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Somebody Is Showing How Instagram Photos Are All Starting To Look The Same And It’s Pretty Freaky
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Did you ever scroll through Instagram photos and get a nagging sense of deja vu? There is a reason why. Insta Repeat is an account dedicated to highlighting the 'visual sameness' of many Instagram pictures, tracking the trending hashtags of influencers who see where the likes are and follow along to the same places, strike the same poses, and take identical nature photos.
An anonymous 27-year-old from Anchorage, Alaska, is the brains behind the Instagram trends account. The filmmaker and artist told Photoshelter that “A purpose of Insta Repeat is to critique originality in media creation through the lens (pun intended) of this one ‘genre’ of Instagram photography accounts.”
Living in Alaska, a vast wilderness where so many 'adventurers' come to explore, she was struck by how the same few places and scenarios kept showing up again and again on her feed of beautiful pictures. “I have noticed it in general on a lot of different platforms and media and have been guilty of it myself for sure,” she told Bored Panda. “Artists and creators fall into patterns. But I think that what is happening on Instagram is more extreme.”
She seems to enjoy the irony behind these aesthetic pictures, often tagged with trendy slogans about 'authenticity' and 'creative living,' when contrasted with almost identical photos of other people claiming much the same things. It turns out that while many people may believe that they are pretty special, they are, knowingly or not, following a generic formula that has been laid out and done countless times before. “I chose the outdoorsy type to focus on because I see it a lot because of where I live but more importantly because I think think the "genre" celebrates a "free" and "authentic" lifestyle that is antithetical to the sameness of all the photos.”
It's certainly a fascinating idea and one that exposes some truths about the influencer 'game' that is being played out. She has attracted some negativity for this, but she says the page is not meant to criticize or belittle anyone. “I am interested in exploring the choice to make an image that has, in essence, already been made.”
“The most amazing thing that has happened since starting the account is people engaging in critical debate on originality and the creation of media. There are some really in-depth discussions going on in the comment threads.”
Scroll down to check them all out for yourself, and let us know what you think in the comments!
More info: Instagram
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Tent Hole
I actually think these ones are awesome. A glimpse of very different scenery.
Feet In Front Of Horseshoe Bend
There must be a long line of people waiting at this place to pose for this pic.
Person Centered Inside An Ice Cave
Standing On Top Of A Car In The Wild
They've even got the same car (more or less) This one is crazy!
Person Centered Inside This Particular Cave
My ex was so proud of his “unique” photograph of himself on a large overhang on the Appalachian. Then a year later we saw at the dmv a plate for hikers with a drawing of a man sitting at the edge of the same cliff, same pose, and I laughed.
Person Centered Rowing In Canoe
Well, in all fairness, it wouldn't be easy to take this photo anywhere else, would it?
Person Alone, Centered, Looking Up In A Slot Canyon
This is Antelope Canyoun in souther Arizona. It's magnificent!
Person Centered In Front Of This Particular Row Of Trees
Standing On A Van In Front Of Aurora Borealis
Forward Facing Medium Shot Windy Hair
This causes me so much irritation just because I hate having my hair in my face.
Red House
Skateboarding Person On Lonely Road
Well, should they be riding on a NOT lonely road? Also it is very hard to snag a skateboarding pic from any other view.
Person Centered In Front Of A Forest
Centered Bridge
These are cool. If you manage to catch right the centre of it oooo this is good. The symmetry becomes mesmerizing.
Person Walking On A Centered Wood Path
Ah, I see I spoke too soon in an early posting. Seems they DID do the centred person on the centred walkway after all. I just knew they couldn't help themselves!
Person Centered On Path In The Woods
Person Centered On A Bridge
Person Running In The Center Of A Lonely Road
Finally they made their escape from the serial road killer who picks up random hitch hikers. Run, people, run be free!
Person Centered In Front Of Waterfall
The second on the top with the black Assassin's Creed pose is Gooseberry Falls, Minnesota.
What about this on? This is all over the place. 55c6e3a3a9...26c00f.jpg
EXACTLY! I was surprised this wasn't on the list.
GOD I HATE THESE.
This one should be first on the list.
We all are inspired by what we see around us so I'm not suprised. And I know if I could one day take beautiful shots like this I'll post in on my instagram and follow the "trend", they are beautifuls pictures.
You could do this with every trend. Style, camera angles, photos in magazines. Not super impressed.
What about this on? This is all over the place. 55c6e3a3a9...26c00f.jpg
EXACTLY! I was surprised this wasn't on the list.
GOD I HATE THESE.
This one should be first on the list.
We all are inspired by what we see around us so I'm not suprised. And I know if I could one day take beautiful shots like this I'll post in on my instagram and follow the "trend", they are beautifuls pictures.
You could do this with every trend. Style, camera angles, photos in magazines. Not super impressed.