Transforming your photos from everyday captures to eye-catching gems is critical to standing out in the visual world of Instagram.
The platform is all about slick visuals, from smooth video edits to mind-blowing pictures that wouldn’t be out of place in the Louvre.
If you’re trying to stand out on Instagram, this step-by-step guide will equip you with the knowledge to level up your photo-editing game.
Step 1: Choosing Your Weapon
A soldier is always prepared. Here, the battlefield is your phone screen, and your weapon of choice is the right editing tool. Here are your options:
- Built-in Instagram Editor: This convenient app offers basic adjustments like brightness, contrast, and filters. It’s perfect for quick edits on the go but has quite limited options.
- Free Editing Apps: Level up your editing game with free apps like VSCO, Snapseed, or Adobe Lightroom Mobile. These offer a more comprehensive range of tools for cropping, selective adjustments, blemish removal, and much more. They’re more equipped than Instagram’s photo editor.
- Premium Editing Software: You can try paid software like Adobe Photoshop or Lightroom Classic for in-depth control. These programs cater to professional photographers with advanced features for precise adjustments and creative effects. They have the broadest range of tools but may be challenging to navigate.
Step 2: the Essentials – Let’s Polish Your Base
No matter the app, this basic editing workflow will take your photo from good to great:
- Start With a Great Photo: Your editing tool can only do so much. If your photo starts blurry or improperly taken, your tools can do little for you.
- Frame It Right: Crop your photo to remove unwanted elements and straighten the horizon if tilted. The placement of the items in the photo is essential to give it a balanced look. Also, remember to keep Instagram’s post dimensions in mind (1:1 for square posts and 4:5 for portraits).
- Lighten Up (or Dim Down): Adjust the exposure for a well-balanced photo. Here’s a good rule of thumb: ensure you have visible details in both highlights (bright areas) and shadows (dark areas).
- Bring Out the Details: Refine the exposure further by adjusting highlights and shadows independently. That adds depth and dimension to your photo.
- Color Boost (or Tone Down): Enhance your photo’s color intensity with saturation. Try tweaking the vibrance, as it selectively targets muted colors while preserving skin tones for a natural look.
- Warm or Cool?: Set the mood with your preferred color temperature. A cooler edit leans towards blue tones, while warmer edits add yellow or red hues.
- Sharpen Up: A touch of sharpening can add some crispness to your photo, making details pop. Don’t overdo it, though, as this can create an unwanted grainy effect.
Step 3: Advanced Techniques
Beyond the steps we’ve listed, some others would only be available in the premium editing tools. These are just as important but are difficult to use, as they require more experience. These tools include noise reduction, curves, and color correction.
Conclusion
With these editing tools, your pictures will stand out more on Instagram. However, many apps offer pre-made filter presets for a quick one-click edit, which you can use if this is too much for you.
Remember to experiment with your tool till you get the hang of it. Now, go out there and wow your audience.
