Instagram’s focus so far has been on simplicity and while the company did start building in more features, the focus still remained on the 18 filters built in. Instagram, now owned by Facebook, has been able to build a huge community by leveraging this simplicity. Now it is about to take a step forward by adding in extensive editing controls.
Instagram 6.0, set to roll out over the next few days for both iOS and Android, will let you adjust contrast, saturation, warmth, brightness, highlights, shadows, vignettes and sharpness in all photos. This brings it right in line with some of the more advanced editing applications out there. Tapping the tool brings up a slider that you can use to make adjustments on a 100 point scale. This works across all the variables involved. Additionally, Instagram 6.0 also allows you to adjust filter strength which is something that can come in extremely handy depending on the image involved.
Instagram 6.0 comes at a time when applications like VSCO cam, Snapseed and many others have started eating into its market share due to their granular controls. The advanced controls should go a long way in helping Instagram retain and grow its market share. There’s no word yet on an updated version of the app for Windows Phone users.