Chapter 3
Taking and Posting Great Photos
IN THIS CHAPTER
Taking a photo
Using the photo-editing tools in Instagram
Adding descriptions and more
Creating a post with one or more photos
In this chapter, you find out how to take photos with Instagram, use editing tools to make your photos look their best, and then share photos stored on your iPhone, iPad, or Android smartphone or tablet with your followers and on other social networks.
You can upload photos only in the Instagram app on your smartphone or tablet, not from the Instagram website.
All figures in this chapter were taken using the iPhone app because that’s Instagram’s native platform. Don’t worry, Android users — we note any differences between the iPhone and Android apps throughout.
Taking Your Best Shot
Before you can post a photo on Instagram, you need to tell the app where to get the photo. In this section, we cover taking a photo. For details on selecting from your existing photos, see the “Uploading Photos from Your Camera Roll” section, later in this chapter.
When you first log in to Instagram, you see your feed on the screen. Tap the plus (+) icon at the top of the home screen and then tap Post in the drop-down menu. When prompted, allow Instagram access to your phone’s camera. (The good news is that you have to go through this process only once. The next time you open Instagram and tap the plus (+) icon, you won’t have to enable camera access.)
You can also take a photo in a post by swiping right in the feed screen. The camera screen allows you to create a photo in a story by default. (Read more about creating and publishing stories starting in Chapter 7.) In the camera screen, add a photo to a post by tapping Post at the bottom of the screen, below the shutter button.
Next, you see the New Post screen. Tap the Camera icon shown in Figure 3-1.
Now you see the Photo screen shown in Figure 3-2. Note the following elements in the camera screen:
- Viewer: View the object or person where your camera is aimed. The viewer takes up most of the real estate on the screen.
- Switch cameras icon: Tap the icon to switch between your smartphone’s front and back cameras.
- Camera settings: Tap this icon to see the Camera Settings screen where you can set camera controls as well as change settings for a story, reel, or live broadcast.
FIGURE 3-1: The Camera icon is on the right above the thumbnails section in the New Post screen.
- Flash icon: Tap the flash icon to toggle the following flash modes:
- Off: This mode is the default. The lightning bolt icon has a line through it.
- On: The lightning bolt icon has no line through it.
- Auto-detect: The lightning bolt icon has an A next to it.
- Shutter button: Tap the shutter button to take a picture.
- Recents icon: Tap this icon to view and select recent photos stored on your device.
- Cancel button (iOS) or X (Android): Tap this button to return to your Instagram feed.
When you’re ready to take a photo, tap the shutter button.
FIGURE 3-2: Now you can take a picture.
Improving Your Best Shot
The photo you’ve just taken appears in the viewer of the Filter screen, as shown in Figure 3-3. The screen contains the following four sections, from top to bottom:
- Top menu bar: This menu bar has a < (back) icon on the left, the Lux icon in the center (which you find out more about later in this chapter), and the Next link on the right.
- Viewer: The viewer displays your photo.
- Filter thumbnail images: This row of images lets you see what your photo will look like with a filter applied.
- Bottom menu bar: This menu bar has a Filter menu option (selected by default) and the Edit option.
FIGURE 3-3: The Filter screen.
Not interested in editing your photo? Simply tap Next in the upper-right corner of the Filter screen shown in Figure 3-3 to move to the next editing stage.
Applying a filter
Below your photo in the viewer is a row of filters. Each filter includes a thumbnail image so you can see the filter’s effect on your photo.
Swipe from right to left in the row of thumbnail images to view all 23 filters, from Clarendon to Nashville. (Normal is the default image, without a filter.) Tap a filter thumbnail image, and the photo in the viewer changes to show you the photo with that filter applied.
To return to the original photo, tap the Normal thumbnail (refer to Figure 3-3). To continue processing the photo with a filter, either tap Edit at the lower-right corner of the screen to edit your photo further or tap Next in the upper-right corner of the screen to add a description to your photo. (You find out how to add a description in the “Enriching Your Photo” section, later in this chapter.)
What happens when a filter is not quite to your liking and you’d like to tweak it? You can change the intensity of any filter (except Normal) by tapping the filter thumbnail image again. A slider appears; move it to the left or right to change the intensity. The photo in the viewer changes to reflect the selected intensity. The default intensity for each filter is 100.
