Why Does Instagram Change the Color of Photos?

Have you ever been frustrated that Instagram changes the color of your photos after uploading them? It can be disheartening to spend time editing and perfecting a picture only to have it appear differently on Instagram. . But why does this happen?

In this article, we will explore the reasons behind Instagram’s color of photos changes and provide practical solutions to prevent this issue in the future.

One of the main reasons why Instagram changes your photos’ color is its built-in image compression algorithm. As one of the largest social media platforms, Instagram handles an enormous amount of data daily. With millions of posts uploaded each day, it becomes necessary for Instagram to compress and encode images to reduce their file size and optimize storage efficiency.

This compression algorithm is designed to ensure that images take up less space on Instagram’s data centers. However, as a result, the quality and color patterns of the images may be compromised. The algorithm works by customizing the data and pixels in your photos, which can lead to changes in color. Another factor that can change the color of photos on Instagram is using different color profiles. By default, Instagram uses the sRGB color profile. If you upload an image that was created using a different color profile, the platform may struggle to accurately display the colors. Instagram has specific requirements for image resolution and file format. The native resolution is 1080×1080 pixels, and the recommended format is JPEG. If you upload an image with a different resolution or format, Instagram will have to convert it using its compression algorithm, which can result in changes to the color and quality of your photo.

• Use Your Phone’s Native Camera

Instead of using Instagram’s camera feature, consider using your phone’s native camera app to capture your photos. Instagram’s camera applies filters and compresses the images during uploading, which can result in color changes. Using your phone’s native camera, you can retain the original colors of your photos.

• Utilize Lightroom for Image Compression

To prevent Instagram from changing the color of your uploaded photos, you can use the Lightroom app to compress the image before uploading it. Lightroom allows you to set the custom color space to sRGB, which aligns with Instagram’s requirements. By compressing the image using Lightroom, you can maintain the quality of the colors in photos.

To compress an image using Lightroom, follow these steps:

1. Launch the Lightroom app on your Android or iOS device and log in to your Instagram account.
2. Tap the “Import” icon and select the photo you want to upload.
3. Edit the photo as desired, ensuring the color space is set to sRGB.
4. Export the photo as a JPEG file with a resolution of 1080 pixels on the long side.
5. Save the file on your device and upload it to Instagram to check if the color remains unchanged.

When uploading photos to Instagram, having a stable internet connection is crucial. An unstable connection can restrict encoding and decoding patterns, resulting in compressed files and altered colors. Ensure you have a stable Wi-Fi connection, or consider using a 4G network to upload your photos.

• Consider Monotone or Black and White

As mentioned, Instagram tends to remove excess color from photos to make them appear more balanced on lower-end smartphones or to align with its color profile. You can experiment with monotone or black-and-white images to prevent your photos from appearing drastically different. These styles require less processing power and are less likely to be affected by Instagram’s compression algorithm.