Hooked on Instagram

I'm completely hooked on Instagram. It has sparked has sparked a new wave of retro-looking snaps and sold to Facebook for a cool $1bn back in April. It's one of those simple ideas where you think, "why didn't I think of that?" I'm still relatively new to Instagram but I'm always looking for new people to follow. I'm by no means an expert but with my limited knowledge I've put together a list of Instagram tips and suggested people to follow based some of my favorite Instagrammers.

7 QUICK TIPS

- Less is more. Go easy on the filters, color saturation and bokeh. Natural is best.

- Take photos at dusk or dawn to catch the low sunlight and shadows.

- Use a collage app such as Photo Grid to combine a few photos that tell a story.

- There doesn’t always need to be a bike in the photo. Sometimes it’s best to leave a bit to the imagination.

- Caption your photos. A picture tells a thousand words, but a short caption can put it into context.

- Try to shoot at unique angles. Camera phones can fit into places that DSLR’s cannot so you can get some amazing perspectives.

- I too sometimes can’t resist the erge to take photos of my amazing looking breakfast, but my first rule of Instagram is that if you take any more than one photo of your food in a 7 day period, you’re unfollowed!

SUGGESTIONS TO FOLLOW

There are a million excellent photographers on Instagram, but it’s becoming a place where people showcase their professional work instead of posting photos from their camera phone.

A few of my personal favorite cycling Instagramers I follow who largely post camera phone photos in their feeds:

Jered and Ashley Gruber. What can I say? Love their work.

http://instagram.com/jeredgruber

I don't know how I stumbled upon Motiveflow but he's got some great shots.

http://instagram.com/motiveflow

Alain Rumpf, president of Global Cycling Promotions, is also a man who loves to get out for a ride. He has some spectacular photos in his Instagram feed

http://instagram.com/alainrumpf

Caley Fretz is a writer for Velonews and splits his year between Boulder, Colorado and Annecy, France. His Instagram feed shows us a glimpse of what it's like to be a cycling journalist living the dream in France

http://instagram.com/caleyfretz

I don't know anything about Dolophonic but I love his/her feed which gives me a breath of escapism during my day

http://instagram.com/dolophonic

Taylor Phinney's Instagram feed gives us an insight into his life and what it's like to be Taylor Phinney. Most of his photos are well composed too.

http://instagram.com/TaylorPhinney

Kristof Ramon has to be one of my favorite cycling photographers. If he only updated his Instagram feed more often...

http://instagram.com/kramon_velophoto

Laura Meseguer is a Spanish sports journalist. Her Instagram feed is not necessarily artistic, but it give us a peek into her life which looks like an amazing one to be living!

http://instagram.com/Laura_Meseguer

MMcyclist is a "Cyclist who enjoys photography. Will stop anytime during a ride to snap a shot that I can't pass up." There are some fantastic cycling photos in her feed.

http://instagram.com/mmcyclist

The Omega Pharma - Quick-Step Cycling Team (OPQS) is one of the few cycling teams making good use out of Instagram.

http://instagram.com/opqscyclingteam

Team Sky is also doing a good job with Instagram, but most photos are of Wiggo on the TT bike or Cav doing something outrageous.

http://instagram.com/teamsky

The only purpose of following Tom Boonen's Instagram is to see what a day in the life of Tom Boonen is like.

http://instagram.com/bomtoonen

Chris Benchetler's feed is more about adventure photography, but there's lot of cycling in there.

http://instagram.com/chrisbenchetler

Dan Patitucci is another adventure travel photographer but has lots of excellent cycling photos as well. I'm just not certain how many came out of a camera phone

http://instagram.com/danpatitucci

Tags: Instagram, photography

http://twitter.com/Sumo_21 Chris Riordan

Yep, I’m a massive fan of Instagram too. Although I’m getting a little tired of my Instagram shots looking better than my DSLR + Lightroom shots.
My only tip is to use the ‘Lux’ button (the little icon in the bottom left of the Instagram screen) liberally…unless you’re taking photos of people (it tends to make them look like demons…or poorly shaded tattoos!)
This is me http://instagram.com/sumo_21/
http://twitter.com/dave__anderson Dave Anderson

