Millcent: instagram

editing for Instagram.

I thought I'd give you guys a little insight as to how I edit my Instagram photos... keeping reading below, in order to learn how I do it.

1. Photo Sizing
Taking images in square isn't everything, and by this I mean, sure it's easier to take images in 'square' (if you're an iPhone user) as it's Instagram ready. However by taking them as a 'photo' instead, allows you to you do more and play around with more. So leave the cropping for Instagram later.

2. VSCO Cam App
For those of you who don't know, VCSO is an editing app that allows you to alter and play around with images directly from your phone (Think of it as a mini photoshop). Unfortunately you do have to pay separately for each filter, but you gain unlimited access after paying. Within the app; I purchased the filter 'C1', which has a green tone to it and makes your images look somewhat street style-y. I then play around with the contrast of my images (sometimes increasing if the image seems like it's lacking colour). I also increase the brightness by maybe 1 or 2. Another great feature from this app is that the layout is similar to Instagram, so it also provides you with a sneak peek of how your Instagram feed will look.

3. Instagram App
Weird point to include... I know. However, my editing doesn't stop there, once I convert my images to the Instagram app, I increase the 'sharpness' as it gives the images a higher quality feel to it. I also add any relevant #hashtags to my images, for example '#sunset' if I just happened to have the sunset featured in my image, or '#asos' if I'm wearing an item of clothing that is from ASOS. Hashtags also increase the amount of people who view your images... more views = potentially more followers.

4. Lighting
For me lighting is everything,if you don't have good lighting, you don't have a good image. Make sure you use the daylight and time of day to your advantage. Cool shadowing and reflections (for me) make a good image. So pay attention to your surroundings and make sure everything in the image can be seen.

I try to use golden hour to take some of my pictures because it gives the majority of images a professional feel and a warm summery feel. Just a little tip :)

5. Theme
Many instagrammers (I try myself, but do not always succeed) have a theme running throughout their instagrams. It's not a good thing or a bad thing. You can either choose to have a lovely colour scheme or can just randomly place your images (I usually do the latter). Either way, you can develop a large following, just by keeping whatever you theme is, flowing. I try to make my images quirky with a hint of nature and a few little shoe shots.

6. Less Selfie, More Do
Selfie's are cool and Selfie's are great, but instead of using your Instagram as JUST a branding opportunity, I believe it's also best to showcase some of your interests and what you've been up to during the day in order give your followers a true taste of your personality. (A witty caption, won't hurt anyone either)

Millie x

p.s don't forget to follow me on Instagram @mil.jpeg
p.s.s what do you use to edit your instagram photos?

What I was listening to whilst making this post

Mickey Gilley - Make The World Go Away

6 comments

, by Millicent Simon

art

gram lovin'.

8 comments

, by Millicent Simon

Advice

5 Ways to Boost Confidence

Hey guys... something a little different today. I thought I'd give you guys a small list of little things to when you're feeling down or not so confident. So without wasting any time, here's an insight into the small but eventually easy steps that helped me overcome my insecurities and help my self-esteem/confidence. Let's begin....

1. DON'T COMPARE YOURSELF TO OTHERS
I have personally overcome this step, and I'm not going to lie, it wasn't easy. I would frequently be scrolling on my feed on Tumblr, Twitter, Instagram etc. and just get myself upset by seeing society's idea of "perfect" and just to be clear, there's no such thing as perfect... Everybody is perfect in their own way!! Which initially made me think that if you stop looking at other peoples "lives" then you'd finally focus on your own. Because most people on the internet only show you what they want you to see. Therefore, meaning that their lives are not perfect either... And they probably have the same insecurities as you.

2. IDENTIFY YOUR INSECURITIES
For many people this step will be easy... They already know that they dislike their; bums, legs, nose etc. You should be able to ditch those little insecurities and turn them in to positive attributes. If you feel pessimistic towards a body part, you should enhance it. By that I mean, if you don't like your bum, arms, or your forehead for example, you should buy some eye make-up, because it would draw people to your eyes instead, a pair of figure hugging jeans for your bum or a complimenting top for your arms, because if you receive a compliment on something, it makes you want to show it off. Therefore eliminating your insecurity.

3. IDENTIFY YOUR POSITIVE ASSETS
This might be a hard step, especially if you're a negative person and doesn't see any positive aspects on your body. (I'm pretty sure that everyone reading this something amazing about their bodies :) All you need to do is take time out a realise that there are many amazing things about your body. I mean, me myself I found this step hard... But then I realised that the same aspects that I disliked, for example my bum (due to stretch marks), was the same body part that people were drawn to... Therefore making it a positive asset. So really, all you need to do is think about the body parts that people compliment and then you can start off from there.

4. BELIEVE IN YOURSELF
It's just as simple as saying things like; "I'm good enough" or "I'm important"... these little steps go a LONG way... believe me. If you truly begin to believe in these little pieces of advice you will see a difference. You'll start to see that you wear a smile more, and you find it easier to accept advice, rather than reject it *clears throat* and you'll just overall see a huge change, you'll be happier and you can eventually do more. For example... I never though that I could create a blog of my own... But here I am 2 years later still going strong... sure I'm not no Aimee Song from SongofStyle or Ivania Carpio from LoveAesthetics, but I'm still going, and that's all that matters.

5. SMILE

A cute and simple step. You can begin either in the mirror or without one. Just every time you start to feel down, just remember to smile and if you do have a mirror handy... smile, you'll eventually feel the power behind an acute facial expression. Even if the smile is a fake one, hopefully it reflects how you should be feeling on the inside, and then eventually that smile won't be fake.

p.s If my 5 ways to boost confidence weren't enough, you can also check out one of my favourite bloggers Gracie Francesca, because she has multiple pieces of advice and ways she started loving herself more.

Millie xx

What I was listening to whilst making this post

Grimes - Go (ft. Blood Diamonds)

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