How to Take Better Instagram Pictures

Do you want to revamp your Instagram or just want to take better pictures? You don’t need a fancy camera! Smartphones these days are becoming more user-friendly. High-quality photos can be taken and edited with easy-to-use apps and tools on your phone. Here are some tips on how to take better pictures using your smartphone:

Clean your lens. This may not sound very important but it is a small gesture that can change the quality of your image. Prior to taking pictures, make sure that the lenses are cleaned off with a cloth. Cleaning your lens with jeans or other materials may smudge the lens instead.

Turn on your grid. Make sure the grid is turned on in your settings. A good rule to follow is the rule of thirds. With the gridlines on, try to align the subject(s) of the photo with the lines and intersection points in the grid. Do this instead of centering the subject in the middle to have the focus on one spot and empty space all in one area. If you want the subject to be in the middle, the grids are still a great tool to have to ensure the image is centered and straight.

Invest in a tripod and remote. A tripod is an easy fix to shaky hands and blurry pictures. Investing in one will allow for a smoother photography session. This will also help in the case where you find the perfect location but need to constantly move back and forth. No more struggling to find something to lean your phone against. But aside from investing in a tripod, it may also help to purchase a remote. Bluetooth remotes make it so you don’t have to set the timer and have to run back to your spot when taking selfies or group pictures.

Play with the exposure. The default settings on your smartphone may not be perfect for the photo you are taking. First, try to adjust the exposure. A lot of times this will be enough to help fix any lighting issues you may have while taking pictures. Remember, try to avoid using flash. Using artificial light will make it harder to edit later.

Take photos in bursts. This tip is a blessing in disguise. Taking pictures in bursts allows you to get multiple shots at once. If you are photographing something that is in movement or taking pictures of yourself, this is a good tool to have. After the bursts are taken, you will have multiple images to choose from.

Download photo editing apps. There are several free photo editing apps available that will really give you a step up when taking photos on your phone. Some great ones to use are VSCO, Adobe Lightroom, and Snapseed. They are user-friendly and have various tools and presets to use.

According to Oberlo, there are 1.074 billion Instagram users worldwide in 2021. 71% of the billion monthly active users on the Instagram app are under the age of 35. Instagram users spend an average of 53 minutes per day. 500 million IG accounts use Instagram stories every day. Now might be the time to step up the quality of your content and grab the attention of your audience.

By Silvia, Social Media Strategist | July 12, 2021