How do the affordances of Instagram affect the way photos and videos are being authored, produced and distributed in the network?

Specific styles and filters, framing has become a part of their identity and has affected the way pictures are viewed – to see one with said effect or style outside of the app still incites a link, making the viewer think of Instagram without even having to associate with it.

• Filters
• Vertical selfie vlogs

Instagram has created its own cultural that transcends international boundaries. – people don’t feel the need to promote values and affordances local to their nation, but rather was is more popular on Instagram.
images are used as bait. Draw viewers in on a visual basis, then switch out with a comment/poll etc

In having a culture preferring for shorter comments and not writing an essay in the comments, it eliminates a large chance for condemnation against the app itself, as that larger comments against it (using evidence to back it up), will then be overlooked. Short, sharp, simple is the way to go.

Likes/views = merit/credibility

• YouTube with ‘how to’ People will tend to go to the video with the larger amount of views. (also verification on accounts)

Choosing the best photo of yourself – promotion. Putting yourself out there as a product. You’re not wanting to just share a photo, you’re choosing what will get the most amounts of likes in order to promote yourself as a product, or a brand.

In having the next step after uploading a picture being the choice of choosing a filter, they eliminate choice itself. They’re not providing a setting that allows for filters, they’re specifically asking “you’re picture isn’t complete, so which filter to you want to use? This is our brand, our app, use our filters.”  It’s not an option; it’s the next step after uploading.

Love-heart > thumbs up. In choosing of having a heart it has a greater connotation of emotion and connection. – more meaningful to users. It’s “I love that!” instead of “neat.”