I’ve recently started using Instagram, which is strictly a smartphone only app. Starting off hesitant, I’ve realized it is not as bad as some have made it out to be.

Recently a web profile has become available, but hasn’t taken away from mobile aspect of the app. The Chicago Tribune posted an article on the new features that Instagram has gained in the last month.

“Web profiles are awesome, but the thing that makes Instagram amazing is that it’s mobile. There’s nothing that says you can’t take a photo with a camera, email it to your phone and upload it. But you can’t use your web profile as a way to add photos — you still need to use your smartphone for that. Believe me, that’s not a bad thing.” -Scott Kleinberg, Chicago Tribune

Instagram looks as if it has combined both Facebook and Twitter. Users are able to post pictures of what they are doing accompanied by a small description including hashtags. Easy way to add a visual component to a person’s update on what they’re doing.

A screen shot of a photo I posted on Instagram

The heart button is for another Instagram user to like the photo. The talk bubble allows other users to leave a comment. Interacting with other users is a key element to gaining instafame, according to Tony Bennett is his article about becoming Instafamous.

There are plenty of articles offering tips on how to use Instagram, but until you actually sit down and start to figure it out it will still seem like another social media site that isn’t necessary. I would normally completely agree with that, but there is something alluring about Instagram that I can’t quiet drag myself away from since I started using it. It acts as quick blog update if I don’t have the chance to sit down and write, I can post a picture and a caption of what is going on currently or if I want to capture a moment in time with a picture rather than words.

I have become a Instagram fan that is still working on figuring it out. It is up to the individual to decide on whether or not Instagram is for you.

You can check out my web profile here and follow me on Instagram at: sammarquardt

-Sam