InstaMeet Manila

Warning: preg_match(): Compilation failed: invalid range in character class at offset 4 in /home/catjuanc/domains/catjuan.com/public_html/wp-content/plugins/lightbox-plus/classes/shd.class.php on line 1384

Warning: preg_match_all(): Compilation failed: invalid range in character class at offset 4 in /home/catjuanc/domains/catjuan.com/public_html/wp-content/plugins/lightbox-plus/classes/shd.class.php on line 700

Warning: Invalid argument supplied for foreach() in /home/catjuanc/domains/catjuan.com/public_html/wp-content/plugins/lightbox-plus/classes/shd.class.php on line 707

Warning: preg_match_all(): Compilation failed: invalid range in character class at offset 4 in /home/catjuanc/domains/catjuan.com/public_html/wp-content/plugins/lightbox-plus/classes/shd.class.php on line 700

Warning: Invalid argument supplied for foreach() in /home/catjuanc/domains/catjuan.com/public_html/wp-content/plugins/lightbox-plus/classes/shd.class.php on line 707

Photo by Ray Alforte

Instagram is my happy place and I believe it’s because it’s hard for humans to be negative through an image. More often than not, people take photos to remember the good times and I honestly hope that never changes.

Last Sunday, I decided to venture out of my comfort zone and join my first InstaMeet: a gathering of like minded Instagram-loving souls.

As we walked through Makati’s empty streets on a hot Sunday afternoon, I was able to chat with people from various age groups and professions who creates little snaps of beauty as part of their passions. Here are some tips I learned from my afternoon with this bunch:

1. If you didn’t know this already, the photo editing app of choice these days is VSCO CAM. It’s got great filters that add the extra punch needed to your image’s lowlights and highlights, but still keeps everything sharp. The best part is that it’s free.

2. It’s important to constantly back up your images. I used to avoid doing this because I thought iPhoto was the only way to do so. But you can use Mac’s free import tool Image Capture which makes the process so simple. Just plug in your phone and back up your desired photos. You can also batch delete. I was able to back up over 3,000 images in less then 10 minutes.

3. Many IG superstars prefer to shoot in the early morning or late afternoon. Anything shot during the noon day sun will often have burned whites that are pretty impossible to fix in post.

4. For images shot in low light, there is an app called Cortex Cam that will keep them sharp. It’s not free, but it’s supposed to be worth it.

5. If you can, follow couples on Instagram (this tip came from Jelito De Leon), they offer two perspectives of the same scene and who doesn’t like a bit of kilig in their lives.

6. Try to keep your feed constant but at the same time versatile. Great Instagram users have found that balance. They have feeds that look clean and appealing to the eyes because of certain patterns. Think of Instagram not just as one square, but of many that serve as a showcase of a life well lived.

A big thank you to the four wonderful guys who put this InstaMeet afternoon together. Their photos are amazing and if you don’t follow them on Instagram, you need to go press that follow button as soon as possible.

(L to R: Jelito De Leon, Raniel Hernandez, Alexis Lim, Marvin Conanan)