When you’ve set the intensity to just the right amount, tap Done (iOS) or the check mark (Android). If you’re still not satisfied and want to return the photo to its original intensity, tap Cancel (iOS) or the X (Android).
If you want to see how the photo with a filter compares to the original photo, tap and hold down on the viewer to view the original photo. Release your finger to see the photo with the applied filter.
Tweaking with the editing tools
When you’ve finished experimenting with filters, view Instagram’s editing tools by tapping Edit (iOS) or Edit/Filter (Android) at the bottom of the screen. A row of editing tools appears below the viewer, as shown in Figure 3-4.
FIGURE 3-4: The tool name appears above each tool icon.
Swipe from right to left in the row of editing tools to see all 13 tools. Tap a tool to open it below the viewer.
What you see below the viewer depends on the tool you tapped. For example, when you tap the Brightness tool, a slider appears so you can increase or decrease the photo’s brightness. No matter what tool you use, the photo in the viewer reflects the changes you make and a gray dot appears below the tool icon.
Here are the various editing tools built into Instagram. Tapping any of these enables you to edit that component of the photo:
- Adjust
- Brightness
- Contrast
- Structure
- Warmth
- Saturation
- Color
- Fade
- Highlights
- Shadows
- Vignette
- Tilt Shift
- Sharpen
You can change the photo perspective using the slider bar in the Adjust screen (refer to Figure 3-5). You can change the color of your photo shadow by tapping the color dot, as shown in Figure 3-6.
FIGURE 3-5: Use the slider bar in the Adjust screen to change the photo’s perspective.
FIGURE 3-6: Tap the color dot to select a color for your photo shadow.
After you finish making changes to your photo, apply your effect by tapping Done (iOS) or the check mark (Android). Or discard the effect by tapping Cancel (iOS) or the X (Android).
Saving your changes (or not)
When you’ve finished using the editing tools and filters, you can do one of three things:
- Discard your changes and return to the Photo screen by tapping the left arrow icon in the upper-left corner and then tapping Discard in the pop-up menu.
- Save your changes and continue editing by tapping the left arrow icon and then tapping Save Draft in the pop-up menu. Then Instagram takes you back to the camera screen, not your photo, so you’ll have to select the photo in your library to continue editing it.
- Add a description to the photo by tapping Next in the upper-right corner. The New Post screen appears, where you can add a caption and location, tag friends, and decide whether you want to share the photo on other social networks (see the next section).
To follow along with the example in this chapter, tap Next.
Enriching Your Photo
After you tap Next on the Edit screen, the New Post screen appears, as shown in Figure 3-7. On this screen, you can add a caption to your photo, tag people who appear in the photo, include the photo’s location, share the photo on other social media networks, and turn commenting on and off.
FIGURE 3-7: Add details to your photo here.
Describing your photo
To add a description to your photo, tap in the top section where it says “Write a caption… .” A keyboard appears at the bottom of the screen.
Captions can’t exceed 2,200 characters. You’ll know you’ve reached the limit when you keep typing and no characters appear in the caption box.
When you’ve finished writing, tap OK (iOS) or Share (Android) in the upper-right corner of the screen. The text of your caption appears in the caption box.
To edit the caption, tap in the caption box and make your changes. When you’re finished, tap OK.
It’s good to have options
Below the caption box are options to do lots of good stuff:
- Identify people and products in your photo
- Add a reminder for your event promoted in your post
- Add a location to your photo
- Add a fundraiser to your post and bio so you can draw attention to a nonprofit organization you support
- Share your photo on other social networks
- Turn commenting on and off (under the Advanced Settings link at the bottom)
Tagging people
When you tag people, you add their Instagram usernames to your photo so they know that you posted a photo with them in it. Instagram enables you to tag up to 20 people in a single photo. To tag a person in your photo, do the following:
On the New Post screen, tap Tag People.
The Tag People screen appears.
Tap the photo to tag.
The Search screen appears.
In the Search for a Name box, type the username of the person you want to tag, and then tap the Search key in the keyboard.
A list of people appears below the box.
Swipe up and down in the list until you find the person you want to tag, and then tap the person’s name.
You can tag only people who appear in the list.
- Repeat this process to tag more people.