No Jered Gruber? Madness!
- http://www.happyfamilies.com.au/ Justin Coulson
  
  Dave, Gruber was the first recommendation. Cheers, Justin
- http://www.happyfamilies.com.au/ Justin Coulson
  
  Dave, Gruber was the first recommendation. Cheers, Justin
- http://www.cyclingTipsBlog.com cyclingTips
  
  I had Jered’s up there but forgot to put it in when publishing. Thanks, I just added it.
http://twitter.com/dave__anderson Dave Anderson

No Jered Gruber? Madness!
Dean

Loving instagram to, i am probably guilty of putting my bike in nearly every photo tho http://instagram.com/velocraving
Duncan Mendez

I’m hooked to Instagram too, and guilty of taking too many pics of my breakfast! It’s also a great easy way to upload pics to twitter and facebook.
http:instagram.com/latterider
Anonymous

Tom Boonen is clearly just hanging out with hot chicks and driving fast cars. I dont even know if hes a cyclist or a playboy billionaire.
http://cycling.norbtech.com/ norbs

So many streams are taking photos with a DSLR and applying filters. Drives me bloody mad. :)
- SuperDom
  
  Exactly. Defeats the whole idea: Camphone > Instagram > Done. Have a beer. Hi-res DSLRs should stick to Flickr and the like. But IG is waaaaay more popular.
http://twitter.com/BrianLockhart Brian Lockhart

great list - but where’s CyclingTips in that lineup? :)

http://instagram.com/cyclingtips
- http://www.cyclingTipsBlog.com cyclingTips
  
  Thanks for the plug!
- http://www.cyclingTipsBlog.com cyclingTips
  
  Thanks for the plug!
Laleprestanca

Great list!

Add La Lepre Stanca from Sweden

http://Instagram.com/laleprestanca
Simon

I think Dolophonic is Ben Lieberson, one of the Poms from the US Rapha Continental
Hardo

You’ll love this Wade… http://www.collegehumor.com/video/6853117/look-at-this-instagram-nickelback-parody
- Faz
  
  That was hilarious and so true….
- JBS
  
  Love it!
- JBS
  
  Love it!
- clipperton
  
  if only the “pretentious tome” wasn’t my favourite book i’d say i loved it, but as it was, i hated it.
- http://www.cyclingTipsBlog.com cyclingTips
  
  Gold!
- http://www.cyclingTipsBlog.com cyclingTips
  
  Gold!
- JM
  
  Loved. The best clip since Shit Cyclists Say.
http://instagram.com/musettecyclist musettecyclist

Beyond just cycling photos instagram is great for frame builders and other cycling paraphernalia.
Frame builders: http://instagram.com/kumocycles , http://instagram.com/fireflybicycles , http://instagram.com/icarusframes , http://instagram.com/lundbeckcycles
Paraphernalia: http://instagram.com/northsidewheelers , http://instagram.com/freebirdvelo, http://instagram.com/creuxcycling , http://instagram.com/rotheracycling , http://instagram.com/ilsoigneur , http://instagram.com/busymanbicycles
or check me out http://instagram.com/musettecyclist
Riddos

Great post, also possibly worth mentioning that if you don’t have a smartphone/tablet you can view Instagram pics on a PC using sites like webstagram.
http://twitter.com/t_al Thomas Albrecht

Great list but still not complete without cyclingphotos and igerscycling

http://instagram.com/cyclingphotos
http://instagram.com/igerscycling

And that’s me:
http://instagram.com/t_al
- http://www.cyclingTipsBlog.com cyclingTips
  
  Thanks for the suggestions. Some good ones in there
http://www.fyxomatosis.com fyxomatosis_one

If only instagram was around when I was a globe trotting bike courier….

http://www.instagram.com/fyxo
Felipe

I would also consider:
- giroditalia- rapharacing- fyxo
- gopro (not much cycling related content)
- adamblythe89 (Adam Blythe)
- chrisfroome
- castellicycling
- iwcwatches (Cancellara’s sponsor)
- abovercategory
Damien

I took the time to read your suggestions. You should take the time to follow me.
- http://www.cyclingTipsBlog.com cyclingTips
  
  what’s your username?
- http://www.cyclingTipsBlog.com cyclingTips
  
  what’s your username?
Winkyintheuk

I’m completely over it. Applying some retro-look filter to a crappy photo doesn’t improve it.
Iangmarshall

