Oceans Between Us
Chicago, IL – shot on iPhone 13 mini.
iphoneography
How I Use Instagram
I’m coming up on my 2,000th Instagram photo, and it’s got me thinking about what is my favorite social media platform.
It’s really fun to experiment with mobile photo making, and see the work of other great Instagram photographers. Every day, I think about making good photos for Instagram, and sharing them for the world to see. It’s like a 365 project, even though there are days wen I don’t post (usually the weekend) – thought I post multiple times per day, which kind of makes up for it.
Instagram helps me experiment with photo styles, moods, and subjects. I was never really a landscape guy, until my commute inspired me to share the rural countryside I see every day. And going back and seeing my old stuff (I’ve been using Instagram since January 2011)? It’s rough, but you can see the growth.
What’s nice about Instagram is, there’s no social pressure. Yes, I follow some friends and family members. But the majority of photographers I follow are people I’ve never met. That’s the fun part. Like Twitter, I get to interact with people who are mostly strangers.
Jeffrey Kalmikoff figured this out in his “You’re Using Instagram Wrong” piece:
Inspiration through photos is a function of interests, not your social connections. Chase what inspires you. Be true to yourself, and inspire others with who you are.
His point: don’t feel bad about not following people you know in real life.
My own quick-read tips:
- If someone follows you, check out their profile. Like their photos? Follow them back. Don’t like their photos? Don’t.
- See if a photographer shares different stuff on his/her Instagram than, say, Flickr or Tumblr.
- I’m still a stickler for mobile-only photos (#iphoneonly!). Call me Old Fashioned.
- Hashtags are a good way to (a) be found and (b) find stuff you’re into. Follow your #furry or #abandoned passions. Just, for Pete’s sake, don’t inappropriately tag your photos (#sunset on a non-sunset photo, for instance)
- Comment on photos you really like. But say what you like about it. Be specific and generous.
- Don’t be afraid to experiment with styles. In time, you’ll develop your own signature style. It took me a long time to find my groove.
- HDR sucks.
And, of course, you should follow me on Instagram.
Honored to have my “Nixon vs. Elvin” VSCOCam photo picked for VSCO’s curated Grid.
Follow me on my own VSCO Grid.
Approved by VSCO Grid
Pleased to announce that the Visual Supply Company has approved my VSCO Grid account.
Check it out and follow along.
Playing with the new VSCO Cam has been a lot of fun (even if the vignette feature is missing from iPhone 4/4S). I’ll share some Grid-exclusive stuff from here on out. Call it an alt-Instagram.
Call of the Wild
My pal and graphic designer Brandon Kish used one of my shots from this past (snowy) winter for a Call of the Wild cover re-do.
Originally, this shot
first appeared on Instagram and was taken with KitCam.
That morning’s drive into work was harrowing, and beautiful. There were quick a few shots that came out of that commute.
Glad to see it appear on something creative.
A series of Instagram shots posted over the last few days, called “Cloud Atlas.”
It’s amazing what can happen when (a) the weather rolls in just right and (b) luck and timing line up for photo opportunities like this.
I created each image using the fabulous new Mextures app, which I’m really excited about – especially with landscape stuff, and running them through VSCO Cam.
The world of mobile photography is exciting, especially lately.
1 2