Instagram Updates App to Control New Photo Effects and Existing Filters

Instagram announced on Tuesday the addition of sliders that would allow users to control nine new photo effects and the intensity of the existing filters. The update would be initially available to iOS and Android devices.

"People come to Instagram today to post their photos but haven't come back to edit their photos," Instagram CEO Kevin Systrom told Techcrunch. The update would allow users to edit, for free similar to other photo apps such as Camera+ and Photoshop Express.

There was a time when users would immediately upload their photos after taking them. More serious users would tweak the pictures using their PCs or some other third-party editing apps that could improve the quality of the pictures. Instagram wanted to eliminate third-party editing and promote direct editing through the service.

"There's an appetite for more advanced tools to let people be more creative on top of their photos, but either they're expensive or $1.99 and not that great. Now instead of using multiple apps to get your photos looking the way you want, you can just come to Instagram," Systrom stated.

The new editing options allow users adjust the filter strength, crop and straighten photos simultaneously, adjust brightness and contrast, shift to warmer hues and adjust saturation. Adding highlights and shadows on some areas of the photos, as well as sharpening quality was also included on the update.

After the edit, users can preview a "before" and "after" of the photo.

Systrom added that the company decided to include adjustable filters on the service after seeing a trend wherein users prefer more subtle filtering.

Instagram shifted its focus to photography as it feels secured with its current network of 200 million users. Systrom remained confident that the update would further enhance user engagement on the site.

"Inspiring creativity is incredibly important to us-and as the Instagram community grows, we've been excited to hear requests for more ways to creatively take hold of how your photos look and feel," stated in the blog post of the announcement.

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