Lizzy Burke
Features Editor
The daily life of a student includes so many activities. From sports games, to art class, to the school musical, there are always moments one wants to capture. As we move forward in the era of technology, we can now share these images in new and creative ways.
Instagram is a social networking app that focuses on sharing pictures. Many students alike enjoy the features of this app, and are able to incorporate it into their lives. “At the high school a lot of people now stop in the hallways or other random locations and say “wait I gotta Instagram this!”, sophomore Noah Hedley said. “It definitely has a notable influence on the students.”
Freshman Devin Selvala is only one of the 15 million Instagram users who upload their pictures, pick an editing effect, and like or comment on other users photos. “Instagram is my favorite app. I love to see what new pictures are shared, any comments on mine – what everyone’s up to,” she said.
The app has had extreme success recently: on April 9, Facebook bought Instagram for a staggering one billion dollars in cash and shares. Chief Executive Officers of Instagram inc. Kevin Systrom and Michel Krieger released the following statement on their website regarding the buy-out: “It’s because of our dedicated and talented team that we’ve gotten this far, and with the support and cross-pollination of ideas and talent at a place like Facebook, we hope to create an even more exciting future for Instagram and Facebook alike.”
Similar to Twitter and Facebook, Instagram is a social networking app that is used to edit pictures. “It lets you enhance them, and share things that you think are cool or random that you feel like posting to show your friends,” junior Julie Newton said.
However, Instagram users have distinguished key differences that set the app apart from other common social networking sites. “Instagram is different because it focuses on picture sharing and nothing else,” Devin said.
Many users commented on the superiority of Instagram because of its simplicity and speed. “It’s like a Twitter for pictures, but it works fast and well and keeps people up to date on things you are doing,” Julie said.
Sophomore Haley Michno agreed. “It’s easier than other apps because you don’t always need to say what you’re doing, you can just show it,” she said.
Instagram has had great success throughout the nation and among students for multiple reasons: the app allows smart phone users to take pictures and apply effects to them to enhance the photos, in addition to having the potential to connect different kinds of people. “It has allowed people with just an iPhone to create edited pictures of the same quality as fancy camera equipment,” Devin said.
Julie had a similar reaction. “I think Instagram has enhanced photography; it’s making it simpler and more people can be better at it than ever before.”
Sophomore Noah Hedley also speculated Instagram’s influence on photography. “It makes more people interested in photography since it’s so easy to use,” he said. “The world of photography might be changed forever!”
Many Instagram users highlight the app’s impressive selection of photo effects in today’s expansive digital photography market. “My favorite features of Instagram are the effects of course,” freshman Michael Joneja said. “I love how you can upload a regular photo of something you come across, and the app’s features can change the whole picture and make it significantly better. It makes the picture look artsy, and people become more interested in your photo.”
Instagram’s success nationwide has allowed a network of users to connect in new ways. “Instagram is great because I can stay in touch with people that don’t live in New Canaan, like my sisters who live in New York City,” Haley said. “It’s easier than a phone call, and I can see what they’re up to.”
Another interesting feature of the app is the growing of celebrity users. Users are able to follow others on Instagram, making pictures easily accessible like the newsfeed feature of Facebook. “I follow celebrities like Cody Simpson, Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga, and Selena Gomez,” Michael said. “I love how they are a part of Instagram so they can share their everyday lives with their fans!”
Although Instagram was only recently launched in 2010 by two Stanford graduates experimenting in mobile photography, its popularity has already inspired an entire culture, referred to as, the “Insta-universe”. One aspect of this culture is centered around the Instagram website, which is structured like a blog. Instagram executives post certain projects for users to complete, such as going out and taking pictures of cherry blossoms. The pictures are then posted on the website in a collection, where they can be liked or commented on by other users.
“No app like Instagram lets you upload pictures on the go, edit the picture the way you like, and share it with your friends and people all around the world,” Michael said. “It’s really centered around connecting. Features like the projects on the website and hash-tags let you see what’s going on.”
Instagram has become one of the top iPhone and Android apps at NCHS, and has affected many students in a big way. “I check my Instagram all the time now,” Haley said. “I’m always waiting for a new picture, a new place, a new perspective. Instagram lets me see the world through someone else’s eyes.”
Photos by Lizzy Burke
