
Isn’t Instagram photography about in-the-moment phone photography?
Today I wanted to dive a little deeper in the subject of “pure Instagram photography.” I honestly think most phones nowadays take perfectly fine pictures, and the Instagram filters are great too. You certainly don’t need anything else for Instagram, and it’s more about your skills and artistic view that sets you apart than the gear. Instagram is as much about community and connecting with like-minded people as it is about photography, and that’s how it should be. Many people pride themselves for “iPhone photos only” and many only post photos “in an instant” as they happen. Instagram may have been built for this kind of “in the moment” photography of sharing the moment, but I think what it has evolved to, is something very different. I think what happened was that so many people who were not professional photographers, started using Instagram, and became amazing photographers. Maybe they had never even thought of being a photographer before, and for the first time realized they have a real talent. They say that you need 10,000 hours of practice to master a skill, and many people have been using Instagram daily for 2-4 years now (and hit the 10,000-hour mark) and simply have turned from hobby-photographers to professional ones. They have started selling their photography work, and being hired for Instagram/photography projects. When you start getting paid for your work, and people want to print your photos, phone photo quality just isn’t necessary what you want to sell. I completely get why these people don’t only post phone-photos on Instagram anymore, but also use photos taken with professional cameras, after all, now photography has become their work, and Instagram their professional portfolio. Of course you want to put your best work out there! Street photo from Austin, Texas, testing my new Galaxy NX camera.In the moment photography
And when it comes to “in the moment” photography, I have to be honest, I have always thought you can easily ruin the moment by using any social media tool. If you are having a great experience, why you want to take away from it by posting about it on multiple social media platforms? ENJOY THE MOMENT, take your photos, but please by all means, come back to the internetz later on to share it with us, when you have also time to talk with us and tell more about it. You can’t be present at two places at the same time, not even in real life and online at the same time. Be present offline and enjoy life as it happens, and then later on come and share it online, when you have time to talk and connect with people. Don’t come just dump a tweet or a photo.I broke up with my iPhone. Well, at least we are separated.
I have been one of the Instagram purists, and only used iPhone so far, but in all honesty, I want to be able to provide the best content I can, and I just broke up with my iPhone. The battery life in an iPhone sucks, and my phone memory has been full for months and I need to delete photos from my phone almost on daily basis, and it is becoming painful to try to erase my “favorite 3000 photos” that I just sort of want to keep on my phone. I still love my iPhone, but I just feel like it’s time to see some other cameras too.I am a lifestyle blogger, meaning I am a professional photographer
I don’t think myself as a professional photographer, but I do sell content, including photos, and have been asked to travel to places with a simple purpose: to take Instagram photos, my first this kind of Instagram photography trip was to Bali last year. This year I also started getting paid for some of my Instagram photos. If getting paid for taking photos makes you a professional photographer, I am a professional photographer. I guess when you realize your strategy of using Instagram, you will have a better feeling what kind of tools of the trade you will need. Most Instagram-photographers who are being hired for cool jobs, are not using just phones anymore. If I want to keep up withe the others, and hope to get more paid partnerships, I need to do what any professional person would do: invest in my work and get the best gear that fits my needs.
You don’t want to startle a baby with flash, so I took this with ISO 1600 indoors in a rainy day, and there is enough light to see the face without any extra help. Non-edited version. Since the camera is so easy to use… this aunt scored by taking the first picture of her smiling!
Samsung Galaxy NX
I read multiple camera reviews before purchasing the camera, and the “real experts” all said the Samsung Galaxy NX camera is amazing and there are multiple functions that are beyond brilliant from the photography point of view. I, however, stalked photographers on Instagram who were using the camera, and the photos told me almost more than the technical data.
Taken with Samsung Galaxy NX with the “food” smart feature. Nothing special, muffin and fruit, taken indoors in a rainy day. Ha!! Expect much more food photos from me for now on!
IGTT Traveling Linky
Read more Instagram Travel posts from these new blog posts this week and add your own blog post.
Bloggers! Join the Instagram Travel Thursday and Host the Linky!
Bloggers, join us! Add your blog post to the Linky above, and you can also take the Linky code and add the Linky widget in your blog! Get email sent to you when the Instagram Travel Thursday linky post is up (subscribe it here). Get the InLinkz code here. Copy and paste the following rules and the banner image when you host the Linky widget: Join us for Instagram Travel Thursday! Instagram Travel Thursday is a weekly blog post collection with a purpose to promote the great travel experts on Instagram and Instagram as a source for travel inspiration. Add your Instagram Travel-related post to the Linky. Here are the Linky rules: Link to a new Instagram travel post and use the permalink of your post, not the homepage URL. Only new posts from the week of the linky and no giveaways, other linkys or sales pitches. No links to your Instagram profile, only links to your blog. Link back to one of the Instagram Travel Thursday Linky hosts. Visit a few other posts in the linky and show them some love (comment, tweet, Pin etc.). Links that do not follow the guidelines will be removed. More information at Skimbaco Lifestyle’s Instagram Travel Thursday page.

Satu VW / Destination Unknown
I’m one of the “iPhone only” purists but I do agree with you and getting something like this could be the next step in my Instagram “career”. When it comes to Instagram I do tend to live in the moment though and the I might even post images I took a week back. Especially here in NZ I haven’t often been connected to wifi or 3G so it has been impossible to even share moments there and then when they happen.
Thanks for the informative post, I think my husband is going to be horrified when I tell him what I want for my birthday ;)
Tara Ziegmont
Your photos are amazing. Is this a DSLR? I’ve been wanting a fancy camera for years, but I’ve just never taken the plunge. My blog photos, as a result, are pretty crappy. ;)
Lala @ TDFtravels
I have to admit, the pictures do look amazing (especially the food). With the right light and keen eye (which you indeed have) will give any instrument amazing pop! I love that you reiterated what is most important in the moment. That’s HUGE for me! And yes, you are a photographer for sure my friend!
Elena
I too have given up on the purely iphone Instagram images because I am having so much fun learning to take better pictures with my “real” camera (and ughh- dont get me started on my awful iphone battery!). I have heard such great things about the Samsung cameras- looking forward to following your new camera journey :))
Reeta Laaksonen
The quality looks amazing, especially the food photos are extra sharp!
YashY
I’ve been debating on the same topic! Instagram has definitely sparked the photographer in me and I absolutely hate the current state of my Samsung phone camera. Debating on if I can handle another device on me with two tots! A new lens perhaps. Can’t wait to see your food and drink pics come through!
Leigh Powell Hines
I would love to HAVE t his camera. I”m drooling. I really would. I have a Samsung phone and we chose it for the camera, but this would be awesome.
Ann
So glad you posted this review! I’ve been trying to read more about it ever since I saw some of your IGs mentioning this camera.