Instagram takes a jab at photo-editing mobile apps with nine new and slightly more complicated photo editing tools in its latest update.
The photo-sharing site, whose popularity rests mainly on the fact that it allows users to take and share good-looking photos without going through the rigors of Photoshopping them, takes a strategy shift with the newest Instagram 6.0 app. Instead of snapping a picture, choosing a filter and sharing it with friends, Instagram users can now choose to customize individual filters.
For example, using the Valencia filter can lend an antique faded look to photos, but it can wash out colors in some instances. This time, users can now adjust the strength of the Valencia filter, and all other Instagram filters, to maintain the subtle sepia fade without removing all brightness from the photo.
Aside from adjusting filter strength, the updated app also includes a variety of editing tools that offer more than Photos on iOS but less than a full-blown professional photo editing software like Adobe Photoshop. Instagram now lets users tweak photo brightness, contrast, warmth, saturation, shadows, highlights and sharpness and darken the photo's edges for a vintage feel. Users can also view their photos in before-and-after mode to see what kind of changes they have been making.
"When you go to select a filter, you'll now see a new wrench icon," writes Instagram in a blog post. "Tap it and you'll find a tray of photo editing tools ready for you to explore."
For now, there is no knowing if Instagram's more advanced editing tools will be loved or loathed by Instagram's 200 million users. One group of users are casual snappers who take pictures of whatever comes to their fancy, choose a filter and post to Instagram in a few seconds. Another group takes their photography more seriously and might even give their photos a run on Photoshop before sharing their creations with the rest of the world.
In a media presentation, Instagram chief executive Kevin Systrom believes there is a demand for more advanced editing tools that will allow people more options to be creative with their photos, although the lack of high-quality or affordable all-in-one apps provides a restriction.
"I wish there were apps that are free and do this well but they're either expensive, or $1.99 and not that great. Now instead of using multiple apps to get your photos looking the way you want, you can just come to Instagram," Systrom says.
Currently, there are only two photo editing apps for mobile: the $1.99 Camera+ and Photoshop Express, which can be costly considering its numerous in-app purchases.
The new Instagram app is now available for iOS, Android and Windows Phone.
