So you have your picture all ready to be posted on Instagram.
But then comes the tough part: Which of the 20+ Instagram filters do you choose to bring out the best in your shot?
Is there such a thing as the most popular filter?
Can your choice of filter influence how many people would be attracted to your profile and want to follow you?
Calm down, because here we have put forth an easy guide you can use to choose the best Instagram filter.
With so many filters, you need some sort of ready reference to figure out how they will affect the way your picture looks. While the app itself doesn’t provide you with any sort of explanation, we have put together a cheat sheet you can use the next time you are mulling over which filter to use.
Clarendon
https://pixabay.com/photos/beach-north-sea-sea-sunset-water-2179624
Clarendon is a filter that works best to heighten contrast in any picture. Quite simply, it makes shadows look darker and will highlight bright spots. This filter also makes colours appear brighter in a picture. We highly recommend using Clarendon for sunset shots.
Gingham
https://pixabay.com/photos/whitby-abbey-dracula-bram-stoker-2805489/
If you want to give your picture an old timey look, here is the filter for you. Ideal for shots of historic spots or monuments, Gingham neutralizes the colours in your photograph, and decreases the saturation.
Moon
https://pixabay.com/photos/stonehenge-england-monument-stone-101801/
This filter has nothing to do with the moon, but its romantic black and white vintage look makes it an appealing choice for Insta photographers. The Moon filter brings out the intensity in shadows, making it the best filter for when you need to invoke some nostalgia.
Lark
https://pixabay.com/photos/sunset-field-poppy-sun-nature-815270/
Lark is a popular filter for anyone looking to brighten the colours in their photograph. It increases the warmth of the picture, turning up the colour intensity for all hues except red. Pick this filter when you are posting nature shots, or pictures of a tasty food presentation.
Reyes
https://pixabay.com/photos/neuschwanstein-castle-castle-kristin-467116/
This filter is another vintage filter to keep an eye out for. Reyes decreases the saturation, increases brightness and gives an overall nostalgic feel to a picture.
Juno
This filter increases the red and yellow hues of your photo, thus increasing its temperature. If you have a shot with lots of yellows and oranges in it, this is the filter to choose.
Slumber
Slumber, like its name, gives pictures a dream like quality. It decreases saturation and adds a vintage appeal. Use this filter for street shots.
Crema
https://pixabay.com/photos/hintersee-bergsee-mountains-ramsau-3601004/
Give your pictures a smooth texture with the Crema filter. It is best used on photos of landscapes.
Ludwig
https://pixabay.com/photos/architecture-skyscraper-2256489/
This filter washes out the colours in your photo, bringing out the contrast. It is best used for architectural photography.
Aden
https://pixabay.com/photos/road-forest-season-autumn-fall-1072823/
Aden is a good filter to soften your image, lowering the saturation. Use this filter for fall time images.
Perpetua
https://pixabay.com/photos/pier-jetty-ocean-sea-water-way-569314/
Perpetua is a good filter to bring out the earthy nature of photos. Try it on outdoor seaside shots.
Amaro
https://pixabay.com/photos/adult-blur-bokeh-city-evening-1867665/
Another vintage filter, Amaro brightens the center of a picture. It is recommended for dark outdoor shots.
Mayfair
https://pixabay.com/photos/japan-osaka-night-asia-landmark-2014618/
If you need an unobtrusive vignette effect for your shot, you can choose the Mayfair filter. You can try it on images that had less exposure.
Rise
https://pixabay.com/photos/barley-field-wheat-harvest-sunrise-1684052/
Give your pictures a warm glow when you use the Rise filter. Perfect for sunrise photography, or any daytime pictures.
Hudson
https://pixabay.com/photos/taxi-cab-traffic-cab-new-york-381233/
If you need a cooling effect for your photograph, choose the Hudson filter. Great for pictures of cars and buildings.
Valencia
https://pixabay.com/photos/neuschwanstein-castle-castle-kristin-467116/
Give your photo a yellow tinge with the Valencia filter. This works great for nature shots or anything that needs to look like it came out of a history book.
Sierra
https://pixabay.com/photos/daisy-flower-flowers-nature-181905/
The Sierra filter moves the spotlight to the center of your shot. This is a filter that will bring out the appeal of object photography.
Willow
https://pixabay.com/photos/ladybugs-ladybirds-bugs-insects-1593406/
Here is a soft sepia filter that achieves a vintage feel without coming off as too pretentious. Use it for beach photos or macro photography.
Lo-Fi
https://pixabay.com/photos/tree-sun-sunshine-summer-meadow-2916763/
Here is another bold filter that works by increasing the depth of shadows and also increases saturation. This filter works best on shots of trees and grass.
Understanding the way the different filters use will help you make a better choice for your Instagram uploads. Try out these filters now that you know how they work and see how your followers like it!
