{"id":21497,"date":"2018-02-22T11:19:26","date_gmt":"2018-02-22T11:19:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fifteen-staging.fifteen.dev\/blog\/classic-or-craze-instagram-cliches-we-hate-and-are-guilty-of\/"},"modified":"2024-10-10T15:14:25","modified_gmt":"2024-10-10T14:14:25","slug":"classic-or-craze-instagram-cliches-we-hate-and-are-guilty-of","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fifteendesign.co.uk\/blog\/classic-or-craze-instagram-cliches-we-hate-and-are-guilty-of\/","title":{"rendered":"Classic or Craze \u2013 Instagram Cliches We Hate (And are Guilty of)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Instagram turns eight in October and with a hundred million active users for each year of its life; no-one can argue the immense success of the channel. More astonishing, 95 million posts are shared every single day, all competing for that perfect \u2018Insta shot\u2019. Value is placed on engagement with these images \u2013 in the form of likes, shares and comments. Then, every now and again a trend is born, where someone strikes social media gold and gets it just right. The trouble is, everyone is striving for an identical ideal, meaning the content can become a little repetitive and predictable. These are Instagram cliches.<\/p>\n

We have spoken before about social media bubbles<\/a> and echo chambers where built-in algorithms and mainstream media lead to limitations of the content that is both created and in turn that we are shown. As a brand, business or even a personal profile it\u2019s hard to decide whether value and exposure lay in going along with the crowd by creating trend led content. Or by breaking away from the dominant style and putting something out there, that\u2019s fresh and unique. Of course, the ultimate goal would to be a trendsetter yourself \u2013 followed by a myriad of imitations, eventually becoming the original in a line of viral posts.<\/p>\n

With a personal profile, this choice is less threatening to your success as you aren\u2019t looking to sell products or services. The pressure is still real though, to be shown approval and fit in with the congregation. For young people, it\u2019s even an expectation of being \u2018normal\u2019; it\u2019s just what you do.<\/p>\n

Did you eat out this weekend? Really? You didn\u2019t Instagram it.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

This desperate seeking of ratification can get out of hand. Something we have discussed in an earlier post which addresses the importance of educating our children in social media<\/a> and its safe use. This article though has an altogether less serious tone, so let\u2019s take a humorous view of Instagram and its most popular types of the image posted.<\/p>\n

The Circle of Feet Shot<\/h2>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>Usually posted when hanging out with a large circle of friends\u2026 excuse the comparison. On a sandy beach, at a muddy festival, or even just your mums carpet with matching novelty socks. I think the aim here is to appear \u2018arty\u2019 and like you have a sizeable entourage. Though some people may just assume you and your friends have ugly faces.<\/p>\n

\"Instagram<\/a><\/p>\n

@marlayj | @jaibee900 | @bank_xavi<\/p>\n

Follow Me<\/h2>\n

Russian photographer and his wife Nataly created the \u2018Follow Me To\u2019<\/a> photography series in 2012. Inspiring, sharp and beautiful shots of numerous gorgeous locations. Thus, have been named the couple as top travel influencers. They made it big time, going viral with their breath-taking scenes of Nataly leading her partner to amazing locations around the world. Staged and dressed as they may be, the posts are visually stunning and have led to a mass of impersonation pictures appearing on Instagram. Right now (and more when you read this) there are 387,907,000\u00a0posts which have the hashtag #followme on there, most being reproductions of Osmann\u2019s work. Whether mocking the popularity of the photos or as a sign of admiration \u2013 these are everywhere. Although your tipsy girlfriend dragging you down the Magaluf strip doesn\u2019t quite have the same effect.<\/p>\n

\"Instagram<\/a><\/p>\n

@havepumpwilltrave l @muradosmann | @geetakhona<\/p>\n

Food Glorious Food<\/h2>\n

2017 was the year of the pizza according to a study of 100,000 Instagram images by Photoworld.com. But this is just a slice of the #foodporn pie, with every meal imaginable being snapped and posted on the channel. The most Instagrammed foods around the world<\/a> include sushi, steak and bacon. There are regional variations too, with London being the top city for burger pics and pulled pork. Whereas Germany does not surprisingly take the biscuit for currywurst.<\/p>\n

