Instagram

[Pete Askew]

An interesting article from the BBC News website.

BBC News - Has Instagram made everyone's photos look the same?

 

[Brian Moore]

Interesting article, Pete. I agree that the "flick of a switch" retro look is gimmicky and overused. (I'm seeing it all the time now on Facebook postings.) But I like that people seem to like that kind of look it provides. Its just a shame people lack the patience to shoot film and let their prints fade over a couple of decades like some of us. Anyway, I hope it leads more people to shoot actual film, which might help those dunderheeds at Kodak salvage something from the ruins they have created.

(Look at our Chris,...he's shooting Velvia all the time now it seems. Chris,...shoot some Kodachrome too why don't you?)

 

[Chris Dodkin]

Brian - which sub menu on the X-Pro1 is the Kodak profile on again?

Pete - on one hand, I think that giving people tools to get a more interesting look to their photos is cool - most people will never take on Photoshop, or Nik or Topaz for example.

On the other hand, the 'easy button' approach does tend to lead to a flood of very similar PP.

Double edged sword - but anything that breaks people away from the norm, is probably a good thing in balance.

 

[Pete Askew]

I think in general I am happy that people are actually thinking about the images they make even if only retrospectively and by using some simple tools. If only one in a thousand then becomes interested enough to pursue it further then that is a result In think.

 

[Brian Moore]

Brian - which sub menu on the X-Pro1 is the Kodak profile on again?

Look for the yellow button, Chris!

 

[Hamish Gill]

Sometimes the easy road inspires the harder road ... if it takes a gzillion samey pictures to inspire one person to create something really magical then i dont think it matters ... trends come and go ... the genius will always remain!

... Tom Brookes got into photography through instagram et al and look at the stuff he has churned out ...

 

[Thomas brookes]

Oh wow thank you.

I must agree that it does tend to churn out the same old and I have noticed people copying other people's instagrams. I think the key is to take it simply for what it it's and what it has achieved. It's an application for people to communicate though imaging. If that encourages people to step into the world of photography on a bigger scale then I'm all for it. I wonder how many people like myself are out there. I saw young Brodie Jackson on instagram and encouraged her to RPF and look ant the stuff she has churned out.

 

[Hamish Gill]

Ah yeah, i completely forgot Brodie came to us through instagram!
Well there you are another perfect example ..

 

[Brodie Jackson]

Oh thanks guys
I think instagram is an awesome tool for connecting with people and having a look into different lives and cultures from all around the world. It definitely contributed to me getting into the wonderful world of photography. I love it