Creative Mastermind for Week 2/17: Instagram

Good morning everyone! Hope you're all having a good day so far and enjoying the warm-up FINALLY! Here in Ohio after weeks of snow, slush, and ice we are getting a nice warm-up today despite having a few thunderstorms in the area. Regardless, rain or shine it is my duty to give you another good blast of creativity. I originally had this post uploaded yesterday and for some odd reason it never showed up, in addition my previous post about being "MIA" published with the wrong date. All technology and organizational issues aside, I do have this week's Creative Mastermind all ready for you!

I've been wanting to do talk about this particular "concept" for awhile since I started The Creative Cabana back in August, but really couldn't decide on the right time to mention this idea. For this week's Creative Mastermind, I'm choosing Instagram to highlight on their ability to give the public a user-free access to creating unique photographs. So let's start with Instagram's founders: 

Mike Krieger and Kevin Systrom are credited as the founders of this popular social media app and since it's launch in late 2010, Instagram has grown in popularity and use. I think what makes Instagram so popular is that it gives you the ability to turn your mobile pictures into easy artistic examples of a moment in time. Lets face it, anyone can take a picture but given the skills and right amount of creativity this simple app can give your pictures more expression and detail without all of the fancy photoshopping. 

With all of the insane weather that has been striking the US over the last few weeks, I've been seeing a lot of pictures through Instagram to describe the conditions and any unusual sights that people come across in their daily travels. To me, Instagram not only shares your unique photo abilities but it's also kind of a news concept. Much like Facebook or Twitter where people can instantly share events and updates, Instagrams gives us a "visual" update of that event. Some one you know has a baby, posts the news on Facebook and Twitter, then uploads a picture on Instagram. You may hear about the traffic accident on the freeway, but actually see pictures of it from another driver online (but don't text and drive, always be safe!). Well you get the drift. There's more to Instagram than just sharing your own personal photos, you're also share news in a way. Yesterday, I went to a local Steak 'n Shake restaurant and tried a new menu item known as the Pizza Steakburger. I took a picture of it with Instagram and shared it with my friends, so now they know about this new product (which by the way, was delicious!). If you'd like to see the picture then follow me on Instagram, just click here.

So what is it about Instagram that makes it so... creative? Well, I don't think it's so much the app which makes the pictures creative, but rather the app enhances YOUR perception of creativity. Instagram gives you the tools to help jazz up your photos, but it doesn't do the work for you. You select the filters, lighting, cropping, etc. The user and the app go hand-in-hand to create an enhanced image. I think it's important to understand that unlike other programs where the technology does everything for you, it's equally important that the photographer make the picture as unique as possible before pressing the snap button. I love the photos on Instagram which display examples of space, perspective, color, and clarity. These concepts you can practice on any camera, but combining these areas with the special effects of Instagram makes pictures more vibrant and surprising. Instagram is great for capturing those "spur of the moment" events that you otherwise might not have your digital camera with you, making this app even more newsworthy. 

So there you have it! Our Creative Mastermind of the Week is Instagram! Be sure to visit my Instagram account to see what amazing photos I capture throughout the months. You can find the link on the "Connect with Me" page and while you're there be sure to follow The Creative Cabana on Pinterest, Facebook, and Twitter as well so you can stay up-to-date on all things creative! Next post I'll be discussing the process of Web and Graphic Design using my own portfolio site. Spring is in the air, and with the new season coming thus begins the spring cleaning and updating of the digital world, so be sure to watch that post next. Until next, enjoy the rest of your day and stay creative! 

*I do not own Instagram or any of it's affliated developers. Instagram is the sole property of it's respective owners and developers. Images used in this post were collected from Google Image search results and used in this post for visual representation and not for profit use. I also do not own Steak 'n Shake or any of its menu products. No Copyright Infringement Intended.