How to - Instagram (Part.2)

How to - Upload pictures to Instagram

Uploading your Pictures to Instagram

The whole point of Instagram is to share pictures, so the camera function is pretty important. At the bottom of the screen you can tap on the camera icon (highlighted below) where you're able to take a new picture or select a photo to share from your own camera roll. After choosing the picture you want to upload you are then able to add effects which are called 'filters', boarders and finally a caption before sharing. 

Take a picture

Once you're on the camera section, you can either take a new picture or upload one you have taken prior. I would always recommend uploading a picture you've already taken as it is just easier.

- The grid, which is a tool similar to the rule of thirds that photographers often use that helps with the composition of your picture. 

- If you're uploading a picture that you've previously taken on your camera, tap the box in the bottom left corner and all of your pictures will appear.

- You are also able to switch from camera to video. Instagram has restricted the length of a video that you're able to upload, which is 3 to 15 seconds long.

- Once you're happy, select the picture you've decided to upload and click 'Next'. Now this is where the real fun of Instagram begins... 

Edit & style

This area of Instagram is where you have the freedom to edit, style, blend, sharpen and more to your image. This is where you will find all of your different 'filters' to make your picture look even better. 

Try out a few different filters and see which ones you like the best. Over time you will develop your own individual style of filtering and editing your pictures, this creates a consistency for your Instagram profile and allows your photos to flow nicely. 

Style settings

- After deciding on which filter you think looks best for your picture, you can then visit the 'Settings'. (Access this by the spanner icon located above your picture.) 

- Settings allow you to edit your picture even further and in more detail. You're able to increase and decrease aspects such as the brightness, contrast, saturation, shadows and more. 

- If you are anything like me, then this will take you a while. You might even have multiple copies of the same picture which is just edited differently by the end of it. However, once you've finished editing click 'Next' in the top right hand corner, this will take you to your uploading page.

Uploading your photo

The final stage of posting your picture is where you can do the following;

- Write your own personalised caption 

- Tag friends & family

- Insert your location 

- Share on your other social platforms. 

Hashtags

Hashtags are one of the fundamental aspects of Instagram, which I would highly recommend getting your head around as soon as possible. Hashtag's are how you get discovered by other Instagram users. They also help you find people who posted similar pictures as you. 

Using my example above, I chose to upload a picture of Brighton train station. Therefore using #train #Brighton #city, helps other Instagram users who are searching for pictures of Brighton or trains etc.  

To start of with think of hashtags of being more simply describing what's in your picture. If you upload a picture of a cesear salad then you might hashtag things like; #healthyeating #salad #fitness #healthy #lunch. 

Using this aspect of Instagram results in your pictures receiving more 'likes' and eventually more followers to enjoy your pictures.

Hopefully this was useful to you guys! 

Enjoy Instagram-ing!

@maxinebremner