Instagram has launched a redesigned Explore tab that adds Stories, topic shortcuts, and direct access to ‘more immersive’ IGTV and Shopping experiences. With the update, Explore now provides users with direct access to Stories, a feature utilized by more than 500 million users daily. Users will now see personalized Stories recommendations in the Explore grid.
Explore recommendations include Stories that are relevant to each user’s interests based on topics they interact with. Users will start seeing these personalized Stories recommendations in Explore in the near future; Instagram says it will be rolling out the addition ‘over the coming weeks.’
Additionally, the redesigned Explore tab features shortcuts in the navigation bar that direct users to topic channels, such as Travel and Art. Users will also now see shortcuts that take them directly to IGTV and ‘Shop,’ the latter of which will produce category filters for specific product types directly in the navigation bar. The IGTV link directs users to the recently updated video home page with a personalized feed of suggested video content.
The redesigned Explore tab is intended to help users find new content they’re interested in viewing, and will likewise help photographers gain exposure to potential new followers interested in the types of content they share.
Earlier this week Instagram announced it will take fact-checking more seriously and remove or reduce the visibility of posts that include misinformation. However, if a post does get removed for misinformation, or any other kind of violation of Instagram terms and conditions, users have now the opportunity to appeal that decision.
A new app interface that is being rolled out starting today will let you get your post reviewed by a second moderator. If they disagree with the original moderator’s decision your post will be reinstated into your profile.
The company also says it will begin blocking vaccine-related hashtag pages when those pages contain a proportion of verifiably false content above a certain threshold. If false information is posted but remains under the threshold, Instagram will reduce visibility by not showing recent posts. The company says now that health agencies like the Center for Disease Control and World Health Organization have confirmed that vaccines do not cause autism in children it is comfortable taking these measures.
Instagram is using the vaccine subject to test this approach. If it is successful the methodology might be applied to other problem topics in the future. The automated system scans new posts and checks them against problematic elements of posts that have previously been banned. Optical character recognition is used to find text in images and the company is working on the same function for video content.
If the system is confident it has identified a violation, the offending post is removed and counted as a strike against any hashtag included. If a hashtag reaches a certain proportion of violating content it will be blocked.
VSCO X subscribers and free users alike will soon have access to a new direct messaging feature simply called Messages.
VSCO announced the feature earlier this week, bringing its app up to speed with Instagram, which has allowed direct messaging for ages. Using VSCO Messages, users can share text, images, DSCOs, profiles, and journal entries directly with other users who follow them. Direct messages can only be sent between followers, and they’re joined by the ability to leave a conversation, block the user, and/or report them if necessary.
VSCO X subscribers are getting access to the feature first, but free users will get Messages in the near future.
Instagram is getting serious about keeping the trolls away from your photos. Earlier today, the company announced that it will be rolling out an enhanced comment filter that uses artificial intelligence to squash rude, spammy, and otherwise inappropriate comments.
The news, along with an in-depth breakdown of how the technology was designed and works, was initially announced on Wired, but you can get the important bits from Instagram’s own blog post.
The tool acts by automatically and intelligently detecting and removing comments it believes are either inappropriate or spam, and hiding them from everyone except the poster him or herself. They have no idea their comment is invisible, but nobody else can see it.
The same goes for the spam filter, which can detect ‘obvious spam in comments’ in a total of 9 languages: English, Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, French, German, Russian, Japanese and Chinese.
If for some reason you don’t want these comments filtered, the intelligent filter can be turned off by clicking on the ‘…’ menu on your profile page and flipping the ‘Hide Offensive Comments’ slider off.
Both tools are powered by machine learning, meaning that, over time, they’ll get better at detecting inappropriate comments and leaving inappropriate seeming (but actually okay) comments alone.
“Our team has been training our systems for some time to recognize certain types of offensive and spammy comments so you never have to see them,” reads the IG announcement. “We believe that using machine learning to build tools to safeguard self-expression is an important step in fostering more inclusive, kinder communities.”
