A mountain girl's guide to Instagram

In using Twitter feeds for information and Instagram for visual stimulus we are turning our backs on Facebook.  Facebook is just the white pages now. 

But with my recent Instagram fascination I noticed myself trying to get a digital photo, like it's my job. Is there a club yet for addicts? #instagramersanonymous #dot #com.    

I can sit and watch other peoples lives, more than live my own.  While finding the perfect filter is my biggest time waster, because when it's right it's right, I have learned to wait until everyone else is on their phones, so I don't look like a fool geekin out on #instafilters.  Arguably, I still like Facebook; for posting more than one photo at a time, to share good music finds,  post photos of my kid #babybook or to connect in the world wide web. That reminds me, have you tried Pinterest yet?      

How do you use those silly hashtags anyway?  

Go mountain girl on your Instagram photos:

• Take photos with your iphone camera and not with the Instagram camera. That way you can change the zoom, where you are focused and the exposure by tapping on the screen. 

• Get close to your subject.  

• Chose a way to show something off in a different way, different angle, or different filters. Get creative. 

• Utilize light and shadows.
•  To take an action shot: hold down the capture button and just          as you want to take the photo release the button. 

• Watch your corners. 

• Download Camera+ it's a .99cent app that can easily transform photos. Super fun. 

• Don't over edit.  It can be easy to make your photo look overcooked. 
• Download the app Instadesk for your macbook to get instagram on your laptop. 

• Use the little blur button to highlight an object in your photo.  I love this button, but it isn't always helpful.

• "Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication."  -Leonardo Divinci 

If I had one Instagram wish:

I wish I could see my fellow instagramers hearted/liked photo albums.

Here are a few of my favorite Instagramers: 

Skiers:

lindseyvonn

iamnickdaniels

iamsnomad

resistiegler

jonolssen1

tannerhall420 

ted_ligety

schlepsterne

Aritsts:

laurenross

marcuscaston

moralesedwin

salmass

its_smokey

nancycohn

britneypanda

lesafalee

Other Athletes:

kellyslater

kblock43

pritchdog

lauraenever

parxxx

schleper

leroydamo

travisrice

nyjah_huston

Try following some of these guys, it's really easy to follow and unfollow. Just click the little button 'unfollow' if you don't like what you are seeing. 

Definition of a #Hashtag From Urban Dictionary:

Hashtag -noun. Spawned from the ever powerful Twitter Machine, this symbol (#) has become a new way to add a thought, or some up the thought of, a sentence, giving it more clarity, and often, more wit. Most commonly found in tweets, FB status, and comments.

And I'll leave you with some tips from my favorite photographer.

Artist Profile:

Lauren Ross, photographer extraordinare

Photo of Laura Enever by Lauren Ross

http://www.larossphotography.com

http://laurenross.tumblr.com 

http://laurenrossphoto.com

• Instagram is very forgiving with its filters

• Shoot from the hip.  

• Take advantage of the iphone. It's much more unobtrusive than a big SLR.

• Play with the horizon line when shooting landscapes and sunsets.  Position the horizon higher or lower... just play with it.  Makes for a more interesting photo.

Things I am drawn to on Instagram:  

• Spontaneous laughter.  

• Kids being kids.  

• Humor.  

• When shooting food and macro photos, keep it simple.  Less is more.

• Play with light and shadows.