Then I started seeing more bloggers use it on twitter and their blogs. Was I missing the point? So I go to download it, two things struck me right away, 1. It is FREE and 2. It has 496 FIVE STAR ratings. In my limited smartphone experience, I’ve never seen anything like that. Hipstamatic is great, but a few bucks, takes forever to figure out, and each of their filters is a few more dollars. You can share pretty well, but was it worth it?
I have been going crazy over the last few days with Instagram, and think it’s great for fashion bloggers for a number of reasons, but mostly they boil down to these two points.
1. Instagram makes it easy to engage with social media platforms
Instagram takes no time to figure out. It has probably the simplest interface which makes it easy to select which networks you want to share your photos on, Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, Foursquare, Posterous, and Flickr. Even within Instagram, the community is amazingly fun to interact with, as you can just ‘like’ images and comment on them with ease. The reason why I like Instagram so much more than other social media feeds, is that most the images taken there are done by the users themselves. It breeds a new life to the social media experience that is so inspiring.
2. Instagram can make the crappiest iPhone photo look amazing
Since downloading it really has opened my world with photo sharing. Part of what was holding me back with micro blogging networks like Facebook and Tumblr was the process of taking photos, editing them, then uploading, and then writing. If I was going to go through all that, why not just make a post on my blog? Then it became a thing of, “Is it blog worthy?” Goodness gracious, now I have a headache!
With this new tool, I can snap a photo apply any of the 15 filters plus the blurring tool to create an effect that turns an non-descript image into something special, even it it’s a traffic light!
So all in all…Instagram makes it easy to share all the little moments of my day, the little thoughts that inevitably goes into to what makes a post… or not. It’s such a wonderful tool to help bloggers participate on a multitude of different platforms as well as find other people who take amazing photos.
Does Instamatic drive traffic to your site? Not directly. Can you save and share great images you find on there from other users? Not unless you find the images on an external network. Is it an invaluable tool for bloggers wanting to share on the go? Absolutely.
The only thing now, is how to take so many photos without overloading the community with random pics of tiny moments? That’s a whole other can of worms.
Come overshare with me on Instagram! I’m thecoveted.
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yes! yes! yes! yes! yes! yes! love it J.
xo
I absolutely love Instagram. I use it for my blog, for custom orders on etsy, and when traveling. I have wanted a new camera forever, but it just means I have to lug something else around in addition to my phone.
http://adjewelry.blogspot.com/
<3 yup is is a life changer. great article
Great article! Just started following thecoveted! I’m meredithaobrien if anyone is interested in following!
Instagram is amazing … also CameraBag which is either free or .99 I think, has filters to turn photos into pure art as well as polaroid etc.
I’ve had Instagram for a while but haven’t used it as much as Twitpic. I need to use it more!
If you want to find me on there I’m @Poochie
I agree. It’s pretty fantastic. Being able to share it on multiple sites at once is key I think. And yes, the filters are so simple and importantly..FUN! I’m usually taking a photo, playing with it on the photoshop mobile app, playing with another app like ShakeIt and then sharing it on FB or my blog – I like that this is one step and it’s quick and easy. It’s another camera to play around and experiment with.
Sounds good. I am going to give it a try
I LOVE instagram.been on it for a while and post pics i really love to my Twitter and Tumblr. I think its awesome for original content. I don’t publish all my photos on the network, just the ones I want to share.
Its so great. also like that KateSpade is on it too!
yes sure!!! i use it but I don’t share mi pics as muchs as I could… Gotta look you up there
You’ve written another great post!
Thanks
Xenia – Barcelonette
Instragram pics are gorgeous! I love it because I get to have vintage/old photo and lomo-esque effects!
I looooove Instagram! I don’t use it on my blog itself but I post photos to Twitter (http://twitter.com/slowsouthstyle) and it really is a fun way to share things and have it look nicer than just a blurry iPhone shot.
Love that it’s free and love that it’s not just a crappy iPhone photo…I’m sold!
lol… that’s why I have Photoshop. Then again, filters like these actually make photos look unappealing to look at, and it minimizes the significance of the subject — that’s how I personally feel about it. They’re kind of boring.
http://www.angelmeow.com/
Funnily enough I downloaded this yesterday and have so much fun already! Totally agree
Very Cool
Too bad I’m a BB owner :/
xx G
Look who’s Wearing (LwW)
Agree! I am a droid owner and it sucks that I can’t get in on the instagram fun!!
I love Instagram! Totally invaluable, especially for the many events I go to/cover for my blog. It’s also a great way to get to know some of my Twitter friends in a different light. Photos capture things about our lives 140 characters just can’t express!
I love that an instagram filter can make you instantly 10 years younger!
I have a nokia cell phone that I never check for messeges, so I see I am light years away from the top gadget. But that is ok , too. i just wanted to know what it was all about. Thank you Jennine, you are an angel.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Just downloaded it…thanks for the tip!
Downloaded this app, didn’t really get it, deleted it … and now will try again, thanks to your post.
I’ve only just discovered Intsagram (and iPhones I must admit) and I’m loving it. Although I still haven’t experienced the “community” side of it, I do find it A LOT of fun and what surprised me the most, how good pictures look
Totally agree! Especially the point where it makes even the crappy photos look good!
Tikkitiboo + Ahka Blog
This looks amazing but I have a Blackberry and it looks like it is only available for iphones.
I use Instagram and I love it!
Mine is Jamisonaweau follow!
I’m an Instagram-aholic. Not only is Instagram easy to engage with other social media platforms, but you can easily find and follow people via these platforms as well: Twitter, Facebook, your contact list, etc. (ie: how I found and followed Jennine). Share the Instagram love, peeps!
yet another app that I need to start using!
Thanks! I have an android so instargam is not for me. Still searching for something like that in android.
OMG yeeeep!
I’ve had instagram for ages and it’s such an awesome app. They’ve even updated reccently and now they have so many more effects for you to use on your pictures!
everyone should add me
my username for instagram is:blueiris.
let me know your from IFB by commenting any picture, so I can return the favour
oxox
Wow…I am checking this out. The difference in the photos is amazing.
I also love it! The pictures look amazing with those filters, even if they are already good.
Actually, I use this pretty much for every pic! hahahah I´m an addicted!
xoxo
It’s fun, but i find I am already growing weary of these “nostalgia’ effects. Can’t we have some filters that make pics look futuristic instead?
@hep catherine – take a negatuve, that should do the trick
Just downloaded it! I’m excited to play around with it
Just downloaded-very very cool. Thx for the post!
Just downloaded it – thank you very much for posting this. I don’t have a fashion blog yet but I plan on starting one very soon.
Just got it! My nikon is a bit heavy for everyday pictures. This would be a great opportunity to start a photo diary in Tokyo.
and some fashion brands already have a community in Instagram (Marc Jacob, Desigual, Gucci…)
I absolutely LOVE IG! Best photo sharing app ever. I’m looking forward to adding the plugin to my blog.