- When you’ve finished tagging people, tap Done in the upper-right corner of the screen.
Be sure that you tag only people who are in the photo. Fortunately, if you tag someone by mistake, you can tap on the tag and then click the X that appears to the right of the person’s name. But if you go ahead and tag someone who isn’t in the photo, the tagged person may report you to Instagram, and then you may be subject to “deleted content, disabled accounts, or other restrictions” per Instagram’s Community Guidelines. However, if the photo contains a logo or product, you can tag the brand or company associated with the product or logo.
Adding your location
You can include your current location in the photo’s description. Tap Add Location. Your smartphone or tablet asks if the Instagram app can use your location if it’s the first time you are adding a location. Tap Allow in the pop-up window to continue.
On the Locations screen that appears, swipe up and down in the list of nearby locations. If you can’t find your location, tap the Search box at the top of the screen and start typing. As you type, results that most closely match your search term(s) appear in the list. When you find the location in the list, tap the location name.
If you want to delete the location, tap the delete icon (X) to the right of the location. After you delete the location, you see Add Location again on the screen.
After you allow the Instagram app to use your location, the next time you open the New Post screen, you’ll see a row of potential locations below Add Location. Swipe up in the row to view more locations. Tap the location name to select it as your location. You can still add a location by tapping Add Location and either selecting a location from the list or by typing the location in the Search box and then selecting the location in the list.
Post options depend on the type of account you have. For example, if you have a professional or creator account, you’ll see an option for boosting your post with ads.
Tap the dot to toggle the Facebook switch from left to right to log into Facebook and post your photo to your Facebook newsfeed, as well as to Instagram. If this is the first time you’re posting to Facebook, you have to allow Facebook to access your Instagram account.
The post is shared with your Facebook friends or on your Facebook page — whichever account you’ve connected to your Instagram account.
If you want to tweet the same Instagram photo you’re preparing, tap the dot to toggle the Twitter switch from left to right to log into your Twitter account. After you log in, you can share your photo and caption in a tweet. Remember that Twitter cuts off any caption that exceeds 280 characters. If this is the first time you’re posting to Twitter from Instagram, you have to allow Twitter access to your account.
You have to tap the toggle dot every time you want to share on Twitter.
Tumblr
You can post your photo to your Tumblr account by tapping the Tumblr dot to toggle from left to right. Tumblr opens so you can log into your account, and then you return to Instagram. When you share your photo and related information in Instagram, you share it to your Tumblr feed as well.
You have to tap the toggle dot every time you want to share on Tumblr.
Turning commenting on and off
Before you share your photo, you may not want to take the time to read or respond to comments. You can block your followers from leaving comments about your photo. Begin by tapping the Advanced Settings option at the bottom of the New Post screen (refer to Figure 3-7). In the Advanced Settings screen, tap the Turn Off Commenting dot to toggle from left to right. To return to the New Post screen, tap the left arrow in the upper-left corner.
Posting Your Photos: Ta Da!
Your photo or photos are now ready to share with the Instagram world, so all you have to do is tap Share on iOS devices (refer to Figure 3-7) or the check mark on Android devices in the upper-right corner of the New Post screen.
After you post a photo, the home screen appears with your photo at the top, as shown in Figure 3-8. If you’ve posted several photos in one post, you’ll be able to swipe in your post to view them all.
FIGURE 3-8: Your photo appears in your news feed.
Uploading Photos from Your Camera Roll
Do you have some photos you’ve already shot that you’d like to share with your followers? It’s easy to select one or more photos and then share them on your Instagram feed. Here’s how to upload photos from your camera:
- Tap the plus (+) icon at the top of the home screen.
Tap Post in the drop-down menu.
The New Post screen appears with the Recents section in the bottom half of the screen as shown in Figure 3-9. (Android users see the Gallery screen.) The most recent photo you saved to your smartphone appears in the viewer. Thumbnail-size photos appear below the viewer.
Swipe through the thumbnail photos to view other photos. When you find one you like, tap it.
The selected photo appears in the viewer. Instagram automatically crops your photo to the size of the viewer.
- Tap Next.
- (Optional) Apply filters and edit your photo as described earlier.
Tap Next.
The New Post screen appears.
(Optional) Write a caption, tag people, add a location, change advanced settings and recipients, and share your photo on other social networks.
