Take a photo, add a filter and press the “Share” button. These are the actions what users normally do when they want to create a new post on Instagram.
If photo-editing terms like saturation, sharpness or colors balance are not clear for you, then you can use Instagram filters.
However, if you want to stand out from other Instagram accounts, you need to know a little bit more about Instagram filters rather than just applying the one randomly chosen.
So, do you know that Instagram provides its users with up to 40 different filters to select from? This actually means that with such a huge variety of Instagram filters, it can be quite difficult to decide on which filter works best with what type of pictures.
Keep reading and in this article you will find out everything you need to know about Instagram filters, including how to use them, what each of them does and what kind of images they are the most suitable for.
Let’s dive right into it!
How to use Instagram filters?
Instagram filters are combinations of effects that are made in order to give users a simple and fast way to improve pictures before sharing them with their audience.
In fact, Instagram filters are very easy to use.
Step 1. Log in to your Instagram account.
Step 2. Click on the “+” sign in the bottom center of the screen as you would normally do to start creating a new Instagram post.
Step 3. You will be transferred to your camera roll where you are able to choose the image to share. Although Instagram makes your images square by default, but keep in mind that you may use the “<>” button in the bottom-left corner of the picture in order to resize it to its original dimensions.
Moreover, you can also take a photo through Instagram built-in camera. Once you have selected the picture, just hit the “Next” button.
Step 4. After choosing the photo, you will be moved to the section where you can add a filter. All filters will show up at the bottom of a screen. Slide your finger to the left to scroll through all the Instagram filters.
When you click on the filter’s thumbnail you like, Instagram will immediately apply that filter to your image. If you press on the same filter two times, you will be able to change the intensity of the filter. Tap the “Next” button.
Step 5. In the appeared screen, you can write a caption, add location and tag people. Once you are done, press the “Share” button and you will upload your post on Instagram.
That’s it! Simple, right?
There are much more Instagram filters than you see on the scroll bar. In order to find them, just scroll to the right side until you see a little gear icon named “Manage”.
Click on that icon and you will be transferred to a window with additional Instagram filters. Now just tick Instagram filters that you want to add and they will appear on a slide bar of filters.
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3 Reasons why you need to use Instagram filters
1. Instagram filters help to create a cohesive look
While sharing your recent post, you need to think of your Instagram images as a collection. Each new photo, which you are planning to upload on your Instagram grid, should complement others.
Here Instagram filters come into help! They assist you in creating a cohesive aesthetic of your Instagram profile.
2. Instagram filters save your time and money
Undoubtedly, in order to perfectly edit a photo you need to spend a considerable amount of time. Even if you devote your time, image-editing software is usually costly and not so easy to use.
So, the best option to improve your pictures is to start applying Instagram filters. They are free and quite simple to use.
3. Instagram filters assist you in building your personal brand
Most probably, you often hear the phrase “personal brand”, however, what does it mean?
Before your followers will see your username, you need to make them know that an uploaded post on Instagram belongs to you.
In this case, choose Instagram filters that best represent your vibe and start adding them to your images. Consequently, you will be able to make your Instagram content notable and easily recognizable.
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Instagram filters: which one is better to use?
As it was mentioned before, Instagram has 40 different filters to select from. With such a big variety of filters, it can be really tough to choose one.
Filter can change the mood of your picture that, consequently, will lead to a higher engagement level or even drive your followers away.
So, let’s learn more deeply about each Instagram filter.
- Clarendon
What is does: This Instagram filter makes colors pop, intensifies shadows and brightens highlights in the images. However, it doesn’t make skin tones look completely unnatural.
Works best with: Pictures of pets and minimalist selfie images.
- Gingham
What is does: This Instagram filter washes colors out by adding a slight yellow tone and a subtle warm atmosphere to the picture. It brings an old-time vibe to the photo.
Works best with: All kind of images when you want to cause nostalgic feelings.
- Moon
What is does: This Instagram filter makes the image black and white with intense shadows.
Work best with: Portraits.
- Lark
What is does: This Instagram filter brightens the photo while maintaining a cooler look. Moreover, it reduces saturation on red, but enhances green and blue colors.
Works best with: Landscape images, outdoor portraits and food shots.
- Reyes
What is does: This Instagram filter brightens and makes the picture less saturated. Furthermore, it gives the photo a hint of vintage.
Works best with: Portraits, especially if you want to hide any blemishes on a skin.
- Juno
What is does: This Instagram filter boosts the contrast by making the picture look more vivid. Juno filter intensifies warm colors, such as yellow, orange and red.
Works best with: Urban photos by providing them with a rich and deep tone. Also good for fall nature images.
- Slumber
What is does: This Instagram filter gives a yellowish tone that desaturates all other colors in the photo. Consequently, it adds a vintage and romantic feel to the picture.
Works best with: Nature images and street photography.
- Crema
What is does: This Instagram filter also provides the image with an old-time feel. It desaturates and smooths out the photo’s skin tones.
Works best with: Food shots or even nature and urban images.
- Ludwig
What is does: This Instagram filter brings the red tone to your photo. Other colors, like blue, yellow, green and pink are reduced. While making shadows and highlights more noticeable, Ludwig filter gives a warmer and lighter look to the image.
Works best with: Photos of architecture, sunsets and portraits as well.
- Aden
What is does: This Instagram filter lowers the contrast and warms the cooler colors that softens the picture and gives it a dreamy effect.