Food photography is an art in itself, but it seems everyone\u2019s a \u2018pro\u2019 now when it comes to documenting their favourite dish. Respected website sites like Elle<\/a> , The Independent<\/a> and BBC Good Food<\/a> offer their top tips on creating Insta worthy food shots. The usual points are present \u2013 good lighting, composition and of course a delicious looking subject. However, a current craze (well, it\u2019s been around for a while now, but it\u2019s not budging) is to take your picture from above. Yes, this has led to many an individual took to standing on their stools for the perfect shot. I imagine there have been plenty of food Instagramming accidents too!<\/p>\n

Decorative crockery? Check. Nice work surface? Check. Latte art. (Serious Insta points for this one) Double check. And oh, better if you manage to make it symmetrical too!<\/p>\n

\"Instagram<\/a><\/p>\n

@jaibee900 | @symmetrybreakfast | @katbalm<\/p>\n

Hot dog legs<\/h2>\n

There are over 42 thousand posts with the hashtag #hotdoglegs that exist on Instagram at this moment (again, this increases every day). Coming about presumably from illustrating the point of view of the photographer while relaxing, most commonly sunbathing. A desire to make others jealous (what else is new) of their location or activity. Usually, an idyllic beach setting, the knees and thighs of the shooter resemble that of hot dog sausages.<\/p>\n

Now hot dog leg mania hit big time back in 2013 when shiny, tanned legs (or are they sausages?) we\u2019re being dished out all over the social platform. The trend took a whole other turn when people began creating parodies, substituting real-life legs for actual hot dogs. This got everyone guessing, which was great for engagement. Hot dogs? Legs? So. Much. Fun.<\/p>\n

\"instagram<\/a><\/p>\n

@lotteklomp | @nolwenn_creme | @carolinethesmall<\/p>\n

\u2018Sleeping\u2019 Selfies<\/h2>\n

The above instances have all been interesting to the viewer \u2013 even if only vaguely. The difference with this one, why are we bothered? This fad reared (or perhaps rested) its head a few years ago now, with many a celebrity snapping their \u2018snoozes\u2019. Beyonc\u00e9, Kendall Jenner and Anna Kendrick all contributing to the wave. Quite naturally, a selfie, where the person relaxes their head, closes their eyes and captures their forty winks.<\/p>\n

Some even go as far as to pretending someone caught them in the act, so the phrase \u2018Bae caught me sleeping\u2019 was born. Unlike Beyonc\u00e9, the average Joe doesn\u2019t have a publicist (or more probably a personal photographer) on hand who can advise them on their photo before posting. They would also spot the unfortunate circumstance of \u2018Bae didn\u2019t catch me sleeping, as I don\u2019t even have a girlfriend, and took this photo myself \u2013 look that\u2019s me in the mirror\u2019. Spawning hilarious memes and mocks alongside the \u2018serious\u2019 sleepers of Instagram.<\/p>\n

I find these photos infuriating, and I am not alone \u2013 Hattie Gladwell of The Metro<\/a> was so annoyed by these pictures she wrote a whole article about it.<\/p>\n

\"instagram<\/a><\/p>\n

@almuqaatila13 | @snowbcooks | @kardavis<\/p>\n

Instagram has become an integrated and integral part of a lot of people\u2019s digital social lives. So, will no doubt continue to develop its visual trends and set standards for you to aspire to on your social sharing. Fear is that we may turn into a nation of \u2018basic bitches\u2019 (or bros!), with no unique experiences or insights to share. We do have individual intrigues, of course, just expectations associated with social sharing cause us to judge our own reality as inferior. What I find fascinating though, is that these clich\u00e9s are becoming an art in themselves. Imagine the collection \u2013 enough to rival any serious culture exploring the exhibition.<\/p>\n

My examples are just a few of the crazes to hit the platform since its launch and gain in popularity. I haven\u2019t even mentioned the typical \u2018out of the aeroplane window\u2019, humorous coffee shop, motivational tube stop signs, workout mirror selfies and oh good lord CATS. Don\u2019t get me started on the hashtags and buzzwords attached to these posts\u2026 are our oral skills regressing with every perfectly hipster smashed avocado? Watch this space.<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Instagram turns eight in October and with a hundred million active users for each year of its life; no-one can argue the immense success of the channel. More astonishing, 95 million posts are shared every single day, all competing for that perfect \u2018Insta shot\u2019. Value is placed on engagement with these images \u2013 in the […]","protected":false},"author":84,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-21497","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nClassic or Craze \u2013 Instagram Cliches We Hate<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Try not to look at these unwanted Instagram cliches we've painstakingly listed. 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