In October 2010, Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger launched Instagram. With its filters and simple interface, it changed how people shared photos and opened up mobile photography to everyone. It’s been a different story lately.
In the early days, the chronological feed and the filters turned casual snapshots into something people were proud to share, and a real photography community grew up around it. That changed when the algorithm did. Instagram now prioritises whatever gets the most likes, comments and shares, which rewards trends and viral content over anything more considered. Photos increasingly lose out to Reels and short-form video, so photographers get buried regardless of the quality of the work.
Then there’s the influencer problem. Fame on Instagram now has more to do with follower counts than with talent, and that culture of self-promotion and brand deals pushes genuine artistic work further down the feed. It also feeds a fairly unhealthy cycle of comparison for anyone still trying to make honest work.
None of this means photographers are out of options. VERO runs a chronological, ad-free feed built with visual artists in mind. 500px is still a proper home for photography, contests included. Glass is a newer app built specifically around long-form visual storytelling. Ello has always positioned itself as artist-first, without the algorithm or the ads.
Instagram isn’t really a photography platform any more. It’s a video and influencer platform that photography happens to live on. If you want your work seen for what it is rather than how it performs, it might be worth spending more time on one of the alternatives instead.
In your article you raise some very valid points Ian and I agree with all of them. First Facebook decided to destroy photographers images by altering the resolution so photographers turned to Instagram. The Instagram videos make more crazy than the advertising that pops up after scrolling through four or five images. Once upon a time not so long ago most of the social media influencers stuck to using Tik Tok. Now being a social media influencer has become a career so everybody wants to be the next best thing since sliced bread (isn’t it strange how I always make a reference to carbohydrates 🤣). Thank goodness for the other platforms you mentioned where photographers can display their creativity. Great informative blog post my friend 👍🏻
Carbs are a very tasty and important food group that has been much maligned lately, and unjustly. I will never claim to be sliced bread – I prefer brioche. I just want to share what knowledge has helped me in the past. It’s a transmission of the craft. I have been asked would I still take photographs even if they were destined to remain private? Well, yes, I would. And people did before social media. Sometimes after a few drinks the albums would come out, especially to annoy an older child in front of a girlfriend or boyfriend. It was about documenting our short lives on this planet, not about seeking validation for our life choices or lack thereof.
Once upon a time not so long ago social media influencers largely used Tik Tok. Now that being a social media influencer has become a career for many people Facebook and its sister company Instagram were bound to jump on the bandwagon. It wasn’t bad enough that photographers didn’t like the way Facebook destroyed the resolution of the images that they posted but now Instagram which originally was meant to share still photos has turned to sharing videos. To make matters worse we have to see advertisements after scrolling through a handful of images. You raise some excellent points in your very informative blog post Ian. Thank goodness for the other platforms you mentioned that cater to still images my friend.
I think it’s like one in four posts is an advert for something. And you mostly get reels etc. Instagram is trying to be Tiktok but it’s just awful. I almost prefer the blogosphere. People seem to be more open and less angry if ever you dare to disagree.
A brave new world,.., I don’t like it 😕
For the moment I think Instagram can go and duck sick!
Well written and so very true. I’ve recently deleted the Instagram app and just update once every two weeks. Creative artistic photos only and a single digit to reels. I then just check the following day for comments and that’s it. I think you have to be on the platform but it really is just a rat race and can have a negative impact on your creativity if you are not careful. If a worthy free alternative for photographers emerges watch everybody leave Instagram in their droves myself included!
I gave up updating it and devoted myself to this Meisterwerk that is my blog. I do like using it for stories and a way of sharing my musical tastes and sending funny reels to mates.
Excellent article Ian. Social media has certainly done a lot of damage. Thanks for offering alternatives to Instagram; I’ll check them out.
It’s just an idea. But the core question would be like Vivian Maier and still do it if you knew that nobody’s going to see the shots. I know I would. It’s the process of it all and documenting the world around me.
💝🩵💝💓
Blessed and Happy afternoon 🌷
Greetings 👋🇪🇦🌻🪻🎇
pk 🌎 David López
I’m very tired of Instagram for all the reasons you state. I didn’t know of some of the alternatives and will check them out. Thanks for the info
It’s nice to know I’m not alone on this. I love the feedback I get with the blog, and I feel like a longer form content is the way to go. It’s about the quality of interactions that I get on the blog, and the effort I put in too. It just feels more wholesome.
Yes I agree. And thank you for the nice welcome email. Take care ☺️
Well it’s always good to introduce oneself and now you know what to expect. Who knows, maybe some of my ramblings might be useful to you! Or at least a good read. People often underestimate the value of a good read…
Ian you may find this interesting … https://www.instagram.com/reel/C8AX7TBotC8/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==