Anyone scrolling through Instagram can tell you that there are some truly stunning images to be found. From travel inspiration to street fashion and the most aesthetically pleasing 'foodstagrams', there is no shortage of great visual content.
The beauty of Instagram is that most people aren't professional photographers. If you want to transform your IG grid, or just give it a little bit of a polish, there's no need to be intimidated. With a good eye and a smartphone, magic can happen.
This is our simple step-by-step guide to getting the best instagram shot.
1. Subject
The first step when taking a picture, whether you realise it or not, is choosing your subject. This could be something that caught your eye in passing, such as a beautiful sunset, a trendy building, or a nice view from the car window on a road trip. It might also be something more intentional, such as your family and friends hanging out on a special occasion, an aesthetic picture of the breakfast you just cooked, or a selfie chilling at the beach.
Whatever your subject is, you probably chose to take a photo of it because you liked the way it looked. Bring out the best qualities of your subject with good lighting, angles and editing. Now you've got your formula for how to take good photos for Instagram, ta-dah!
2. Lighting
As many photo guides will tell you, lighting is such an important part of taking a good picture. Generally, natural lighting looks best and you want to avoid dark or over-shaded settings. Get out into the sunshine and you'll see how vibrant everything appears. Of course, a beautiful sunrise or sunset shot is also a great backdrop for your pics.
If you're taking a photo of an object, another person, or yourself, make sure the light isn't coming from behind, and avoid harsh overhead lighting when indoors.
3. Angle
The angle is everything, and it can dramatically change the way something looks when photographed. Perhaps you have a favourite angle for taking selfies, the one that brings out all of your best features? Well, the same thing applies for just about anything you can take a photo of.
Have a play around with how your subject looks from different heights, directions and distances, and see what makes it look its best. Top tip: use the x0.5 setting on your phone to capture large natural landscapes, such as the ocean or a stunning sunset.
4. Editing
Many of the most beautiful Instagram photos we see have been edited, at least to some extent. It doesn't have to be a huge change but even little adjustments, such as upping the vibrancy or brightness of a photo, can make a world of difference. Usually keeping things simple is the best way. If you're unsure about how to edit your pics and don't want to overdo it, try the auto-edit function on Instagram to make your pictures really pop.
Keep these tips in mind next time you're snapping a pic of your dreamy summer beach setup, golden hour cocktails, or the view from your morning walk, and we promise you'll see the difference!
Posted by Simone Lavis on