How to snap and share photos with Instagram

Android and iOS app Instagram can transform your phone photos into works of art and makes it easy to share them with the world.

Choose your effect and share away!

Recently snapped up by Facebook for a whopping $1bn, Instagram is one of the world’s fastest growing apps with over 50 million downloads, currently increasing by around 5 million a week.

Initially a massive hit on iPhone and iPad and now available for Android devices, Instagram offers a range of cool retro filters to make your mobile phone shots look like they were taken on an old Polaroid camera.

Even better, it then lets you easily share your pics on Facebook, Twitter and a host of other systems. If you haven’t yet given it a try, here’s what you need to do…

1. Get the app

Instagram is free to download and use on both the iPhone and iPad, or on any Android device. Apple users can download it through iTunes here while Android owners can grab it from Google Play.

2. Create an account

As with most services you need to sign up for a free account. This is important as you’ll be giving Instagram permission to post images to your other social networking accounts, like Facebook.

3. Contacts

Instagram will offer to import contacts from your phone, Facebook and Twitter accounts. The idea is to make it easier to share or follow images directly with your friends.

4. Get snapping

With your account created, click the camera icon to easily snap photos. Use the top-right button to switch between front and rear cameras if your phone/tablet has more than one.

5. Add effects

Once you’re happy with a photo click Next and you can apply a host of cool effects to the image. You’ll also be able to add location info and a description.

6. Share away!

You can now share your finished shot with any social networks that you’ve added to Instagram. It’s a quick and easy way of getting your images out to all of your friends.

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