Also @manualforspeed
Deniz Warraich

http://instagram.com/knightridersracing
Anonymous

If a tree falls in a forest and there’s not someone there to take an arty picture of it using Instagram, did it happen?
- Hardo
  
  It depends on whether the Tree was on STRAVA.
mikehone

Some of my favorites:

My site: http://instagram.com/mikehonehttp://instagram.com/p/LIqVl6qHCo/http://instagram.com/p/LA4JuRqHNe/http://instagram.com/p/LGNucEKHDd/http://instagram.com/p/LIMRE8KHEP/http://instagram.com/p/LFE7UbKHHZ/http://instagram.com/p/LDu1pLqHJT/http://instagram.com/p/Mwx5r0qHO8/
Bracks_ashat

LMAO at Tom Boonen!
Chris D

CT liked one of my photos the other day. Honored. There are some great new instagrammers to follow here. I never though to see if Jered Gruber was on there.
Lee Kaliski

Hi Wade,
Yes Love(D?) instagram also until I saw this today…..bit of a bloody cheek might be putting it mildly. They’re not likely to use any of mine, fair enough, but the principle is more than a bit taking the piss I hink, don’t you?

Cheers,

Lee

http://fstoppers.com/instagram-can-now-sell-your-images-without-your-knowledge
Anonymous

Ah yes, Instagram.. was such a great site and a way to share your photos until… Oops! I don’t own those photos anymore and Zuckerberg can now go ahead and sell them without my knowledge and without me making a penny.. I guess it’s not so great anymore.. I suggest you hurry up and delete your accounts before Jan 16.
- http://www.cyclingTipsBlog.com cyclingTips
  
  I don’t understand this mindset. Instagram created a fantastic service that we all enjoy using. There needs to be a way for it to make money in order for it to exist. Obviously, personal photos should not be posted on a public sharing web service such as Instagram. Why is everyone so upset over this?
  
  Would anyone be willing to pay a subscription to Instagram so they can make money? I certainly wouldn’t, and I’d probably be stoked to see one of my happy snaps appear on an advertisement (credit would be the only thing I’d ask).
  - Anonymous
    
    First you could post your photos to Twitter and have them appear inline. Instagram removed that. I can’t be bothered clicking on that link to open a new tab to see a photo of your breakfast. Now, they want to sell your photos without notice and without remuneration.
    
    It’s a classic Zuckerberg bait and switch.. At the start you owned your photos, do as you wish with them, but after a while, after the service becomes so large and Zuck needs to make more money, he turns you, the client, into cattle. You aren’t a client of Instagram, you are their product. Go on Wade, keep producing the milk, er, your photos, Zuck needs to make back that $750 million.
    There are lots of services out there that will never sell your photos. Flickr is one of them. 500px another.. Google another..
    
    I’m looking forward to the day when Zuckerberg sells one of a Pro rider’s photo to be placed in an ad someplace..
    
    No one is arguing that Instagram shouldn’t make back it’s money. Far from it. I just don’t see why people should agree with being unpaid photogs for Instagram. Here’s a link to help you delete your account and remove all your photos: http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2012/12/how-to-download-your-instagram-photos-and-kill-your-account/
  - Anonymous
    
    First you could post your photos to Twitter and have them appear inline. Instagram removed that. I can’t be bothered clicking on that link to open a new tab to see a photo of your breakfast. Now, they want to sell your photos without notice and without remuneration.
    
    It’s a classic Zuckerberg bait and switch.. At the start you owned your photos, do as you wish with them, but after a while, after the service becomes so large and Zuck needs to make more money, he turns you, the client, into cattle. You aren’t a client of Instagram, you are their product. Go on Wade, keep producing the milk, er, your photos, Zuck needs to make back that $750 million.
    There are lots of services out there that will never sell your photos. Flickr is one of them. 500px another.. Google another..
    
    I’m looking forward to the day when Zuckerberg sells one of a Pro rider’s photo to be placed in an ad someplace..
    
    No one is arguing that Instagram shouldn’t make back it’s money. Far from it. I just don’t see why people should agree with being unpaid photogs for Instagram. Here’s a link to help you delete your account and remove all your photos: http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2012/12/how-to-download-your-instagram-photos-and-kill-your-account/