This year, Instagram became available for Android users and thus, blew up in a way no one expected, affecting pop culture and photography trends alike. The attitude of the average consumer towards photography as an industry has changed forever -- both the art form and the industry seem far more accessible than they once.
This has allowed virtually anyone with the right app and a cool camera to create content with artistic value. To make this easier for everyone, some companies have even developed attachments, like the smartphone Polaroid add-ons, complete camera iPhone additions and phone photography handles, ensuring you don't have to buy an expensive, fancy camera to feel like a hardcore artiste.
If the world of tech and photography is one that interests you, browse our microtrends for inspiration; if you're looking for something more in-depth, perhaps our Photography Trend Report will give you the insight you need.
Top 100 Photography Trends of 2012
100
Exploding Pregnancy Photography
Patrice Laroche and Sandra Denis Explain Birth Through Humor
99
Rebellious Party Photography
Daniel Schreiber Snaps Documentary-Like Photos of Rebellious Partying
98
Underwater Dog Photography
Seth Casteel Captures Adorable and Frightening Pets Swimming
97
Storm Preparation Photography
Prepare for Hurricane Sandy with New York Precautionary Measures
96
Vertigo-Inducing Photography
Photographer Dennis Maitland Isn't Afraid of Heights
95
Controversially Untouched Olympic Photography
The Joe Klamar Olympic Photographs Cause Outrage
94
Accessorized Kitty Captures
Snoopy the Cat Photos are Adorable and Addictive
93
Flying Baby Photography
Rachel Hulin Mysteriously Captures Little Henry in Mid-Air
92
Textured Underwater Portraits
Fish Heads by Tim Tadder Captures Submerged Individuals
91
Instagram Storm Blogs
The Hurricane Sandy Instacane Website Posts As-It-Happens Photos
90
Everyday Superhero Captures
These Chow Kar Hoo Photographs Show Good Samaritans
89
Social Network Photo-Sharing Devices
The Instagram Socialmatic Camera is a Must-See Gadget
88
Wearable Paint Photography
Iain Crawford Captures Models Wearing Clothes Made of Paint
87
Storm Destruction Photography
These Beginner Hurricane Sandy Photos Are Devastating
86
Photoshopped Athletic Attacks
The Shark Olympics Series is Dangerously Competitive
85
Instagram Throw Pillows
'Stitchtagram' Creates Handmade Memories
84
Personified Japanese Cartoons
Anastasiya Shpagina Becomes a Real-Life Anime Doll in This Series
83
Sports Extremist Action Shots
The Go Pro Hd Hero 3 Captures the Impossible Photos and Videos
82
Peculiar Painting-Like Photos
Photographer Nicholas Scarpinato Captures Dreamlike Scenes
81
Camera Selection Infographics
The 'What Type of Camera Should I Get' Chart is Realistic
80
Fake Hurricane Features
The Fake Hurricane Sandy Photos are Trolling the Internet
79
Bite-Sized Olympian Diets
The 'Meals of Athletes at the Olympics' Photo Series is a Mouthful
78
Romantic Couture Editorials
The Joanna Kustra Misty Dream is Beautifully Unrefined
77
Monochromatic Hobo Captures
The Photographic Portraits by Leff Jeffries are Powerful
76
Candid Presidential Photography
Barack Obama by Terry Richardson is Revealed After Win
75
Dream-Inspired Captures (UPDATE)
The Martin Stranka Captures Blend Fantasy and Reality
74
Satellite Storm Snapshots
NASA Helps to Capture Monstrous Hurricane Sandy Pictures
73
Surreal Scenario Photography
Tim Walker Story Teller Showcases Imaginative Settings
72
Smeared Aerial Photography
Matt Molloy’s Sky Photography Shows Beauty Through Haziness
71
Vintage Oriental Artwork
Don Hong-Oai Echoes the Traditional Asian Art
70
Olympic Robo Cams
The Associated Press’ Robotic Olympic Cameras Capture Everything
69
Color Explosion Photography
Ian Sailer Uses a Pellet Rifle and a High-Speed Camera to Make Art
68
Virtually Magnified Photos
The David Copithorne ‘3D Geometric Photography' Set Distort
67
Fake Muscle Captures
The Kurt Stallaert 'Bodybuilders World' Collection is Macho
66
Social Snapshot Sunglasses
You'll Never Miss a Moment With the Instaglasses
65
Deep Sea Sand Sculptures
Yoji Ookata Discovers Giant Underwater Crop Circles
64
Dapper Doggy Dressups
Sonya Yu Captures Her Dog Trotter in Hilarious Costumes
63
Monstrous Storm Photography
'The Big Cloud: The Lovely Monster' Photo Series is Breathtaking
62
Rainy Day Paintings
Karin Kneffel Illustrates Rainy Windows with Life-Like Precision
61
Blackout Storm Photography
Iwan Baan Captures New York After the Storm in This Stiking Series
60
Polychromatic Exploding Firework Captures
The Long Exposures by Davey J Photography are Beautiful
59
Suspended Parasol Artworks
Portugal’s Floating Umbrella Installation is Magical
58
Psychedelic Personal Portraits
The 2012 Festival of Colors Photography by Thomas Hawk is Vibrant
57
Underwater Human Life Photography
The Staudinger & Franke 'Life Below the Surface' Series is Deep
56
Incredible Daybreak Photography
The National Geographic Team Captures the Stunning Norway Aurora
55
Transparent Time Keepers
The 'Chameleon Clock' for iPhone or iPad Blends In
54
Smartphone Polaroid Cameras
The Impossible Instant Lab Turns iPhone Images into Real Photos
53
Rebelling Webcam Photoshoots
The Jonathan Wolpert 'Les Voyeurs' For Fashion Bless Editorial is Raw
52
Sublime Sunset Photography
Jonathan Sinclair Captures the Transcendental Aesthetics of Nature
51
Fleeing Fearful Photographs
The 'Running' Photography Series Captures Moments of Panic
50
Complete Camera Smartphone Concepts
The 'iPhone Pro' Turns Apple to High Quality Captures
49
Vintage Gangster Lookbooks
Mashkulture.net Collects Sharp and Classy Historical Mugshots
48
Frying Pan Photography
'Dirty-Dish Art' Features Scratched Pans That Look Like Planets
47
Rotating Photo Art Portraits
The Moving Pictures by Michael Jantzen are Constantly Revolving
46
Intimate Vintage Street Photographs
Vivian Maier: Out of the Shadows Book Release Exposes Artist
45
Slow-Motion City Snapshots
Yiu Yu Hoi Takes Photographs That are Seriously Stunning
44
Social Media Cameras (UPDATE)
The Socialmatic Camera Now Comes in a Hot Black Design
43
Monochromatic Poolside Editorials
The Form Photo Series Features Boss Model Reynier Shields
42
Picture-Taking Puppy Collars
The Pet's View Captures Life Through the Eyes of Your Carefree Canine
41
Traveling Polaroid Lookbooks
The Accessorize Spring/Summer 2012 Photos Merge Film with Roadtrips
40
Facial Disguising Portraits
The Delaney Allen Photo Series Omits Focus on the Subject's Face
39
Object-Holding Puppy Pictures
The Things Maddie Won't Eat Photos Feature a Dog Holding Items
38
Depressing Scenario Photography
The 354 Photographers Box Project Replicates Disturbing Imagery
37
Woven Hair Mask Photography
The 'Highness' Photo Series Combines Fashion and Tribal Elements
36
LSD Vision Photography
The Rob Carter 'Travelling Still' Captures are Trippy
35
High-Tech Futuristic Photography
The Andric Digitalized Captures are Incredible
34
Smartphone Photography Totes
The iPhone Lens Wallet Can House Four Lenses and a Tripod