As the algorithms improve, Instagram is promising to make both filters available in more languages. For now, offensive comments will only be filtered in English, but expect ongoing updates.
Following the success of last year’s excellent Hyperlapse app for creating smoothly stabilized time-lapse videos, Instagram has today launched its second ‘special feature app’. Boomerang captures a burst of still images over one second and combines them into a video that plays backwards and forwards continuously, resembling something not unlike an animated GIF. Read more
Last week North Korea started to allow foreigners to use a 3G mobile network from inside its borders. This means that tourists and visiting professionals alike can now tweet and upload instagrams from Pyongyang. However, access to mobile networks is still limited for locals. Two of the most notable Instagrammers in North Korea are Associated Press journalists Jean Lee and David Guttenfelder. Since the change, the journalists have used their accounts to present life inside North Korea. Click through to see their images.
Ever wish your Instagram feed were more tangible? Like, hanging-from-your-window-tangible?
Well, you’ve come to the right place.
This DIY turns your windows into giant, photo-filled lightboxes that showcase your Instagram masterpieces.
Make colorful stained glass inspired windows to brighten up any space.
Gather up those digital files, or pull out that old box of 35mm slides from your grandparent’s attic.
Finally, a digital-analog way to drape your windows with Kodak moments!
Turn Your Windows into Giant Lightboxes
p.s. Attention Android party people – we’re ready for ya! You can *Enroll in Phoneography 101* – our guide to taking primo pics on your phone.
Why it’s cool:
Shiny colorful reflections that change throughout the day? Yes, please.
This funky slide curtain adds interest to any room.
Channel harsh sunlight through all the Kodachrome colors and Instagram filters, and even keep passers-by at bay.
Although, you may actually find a crowd hovering outside your door to look at your photographic treasures.
But hey, can you blame them? They are pretty awesome.
Oh, did we mention these are completely removable and damage-free? Sweet!
Ingredients:
For a digital option: Instagrams printed onto transparencies
For an analog option: 35mm slides, lots of them. See step one for amount.
Archival Slide Sleeves
Scissors
Super Glue
Scotch Tape
Small, removable plastic hooks. We used these 3M Hooks
STEP 1: Measure:
First, measure the space you want to cover with your curtain. For both the digital and analog version of this project, you’ll be working with 8.5″x11″ transparency pages or sleeves.
Each sheet, whether digital or analog, will hold 20 2″x2″ images.
To figure out how many slides/images we were going to need, we did a little math. You can also physically layout the sheets to visualize what this will look like.
The door we covered was 22″ wide, and 62″ high.
We measured that 2 sheets wide would cover the width. It needed 7 sheets down to cover the length. That made 14 sleeves we would need to fill with images. Since each sleeve holds 20 images, our final count was 280 images.
We’re starting with the digital version. If you are working with slides, skip to step 5.
Step 2: Digital Layout:
Use an editing software like Photoshop or Gimp to create a digital layout for your images.
Size your images to 2″ by 2″.
Copy and paste your photos into a new document that is 8.5 x 11″.
Space them out to create a grid that fits 4 images across by 5 images down.
Here’s a video that will help you figure out how to make a grid.
Repeat this step until you have the desired number of pages to cover your window.
Step 3: Digital Prints:
Once your grids are finished, print them out on transparency pages.
You can pick these up at any office supply or art store. Just make sure they are compatible with your printer.
You could also take your files to a local copy shop and have them print on transparency for you.
Either way is fine, just print those bad boys out!
Step 4: Digital Trim:
Sometimes the transparency will have a larger edge on the top and bottom.
If so, trim your pages to have even borders, around a half an inch wide.
Lay them out in the order you want them to be hung.
Now, skip down to step 8.
Step 5: Analog Layout:
Now, layout your sheets on a table.
Make sure the opening where you’ll place your slides in each sheet are either at the top or side of the curtain. If they’re at the bottom, your slides could fall out.
Line them up so that they are all facing the same direction. This will help you keep track of how to glue them together in later steps.
Step 6: Analog Trim:
In this step, you’re going to remove the white label and three hole punch from all of the sheets except the top row.
