When Instagram first introduced the ability to share multiple photos and videos in a single post, one of the biggest drawbacks was that you could only share square aspect ratio images. Luckily, this is no longer the case!
Instagram recently announced that it was slowly rolling out an update on version 12.0 of the app which will allow users to share both landscape and portrait formats in their slideshow posts!
According to Instagram, now when you upload your photos and videos to a slideshow post, you’ll have the option to share in either landscape or portrait formats, as well as the original square format.
However, all photos and videos in a post must be shared in the same format. In other words, you can’t upload a portrait and landscape photo to the same post.
This is the latest of a few new update to slideshow posts. Earlier in the summer, Instagram added the ability to edit tagged users after you’ve posted. And on the iOS version of the app, you can now save slideshow posts as drafts — a feature that will be coming to Android “soon,” according to Instagram
How to Upload Slideshow Posts as Landscape and Portrait?
Once you’ve selected a photo or video from your photo library, you can choose to share it as a portrait or landscape instead of a square.
Start by tapping the “crop” button to switch the photo from a square to a portrait or landscape.
You can touch the screen to move the photo and adjust how it fits within the frame. Use the grid to help you frame the photo.
Tap “Next” to apply effects or a filter.
Once you share your post, the “lead” photo or video will appear as either a landscape or portrait in your feed. However, in grid view of your profile, photos and videos shared as a portrait or landscape will appear as a center-cropped square.
The Benefits of Sharing Landscape and Portrait Format Posts
While the update certainly gives users more creative flexibility with their slideshow posts, it’s frustrating that Instagram still requires that all photos and videos in your post be cropped the same way.
While Instagram says this limitation is “to keep the experience smooth and consistent,” some are hoping that they reverse this decision in the future.
That being said, the update is definitely an improvement to slideshow posts — one that should hopefully get even more businesses to use the feature!
What do you think of this update? Let us know in the comments!
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