For details, bookmark this page and read the earlier section, “Enriching Your Photo.”
- When you’re ready to share your photos, tap Share on iOS or the check mark on Android devices.
FIGURE 3-9: The thumbnail of the selected photo appears dimmed.
Uploading Multiple Photos to One Post
You don’t need to have one post for each photo. Instead, you can add as many as ten photos from your Camera Roll (or Gallery if you use an Android smartphone) to a single post.
Selecting multiple photos
To choose more than one photo to add to a post, do the following:
- In the main Instagram feed screen, tap the plus (+) icon at the top of the screen.
Tap Post in the drop-down menu.
The most recent photo in your Camera Roll appears at the top of the viewer with the Recents section of thumbnail photos underneath.
- Swipe through the thumbnail photos and tap the first photo you want to add.
Tap the select multiple icon that contains overlapped rounded squares; the highlighted icon in blue appears above the list of thumbnail images shown in Figure 3-10.
The selected thumbnail appears dimmed, with a blue number 1, as shown in Figure 3-10.
Tap another thumbnail.
The photo appears in the viewer, and a number 2 appears next to the thumbnail. That number shows you the order in which your followers will see the photos in your post.
If you select a photo but then decide that you don’t want to include it, just tap the thumbnail photo. The order of your photos changes if you select more than two photos. To deselect all photos, tap the blue select multiple icon in the lower-right corner of the viewer.Continue tapping thumbnails as needed.
In Figure 3-11, we’ve chosen three photos. The numbers reflect the order in which we selected each photo.
When you’ve finished selecting photos, tap Next.
The Edit screen appears.
FIGURE 3-10: The select multiple icon in the viewer appears in blue above the upper-right thumbnail image in the list.
Edit the photos by tapping Next in the upper-right corner of the screen.
To reorder the thumbnail photos in the New Post screen, you have to deselect them and then reselect them in the correct order. (Yes, this is something Instagram needs to work on.) For example, suppose you select five photos and want to move photos 3 and 4 to positions 4 and 5, respectively. First, deselect photos 3 and 4. At this point, the former photo 5 becomes photo 3. Then select the former photo 3, which becomes photo 4, and then select the former photo 4, which becomes photo 5.
FIGURE 3-11: The most recently selected photo appears in the viewer.
Applying filters and adding photos
After you have selected your photos and tapped Next, the Edit screen appears, as shown in Figure 3-12. The top of the screen displays the photo you’re editing.
A row of filter types appears below the photo. Swipe from right to left in the row to view all the filters. To apply a filter to all photos in the group, tap the thumbnail image under the filter name.
You can apply a filter to only one photo in the group by tapping on a photo and then applying a filter and edits. When you’re finished, tap Done in the upper-right corner of the screen. Feel free to have different filters and edits for every photo in your post!
FIGURE 3-12: The filter name appears above the filter thumbnail image.
At the right side of the screen, you see part of the next photo in your photo group. To see the other photos, swipe left. To add another photo to your post, swipe to the end of the row, tap the plus (+) icon, and then select the photo from the Camera Roll screen, as described in the “Uploading Photos from Your Camera Roll” section earlier in this chapter.
Editing photos individually
To edit a photo, tap it in the row of photos. The selected photo appears in the center of your screen. Now you can do the following:
- Add a filter. Swipe right to left in the filter row, and then tap the filter thumbnail image. Get all the details in the “Adding a filter” section.
- Change the exposure and brightness levels at once. Tap the Lux icon (half-light, half-dark sun) at the top of the screen. Find out more about using the Lux tool in the section “Tweaking with the editing tools.”
- Perform other editing tasks. Tap Edit, and then follow the instructions in the “Tweaking with the editing tools” section.
Tap Done in the upper-right corner when you’re finished.
Adding information and sharing your photos
When your photos are the way you want them, tap Next in the upper-right corner of the Edit screen.
In the New Post screen, you can write a caption, tag people, add a location, share your photo on other social networks, and turn commenting on and off as described earlier in the “Enriching Your Photo” section.
You can’t write a caption for each photo when you have multiple photos in your post. So when you write your description, the caption should describe all your photos, not just one.
When you’ve finished editing your photos, it’s time to share them. Tap Share in the upper-right corner of the New Post screen.