Instagram for iPhone
In the field, journalists need to update their audiences in real time. The best way to update everyone on multiple social networking sites at the same time is through Instagram.
This free app for iPhone (it’s coming “soon” for Android) lets users take a picture, add a filter to make it look artsy, and then upload it to several social networks and Email.
Price
Free for iPhone 
Connect
- Flickr
- Foursquare
- Tumblr
- Posterous
How It Works
This is a simple app to use, but it will take some time to set up. You’ll want to add your username and passwords to each social networking account you want to connect with. In the field, you’ll be able to share your content with those apps with one click. Once it’s ready, operating the app should only take you a few moments.
- Open the app
- Click Share and take a picture
- Choose a filter (optional)
- Press the green checkmark to proceed to the next step
- Add a caption (if you plan to share on Twitter, keep in mind the length of your message)
- Enable or disable geotag* (must be enabled and a location selected if connecting with Foursquare)
- Switch On individual social networks
- Press Done
*Beware: There is a geotagging feature that will show your audience exactly where you uploaded the photo complete with overlay on a map. If you are uploading a photo from home or from a location you want to keep private, make sure you uncheck that option. You can easily turn it on or off for each photo. If will need to be turned on if you want to connect to Foursquare.
In The Field
“Someone stole a plastic baby Jesus from a nativity scene at a strip mall in Fredericksburg, Va. It’s one of those things that happens every year and always gets reaction. In this case, the culprit posted photos of her loot on Facebook. The police arrested the suspect, recovered the blue-eyed figure, and put him back in the manger. I took a picture with my iPhone, and shared it on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, before the photographers were done filming. All my followers knew I got the story. It got a lot of comments and served as a great way to get people to tune in that night to see the entire story unfold.” — Lindsey Mastis, WUSA 9 News, CBS-affiliate in Washington, DC
Filters
If you want more editing and filter options, you can download several other apps. Here’s a few that work well with Instagram: