4 Simple Tips to Create Instagram-Worthy Photos
Let’s be honest here. Everyone wants to look good and take nice pictures – be it selfie, group photos or even scenery images.
How many of you have asked yourself this before – “Should I post this on Instagram? It is Instagram-worthy?” Then you start to reshoot, delete, and repeat.
Well, good news for you. You don’t have to waste hours and shoot hundreds of photos just to choose that “perfect” Instagram photo now – you might even get praises and new followers 😉
There is no guarantee, but we are here to help!
P.S. If you’re wondering… nope, you don’t need a professional camera; your smartphone is all you need.
TIP #1: CHOOSE YOUR LIGHTING WISELY
Image credits: Cole's Classroom - https://bit.ly/3lzVBEU
Arguably the most important factor for a good selfie or picture.
As you can see in the images above, bright lights are not necessarily good light – if the lighting is too harsh, it washes out your skin tones and details (overexposed). And if it’s too dark, it is hard to see and grab attention (underexposed).
If you’re shooting outside, avoid pictures in harsh mid-day lighting. Of course, we are not asking you to avoid using natural light at all costs; you just need to choose the right time, which often lies in mid-morning or evening. These perfect timings provide soft-flattering light, which helps illuminate your features.
TIP #2: STRIKE YOUR BEST POSE
Next up, the picture highlight – YOU!
After perfecting the lighting, time to find that ideal pose.
“Where do I put my hands?”
“Should I cross my legs?”
“Smile… or not?”
“Why is it always the same pose in all photos”
Sounds familiar? We’ve all been there, done that.
Image credit: girlstyle.com
That awkward moment when you see a camera… instead of standing straight and looking a bit stiff, try to be a little more casual and natural.
Just like the picture above, don’t stand straight like a block of wood. You’re not taking a height test!
Got a pocket? Make use of it. Bend your knee, do a simple tiptoe (P.S. it makes your leg looks longer). Or even just a fake attempt to play/touch your hair.
Practice makes perfect, practise your poses in the mirror at home – it might feel weird at first, but you'll get a feel for natural and expressive poses that evokes your personality!
Experimentation is essential, so you can try out poses that feel natural to you and looks natural to others.
TIP #3: ANGLES, ANGLES, ANGLES
Important things need to be emphasized, in this case - three times.
Know your strengths and weaknesses, from your facial features to your body.
The right side of my face is more photogenic than my left… do you know yours?
Test your angles, and you'll notice where your face, body, and camera need to be angled to get the most flattering looks. For instance, you can raise your arm to a 45 degree while taking your selfie so that your chin is slender, which creates a winning shot.
Take for example, you don’t have to be tall to look tall. Angles work wonders.
Image credit: Cosmopolitan
Just like the photo above, you can easily create an illusion by taking the #ootd from a lower. Wait, don’t forget to stretch one leg out slightly in front to make your legs look longer (be it standing or sitting).
It takes a bit of playing around, but once you get the hang of it you’ll never return to taking boring old regular pictures.
TIP #4: ENHANCEMENTS
Image credit: natruettl.com
Not all photos are created equal.
While we want to keep it real and natural, most photos benefit from a few finishing touches in an editing app. From blemish removal to lighting tweaks, you can make your images shine with just a few taps!
Some of the apps you can consider that are mobile friendly: Adobe Lightroom, VSCO, or Snapseed
Now you’re armed with the skills of a professional Instagrammer and all set to create your first “professional” Instagram photo journal. Stay tuned for our next blog post as we show you the places you can visit to showcase your Instagram-worthy pictures!