Thinking Outside The Square: Instagram

Wasn't sure what to make of this. I thought the nifty thing about IG was the universal square format. But then they added video, so I guess that's a moot point anyway. I really liked the all-square.

Yeah, photography actually looks better in the square I think, if you do it right. But many Instagramers posted non-square anyways ... recently Flickr added post to IG from their app and its in native format. ... then IG added video.


My question is how will this affect InsatPrints. You can already upload images from your computer there, and many Instagramers are doing so. Here is my thread for InstaPrints http://pixels.com/showmessages.php?messageid=2244804

Square is challenging for composition. Reminds me of the old TV format vs wide screen movie format. Everything is crammed into the edges without any breathing space.

Wasn't the first cameras square? I'm thinking of the Brownie.

I don't support anything changing Instagram. It's fine as it is I feel

When I DO use IG, I use Square Droid, which allows full frame uploads. I have a bunch to do, just a slacker at heart!

Rich.Franco.5

Instant Polaroids were square. Medium format was square. It was more about maximizing the surface area of the film than composition. Medium format was embraced by the fashion world for the ability to go either way - portrait or horizontal. Web designers like it for the easy of formatting.

Diane Arbus rocked the square - the awkward format didn't allow the viewer to escape the strange she captured in the frame. It enhanced the uneasiness of the viewer looking into a unfamiliar world.

I'm all for the change.I hate trying to compose for a square. Think I'll be posting more for IG now :)

Joann -- You're on Flickr. Use the Flickr app for mobile. You can share to IG, Twitter, and Tumblr in one post and native format. This is what Flickr is for ... I think it's wonderful.

Edward you are right on. I personally think circles inside the square make for an interesting composition. At least it sees most engagement for my artwork.

non sequitur Frank see my Sphere Series.

I would like to use IG, but it was/is a very rigid format.

How does this effect Instaprints? I see growth out of this IG move.

Dave

Best thing about squares is the ease of framing. The sizes on here stay true as they scale up.

"How does this effect Instaprints? I see growth out of this IG move."

So do I, David !!!

Thanks Frank, I do use the Flickr app but it totally went by me to use it that way! :)

I know, same happened to me, Joann. So simple yet there is so much to think about with Social Media.


I forgot to mention ... how you do this .... share a Flickr picture to IG. When you post IG first hit the share buttons for Tumblr and Twitter.

Thatīs perfect!

I wrote a tutorial, how to use Lightroom mobile to upload pictures to Instagram, and I wanted to add, how to post landscape and portrait format images.

http://goo.gl/LqlT9p

Colin Utz
http://colinutzphotography.com

Didn't know there was such a thing, Colin, then I don't have Lightroom. Thanks for jumping in!

I sometimes use square ready to modify for IG.

all my photos are taken with my laptop.

I honestly don't have much issue with square for composition. It's just a formal shape. I have a problem with standardized shapes however square being only one of them. I don't care to be restricted to any standard shapes. Those are all dictated by mass production. Any standard sizing used over and over becomes restrictive because it's only a convenience for ease and economy of production. I'm as uncomfortable with 4 x 5, 8 x 10, 16 x 20. There is more to art than conforming to someone's ease of manufacture. Nothing wrong with hitting those standards once in a while but I still see them as mass productions restrictions not aesthetics.

I wish I could get "into" Instagram,,,but somehow it is difficult for me to take this site seriously..Not sure why! Hmm...maybe thats the reason, Maybe I shouldn't take it seriously!