I ’m not an Instagram hater , but the Meta - own social app is going through a period of change that has turn more than a few people off , me include . In the wake of Instagram ’s alterations , one app has made some promise to photographers and creatives that are too enticing to ignore . It ’s calledFoto , and after months of being in secret beta , it’snow useable to everyoneon Android and iOS .
Here ’s why you should try it out , why I like it , but also why it seriously intimidated me .
What are Foto’s promises?
Instagram is n’t about picture taking anymore . It ’s about societal punch , TV , Reels , influencers , advertizing , and — if my hidden diabetes mellitus are anything to go by — scammers selling fake ticker . It has evolved a lot over time , and lost me when it took “ inspiration ” from apps I do n’t wish to use , like Snapchat and TikTok . Even the social facet where I could quickly connect with friends has assume a backseat , and the algorithm does n’t push them to me much any longer .
I do n’t hate it , I just do n’t really utilise it . But I am aware some changes have prompted some far more splanchnic reactions , notably the switch to a forced 4:5 aspect ratio for everything , and a difficult push for creatives toembrace videopurely for the rice beer of the algorithm . Instagram is a business competing in a take space so changes are inevitable over time , and what was once a weapons platform for stills has become something else , which is n’t for everyone . It means apps like Foto have a chance to derive in and romance the disillusioned .
Foto promise a “ chronological , ad - free , and un - cropped ” feed to post and enjoy photography . It is only for hush , and does n’t put up TV at all . According toa press releaseit ’s also for people who , “ evaluate the big businessman of images to tell stories and bridge deck divides . Unlike other platforms , Foto does n’t emphasize follower tally or likes , reducing the societal comparison that can come with traditional societal media . ”
What’s it like?
Foto is very much the anti - Instagram , but will it be thenextInstagram , at least for some ? By ban most of the features people associate with any societal mesh , can it engage newcomers effectively enough to make them stick around around ? Apps likeBeRealhave assay to do the same , and while it hasapparently found its nicheafter its 15 - proceedings of fame several year ago , it has n’t become the “ next ” anything , but rather itsownthing . After the death of Twitter and the corruption of Instagram , I ’m looking for a new online place . Would I chance it in Foto ?
Foto treat its users like adults
Discovery is interesting . you’re able to look for for a username and filter photos by discipline , but not search for your own interpretation of those keywords . For exercise , you could filter results to see self-propelled photography , but not for photos of a specific sword or vehicle . Another prominent difference you ’ll immediately notice as you surf is a more lenient approach to censorship than Instagram . Photos with nudity are glaze over until you tap on them to reveal the full image . It gives portrait and stunner lensman much more creative freedom , and I think it shows Foto treats its user like adults .
Who uses Foto, and why?
Foto is still a very young platform , so who is already using it , and how do they rank the experience ? I asked wildlife and nature photographerLyndon Llanes , who show his impressive portfolio of work on bothFotoand Instagram , about it .
“ I ’ve been doing photography for two years . I ’m still early on in my journeying but picture taking soothes my soul . It is a passion and hobby for now but maybe it ’ll becomes more , ” he severalise me by email .
“ I like that the app is simpler than Instagram , ” he continued , “ and love that [ the provender ] is chronological . I do n’t feel like my pic and reach rely on an algorithm , and that its for picture taking and still . I did backflips when I recognize I was not force into a vertical craw . ”
But what about the community , and how do people relate compared to Instagram ?
“ The engagement is dissimilar , it ’s more picture taking based , ” LLanes sound out . “ I ’ve also noticed the great unwashed read the photo descriptions , while on Instagram no - one take them . People want to register the level behind the pic , and I dig that . ”
Llanes tell his aim is to build a residential district on Foto , but for now will continue to post to both it and Instagram , saying Instagram makes distinguish and following people easy than Foto at the bit . Interestingly , he order Reddit is his top weapons platform for engagement .
Prepare for intimidation
The other reason is intimidation . Not from a person or residential area , but because of the work that ’s being posted . It ’s almost all fantastic , and is clearly the employment of people who take picture for a living or are very gifted amateurs . I do n’t think I even fall into the second category , andknowI’m definitely not in the first . Even the pic I ’m most happy with look like the work of a toddler aimlessly pressing the shutter button on My First Camera next to the majority of photos I see on Foto .
It means I do n’t find like I can post , say , a big cat pic . Or rather , Icouldpost a cat photo , but it would have to be an utterly stunning , perfectly write , superbly lit , and finely edited kat photo . Again , I ’m aware this feeling is also an overflow from other societal metier apps , where everything has to attend “ perfect , ” and it ’s not really the case . I ’m an adult and do n’t perpetually need affirmation from alien online , but at the same time I do n’t desire to contribute somewhere I feel like a bit of an faker .
An app for everyone?
I wish the restrained , less vivid environment over at Foto compared to Instagram , where I can consider and analyse photos . I also appreciate the chance to make it a personal portfolio , in a style that Instagram once was , and the staring lack of videos moving around to deflect me . Foto ’s advertizement - loose promise means there is a subscription seize if you want advanced features or to support the team , but the free tier seems to be perfectly operable .
Foto co - founder Micheal Howard tell inan early interviewhe did n’t require Foto to be a “ lensman ’s water system cooler , ” and that it was design to be an app for everyone . He did admit the former adopter would credibly be photographers , and this is definitely the case . But perhaps my ( and your ) cat photograph are what ’s needed to bring daily photo enthusiast onboard ?
I ’m going to stick around , and if you ’ve been disillusion by Instagram andTwitter ’s transition into X like I have , then you may want to give it a try too . I’llsee you there .
