The use of social media platforms has become almost ubiquitous throughout the lives of the majority of people and become an important factor in the business world as companies look to build a loyal customer base. One of the fastest ways to build a following across many social media platforms is to develop strong images which can attract new followers to an account and maintain a loyal following of people hoping to see the next impressive image posted. Creating images has become a major part of the online lives of many individuals and the concern of increasing numbers of business owners hoping to use photography to build a following on social media platforms such as Instagram. Ismail Sirdah shares his tips for creating high-quality photos for social media.
Equipment
One of the first things to understand about creating images for social media content is that large amounts of expensive equipment are not necessarily required; the majority of social media accounts are filled with content created using Smartphones and natural light combining to develop impressive images. Understanding the different features of a Smartphone camera should be the first step in creating the best possible content for any social media account.
The majority of inexperienced photographers tend to struggle with framing and composition issues when creating images for social media posts. Most Smartphones contain a grid feature which divides the screen into nine equal squares to aid the photographer in finding the perfect balance in their image. Lining up the subjects of an image along the intersection of these grid lines is a good way of finding balance in a photo which is known as the “rule of thirds”.
Balance
Once you have found the perfect balance for an image it is important to make sure every aspect of the image is created correctly with the perfect background and lighting allowing an image to be viewed and enjoyed correctly. Social media professionals creating content for retailers and business clients often look to include a high-quality setting for an image including the front of a retail outlet or business location. When creating a social media image it is important to make sure the setting and background of an image are chosen well to give a professional view of the individual made the subject of the image. Even for an individual looking to create an impressive social media account for their own enjoyment, it is always a good idea to consider oneself as a brand which should be viewed in the best possible light at all times.
One area to explore in terms of social media success is the images created for cooking books and Instagram accounts which have become some of the most impressive on the Internet. Ismail Sirdah believes that the brightness of foods and their appeal is what allows them to be successful on social media.
Examining the photography produced for different media such as cookbooks is a good idea to gain an overview of how to light and position a subject or person for the highest quality image. Most social media images are taken with a Smartphone which can produce problems for getting the perfect lighting for a photo when the strobe effect of a phone camera flash is responsible for bleaching out most photos. Turning off the flash when preparing to create an image is a good option to undertake with a subject simply facing a natural source of light the best option for creating a better social media image. Bright light shining on the face of a subject can create a squint but positioning a subject with their back to a natural light source can create a silhouette effect. Playing with light sources is always a good option as the perfect image should not be expected from the first photo taken.
Filters
Filters have become an important aspect of social media photography but may reduce the impact of an image and reduce the professional appearance most photographers are searching for. Simple filters such as a black and white effect can produce a high-quality image with a striking effect when used sparingly. The use of filters is seen by many as being at saturation levels and is accompanied by the issue of many images showing similar subjects as making social media less interesting than it should be. Finding a new way of representing a subject is always a good idea and will add to the number of followers and respect asocial media account is afforded.
As with many aspects of social media, the best option is always to consider what is being said or represented by a post before creating an image. Taking a little time to craft an impressive image is a good idea and will pay dividends in the long term for an account holder.