World Glasses [54]I'm an Instagrammer, or IGer for short.
I don't know why, but I was resistant at first. With Facebook already existing, what's the fun in sharing photos with strangers amidst a flood of selfies? Yet, I've now reached the two-year mark since posting my first photo on Instagram. I've uploaded over 1,600 photos. Now, I have to admit I'm a die-hard fan of Instagram, an "IGer" (short for Instagrammer, pronounced "I-ger").
I started it by chance one day, and as I used it, I noticed it has many features other social media lack. It's fun not knowing what photos will appear on my timeline. The app's algorithm keeps feeding me photos it thinks I'll like.
Guess what food photo has been posted the most? That food, tagged with over 20 million hashtags? Pizza! Most photos people upload are uniquely different. A massive wave of pizza photos surges through Instagram. The accumulation of billions of photos posted by 600 million users reflects our digitally connected world like a kaleidoscope.
I compose the shot, crop out the unnecessary, and craft an intriguing photo. My skills as an IGer have steadily improved. I've gained opportunities to explore new realms of design and learned the power of using words sparingly (training myself to complete a story with just under 100 words or a few hashtags).
Posted photos mimic life. There are the shameless show-offs who meticulously curate their material, strike posed shots, and overuse filters and retouching. Then there are the purists who dislike filters, preferring to show things as they are, raw and unfiltered. Users vary. Which reality are you living in? Well, that's up to you. If you're unsure, just let the algorithm help you.
A sudden thought strikes me: Can people truly understand and gain perspective on the real world just by endlessly viewing what they like or what algorithms recommend? Aren't we just chasing after things and people we already approve of? Wouldn't it be better to actively engage with things we dislike too, broadening our view and fostering personal growth? The questions deepen. I hope you'll ponder your own answer. In the meantime, I'll be posting new photos on Instagram. After all, I'm an IGer.
(Supervised by Dentsu Inc. Global Business Center)
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Szu H. Lee
Dentsu Inc. LHS (Kuala Lumpur)
After earning a Master of Laws degree, I served as a brand management executive, copywriter, and creative director. Following stints at several US-based and US-Japanese joint venture advertising agencies, I co-founded a brand consulting firm with a partner in 2013. In 2016, the firm became part of Dentsu Inc. Aegis Network, leading to the creation of Dentsu LHS, where I currently serve. I'm a die-hard aviation enthusiast. I travel the world seeking inspiration (search @theszumeister on Instagram to see my work—you'll quickly realize Szu is an aviation and travel geek).