theedublogger.com\/files\/2012\/05\/iphone62-1tuac6l.jpg\" "\\"iPad")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.theedublogger.com\/files\/2012\/05\/ipad31-21vpo81.jpg\" "\\"iPad")
However, another option is to use photos taken with your digital camera. \u00a0Importing photos from a digital camera using an iPad is as simple as inserting your memory card in the iPad Camera Connection kit<\/a> and connecting it to your iPad.<\/p>\n
\n<\/a>
\nBack to Top<\/a><\/p>\nSharing photos saved on your device to Instagram<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.theedublogger.com\/files\/2012\/05\/camera51-1irxofr.jpg\" "\\"Click")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.theedublogger.com\/files\/2012\/05\/instagram66-pdlo7q.jpg\" "\\"Click")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.theedublogger.com\/files\/2012\/05\/instagram67-11cd0ws.jpg\" "\\"Tap")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.theedublogger.com\/files\/2012\/05\/instagram61-21mdv93.jpg\" "\\"Effects")
\n<\/a>
\nBack to Top<\/a><\/p>\nIntroduction to Instagram Filters, borders and effects<\/h2>\n
\n<\/a>
\nBack to Top<\/a><\/p>\nFilters<\/h3>\n
\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.theedublogger.com\/files\/2012\/05\/filter61-1w13bru.jpg\" "\\"Normal")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.theedublogger.com\/files\/2012\/05\/filter62-2d257bb.jpg\" "\\"Rise")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.theedublogger.com\/files\/2012\/05\/Filter64-1ispdm6.jpg\" "\\"X")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.theedublogger.com\/files\/2012\/05\/Filter65-16cgtwf.jpg\" "\\"Lo")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.theedublogger.com\/files\/2012\/05\/Filter66-qfdcz6.jpg\" "\\"Sutro")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.theedublogger.com\/files\/2012\/05\/Filter67-1018it9.jpg\" "\\"Brannan")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.theedublogger.com\/files\/2012\/05\/Filter70-171ltrv.jpg\" "\\"Walden")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.theedublogger.com\/files\/2012\/05\/Filter71-1ivde3h.jpg\" "\\"Valencia")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.theedublogger.com\/files\/2012\/05\/Filter69-1pat0br.jpg\" "\\"1977")
<\/a><\/p>\n
\nBack to Top<\/a><\/p>\nBorders<\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.theedublogger.com\/files\/2012\/05\/border53-x00we3.jpg\" "\\"Lo")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.theedublogger.com\/files\/2012\/05\/border54-1rhi7n9.jpg\" "\\"Kelvin")
\n<\/a>
\nBack to Top<\/a><\/p>\nLux<\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.theedublogger.com\/files\/2012\/05\/lux51-1a89kgt.jpg\" "\\"With")
\n<\/a>
\nBack to Top<\/a><\/p>\nTilt Shift<\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.theedublogger.com\/files\/2012\/05\/tiltshift51-1um9olf.jpg\" "\\"Tift")
<\/p>\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.theedublogger.com\/files\/2012\/05\/tiltshift54-1f6uund.jpg\" "\\"Changing")
<\/p>\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.theedublogger.com\/files\/2012\/05\/tiltshift56-r9c5jn.jpg\" "\\"Changing")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.theedublogger.com\/files\/2012\/05\/tiltshift52-2ehwvys.jpg\" "\\"Radial")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.theedublogger.com\/files\/2012\/05\/tiltshift53-2asb3dw.jpg\" "\\"Linear")
<\/p>\nSharing a photo taken from inside Instagram<\/h2>\n
<\/p>\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.theedublogger.com\/files\/2012\/05\/camera52-100gchl.jpg\" "\\"Camera")
<\/p>\n
\n<\/a>
\nBack to Top<\/a><\/p>\nIntroduction to captions, hashtags and sharing<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.theedublogger.com\/files\/2012\/05\/caption51-u6qws4.jpg\" "\\"Location")
<\/p>\nEditing a caption or comment<\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.theedublogger.com\/files\/2012\/05\/commentdel-ycm2pe.jpg\" "\\"Editing")
<\/p>\n
\nBack to Top<\/a><\/p>\nUsing hashtags on Instagram<\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.theedublogger.com\/files\/2012\/05\/hashtags51-1ndnzq1.jpg\" "\\"Go")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.theedublogger.com\/files\/2012\/05\/hashtags52-23urjzw.jpg\" "\\"Example")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.theedublogger.com\/files\/2012\/05\/hashtags53-2kbu979.jpg\" "\\"Adding")
<\/p>\n
\nBack to Top<\/a><\/p>\nSharing your photos<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.theedublogger.com\/files\/2012\/05\/sharing51-qjy0yx.jpg\" "\\"Sharing")
<\/p>\nYou share photos you’ve already uploaded to Instagram as folllows:<\/h3>\n
\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.theedublogger.com\/files\/2012\/05\/sharing52-16726b6.jpg\" "\\"Sharing")
\n<\/a>
\nBack to Top<\/a><\/p>\nViewing photos posted on Instagram on your computer<\/h2>\n
\n
\nBack to Top<\/a><\/p>\nOther Photo apps and Instagram<\/h2>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
Image Editing Apps<\/h3>\n
\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/my366.edublogs.org\/files\/2012\/01\/347491273.660401-m0i931.jpg\" "\\"Comparing")
<\/p>\nCamera Apps<\/h3>\n