how to {easily} edit an instagram.

It's no secret I love Instagram. I used to post photos more frequently, but I am much more picky with what makes my feed these days. Getting an introduction to a little app known as Afterglow completely changed my insta-habits. I know many people who are fans of VSCO CAM, but Afterglow is the photo-editing app which stole my heart. For the 99-cent investment, it is an inexpensive way to enhance your Instagram feed. 

These are three examples of my editing process. I hate to use a flash when taking photos, so my photos can turn out a bit dark on my iPhone. {It is much easier to compensate for the light with a real camera!} After I take a few photos, I find my favorite and then open it in Afterglow. I apply one of the original filters to my photo. {Captain, Crown + Coral are a few of my favorites!} After that, I might use a few of the other snazzy Afterglow tools. I then save the photo to my camera roll--or you can take it straight into Instagram!


When I open the photo in Instagram, I add my finishing touches--be it a filter or better cropping. {My favorite filters in Instagram are Rise, Amaro, and Nashville. I don't think I've ever used Sutro or Brannan!} At the end of it all, I add a photo to my Instagram feed which has passed my rigorous approval process ;) You may call me crazy, but I only post my best photos. I would otherwise be blowing up your Instagram feeds on a daily basis. {I take at least 30 photos a day!}

Do you use other apps to make your Instagram feed better--or do you use Instagram for the immediate social impact? {If so, do you think I'm completely crazy for this whole process?!} Wherever you fall in the spectrum, I can't wait to hear your own Instagram tips! Have a great Monday! xoxo {av}

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21 comments:

  1. I'm going to have to try that app!! :) These pics are gorgeous!

    Alissa
    FeelingGoodFashion.blogspot.com

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  2. ohhh need to download afterglow!! coming up to RI this weekend-- maybe we can meet up. have a good week!
    xo
    lauren

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  3. 30 photos a day!? Wow that is a lot of photos! You must be seeing more exciting stuff than what I see on a regular day. Ha. I'll have to try out this app. Thanks for the recommendation.

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  4. my fave in the IG app are Walden and Nashville! great app tip on Afterglow!

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  5. Love this, and need to try Afterglow now! I reserve VSCO CAM for editing my actual DSLR photos, so I totally admire you for putting all the work in for a single Instagram! No wonder yours are always so lovely :)

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  6. I use afterglow for quick photo editing on the blog all the time! Shapely is fun too!

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  7. I've recently fallen in love with the VSCO cam. I refuse to post a bad photo - and this app has taken all my photos up a notch :)

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  8. I use PicFX but I'm going to try Afterglow and see what I think! Thanks for recommending :)

    Nicole
    Sequined Patterns

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  9. I just downloaded AfterGlow and can't wait to use it! Such helpful information! Thank you!!!

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  10. This app is fantastic!!! I LOVE it!! Thanks so much for posting about it. I wouldn't have know about it otherwise!!

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  11. How about the sizing? It seems that your afterglow pictures are not the normal 1x1 that instagram sizes down to. Are you still able to upload them at that size? Thanks for your input, looks like a great photo editing app (I currently use picfx - love the bokeh!!)

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  12. Sometimes I use picstitch to piece several photos together, but other than that I don't use anything but Instagram! Thanks for the tips!! : )

    Kayla
    www.lovelucygirl.com

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  13. Yes, I love Afterglow and VSCO. I hardly post a pic to Instagram without using VSCO (I love the real film feel it gives) and I really like Afterglow for the different frames.

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  14. Oooooh Good to know about Afterglow. I'll have to download it! xoxo

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  15. I like to use Snapseed to edit and then put my pictures on instagram. I have an ipod touch (4), so the camera quality isn't the greatest. Using Snapseed helps a lot. (and it's free!)

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  16. Love VSCO and Afterglow! I like using them for different effects. I also love the bokah in PicFX!

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  17. I'm totally the same way with my photo editing for Instagram! I do it all manually with Photoshop Express, but I'm after reading your post I'm really interested in learning more about Afterglow!

    xx
    sue

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  18. thanks so much for this post! i wondered how some ppl edit their pix but other bloggers won't reveal their ways lol ;)

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  19. I use Camera + ... it's either 99 cents or $1.99 (but priceless for lightening up those really dark shots!)

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  20. Thanks for the very useful article. Other great software to create photos https://macphun.com/ , it's very simple to practice. Try it and I'm certain you'll like it.

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