Best Practices for Instagram Filters

Instagram is a renowned social media platform now because of its filters. It provides opportunities to people out there to show off their photography skills, whether it is a selfie, a  picture of a monument or sunset or food or ocean, literally anything, if you are using the correct filter, you will definitely up your insta-game.

Instagram basically contains 26 filters and most of the times we randomly pick a filter and use it just because it makes the picture look better and by now, we guess, all of you have two or three favorite filters and you do not even consider using the rest. We will give a general overview of all the filters and when exactly to use them, so that the next time you do not become overwhelmed when you are unable to choose the perfect filter for your picture.

If you want to use an all purpose filter:

CLARENDON, JUNO, LUDWIG:

Clarendon, being the default filter after normal, is used when you want to brighten, highlight or intensify a vibrant color in your picture. It is basically an all purpose filter and is used by most of the people on Instagram, meanwhile Juno makes the reds, oranges and yellows in your picture pop and saturates the rich tones. Ludwig is used to enhance the picture quality.

When to use them:

• Clarendon: whenever you want to post a picture on Instagram
• Juno: when the image or picture is way too colorful.
• Ludwig: when the image is way too bright.

Source: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/489555421973124926/

If you want to add a nostalgic feel to your pictures:

GINGHAM, LARK AND SLUMBER:

If you want your followers to experience nostalgia after seeing your picture, then using gingham on it will be the perfect choice. Gingham generally adds a vintage touch to your pictures or videos. Lark and Slumber are also types of vintage filter and they enhance the vibrant colors in the picture.

When to use them: when you want to give an aged appearance to the image.

Source: https://wandersandmusings.com/2016/04/15/delete-all-starting-fresh-with-instagram/

If you want to make your pictures look like they belong to 20^th century:

REYES AND CREMA:

These filters are very similar to gingham. The only difference is that they give a slightly faded touch to your pictures.

When to use them: for making your pictures appear aged and old.

Source: http://blog.instagram.com/post/105365538947/141216-five-new-filters

If you want to make your pictures appear natural:

RISE AND SIERRA:

Rise adds a golden glow or a yellow tint and makes the object in the picture experience soft lightings and Sierra increases the exposure of your image and lowers its contrast. It works exactly like rise but makes the image a bit fader.

When to use them:

• Rise: for close up shots of the people.
• Sierra: for nature and outdoor shoots.

Source: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/146226319122763582/

If you want to make your pictures go monochrome:

MOON, INKWELL AND WILLOW:

Moon is basically the monochrome version of gingham and it turns your pictures black and white. Inkwell on the other hand makes the picture black and white with no saturation and Willow, even though changes the picture to black and white, it gives a faded touch overall.

When to use them:

• Moon: whenever you want to make your image go black and white, can be used for the pictures with low lightings.
• Inkwell: whenever you want to make your picture black and white in general.
• Willow: whenever you want to fade out certain details in your picture and make it appear black and white.

If you want to make your Instagram, a food-a-gram:

LO-FI AND HEFE:

Lo-Fi adds strong shadows to the image and makes the colors more vivid meanwhile Hefe works similar to Lo-Fi but uses a low exposure while increasing the saturation and contrast of the image.

When to use them: if you want a perfect food picture, these filters are the one.

Source: http://spoonuniversity.com/how-to/instagram-guide-for-food-pics

If you want to add vignette edges to your picture:

X-PRO II AND EARLYBIRD:

X-Pro II is normally preferred when you want to make your pictures really vibrant because it increases the contrast and makes the edges of the picture vignette on the other hand Earlybird, adds drama to your image because of its sepia hue and vignette edges.

When to use them:

• X-Pro II: depending on the object, it can be used for both indoor and outdoor purposes.
• Earlybird: when you want to add a vintage touch to your pictures.

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGVCvtvgTe8

If you want make your pictures appear less HDR:

AMARO AND VALENCIA:

Amaro, generally focuses on the center of your image and adds slight exposure to it. The darker your image the more you will be able to notice the filter. Valencia, does not completely wash out the colors in the picture but it does give an overall faded effect.

When to use them:

• Amaro: when you want to give an aged appearance to the picture.
• Valencia: when you feel like giving a slightly posh touch to your image.

Source: http://blog.instagram.com/post/11401225018/valencia

If you want to add a bit of pastel touch to your pictures:

NASHVILLE AND 1977:

Nashville gives a soft pastel pink hue to the entire image by lowering the contrast and increasing the exposure and 1977 makes your pictures look like the way they did in late 70’s. It adds a red tint to your overall picture.

When to use them:

• Nashville: whenever you want to make your image appear a bit indie.
• 1977: whenever you want to give a 70’s vibe to your image.

Source: https://www.reddit.com/r/nashville/comments/1kvyh4/nashville_with_the_nashville_instagram_filter/

If you want people to travel the world through your Instagram:

HUDSON AND WALDEN:

Hudson gives a colder feel to your picture. It heightens the shadows and alters the lighting of the image on the other hand Walden increases the exposure of the image and diffuses the lighting in it.

When to use them:  for outdoor photography, notably buildings and different landmarks.

Source: https://blog.shutterfly.com/15131/five-frightening-filters-for-instagram/

If you want to make your Instagram pictures look a bit gothic and metallic:

SUTRO AND BRANNAN:

Sutro enhances the purples and browns in your image, giving an overall smoky effect. If you want to add a gothic feel to your pictures, this is the best filter for you. Brannan gives a metallic vibe to your picture; it softens the neutral colors and enhances the deep colors.

When to use them:

• Sutro: when you want to make your picture a bit gothic.
• Brannan: for accentuating the strong shadows in your pictures.

Source: https://www.webdesign.org/instagram-filters-everything-you-should-know.22269.html

If you want people to enjoy summers through your Instagram feed:

TOASTER AND KELVIN:

Toaster adds dramatic vignette and sherbet tint, making the overall picture look burned. Kelvin adds a late afternoon glow to the picture because it makes the picture really bright and vibrant.

When to use them:

• Toaster: for pictures taken at summer events, BBQs, night outs etc.
• Kelvin: when you are experiencing dull lighting in your pictures.

Source: https://southerncross79.wordpress.com/tag/kelvin-filter/

Recent filters include: Charmes, Ashby, Helena, Brooklyn, Dogpatch, skyline, Ginza, Maven, Vesper and Stinson, each of them working the same way like one of the filters mentioned above.

The bottom line is, not all the pictures are made for one type of filter. The contrast, exposure, temperature and brightness vary from picture to picture. So in order to improve your editing skills, you need to play around with filters. The more beautiful your picture is, the more people are going to attract to it and will eventually follow you. This will give you more chances to showcase your photography skills on social media platforms.