How to Edit an Image for Instagram

If you check out most of my Instagram feed, you’ll notice that a good majority of my images are taken with my iPhone. Yep, that means I’m a regular iPhoneography enthusiast.

Read more: iPhone Photography: 7 Essential Tips

You don’t have to use your DSLR every time you want to post something on Instagram & personally, I love having the flexibility of taking a quick snap with my phone & posting it straight away. Along with some key iPhoneography tips I think knowing how to edit an image for Instagram is just as important to achieving pictures you can be excited to post. Here are my best tips for how to edit an image for Instagram.

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  01

  Exposure

  
  Yes, you can typically adjust the exposure in camera by tapping the camera screen but sometimes you just happen to snap an underexposed image. Just like DSLR photography, bringing the Exposure up in your image is going to help bring the image back to life. Another thing to remember is that especially when using your phone for taking images – underexposure is always easier to correct that overexposure.

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  02

  Temperature & Tint

  My goal when editing my iPhone images is to get the colors are true to life as possible – just like I would do with my DSLR. After I’ve adjusted my exposure I set about working on creating a good white balance by adjusting Temperature & Tint. If you’re unfamiliar with what those things control, the Temperature adjustments will add warmth (reds & oranges) or coolness (blues) to your image. The Tint adjustment will affect the greens & purples.

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  03

  Sharpen

  Since I don’t have the luxury of a super sharp, fixed focal point using my phone, I’ll typically bump up the Sharpness of my image. Some people prefer to lower this & create a more faded look so it’s just a matter of preference to what you like.

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  04

  Horizon

  Ask anyone who knows me well & they will tell you I’m an absolute stickler for Horizon. Nothing is worse to me that looking at a lovely image… & then tilting my head to the side to see the subjects appearing to fall out of the frame. I always adjust my horizon & actually fell (more) in love with Instagram when they added the feature where you can also adjust your horizontal & vertical perspective! Stop trying to flatter me, Instagram. You know what makes this girl all excited!

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  05

  Find your Favorite App

  Everyone has their own happy place. Personally, I’m a VSCO girl. Anyone who tries & loves VSCO understands the cult like following (raises hand). But I’ve also dabbled in some other great editing apps including SnapSeed, PicTapGo & Afterlight. All of those apps have fantastic features & some I even wish VSCO had (Hello, selective dodge & burn brush!!) so my best advice is to get out there & play around to see what best fits your style!