• archive
  • blog
  • publications
  • store
  • about
  • contact
  • newsletter
  • Menu

aows

  • archive
  • blog
  • publications
  • store
  • about
  • contact
  • newsletter

Why I add white borders to the images I share on social media

January 17, 2025 in journal

This is an excerpt from my eBook Creative B&W Editing in Lightroom:

"If you follow me on social media, you may have noticed that I add white borders to the images I share there. The idea behind these borders is to maintain a consistent perception of the images across various platforms and viewing conditions.

I have very little control over how my images are displayed on platforms I don’t own. With the relatively recent introduction of a dark mode (night mode) on mobile devices and apps, the same photograph can now be presented against a white background during the day and a dark one at night, effectively altering the perceived tonality of the image.

By adding borders to my photographs, I can have at least some control over how the viewers will perceive the tonality, regardless of how the platform decides to present my work.

On the platforms I fully control —and that is, my website—, I publish my images without borders while still ensuring a consistent experience."

--

Sadly, Instagram is rolling out a change to the way it displays profile grids, so I might have to tweak my approach a little. But this change further proves the importance of controlling how your imagery is presented.

I believe these little details matter a lot, as they can significantly change how a photograph is perceived.

Tags: instagram, social media, website, photography
Prev / Next
Featured
May 5, 2025
The first days are the hardest
May 5, 2025
May 5, 2025
Apr 22, 2025
Goodbye, SF
Apr 22, 2025
Apr 22, 2025
Apr 15, 2025
How wide is *too* wide?
Apr 15, 2025
Apr 15, 2025
Mar 28, 2025
Roads of Scotland
Mar 28, 2025
Mar 28, 2025
Mar 27, 2025
Obsessed
Mar 27, 2025
Mar 27, 2025
Mar 26, 2025
6 unexpected ways more megapixels help my photography
Mar 26, 2025
Mar 26, 2025
Mar 25, 2025
On Fuji cameras, dials, and the lost art of consistency
Mar 25, 2025
Mar 25, 2025