33
Hipster Photo Addict Charts
The Instagram Junkie Infographic is Satirically Witty
32
Smartphone Photo Handles
The Belkin iPhone Shutter Grip Provides a Steadying Ergonomic Handhold
31
Skull-Faced Photography
Intuition by Carsten Witte is Haunting
30
Dramatic Slum Imagery
The ‘Dead Traffic’ Series by Kim Thue Captures Freetown
29
Cross-Eyed Animal Ads
The Panasonic Lumix Campaign Shows the Camera's Zoom Capabilities
28
Meditative Desert Photoshoots
The Akomplice Summer 2012 Lookbook is Nomadic and Stunning
27
High-Res Insect Captures
Dusan Beno Shoots Small Creatures Close-Up
26
Emotive Female Photography
The 'Portrait of Women' Leis Photoshoots are Deep and Expressive
25
High-Speed Java Photography
Jack Long's Coffee Drops Series Will Awaken Your Senses
24
Aerial Volcanic River Photography
The Andre Ermolaev Icelandic Volcano Pictures are Stunning
23
Stylish Camera Totes
The Epiphanie Bags by Maile Wilson are Practical & Stylish
22
Sneaky Camouflaging Captures
The Jean-Paul Bourdier 'Bodyscapes' Collection Melds Land and Body
21
Architecture-Accented Fashion
Matthew Priestley Shoots Paige Honeycutt's Summer Debut
20
Dew-Covered Insect Photography
The David Chambon Water-Covered Bug Images are Magical
19
Swiveling Camera Concepts
The Apple Quicktake is an Intelligent and Intuitive Device
18
Expressive Equestrian Photography
The Peter Samuels 'Equine Portraiture' Series is Evocative
17
Practically Professional Cameras
The New Canon Powershot G1 X Has Arrived at CES 2012
16
Miniature Liquid Planets
A Breathtaking Photo Series of Water Droplets by Markus Reugels
15
Time-Lapse Space Photographs
The ‘Star Trail’ Captures by Astronaut Don Pettit
14
Year-Round Self-Portraits
The 365 Project by Glenda Ortiz Documents Her Life Every Day
13
Ethereal Intergalactic Images
The Chaos Theory by Thom Kerr Editorial is Out of This World
12
Picture-Editing App Charts
The Instagram Nation Infographic Details the Success of the Program
11
Crystal-Clear Colorless Cameras
The Leica M Monochrom Shoots Only Black and White Images
10
Hipster Camping Editorials
TEXT in visvim Editorial Series Shows Off Great Personal Style Pieces
9
Snapping Camera Stands
Modahaus Steady Stand Makes Overhead Pictures a Snap
8
iPhone-Inspired Android Apps
Google Play Releases the Instagram Application for Non-Apple Devices
7
Pantone-Inspired Food Photos
Emilie Guelpa's Choose Your Color Series is Delicious
6
Photo-Sharing Service Graphs
The Instagram Infographic Charts the Success of the iPhone App
5
Photographer Two-Wheelers
The T-Bike Tripod Bike Integrates a Built-in Camera Mount
4
Cleverly Disguised Camera Dolls
The Barbie Photo Fashion Toy Takes Stylish Pictures
3
Crowdsourced Model Casting
'I am Levi's' Instagram Campaign Searches for Next Star
2
Burrito Camera Disguises
Photorito Lens Wrap Protects and Conceals Expensive Photography Tools
1
Retro Camera Phone Covers
The Gizmon iCA iPhone Case Turns Your Smartphone Into a Leica
Related Ideas
Storm Preparation Photography
Prepare for Hurricane Sandy with New York Precautionary Measures
Eccentrically Constricted Editorials
The Fashion Glamoholic Issue Captures Suggestive Outerwear
Glamorously Forlorn Fashion
The Elele Magazine November 2012 Editorial Stars an Edgy Rose Botman
Calligraphic Fashion Illustrations
Jessica Durrant Paints Stylish Women Using Concise Brushstrokes
Quirky Digital Dames
Cintia Gonzalvez Illustrates Women with Oddball Personalities
Edgy Blizzard Editorials
The Stolnick Magazine 'Charmant' Photoshoot Stars a Snowy Inessa N.
