How I Edit my Instagram Photos + Snapseed, VSCO cam and more!

Instagram is the best platform for you to share your photos in an artsy and aesthetic way.


If you're into Instagram, then the terms "Instagram theme" or "Instagram feed" is not already new to you.

I have to admit that my Instagram feed is not flawless especially when compared to most accounts. My feed is a struggle, I can tell. I am very concerned on what photo I will post the next day and if the photo I will be posting fits my feed or nah. However, think it's a good idea to share with you on how I edit the photos I post on Instagram and some things I learned from other people. May it be that you are just starting out on Instagram, reconstructing or feed, looking for a new type of feed, or simply curious on how I edit mine.

It is pretty obvious that I currently have a white feed.

Achieving a white feed isn't as easy in my part since most of the pictures I post should have white backgrounds of if not, white subjects should be present.

So, without further ado, let's go straight to the steps.


1. Camera equipment

When I say camera equipment, you probably think of expensive DSLRs or mirrorless cameras. You don't need that. However, it's cool if you have one for higher quality of your photos but don't buy for the sake of Instagram especially when you're just starting out. Famous instagram bloggers like Ida Anduyan and Cha Ocampo uses mirrorless cameras (specifically, Ida uses fujifilm x10 and Cha Ocampo uses Fujifilm xA2) but that doesn't mean you should have one too.

My best advice especially when you're just starting out or on a tight budget is to use what you already have. If you have a smartphone or digital camera then that could be your camera. I know iPhone does a good job in taking high quality photos. Samsung and LG also takes a step up the camera game.
I use my iPhone 6s or my Samsung Galaxy Mega 5.8 in capturing most of my photos. Some of them were also taken from iPad Air 2 however I find the photos a bit grainy than what I expect.

2. Take a photo

The photos you take should greatly be based on your type of Instagram feed. In my case, I have a white-ish feed so I take photos sceneries, flatlays, or subjects with white color or something that is slightly close to white (like cream or light grey). Don't worry, this can be fixed in the steps after.

More things you need before you take a picture of your subject is to clean the camera and use natural light. If you noticed that your photo is a bit blurry despite of the number of times you focus, then your camera's lens might be the problem. It is important to keep your lens clean.

Moreover, the lighting. It is not necessary to instantly buy an expensive light box or be contented on your desk lamp. Natural light is waaaaayyyyy better than any kind of light.

Consider taking a lot of photos. I know, this may sound weird taking a lot photos with the same subject. But it is better to have more choices because probably the photos you take after the first one is better; or in other cases, the first photo is took is out of focus.

3. Evaluate your photos

It is important that you choose the photos with the right focus and angle. Make sure that if there are horizontal or vertical lines on the picture (for instance a view of the skyscrapers), then it should be aligned straight and not slanted (unless the edges are purposely slanted). You can use the grid feature of your camera. The thing is, it is very important to choose the photo with the higher quality compared to the rest. Sharpness is a must because it gives your photo a "professional" feel to it.

4. Proceed to editing

Here comes the fun part.
The way I edit my photos takes a lot of time and effort.

Don't worry. Yes, you need to put a little more effort to it than just putting filters but it's definitely worth it especially when you are satisfied on what you have edited.

I use three apps in editing my photos--Snapseed, VSCO cam, and Instagram built-in editing section.

SNAPSEED

I am absolutely in love with Snaapseed. It's not your typical photo editor where you see the functions or adjustments at the bottom of your screen. The interface is simple. At first, it was hard for me to use all the adjustments and stuff just by the up and down swipe gestures of your fingertips but as soon as you use the application frequently, you will feel the ease of access of editing your desired photo.
So back to how I use Snapseed to edit my photos.

I use Snapseed to balance the lighting of the photo and adjust a few adjustments that can't be adjusted in VSCO cam.

To make it easier for you:

In the Tune Image section,
INCREASE Brightness, Ambiance, Contrast, Highlights
DECREASE Saturation, Shadows, Warmth (if and only if the photo is too warm/orange-y)

I wouldn't recommend to tell you the exact number because the amount of the adjustments varies on the type of photo. Some may need A LOT of adjustments, some need a little.


The next step is optional.

If your photo's lighting is not balanced (for example the left side has higher exposure) then the next step is needed.

There's a feature in Snapseed on which I think only exists on this application--Selective.

I use this feature to increase the exposure//brightness of the background to make it more white. I think this feature works if you tap on a part of the photo and the portion with the same color is the one that is adjusted. Hence, if you tap on a white background, only the color white background is affected by the adjustment.

Next is I adjust the details of the photo by increasing the Structure and Sharpening.

Here is the before-after comparison of a photo edited on Snapseed.

VSCO

VSCo is my first love. It's the only photo editing app that I tried with the most appealing and professional-like filters. And yes, most of the filter packs are paid, however it's worth buying. But if you're on a buget, the free filters are enough to build a white feed.

Honestly, I do not depend on a single filter. The filters I use depends on the photo. Every adjustment depends on the photo I edit because not every photo is the same (unless the photos are taken on the same time and place).

However most of the filters I use are:
Free Filters: HB1 | HB2 | SE3
Paid Filters: J1 | J2 | N1 | Q2 | S2

But if I were asked on which filter I use most, then that will be SE3 in the Street Etiquette Pack.

I usually don't adjust my photos on VSCO cam anymore since I already adjusted some things on Snapseed. But if I do, I put the saturation to -2.

On this photo, I used the Q2 filter.

INSTAGRAM

Before I post the said photo, I first check if the back drop is white enough to suit with my feed. If the background isn't white enough, I increase the brightness and contrast in the built-in photo editor on Instagram.

5. Then, post.

This step is pretty self-explanatory.

The bottom line is, having a white Instagram feed is most likely depend on the photos you take and on how to have the right adjustments in order for the photo to have at least a white-ish feed.
So, this is how I edit my Instagram photos.

Don't forget to check out my Instagram account. Click the widget on the side of this webpage or click this.

How do you edit yours?


Drop down on the comment section below your Instagram account and I will surely check them out.