From Pinterest to Tumblr to Foodily, social media has blossomed beyond Facebook and Twitter. All the sharing, liking and posting can get exhausting at times. Maintaining your online presence has become a job in itself. And there are even sites like Klout that let you know if you’re standard of influence is up to par.
Though I'm hesitant to admit it, I am as plugged in as the next person. I faithfully scour my Facebook newsfeed each morning, doling out a handful of likes and comments before deciding on the day’s Tumblr post. But my latest love is Instagram.
I’ve always been a photography junkie - even before I was the proud owner of a Nikon D5000 SLR. Back in the day, I’d take my point-and-shoot Canon out to the family garden and attempt to produce stunning close-ups of sunflowers and butterflies – mostly unsuccessful without the aid of a macro lens.
But, as the author of more than 140 Instagrams, I’m slightly embarrassed to say I’ve stumbled into the iPhone photography trap. I say trap, because it’s easy to fall for Instagram’s filters and frames, which make an ordinary shot look stunning.
And, like the next person, I’m always curious as to which pictures will secure the most likes. There is something satisfying about seeing that little orange box pop up when you open the app, indicating a follower is a fan of your photographic eye.
Well, according to ReadWriteWeb.com, a new website called Statigram makes it easier to predict what garners the most attention and when. By analyzing your Instagram history, Statigram shows you which of your photos are the most popular, what filters have the most impact and who your biggest fans are. It also analyzes when, during the week, you tend to post, and suggests times that are optimal for community interaction.
Yes, it seems almost silly to call a few clicks of a button “community interaction.” And with reportssuggesting that social media has a profound effect on our mental well-being, I’m hesitant to add yet another website to my roster. But, for all its faults, social media keeps me connected to people across the globe, brings me news I might otherwise miss, and peppers my day with beautiful snapshots of our world - reminding me we’re all in this together.
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