Instagram as Community: Beyond a Photography App

The Ongoing Debate Surrounding Instagram and Photography

Recently, a fresh wave of articles has reignited the discussion regarding Instagram’s value as a platform for photography. Periodically, technology bloggers, photographic artists, and journalists engage in debate, questioning whether the application has genuinely contributed to the landscape of online photography.

Critical Perspectives on Instagram

Certain assessments have been unfavorable, suggesting that the platform attracts a younger demographic captivated by an application that attempts to recapture a photographic era lost with the advent of digital technology. One author and photographer, for instance, appeared to view Instagram with a degree of condescension, perceiving it as an attempt by younger users to emulate the aesthetic of analog photography.

More severe critiques have even asserted that Instagram has degraded the art of photography. These viewpoints, and others like them, overlook a crucial element.

Instagram as a Community

Instagram’s significance extends beyond its capabilities as a mere photography application; it functions as a vibrant community. This aspect is often underestimated in critical analyses.

Initially, the app’s appeal stemmed from its distinctive filters, which could transform even unremarkable photographs into visually appealing images. However, the platform also hosts a substantial volume of images that lack artistic merit.

While the daily meals of most users may not be of widespread interest, Instagrammers have uploaded over 7 million photos tagged with 'food', and a notable portion of these are of high quality.

Beyond Filters: The Rise of Mobile Photography

A closer examination reveals a more nuanced picture than simply filtered images of everyday life. The standard of photography found on Instagram is often remarkably high.

Many photographers bypass the app’s built-in filters, opting instead to utilize sophisticated mobile editing applications such as Snapseed or Filterstorm to refine their images. Mobile photography is gaining recognition as a legitimate art form, and Instagram provides an ideal venue for showcasing these works.

Personal Involvement and Disclosure

It’s important to acknowledge my own connection to the Instagram community. I am actively participating in at least two projects that originated through my engagement with the application.

This involvement shapes my perspective, but does not diminish the platform’s impact on contemporary photography.

The Rise of Smartphone Photography

The capabilities of smartphone cameras have significantly advanced, empowering photographers to explore creative boundaries using only their mobile devices.

While a smartphone camera won't typically match the performance of a dedicated DSLR, the principle remains: the most effective camera is often the one readily available.

Although DSLRs offer distinct benefits, exceptional photographic outcomes are certainly attainable with a smartphone.

Dedicated Mobile Photography Communities

Numerous photography groups are now exclusively focused on mobile photography.

AMPTeam and Juxt serve as prime illustrations of how skilled, professional photographers and innovative artists are collaborating and utilizing their smartphones for compelling photographic work.

These collectives demonstrate the potential of mobile devices as serious tools for artistic expression.

Instagram as a Platform for Mobile Art

The increasing popularity of mobile photography has coincided with the emergence of Instagram as a central hub for this community.

Instagram provides a dedicated space for mobile photographers to connect, showcase their work, and share inspiration.

This platform has been instrumental in fostering the growth and recognition of mobile photography as a legitimate art form.

Instagram's Thriving Photographic Community

With the growing number of photographers utilizing Instagram, the platform has evolved beyond simple photo sharing. Users are actively connecting and interacting with one another. A dynamic community spirit flourishes within the application for those willing to participate.

Locating and following photographers with similar interests is a great starting point. Adding their images to your saved collections, and leaving thoughtful comments can quickly lead to reciprocal engagement.

Instagram hosts a multitude of activities beyond individual posts. Hashtags have become a powerful tool for discovering and showcasing exceptional content. The black and white photography niche, specifically, demonstrates a particularly engaged community, with numerous accounts dedicated to curating top-tier images.

Photographers aren't merely displaying their work; they are also actively collaborating. For instance, a collective of over fifty photographers convenes weekly to reinterpret a single member’s photograph, sharing their edits under the hashtag #bw_collaboration.

Certain individuals have dedicated significant effort to enriching the Instagram experience for their followers. Josh Johnson, for example, provides a daily theme, prompting his 159,000 followers to submit their photos for inclusion in his daily 'forums'.

Each day, Johnson meticulously reviews thousands of submissions, selecting the most compelling images to feature. Over 10 million photos have been submitted to these now-renowned 'JJ Forums'.

Johnson’s influence has expanded to the development of a dedicated community app. He has extended invitations to fellow Instagrammers to participate, offering them the opportunity to showcase their preferred photographs.

Instagram Community Features

Hashtag Curation: Discover themed content through popular hashtags.
Collaborative Projects: Participate in group editing challenges like #bw_collaboration.
Daily Forums: Submit work to themed showcases hosted by influential users.

The platform’s interactive features foster a sense of belonging and provide opportunities for growth and recognition. This collaborative environment distinguishes Instagram from other photo-sharing services.

The Limited Importance of Filters to Instagram Users

Contrary to popular belief, the majority of Instagram users demonstrate little preoccupation with filters. Their primary focus tends to be on community engagement, participation in photographic competitions, and the pursuit of feature recognition.

The driving force behind photographic innovation is, in fact, this very community. Observing the work of fellow photographers and engaging in daily themed projects provides unparalleled inspiration for creating new images.

Claims that Instagram has negatively impacted photography are unfounded. As Matthew Ingram of GigaOm articulates regarding the numerous criticisms leveled against Instagram:

A common thread running through many of these critiques is a resistance to amateur involvement: professional photographers should be the sole practitioners of photography, professional journalists should be the exclusive purveyors of journalism, and so forth. While platforms like Instagram can certainly be utilized for sharing superficial content, much like Twitter for trivial updates or blogs for personal venting,
this does not negate their ability to lower the barriers to entry for skilled amateurs across various fields – including photography, writing, journalism, and filmmaking.

These debates are likely to re-emerge, and while online discussions continue to assert Instagram’s detrimental effect on photography, numerous photographers will persist in their mobile artistic endeavors, sharing their work with a community largely unaware of these controversies.

We invite you to share your perspective in the comments below. Do you believe Instagram enhances or diminishes the art of photography?

Image source: Instagram / Andreas Øverland / Pam Lau