10 Tips To Taking The Best Instagram Pics
It’s officially summer! If you’ve been reading up on all of Society19’s beauty and style tips, then you’re ready to show off. Taking the best Instagram to display your latest fashion find or travel adventure can stressful, but it doesn’t have to be. Follow these ten tips for flawless posts all summer long!
1. Do some research
This is the step a lot of people ignore but can really help take the best Instagram posts. Scroll through sights like Pinterest and Tumblr for inspiration pictures to try and recreate. They can help inspire you from outfit to location to pose which is a great way to take your pictures to the next level. We can get stuck in a rut posting the same types of photos over and over again. Something as simple as saving inspiration photos to your phone can give you some quick ideas when you take your next photo.
2. Practice your poses
Once you’ve found some poses that inspire you it’s time to test them out. Either have a friend help you out or find a tall mirror and get to posing. You might feel silly at first but figuring out which poses work best for you is a great way to cut down the time it takes to get the best Instagram picture.
3. Stay golden
The golden hour is without a doubt the best time of day to take a picture. The golden hour is when the sun is right on the horizon happening twice a day so be sure to plan your Instagram shoots around that time of day.
4. Underexpose > Overexpose
Taking an overexposed photo is the worst and no amount of editing is going to fix it. To avoid a washed out picture be sure to focus your phone by tapping on the brightest part of the photo. That will adjust the levels so that even the brightest element is captured. It’s way easier to fix an underexposed photo than an overexposed one so always lean in that direction.
5. Use all the natural light you can
If you’ve decided to take an indoor photo you’ll want to stay as far away for fluorescent lighting as possible – it’s not flattering to anyone. Instead, try setting up near a window or other natural light source. Natural light is your best friend when it comes to getting the best Instagram.
6. Rule of thirds
This is one of the most basic elements of photo composition is the rule of thirds. Imagine a tic-tac-toe board on your phone and that’s what the rule of third is. You want to put the focus of your photo into a third of the shot, either vertically or horizontally. You can get more creative and put a focus into just one of the grid squares or use it to perfectly center your next photo.
7. Use the grid
If taking the best Instagram means following the rule of thirds, why wouldn’t you use a grid to help you out? Not only is there a grid in the Instagram app but you can also get on right on your phone camera. Simply turn on the grid setting and you’ll have an extra hand to help you compose your shots.
8. Try switching up your point of view
We’re so used to seeing photos from straight on, why not mix it up. Take some pictures shooting up from the ground or down from a height. Switching up for the way you normally view things will help make your photos more interesting.
9. Pick an aesthetic and stick to it
Are you about neon color or white backdrops? Do you want a dulled aesthetic or full-on Technicolor? Find whatever style speaks to you and stick with it. Once you have that base understanding taking all your future posts gets a lot easier.
10. Be yourself
It’s your best Instagram so you know best. Don’t worry too much about what everyone else thinks and lose your self in the process. Your Instagram is a reflection of you, so add your own personality to it.