Works best with: Portraits, lifestyle and autumn nature shots.
- Perpetua
What is does: This Instagram filter makes the photo brighter by increasing yellow and green tones.
Works best with: Outdoor images, especially that are taken on the beach.
- Amaro
What is does: This Instagram filter brightens the center of the picture by giving it an aged appearance.
Works best with: Urban and fall images.
- Mayfair
What is does: This Instagram filter highlights something in the center of the image while vignetting around the corners. It also warms up its colors of the photo.
Works best with: Well-lit nature pictures.
- Rise
What is does: This Instagram filter brightens the image and gives it a vintage feel by using a yellow glow.
Works best with: Portraits.
- Hudson
What is does: This Instagram filter adds a subtle vignette to the image and makes its colors look cooler.
Works best with: Nature shots and city photography, especially during a winter season.
- Valencia
What is does: This Instagram filter gives a yellow tone to the picture, instantly warming up the whole image and, consequently, giving it an 80s vibe.
Works best with: Nature shots and portraits you want to look old-school.
- X-Pro II
What is does: This Instagram filter ups the contrast and makes all the image’s colors warmer.
Moreover, it adds a strong vignette, which shades away the edges of the photo and creates a dramatic look.
Works best with: City, landscape, fashion shots or even portraits.
- Sierra
What is does: This Instagram filter is a little bit similar to Rise, but it gives the picture a darker feel than Rise. It provides the photo with brightly center and some vignette.
Works best with: Images of close-up objects and outdoor photos.
- Willow
What is does: This Instagram filter is something between black and white and sepia effects.
Works best with: Portraits, beach scenes and nature shots.
- Lo-Fi
What is does: This Instagram filter adds shadows and boosts saturation by giving the picture a 90’s look.
Works best with: Food and landscape photography.
- Earlybird
What is does: This Instagram filter desaturates the photo a little bit, however, it still brightens it. Also it adds a vignette and sepia tint to the image.
Works best with: All types of photos you want to give a hint of vintage.
- Nashville
What is does: This Instagram filter makes the photo warmer and brighter by adding a pink tone to it.
Works best with: Any images you wish to look old-school.
- Brannan
What is does: This Instagram filter increases the picture’s contrast and exposure by making it brighter. Furthermore, it give the image a slightly yellow tone.
Works best with: Nature photography. However, if you like the yellow tint on a skin, which makes your image look like it was taken a century ago, you can also try it on portraits.
- Inkwell
What is does: This Instagram filter is simple black and white effect.
Works best with: Portraits.
- Hefe
What is does: This Instagram filter boosts colors’ saturation and adds a subtle vignette that, consequently, makes your photo look warmer.
Works best with: Nature shots, however, also can be added to any kind of pictures.
- Toaster
What is does: This Instagram filter makes a dodged center on the image with a strong red tint and a burnt edge. In other words, it toast your photo.
Works best with: Various outdoor pictures taken during a day.
- Sutro
What is does: This Instagram filter enhances purple and brown colors, and includes a strong vignette by giving the picture a hazy look.
Works best with: Any types of images, except the portraits.
- Walden
What is does: This Instagram filter gives a slightly blue tint to your photo and brightens it center.
Works best with: Portraits. However, it can be also added to any well-lit images.
- 1977
What is does: This Instagram filter adds a rose and red tone to the photo by providing it with a faded look.
Works best with: Lake and beach scenes.
- Maven
What is does: This Instagram filter increases shadows by making the picture darker. It also gives a yellow tone to the image.
Works best with: Architecture photos.
- Kelvin
What is does: This Instagram filter helps to warm up the image as it was taken during the golden hour.
Works best with: Different outdoors photos with a lot of light.
- Vesper
What is does: This Instagram filter smooths out skin tones. Like other Instagram filters it adds a yellow tint by giving the image an old-school look.
Works best with: Portraits.
- Stinson
What is does: This Instagram filter makes the photo brighter by slightly washing out the colors. It also adds nostalgic feelings to the image.
Works best with: Beach shots and portraits.
- Ginza
What is does: This Instagram filter provides the pictures with a warm glow.
Works best with: Outdoor images, like nature and city shots, as well as fashion photography.
- Skyline
What is does: This Instagram filter brightens the image, making colors to pop. It is like an autocorrect effect.
Works best with: Any kind of photos that you want to make brighter.
- Dogpatch
What is does: This Instagram filter boosts the contrast in the picture at the same time washing out the lighter colors.
Works best with: Well-lit images.
- Brooklyn
What is does: This Instagram filter makes the photo brighter by giving it a yellow tone.
Works best with: Outdoors images, such as nature and floral photography.
- Helena
What is does: This Instagram filter adds a little bit of warmth to the picture, by using an orange and teal tint.
Works best with: Various outdoor shoots and portraits.
- Ashby
What is does: This Instagram filter provides the images with a golden glow and vintage look.
Works best with: Portraits.
- Charmes
What is does: This Instagram filter uses a red tone in order to warm up the colors in the photo. It is a high contrast filter.
Works best with: Street shots.
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Wrapping everything up, Instagram filters are an excellent resource to make your images look much more appealing and encouraging to interaction.
However, you probably have already understood that it is not enough to add a randomly chosen the most popular filter to every photo.
You need to use an Instagram filter that will help you to create unique pictures and stand out from the crowd of other profiles.
Do you use Instagram filters? Which one is your favorite? Please share your opinion in the comments below!
