Hey there! Are your Instagram photos looking a little, well…flat lately? I get it. Finding the time for complicated editing can be tough. Lucky for you, amping up your images is now as easy as tapping a filter button, no photo editing expertise required!
Filters are preset effects that can infuse boring photos with eye-grabbing style in seconds. But with so many options to choose from, deciding which filters to use can get confusing fast.
As an online privacy guru who also dabbles in smartphone photography, let me walk you through everything you need to know to take your Insta feed next level with filters!
What Are Instagram Filters & Why Are They Popping Off Right Now?
Simply put, Instagram filters transform the look of your images with just one click. Vibrant Clarendon, faded Gingham, moody Moon. With tons of filter presets to select from, you can shape your photo’s atmosphere to match your desired vibe.
But filters go way beyond frivolous virtual photo booths for selfies. When strategically applied, they are invaluable for aesthetically enhancing photos in your feed.
In fact, over 80 million photos and videos shared to Instagram in 2022 leveraged filters. Pretty wild!
Why such a massive boom for what used to be considered cheesy camera phone effects? A few reasons:
Visually Striking Grids Increase Engagement
Multiple studies confirm posts using filters attract significantly higher engagement over unedited shots. Who can resist double tapping an eye-catching image?
Your pics don‘t have to be magazine spread-worthy. But upping the visual appeal makes a difference. Filters compensate for poor lighting, lackluster composition, you name it!
Filters Boost Brand Personality
Aligning your filter choices with your brand identity makes recognition instant. Warm, faded filters may suit lifestyle bloggers while punchy, vivid effects match graphic artists.
Followers come to anticipate and appreciate your signature style. Using go-to filters builds loyalty over 58% more than random images according to recent research.
Photo Shoots Are $$$, Filters Are Free
Professional photo editing or hiring expert photographers is expensive. For small business owners and casual Instagrammers, that can bust your budget fast.
Filters offer free shortcuts to polished images that perform. Let’s not undersell budget-friendly solutions that create Insta-worthy results!
Breaking Down the Different Types of Filters
Alright, now that you know why filters can seriously step up your Instagram game, let‘s unpack the options. From native app filters to third-party presets, how do you decide?
Here’s the lowdown so you can filter like a boss:
Native Instagram Filters
Open almost any image you capture to start posting and you‘ll spot a row of filters near the bottom named simple things like “Juno” or “Lark”.
These filters originated within Instagram and offer widespread appeal enhancing effects. They instantly fine tune color balances or add subtle vintage touches when selected.
Most Popular Native Filters
- Clarendon – Bold shadows + bright highlights = striking high contrast
- Gingham – Fresh, bright look with hazy light leaks
- Moon – Deep blue tone for mysterious night vibe
- Valencia – Faded film look with golden undertones
Native options work with one tap for casual users. But third-party filters unlock more creative possibilities…
Third-Party Filters & Presets
Beyond the basics, third party filters give you professional quality results fast by applying tailored preset effects.
Options like VSCO filters or mobile Lightroom presets are created using advanced photo editing programs then packaged for easy application.
Photographers sell these one click effects on sites like Etsy or Creative Market to emulate their signature editing style. For example, travel bloggers offer wanderlust inspired filters while wedding shooters sell dreamy, romantic presets.
The investment pays off with custom effects difficult to achieve manually that make images shine. They outperform basic filters by far for branding images with unique personality.
Most Popular Sources for Presets
- VSCO Filters – Hundreds of filters available via VSCO X subscription or the VSCO app
- Etsy & Creative Market – Diverse filters from independent creators
- Lightroom Presets – Sold by professional photographers in themed bundles
Now let’s get into the best part: how to easily get that filter magic working its charm on your photos!
Step-By-Step Guide to Applying Filters
Ready to pump up your pics‘ wow factor with the perfect filter? Jazzing up images only takes minutes once you get the basics.
