Do you follow Instagram accounts full of stunning photos you want to emulate? You don’t need expensive equipment to take pictures that stand out on the app. Instead, you just need to follow some tips. Let’s go over some strategies you can use to take amazing photos that turn heads on the social media network.
1. Learn How to Work With Light
If you’re going to take stunning photographs, you’ll need to learn to work with light. Using the right kind and amount of light can make your pictures look much more professional.
When possible, you want to use natural light. However, if there’s too much natural light, it can overwhelm and wash out the subject, so it’s important to shoot at the correct time of day when taking photos outdoors.
You can find the best natural light at sunset or in the early morning hours. It’s soft while still being bright enough to illuminate the subject.
Additionally, you can use natural light indoors by shooting photos close to windows at any time of the day. To do this, you’ll want to survey all the windows to see which has the most favorable natural light. Then, use that light as a backdrop when taking pictures.
2. Frame With Your Eyes Before Your Lens
You probably dive right in and start shooting when creating content for Instagram. However, you should visually frame the photo before looking through your camera. This might sound like a simple tip, but it can help you take your photos to the next level. It can also save you lots of time since you’ll get the perfect shot in one or two snaps instead of 100.
3. Stop Shooting With HDR On
If you’ve studied photography and know the ins and outs of the High Dynamic Range (HDR) feature on your camera, continue using it. When used correctly, it creates photographs that are full of detail.
However, it tends to make photos look unnatural when used in the wrong hands. Thus, if you aren’t an expert, turn the mode off when taking pictures for Instagram. Then, you won’t have to worry about your snaps looking inauthentic, which can hurt your image as a brand or creator.
4. Get to Know Your Shooting Modes
Whether using your phone or a camera, you likely have access to various shooting modes. Your photos will look amazing when you choose the right mode for the job.
Use portrait mode when taking a photograph of a person or object in a well-lit area. It detects the subject and blurs the background slightly, creating professional-looking images.
If you’re snapping a moving object, you’ll need to adjust the mode accordingly. Cameras and phones have different names for the mode used for taking action shots. Because the names are descriptive, you shouldn’t have any trouble identifying the right one on your camera.
These are just two of the options when it comes to modes. Spend some time practicing shooting pictures with different ones to get a better feel for them. Then, you can switch between them when creating content for Instagram.
5. Follow the Rule of Thirds for Most of Your Photographs
Do you tend to center the subjects of your photos? That might be why they don’t look professional. You can immediately upgrade your snaps by following the rule of thirds. While you don’t need to do this with every picture you upload, you should follow it for most photos.
This rule states that you should divide photos into thirds and place the subject in the right or left third. While it sounds counterintuitive, it actually makes the subject stand out even more. Plus, the balanced asymmetry transforms photos from “good enough” to “stunning.”
If you’ve never tried this trick before, pull up the grid lines on your phone or camera. Then, you’ll be able to visualize where the subject will appear in the photograph.
6. But Break the Rule of Thirds From Time to Time
Professionals also know that there are times and places to break the rule of thirds. If you want to create eye-catching photos, you’ll need to know when to be a rulebreaker.
First, you can break the rule when the subject is the photo’s only important aspect. Then, you can fill the frame with the subject instead of balancing it with the background.
Next, you can break the rule of thirds when the subject only plays a minor role in the overall image. Then, you can put the subject in the middle of the frame and pull back for a long-distance shot.
Finally, it’s okay to be a rulebreaker to try a different composition style. For instance, some photographers create z-shaped compositions to upload to their accounts. Don’t be afraid to try new things, but understand that only some of your efforts will be Instagram-worthy.
7. Try Different Angles
After you finish with your planned photoshoot, try some different angles. These angles can be outside the box or something as simple as snapping a photo from the opposing side. You’ll come up with some unique and inspired shots by incorporating this tip into your photoshoots.
8. Let the Weather Lend a Hand
Bad weather is the photographer’s best friend, so go outside for some shots when it’s snowing or raining, as long as it’s safe to do so. You can even take some photographs on a windy day, showing the force of nature with shots of trees and more.
If you miss the weather event, you can take photographs of what the storm left behind. For example, you can snap pictures of puddles, getting creative with the reflections.
Whether you capture a storm or a puddle, the weather can make your photos unique and interesting. That’s just what you want when posting on Instagram.
Start Practicing Today
These tips will help you take better photos, but you’ll need to practice first. Take out your phone or camera and snap some photos using these tips. You might want to start with the first one and then go down the list instead of trying them all at once. After you get in some practice, you’ll be ready to turn your newly-developed skills into stunning photographs to upload on social media.