Take your scissors, and carefully trim as close to the white label as possible.
After you’ve cut one sheet, put it back in its place in the layout and move on to the next one.
TIP: You want to remove the label and holes from each sheet, but leave enough plastic to glue the sheets together.
Step 7: Analog Align:
Again, double check that you are putting your sheets back together in a consistent manner.
You want all the openings to be facing the same direction.
Also make sure the openings are all on the same side of each sheet.
Step 8: Glue:
Start gluing the sheets of one column together.
Take the very top piece, the one with the holes and white label still attached, and place a thin line of glue along the bottom edge.
Carefully line up the sides of the next piece, and glue them together.
Press and hold for 30 seconds.
Repeat this step for the rest of the sheets.
Let the glue fully dry for 10 minutes.
TIP: We found it easiest to glue on column at a time. Start with the left side, and work top to bottom. Then do the same with the right side.
Step 9: Join:
Once the glue has dried, it’s time to join the columns.
Line them up next to each other.
Place a line of glue on the edge of one column, and press the other column in place.
Let it dry for another 10 minutes.
TIP: It may help to temporarily tape them together to make sure they stay aligned while you’re gluing.
Step 10: Fill:
Now the fun part!
Fill up your curtain with all of your amazing slides.
You can make patterns of color, place images chronologically, or make any funky design you want.
You digital creators won’t need this step. Go ahead and skip this step.
Step 11: Place Hooks:
Because we wanted to cover a metal door, we used these clear, removable 3M hooks on the glass.
But you can use any hanging system you wish.
Depending on your space, a curtain rod with rings might work well, or you might decide to tack it in place.
Either way, measure where to place your hooks, and affix them to your wall or window.
Step 12: Hang:
Now you see why we left the holes on the top row, eh?
Place the holes of the top row over your hooks.
Ta-da! Time to kick back and enjoy!
Take it further
Make a small cluster of framed slides for smaller spaces.
These vertical blinds add colored light and move with the breeze.
Make a slide light for a colorful display day or night.
Thanks to Design Sponge for the inspiration!
Related posts:
How To Make Instagrams, Hand-made Exposures on Instant Film! Extra photos for bloggers: 1, 2, 3 Did you know…
Turn Your Photos into Beautiful Glass Etchings! Extra photos for bloggers: 1, 2, 3 Before printers spewed…
Glass Jar Frames Extra photos for bloggers: 1, 2 ~Have a cool photo…
Photo-sharing service Instagram is making headlines for a change to its terms and conditions that appears to allow the sale of users’ images. According to the updated terms of service, Instagram users ‘agree that a business or other entity may pay us to display your username, likeness, photos (along with any associated metadata), and/or actions you take, in connection with paid or sponsored content or promotions, without any compensation to you’. Understandably, some Instagram users are very unhappy, but do they need to be? Click through to read our quick guide to what the new terms and conditions mean for you.
Earlier today Instagram announced that they are changing their Terms of Service effective January 13th 2013.
The most controversial part of the change is outlined below:
“To help us deliver interesting paid or sponsored content or promotions, you agree that a business or other entity may pay us to display your username, likeness, photos (along with any associated metadata), and/or actions you take, in connection with paid or sponsored content or promotions, without any compensation to you.”
Now I have no idea if Instagram actually plans on selling/licensing your photos or not — sometimes the lawyers get a hold of things like this and push the envelope too far with a TOS — but this change seems to go further to me than the typical giving up of rights to your photos for typical social media display purposes.
Facebook’s TOS by contrast reads:
“For content that is covered by intellectual property rights, like photos and videos (IP content), you specifically give us the following permission, subject to your privacy and application settings: you grant us a non-exclusive, transferable, sub-licensable, royalty-free, worldwide license to use any IP content that you post on or in connection with Facebook (IP License). This IP License ends when you delete your IP content or your account unless your content has been shared with others, and they have not deleted it.”
While this appears functionally similar to Instagram’s, Facebook doesn’t actually mention so specifically the idea of selling your content and you getting zero compensation.