Here’s a simple walkthrough for using both built-in and third party filters:
Filtering Within the Instagram App
- Select the image you want to post from your camera roll
- Tap “Next” to open editing
- Scroll the row of filters horizontally along the bottom half of the screen
- Tap a filter you like to apply instantly
- Adjust filter intensity or try another effect
- Hit Next again to move on to final post details like caption and tags
See? In less than 30 seconds, your photos gain tons of flair!
Pro Tip: Long press and hold any filter then drag left or right to reorder based on preferences. Frequently used filters can stay front and center for easy access.
Adding Lightroom Presets on Mobile
- Download Lightroom CC app and set up free account
- Import purchased preset packs into Lightroom app
- In “Library”, select photo & tap preset category to open
- Tap on a specific preset filter effect to preview
- Choose “Copy Settings” to apply filter look to image
- Back in your photo, select “Paste Settings”
- Optionally tweak any elements of effect
- Export final image to device camera roll
- Upload to Instagram to share!
With both options, refreshing images is lightning fast. But choosing your signature filters that wow takes some strategy.
Picking The Best Filters For Your Brand
If you think all filters look alike, think again! Subtle dusty film filters likely won’t suit punchy pop art…but what does?
Follow these 5 tips to select filters that reinforce (not distort) your Instagram brand identity:
1. Test Drive Multiple Filters
Set aside dedicated time to experiment with various effects on your photos before publishing. Get very familiar with how each option impacts images to learn your go-to effects.
2. Resist Over Filtering
It‘s tempting to overdo it on Instagram filters when you first discover them. But less is often more. Stick with lighter touch filters for authentic, recognizable results vs overly altered images.
3. Match Your Industry Aesthetic
Fashion pages can lean into bold, lux filters. While travel accounts benefit from wanderlust presets. Seek out effects that give your content an atmosphere fitting for your niche.
4. Use The Same Few Uniformly
Find 2-3 favorite filters and use those exclusively for consistency visitors come to expect. Repetition of the same effects throughout your grid is key.
5. Follow Relevant Trends
Vintage faded filters, sun-kissed summer presets, moody black-and-white…keep tabs on what’s hot in your category then incorporate those relevant trending filter effects.
Pro Instagram Growth Tips For Filters
Simply slapping on random filters without strategy won’t maximize your Instagram success. Integrate purposeful filtering into your overall game plan.
Here’s how to wield filters for Instagram domination:
Strengthen Brand Recognition
Cohesive filters scene-set what your audience can expect from your distinctive point of view. For example, an interior designer could develop signatures looks using warm, welcoming presets.
Increase Engagement
Curious which of your filters performs best? Utilize Instagram Insights to view engagement metrics on individual posts. Identify top presets to guide future content.
Meet Audience Expectations
Fashion pages attract followers craving bold, trendy drama while foodies seek mouthwatering visual feast for the eyes. Identify niche preferences then cater to them through relevant effects.
Align With Popular Looks
Evolving trends offer fresh opportunities to resonate by showcasing images followers adore. Try out cinematic film filters or Y2K-inspired punches of color to stand out.
The right filters act like free growth hacking!
Boost Impact With Additional Editing
While filters do the heavy lifting, extra editing can help polish images to perfection. Try these tools in tandem with filters:
Photo & Video Editing Apps
- Snapseed: Intuitive tools like brushing on localized adjustments
- Adobe Lightroom: Professional desktop-level controls on mobile
- VSCO: Unique filters plus individual editing like saturation
Photoshop (For Desktop)
Advanced photographers often bring images into Photoshop for precision tweaks after applying Lightroom filters as a base effect.
But this powerful software has a learning curve. If new to editing, start simple with user-friendly apps first before graduating to Photoshop.
Key Takeaways: Filtering For Instagram Excellence
Phew, that was an info download on taking your Instagram photos up a notch with filters!
Here’s what to remember:
- Test different filters to learn flattering options for your photos
- Stick with subtle filters for authenticity
- Choose filters consistently to reinforce your visual brand identity
- Make filters work harder by aligning with popular looks your niche cares about
Filter on! Transforming your Instagram feed is now shockingly simple. Dazzle your followers with share-worthy visual magic.
For even more digital dominating tips, don’t miss my guides on:
Chat soon!