Instagram is a fun and quirky way to share your life with friends through a series of pictures. It’s no wonder why so many people are obsessed with it, but have you ever noticed that sometimes your photos don’t look as sharp and clear as others’? That’s because Instagram compresses the photos you upload to save on storage space. However, there are steps you can take to ensure that your photos are uploaded in the highest quality possible. Let’s get into it!
1. Start with a High-Quality Original Photo
It’s important to start with a good quality photo. The clearer and higher resolution your original photo is, the better the result will be when you upload it to Instagram. Ensure that your photo is at least 1080 pixels wide. Instagram compresses your images but if you start out with a high-quality image, it will look much better once uploaded. If your photo isn’t wide enough, Instagram will stretch it out to fill the space and it may look blurry.
2. Use the Right File Format
Instagram supports JPEG and PNG file formats, but JPEG is the best option for photos. This is because JPEG files can handle lots of colors and detail, whereas PNG files are better for pictures with large blocks of color or text.
3. Turn on High-Quality Uploads
Instagram has a feature tucked away in its settings to help you upload better quality photos. Here’s how to find it:
- Open Instagram and go to your profile
- Tap on the menu button (three lines in the top right corner)
- Tap on “Settings”
- Tap on “Account”
- Tap on “Mobile Data Use”
- And finally, tap on “Use Less Data” to turn it off
When this option is turned off, Instagram will upload your photos in higher quality. However, it might take a bit longer to upload photos, especially if you’re on a slower internet connection.
4. Edit Photos Outside of Instagram
Instagram’s native editing tools are convenient, but they can also reduce the quality of your photos. For this reason, it’s better to edit your photos with a dedicated photo editing app like Adobe Lightroom or VSCO. Once you’re done editing, save your photo in the highest quality possible before uploading it to Instagram.
5. Upload The Photo to Instagram
Now that you have a high-quality, well-edited photo, it’s time to upload it to Instagram. Tap the “+” button at the bottom of the screen, select your photo, and hit “Next”. On the next screen, avoid applying any filters or edits. Just hit “Next” again, then add your caption, tags, location, and anything else you want to include. Tap “Share” to post your photo.
Follow these steps and you’ll see a noticeable improvement in the quality of your Instagram photos. Remember, Instagram is all about visual storytelling, so the more you can do to ensure your photos look their best, the more engaging your story will be!