Google+’s TOS tends to provide photographers greater protection with a provision that your content there can be used for the “limited purpose of operating, promoting and improving our services, and to develop new ones.” Nothing about selling off your photos to third parties there, folks.
“When you upload or otherwise submit content to our Services, you give Google (and those we work with) a worldwide license to use, host, store, reproduce, modify, create derivative works (such as those resulting from translations, adaptations or other changes we make so that your content works better with our Services), communicate, publish, publicly perform, publicly display and distribute such content. The rights you grant in this license are for the limited purpose of operating, promoting, and improving our Services, and to develop new ones.”
Flickr takes it even one step further actually dedicating a specific blog post to this issue last year titled “At Flickr Your Photos are Always Yours.”
This change today has upset a lot of photographers and content creators. The New York Times takes apart the new TOS here. Blogger Robert Wagner puts his view more succinctly in a blog post titled Goodbye Instagram and f*** you.
Personally speaking, I trust that Google will not sell my photos out from underneath me. I think their TOS is pretty clear about their limited scope of use. I applaud Flickr for taking it one step further with a blog post spelling out that you always own your photos on Flickr. Interestingly enough, even before this announcement I saw my first “I’m leaving you Instagram for Flickr” post this past weekend.
Wired has a post that shows you how to take your photos off of Instagram and delete your account.
Gizmodo seems to take a different view of this situation, calling folks concerned with today’s announcement whiny little babies.
What are your thoughts? Will you continue to use Instagram? Are photographers overreacting here?
My own view is that I think Instagram is pushing it a little too far with this one. I think I’d rather pay them a subscription fee like I pay Flickr than have them out there selling my photos.
Shiny colorful reflections that change throughout the day? Yes, please. 
First, measure the space you want to cover with your curtain. For both the digital and analog version of this project, you’ll be working with 8.5″x11″ transparency pages or sleeves. 
Use an editing software like Photoshop or Gimp to create a digital layout for your images.
Once your grids are finished, print them out on transparency pages. 
Sometimes the transparency will have a larger edge on the top and bottom. 
Now, layout your sheets on a table. 
In this step, you’re going to remove the white label and three hole punch from all of the sheets except the top row.
Again, double check that you are putting your sheets back together in a consistent manner. 
Start gluing the sheets of one column together.
Once the glue has dried, it’s time to join the columns.
Now the fun part!
Because we wanted to cover a metal door, we used these clear, removable 3M hooks on the glass. 
Now you see why we left the holes on the top row, eh?
Instagram’s new AI-powered comment filter tackles trolls and spam
Instagram is getting serious about keeping the trolls away from your photos. Earlier today, the company announced that it will be rolling out an enhanced comment filter that uses artificial intelligence to squash rude, spammy, and otherwise inappropriate comments.
The news, along with an in-depth breakdown of how the technology was designed and works, was initially announced on Wired, but you can get the important bits from Instagram’s own blog post.
The tool acts by automatically and intelligently detecting and removing comments it believes are either inappropriate or spam, and hiding them from everyone except the poster him or herself. They have no idea their comment is invisible, but nobody else can see it.
The same goes for the spam filter, which can detect ‘obvious spam in comments’ in a total of 9 languages: English, Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, French, German, Russian, Japanese and Chinese.
If for some reason you don’t want these comments filtered, the intelligent filter can be turned off by clicking on the ‘…’ menu on your profile page and flipping the ‘Hide Offensive Comments’ slider off.
Both tools are powered by machine learning, meaning that, over time, they’ll get better at detecting inappropriate comments and leaving inappropriate seeming (but actually okay) comments alone.
“Our team has been training our systems for some time to recognize certain types of offensive and spammy comments so you never have to see them,” reads the IG announcement. “We believe that using machine learning to build tools to safeguard self-expression is an important step in fostering more inclusive, kinder communities.”
As the algorithms improve, Instagram is promising to make both filters available in more languages. For now, offensive comments will only be filtered in English, but expect ongoing updates.
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
Posted in Uncategorized