Comments on: Top Instagram Users Receive Red Carpet Treatment at U.S. Open

By: Brandon Magpantay

Brandon Magpantay — Sun, 02 Sep 2012 09:18:00 +0000

“The ad agency behind the campaign, MKG, says that the one day push will help Evian, along with the photographers, build their already significant online presence.”

Yes Evian! I’m really interested in learning more about water!

By: ennuipoet

ennuipoet — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 16:50:00 +0000

Now THAT would piss me off. Kind of makes why you spent the time developing the skills, purchasing equipment and building a clientele when all you really needed was to be the flavor of the moment on a cellphone.

By: Aaron Stanley

Aaron Stanley — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 16:21:00 +0000

I would certainly agree, from the perspective of someone who cares deeply about photography and aesthetics. That said, I’ve done some time designing promotional material for promoters over the years. The common thread that seems to weave each of those individuals or entities together is the fact that they care less (not that they don’t care at all, just care less) about how pretty a design is and more about how many people they can put it in front of. If they can get both of those elements to co-exist, they are thrilled. But if they have to choose only one, it’s scope of influence.

Again, to clarify, I am not disagreeing with you on a personal level. In fact, I totally agree. If it were my company, I’d want great images. I am just stating some of the revelations I have come to discover over the course of 5+ years of designing promotional materials. Rest assured, if Evian is looking to put their product in an advertising publication, or on television, they are not going to hire Instagr.am photographers. However, for reaching millions of people within a matter of seconds, multiple times in a single day? Instagr.am does the trick. Quality images or not.

By: Rob Loud

Rob Loud — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 16:06:00 +0000

You see it more and more with bigger brands tapping Instagrammers to shoot for them. It’s just funny, they seem to get more access than myself…one of four USTA tournament photographers!

By: kchambers182

kchambers182 — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 16:02:00 +0000

What good to a company trying to promote a product is someone with lots of followers who takes mediocre photos?! Obviously quantity of followers is important, but I would think portraying the product/event in the best light (pun sort of intended) would be important as well.

By: Aaron Stanley

Aaron Stanley — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 15:39:00 +0000

If the intention is to promote the event, which in-turn promotes a product, they haven’t missed the mark at all. What good to a company looking to promote a product is someone who takes fantastic images but has an extremely small scope of influence? I think it is safe to say that it is less about photographs and more about ratings, interest and awareness of the event/product. It’s a blatant exploitation of social media at its finest.

By: kchambers182

kchambers182 — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 15:23:00 +0000

Awesome idea, but it seems like MKG missed the mark by focusing on the quantity of followers versus quality of the photos being taken..