Instagram could soon allow photographers to share ultra-tall vertical photos that fill the screen. CEO Adam Mosseri recently confirmed during a video shared to Twitter that Instagram is testing 9:16 format vertical photos. This could come as good news for photographers who have been complaining that the platform has been getting more and more away from its original focus as of late—photographs.

Instagram’s current crop ratios only allow a 4:5 size image for verticals. The fact that Instagram is testing 9:16 format vertical photos means it could become a fully-fledged feature that would allow users to share photos that are the same size as Reels.

Like Reels, these vertical shots would take up most of a smartphone screen, allowing for larger images. Because Instagram limits a photograph’s resolution, those larger images could be an attractive option for photographers. The format would add yet another size option to the social media platform that was once made up of 1:1 squares.

The update would also bring a Stories-like feel to some of Instagram’s image, since Stories have a similar format in full screen. Photographers could then potentially share the same image in Stories and to the feed.

BREAKING; Instagram will be testing 9:16 vertical photos in the main feed.

Per @mosseri, the thought is that Instagram should probably treat photos and videos with the same aspect ratio. pic.twitter.com/PyjiDdphTl

— Jack Appleby ☕️ (@jappleby) August 6, 2022

The announcement is the result of an Ask Me Anything video Mosseri shared, a reply to the question on if Instagram was building “any cool features for photographers.” The social media platform has recently drawn criticism and complaints about the news feed’s focus on video rather than still photos.

In describing the test for 9:16 photos, Mosseri said “we thought that maybe we should treat both equally,” referring to both photos and video. The Instagram head said that testing is expected to begin one to two weeks.

Testing means some users will begin seeing the option, but doesn’t guarantee that the feature will roll out to all users. For example, Instagram recently ended a test for full-screen feed after users disliked the format and usage dropped.

The full-screen format was another feature imitating TikTok. One photographer recently started a petition asking Instagram to “stop trying to be TikTok,” which has now garnered over 300,000 signatures. The petition asks for Instagram’s algorithm to go back to its roots and focus on photos.

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