18 Nov The Secret to Editing My Instagram Photos
As you know, I am a huge lover of Instagram. I don’t have thousands of followers or claim to be “Instagram famous” or anything, but lately I’ve been getting asked how I edit my photos. I am quite flattered and taken aback each time the question arises. I never realized how obscure my editing approach is because I use popular applications that are available to everyone. So I’d like to share the secret to editing my Instagram photos.
A QUICK HISTORY OF MY INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT
HOW I EDIT MY INSTAGRAM PHOTOS
APPS INSTALLED
1. VSCO
2. Snapseed
3. Touch Retouch
STEP 1 (optional)
STEP 2
- straighten the image (if necessary)
- crop (if necessary)
- and make and other necessary adjustments (exposure/brightness/contrast/temperature/highlights/shadows/etc.)
STEP 3
My favorite filter on VSCO:
STEP 4
EXAMPLE #1
What I did:
1. (first photo) Untouched photo
2. (second) Brighten and decrease ambiance on Snapseed
3. (last photo) Import to VSCO and apply A6 filter
I love bright and airy photos. Sometimes you gotta play around with the brightness and exposure especially when there is lack of light.
EXAMPLE #2
What I did:
1. (first photo) Untouched photo
2. (second photo) Adjust brightness and apply VSCO filter on Lightroom
This is one of my favorite shots I’ve taken this year. It didn’t need much enhancing so I just kept it simple. If you can’t tell the difference between the two, the edited version has a tint of pink. 🙂
There isn’t a proper way to edit your photos. Everyone has their own style!
xx,
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Marina
Posted at 03:03h, 03 NovemberHi lovely! Your photos are amazing! What you said about the Lightroom VSCO preset, have you bought it? Or just made it yourself? Is it free to download somewhere? Thak you very much!!
https://www.instagram.com/marinacotanda/
http://onejourneymarina.blogspot.com.es
Carmelisse
Posted at 16:45h, 03 NovemberThanks Marina! I haven’t bought the VSCO Lightroom presents, they’re quite pricey. I’m not too sure if you can get it free anywhere else. They have a free app you can download on your phone instead. 🙂
Marina
Posted at 03:17h, 04 NovemberYeah I’ve got the phone app! But where have you gotten the lightroom presets if you haven’t bought them either? Is there any chance you could senf them to me? Kisses!!
Anne
Posted at 14:16h, 16 AugustHi, i cannot find the A6 filter. Where on the app is it?
Carmelisse
Posted at 14:33h, 16 AugustHi Anne! I could’ve sworn A6 was a free filter…hmm maybe you have to purchase it through the VSCO store. Hope that helps.
solosophie
Posted at 15:11h, 26 JanuaryLovely post; people keep recommending VSCO to me but I quite like using the in-app tools! Fotor is also super useful for RGB balance as well!
Carmelisse
Posted at 15:25h, 26 JanuaryIt’s just what I like to use personally. You don’t have to use vsco, use whatever you like! The in-app tools are very good now. I’m pretty impressed with them. 🙂
Caitlin
Posted at 07:34h, 19 NovemberLove this! I am always looking for ways to improve my own Instagrams! Do you tend to share more of your phone photos or camera photos? I’m curious since your pictures are always so crisp.
Carmelisse
Posted at 08:00h, 19 NovemberThanks Caitlin! I used to only share iPhone photos. Now that I’m getting serious about photography, I’ve been using more of my DSLR photos. I’m constantly wanting to learn and improve my skills with it. I still share iphone photos every once in a while 🙂
Amanda
Posted at 04:53h, 19 NovemberYour Instagram photos are stellar! I usually just do the brightness editing in Instagram. I tool with brightness and contrast most often and then just say I’m good to go. Is there a perk of controlling brightness in one of these apps instead? I’ve heard a lot about VSCO cam, but it just sounds like another step to me. Haha.
Carmelisse
Posted at 07:57h, 19 NovemberAww thanks Amanda! Nice! Simplicity is key. Everyone will have their preferences, I just love how VSCO gives it that filmy look. 🙂
Kerstin
Posted at 04:31h, 19 NovemberThank you so much for sharing this! Seems like everyone is using VSCO these days. 😀
Your Instagram pictures are gorgeous by the way!
Love, Kerstin
http://www.missgetaway.com/
Carmelisse
Posted at 07:56h, 19 NovemberThanks Kerstin! Yeah VSCO is pretty amazing. 🙂
Cath
Posted at 20:13h, 18 NovemberLove your pictures ! Which camera are you using?
Carmelisse
Posted at 20:18h, 18 NovemberThanks Cath! I use a canon 5d m3 and an iPhone 5s 🙂