On Instagram, you’ll have a chaotic time getting tips on how to improve. And the deluge of photos, many of which are generic, make standing out frustrating if you’re a creative person. Fortunately, plenty of Instagram alternatives exist. To take your photography to the next level, consider checking out these five platforms instead. You can use all of these on iOS and Android, and all apart from Vero on desktop.
1. YouPic
YouPic is like a cross between Instagram and Twitter. Similar to Twitter, you can reshare posts you find interesting. You can also drop a heart on those you like, which on the platform is known as favoriting. On YouPic, there are several amateur and professional photographers who can leave comments on your pictures. Beyond that, they can also rate what they thought about the content, creativity, composition, and technique. It’s smart way to gather feedback on your photos and tips on improving your skills. To increase visibility on YouPic, you can use a mixture of hashtags, descriptions, and locations. The basic version of YouPic is free. You can also upgrade to Premium ($19.99 per month/$119.88 annually) or Pro ($49.99 per month/$359.88 annually) for extra benefits like unlimited uploads and boosted exposure. Download YouPic (iPhone) Download YouPic (Android)
2. 500px
500px a growing community of over 16 million users worldwide. You can use the app to display your services, create a portfolio and connect with like-minded creatives. On 500px, you can also advance your skills using a variety of resources. The website showcases tutorials related to various photography aspects, alongside articles and podcasts. When you upload a photo to the platform, users like and comment on your photos. You can also see how many people have viewed your pictures. For new joiners, 500px’s algorithm also boosts images so you can gain feedback. 500px has two membership tiers: Awesome ($6.49 per month/$47.88 annually) and Pro ($12.99 per month/$71.88 annually). You can browse statistics and enjoy unlimited uploads with Awesome, whereas Pro allows you to create a portfolio site and add resources to the Resource Hub. Download 500px (iPhone) Download 500px (Android)
Vero
Vero has three million users and is a multimedia sharing app. The platform prides itself on being free of ads and algorithms, while it also says that it doesn’t use data mining. Also, you’ll find a lot of reputed photographers and other professionals on the platform. On the Vero app, you can share photos taken straight from your camera. You can also share pictures already in your camera roll, along with uploading galleries. You can also choose to share with close friends, followers, and everyone in between. One common complaint that a lot of users have against Instagram is that it compresses the photos. Vero addresses that issue. It displays all the in full resolution and doesn’t compress them. Vero is free to join right now. The cevelopers plan to introduce a subscription-based service later. Download Vero (iPhone) Download Vero (Android)
3. Pinterest
With over 300 million users worldwide, Pinterest is like a virtual pinboard of ideas. It aims to help others seek inspiration and try new things. On Pinterest, you can create new pins and boards to share with others. That way, you can create a portfolio of your photos and also open it up for others to provide you valuable tips and tricks for others. Of course, the community may not be at a larger scale. You will still find a lot of users over there dedicatedly following photography. You can also use the platform to save pins that you find inspiring or photo ideas you want to try. To find new ideas, you can use its search function. One of the platform’s biggest appeals is how it makes a genuine effort to eliminate the negativity associated with Facebook and Instagram. All users must sign a Creator Code, in which they promise not to post harmful content. Pinterest is free for all users. Download Pinterest (iPhone) Download Pinterest (Android)
Flickr
Despite the rise of other photo-sharing platforms, Flickr remains a popular choice with photography veterans. You can use Flickr to share individual photos or create albums. To reach more people on Flickr, you can also post your photos in groups. If you’re looking for specific feedback in a sub-niche, this is especially useful because you’ll guarantee that you get in front of the people you want to. With the free version of Flickr, you can upload a maximum of 1,000 photos. If you want to share more, you can upgrade to Flickr Pro. This costs $5.99 per month, or $49.99 for the whole year if you pay annually. Download Flickr (iPhone) Download Flickr (Android)
Think Outside of Instagram
Instagram can still be a helpful platform for finding photography inspiration. But if you’re looking for feedback, you’ll probably have more luck casting your horizons further. Luckily, there are plenty of places you can connect with other photographers and get helpful advice. Thinking creatively about how you can use mainstream platforms like Twitter is a good idea. That said, photography-specific platforms and apps can give you a focused exposure and feedback on your work. Give these five platforms a try and see which you like the most. Then, dedicate a reasonable amount of time to them. You’ll find that you get better feedback and that you can grow a community of like-minded people. The above article may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. However, it does not affect our editorial integrity. The content remains unbiased and authentic.
