The free photography app Instagram launched in October 2010, adding a million users in a few months . Less than two years later, this app that applies vintage filters to photos -- available on iPhone, iPads and Android phones -- counts over 30 million users, was bought by Facebook for a staggering $1 billion, and has changed the way people capture and display what they see around us.
The W New York - Times Square is teaming up with Instagram NYC during Internet Week to exhibit photos from six of New York City's most popular Instagram shooters, taking their photos off the screen and on to the walls of the hotel. The exhibit will also feature photos taken by Instagrammers around the world, curated with the #WDESIGN hashtag.
"What makes this exhibit so unique is the ability to bring what has quickly become one of the most popular online photo sharing tools offline and into our Living Room while keeping each instagramed photo true to its online form.” said Jim McPartlin, general manager of the hotel.
Brian Difeo, creator of the Instagram NYC group and known on the site as @bridif, said he's happy to work with the hotel to "dispel the myth that Instagram is just a simple cell phone app that makes photos look vintage."
“The truth is, there are immensely talented photographers producing incredible work on the application."
The exhibit's diverse photographers were selected based on their number of followers, as well as their own commitment to the turning every day images into works of art through the app. They're a mix of amateur and professional photographers, and some of the pros, used to lugging around heavy SLR cameras and equipment, admit now to an early resistance to the app.
"I was snobby with my 'craft,'" says John de Guzman (@johndeguzman.) "It wasn't until I started getting to know how talented and interesting the IG community that it really clicked."
The W New York -Times Square is at 1567 Broadway, on the corner of West 47th. The exhibit runs through the end of June.
