This week’s chapter builds on assignment one by ‘getting to know’ Instagram better through the effectiveness of its built-in filters. It also reflects on the impact of film photographers and their techniques in the #52Assignments Filter Tips chapter.
The second assignment looks back to what photographers did in the era of film, before digital cameras arrived, and how they created a filtered image without the ease of a digital camera and editing programs. The chapter is a short read but I recommend it for some fascinating insights and historical background into working methods.
- Check out the 52 Assignments Instagram book for the Filter Tips chapter.
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Instagram Filter Tips
Having used Assignment 1 to familiarise myself with some of of the editing options in IG, I was able to start using the filters immediately. You choose a photo, preview your chosen filter, adjust by tapping a second time to change the intensity, then post.
Instagram’s filters are more a set of adjustments already loaded into the app, almost like a photo editing ‘preset’ which saves a lot of time and makes your changes instant. The assignment in the book shows a series of landscapes treated with IG filters and these show how amazing, atmospheric or simply weird the filters can be.
The first image I post here is, like the others, in Instagram under DashPhotos2021 and began life as a digital photo with no cropping or filters. As Instagram uses a square format I had to resize the image and then I added my choice of filters.
I used three filters before I posted the image. A touch of Warmth then boosted the Saturation and finished with the Vignette Effect.
How Did I Do with the Filter Tips?
I decided to add a New Zealand themed image because it allowed me to use a filter I had not tried before. The building here is the New Zealand seat of Government, known as the ‘Beehive’ due to its shape. The exterior was designed by Basil Spence a Scottish architect who also worked on Coventry Cathedral.
I had to straighten the crooked photograph, taken on my smartphone, before adding brightness and returning to the Filters option to add Lark for a really vivid blue sky.
The sky was definitely not this dreamlike blue in the original photograph.
Pushing the Filter ‘Envelope’
I was curious how the Instagram filters would cope with an image already filtered, so before I posted Silver’s photograph, I used the Photo Lab app to create a raindrop effect in black and white. It looks interesting so I added it to IG.
I used Edit – Brightness so that Silver’s face is strongly featured in the image, then I used the Vignette for a subtle dark edge.
With filters, I think it is a case of developing your own tastes that fit with the identity you want to display on Instagram, or fit with your brand. This means exploring and trying every filter to see which ones appeal most and then using them consistently.
- Join the journey in my special DashPhotos2021 account on Instagram and don’t forget! You can find ALL the Assignment posts HERE.
Have you tried any of the Instagram filters and found them amazing or awful? Let me know.
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Marjorie is a blogger, award-winning photographer and smartphone moviemaker who loves cats.
Filters are fun. I love using and combining filters for my work and for my dog photos.
I love the finished photo of Silver, the raindrops really add interest to the photo, but don’t detract from Silver.
Since I mostly feature other people’s photos, I never edit them on Instagram. I might have to make another account and try my hand at this.
I’m on Instagram however consider myself a beginner. I rarely use filters and if I do it’s usually always the same one Clarendon (I think) just to brighten.
I never heard of 52 assignments but may need to explore. I always love your cat photos.
Great info as always and I need to start using filters for my photos with my little camera, thanks for the blog hop as always
I love this Marjorie- I really have to get better at using a pre-Instagram app to help build more depth, and then rely on the Instagram app for flare and storytelling. I really love you share your expertise with us – and in such an easy way to understand. Thank you!
We do sometimes use the filters in IG, but usually just prefer to make a few adjustments on our own. That Lark filter really made the sky pop in your Beehive capture!
I do have an IG account, but I don’t post there, I just look at all the others, LOL!! YOu have some great tips, though! I didn’t know you could add filters in IG.
We use light and contrast and have tried a few filters in PaintShop. Thanks for another great informative post. We learn every time we stop by.
PS
We continue to not be able to post right from your linky. We have to find the post, re-open and then comment. Not sure what this is
I have that same problem…at least we can get in! Eventually!
Nice to see Angel Harvey. XO
The filters are all so interesting! The photos are fabulous and I especially like Silver’s pic. One day maybe I’ll try some of these . . . I’m not tech savvy and I’m using an ancient photo shop program, trying to learn it from the ground up, so to speak.
I take the worst pictures. I quit a long time ago. I don’t think any editing would help my shots. I marvel at those that know how to do this type of editing.
Have a fabulous Thankful Thursday. 🙂
Filters are fun to play with and often help a picture tell a story!
Oops, I forgot to say thanks for joining our Thankful Thursday Blog Hop!