Everyone is entitled to their own opinion.
What I don't agree is taking photos of every of meal you eat, random clouds in the sky, feets in sand or grass, shots with no compositional value whatsover and slapping the early bird filter... Followed by the comment "I'm an amazing photographer"
I do use instagram and I do take those random shots for fun but some people are too obsessed with how good their instagram pics that they lose themselves to it.

Photography is an art, it's a way to convey a message. When the message is a poorly taken photo of your breakfast with an early bird filter, to me that's not photography. Like how Art is subjective to different people,that's not art to me. I'm not saying its wrong, it's just not something you will brag about to show "you're a photographer".

PS: Regulars here do take good photos occasionally. At least some of them really know what they're doing. It's just gear talk is a lot more "conversational".

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion.
What I don't agree is taking photos of every of meal you eat, random clouds in the sky, feets in sand or grass, shots with no compositional value whatsover and slapping the early bird filter... Followed by the comment "I'm an amazing photographer"
I do use instagram and I do take those random shots for fun but some people are too obsessed with how good their instagram pics that they lose themselves to it.

Photography is an art, it's a way to convey a message. When the message is a poorly taken photo of your breakfast with an early bird filter, to me that's not photography. Like how Art is subjective to different people,that's not art to me. I'm not saying its wrong, it's just not something you will brag about to show "you're a photographer".

PS: Regulars here do take good photos occasionally. At least some of them really know what they're doing. It's just gear talk is a lot more "conversational".

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Added on November 10, 2012, 4:52 am
Again take note that I'm not against people who use instagram. I'm just against those who take horrible pics, slap a filter and call themselves photographers.

Most if not all reputable photography competition will ban instagram images with filters.
Heck, try submitting those photos to professional photography associations and they will roll down on the floor and laugh at you.
So it's not me who's judging them but big names in this industry. The day someone wins a Pulitzer with an instagram photo will be the day I recognize these "instagraphers/iPhongraphy".

Long story short
1. Instagram takes snapshot not art generally. However, it can still take something of real artistic value in rare occasions
2. People who use instagram to take horrible photos then slap a filter of it is hardly photography. If it is, it's probably near the lowest point.
3. I don't care how they express themselves. But they are not photographers if all they use is instagram to take horrible pics with their phone.

It's a social photography platform. You choose who you want to follow and therefore you choose what you see in your news feed. I guess you aren't following the right people if the Instagram photos that you see annoy you. Photography should be ubiquitous, to document a certain moment. Instagram excels in that aspect very well. I honestly can't thank Instagram enough because every now and then whenever I scroll back to my older feeds I think to myself "Hey, I went to all these places before?" & "Whoa, I wish I was still at this place enjoying the moment/food/etc". Most of which would not get documented if it weren't because of Instagram. Of course, I do agree with you that the majority of the users take poor photos. But it applies to even DSLR users, who call themselves pro just because they own a DSLR.

Photography is an art, but photography holds a stronger value than that which is the power of documentation. Your comment on how Instagram users take poor photos is very vague in my opinion. It basically applies to all photographers not only Instagram users. 

It's a social photography platform. You choose who you want to follow and therefore you choose what you see in your news feed. I guess you aren't following the right people if the Instagram photos that you see annoy you. Photography should be ubiquitous, to document a certain moment. Instagram excels in that aspect very well. I honestly can't thank Instagram enough because every now and then whenever I scroll back to my older feeds I think to myself "Hey, I went to all these places before?" & "Whoa, I wish I was still at this place enjoying the moment/food/etc". Most of which would not get documented if it weren't because of Instagram. Of course, I do agree with you that the majority of the users take poor photos. But it applies to even DSLR users, who call themselves pro just because they own a DSLR.

Photography is an art, but photography holds a stronger value than that which is the power of documentation. Your comment on how Instagram users take poor photos is very vague in my opinion. It basically applies to all photographers not only Instagram users. 

That means i'm a photographer? yay.. to people who waste their money to learn be a photographer, suck that..cause now i'm a photographer and i don't need a camera only by using instagram..

Sorry..I'm just trolling

Instagram is nay.

That means i'm a photographer? yay.. to people who waste their money to learn be a photographer, suck that..cause now i'm a photographer and i don't need a camera only by using instagram..

Sorry..I'm just trolling

Instagram is nay.

You take photos, no matter how bad, you are a photographer. Not a problem one but a noob. Still, a photographer nonetheless.

Ermm...Sorry if offend any of u but i thought i have stated that i'm just trolling.. I get your point but i couldn't resist to troll  .. i just wanna answer this thread for me instagram is nay..

That's all.

You snap photo, if you are not a photographer, then you are what? As long you take camera and taken photo, don't care the output was great or suck, you are a photographer.

They is different on Professional Photographer v/s Photographer. Anyone snap photo is call photographer, but a photographer not means you are a professional photographer.

Using instagram also need camera for snapping photo. (Unless you only pic user photos and modified it, this was not the instagram suppose be).
Definitely agree! You taken photo, you are a photographer.

Actually, instagram to me is just a new form of photography.

Instagram is a new form of photography.

Instagram = applying filters = nothing new.

You guys ever heard of Lomography? It's nothing new, Instragram just allows you to apply filters Lomo style.

so what's new about it?

For the most part, Instagram just make people think they take awesome photos ......... of course la, apply filter also any random nonsense also suddenly become art. LOL.

Instagram is a new form of photography.

I disagree.

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Definitions aside.
One cannot call themselves a painter after painting a horrible picture once in their pre-school.
One cannot call themselves a chef or a cook if they can only cook instant noodles even if they own expensive cooking utensils.

As such, one cannot call themselves a photographer just because they've instagram on their smart phones.
They're not photographers, they're smart phone owners, they're instagram users.