Instagram Storm Blogs
The Hurricane Sandy Instacane Website Posts As-It-Happens Photos
Regal Gothic Fashion
The Dress to Kill 'Black Celebration' Editorial is Glamorously Dark
Magnified Snowflake Photography
Andrew Osokin's Snowflake Photography Represents Winter's Beauty
Contrite Canine Photography
Dogshaming Involves Pet Owners Disgracing Their Precious Pups
Darkly Ominous Editorials
The Vogue Italia 'Black and Roses' Photoshoot Stars Kristen Mcmenamy
Storm Destruction Photography
These Beginner Hurricane Sandy Photos Are Devastating
Evolved Pokemon Illustrations
The Tim Burton-Inspired Pokemon Series is Creepy and Original
Glamorously Urban Lookbooks
The Nasty Gal August 2012 Catalog Stars a Carefree Anja Konstantinova
Storm-Locating Maps
The Hurricane Sandy Crisis Map Helps to Prepare for This Natural Disaster
Retro Sartorialist Editorials
The Fox Hunt Menswear Fall/Winter 2012 Lookbook is Dapper
Medieval Kingdom Heroines
The W Magazine 'Dame of Thrones' Editorial Showcases a Strong Female
Sweet-Toothed Beauty Photoshoots
Candy Worhol by Tomaas Focuses on Delicious Pastel Looks
Satellite Storm Snapshots
NASA Helps to Capture Monstrous Hurricane Sandy Pictures
Surreal Scenario Photography
Tim Walker Story Teller Showcases Imaginative Settings
Porcelain Doll Editorials
Vogue Italy Beauty August Features a Bold Array of Looks
Designer Graffiti Displays
The Louis Vuitton RETNA Installation is Unconventional
Captivating Youthful Photography
Ruud van Empel Engages with Photo-Art Series
Squirmy Edible Insects
The Jell-O Worm Tutorial is the Perfect Spooky Treat for Halloween
Feathery Avant-Garde Photoshoots
The W Magazine October 2012 Editorial Stars Jennifer Lawrence
Distorted Timeline Photography
Jay Mark Johnson Captures Images That Emphasize Time Over Space
Animal Kingdom-Inspired Apparel
The Hundreds 'Man vs. Beast' Lookbook is Haunting
Blackout Storm Photography
Iwan Baan Captures New York After the Storm in This Stiking Series
Photo-Sharing App Outfits
Be a Literal Stereotype with the Instagram Hipster Halloween Costume
Quaint Beauty Photography
Julia Manchik Portrays an Intimate Story of Her Journey
Surreal Spirited Portraits
Jamey Stillings' Photography Collection is Magical
Dark Lace Photoshoots
The Tosca Dekker for Harper's Bazaar Hong Kong Editorial is Gorgeous
Haunting Iridescent Captures
Mikko Lagerstedt Takes His Nature Photography to the Next Dimension
Tempestuous Public Photography
Julie Blackmon's Pictures Capture Everyday Life in Rich Detail
Zoo Habitat Photography
The Captive Landscapes Series Captures International Animal Enclosures
Kitty Costume Catwalks (UPDATE)
The 'Algonquin Hotel Cat Fashion Show' is a Cat Lady's Paradise
Poised Power Suit Photoshoots
Karlie Kloss for Harper’s Bazaar Russia September 2012 is Play
Haute Kitty-Centered Photoshoots
The 'Glamour Puss' Editorial in V Magazine Stars a Cute Feline
Object-Holding Puppy Pictures
The Things Maddie Won't Eat Photos Feature a Dog Holding Items
Unexpected Bombshell Photoshoots
The Carmen Electra Schon Editorial Show's the Star's Softer Side
Romantic Countryside Editorials
The ‘Waltz Darling’ Editorial in LOVE Magazine
Live Ken Doll Portraits
The Malibu Miami Male Model Scene Editorial Captures Artificial Beauty
Superimposed Monochromatic Snapshots
Stockholm Magazine's Autumn/Winter 2012 Images Are Layered
DIY Butterfly Wreaths
The ‘A Beautiful Mess’ Feather Garland is Easy to Make
Dual Personality Editorials
The Dansk 'Garb of the Groupie' Photoshoot Stars a Fanatic Kate King
Elegant Actress-Inspired Portraits
The Nicole by Krzysztof Wyzynski Editorial is Sophisticated
Famed Photographer Galleries
The Mario Testino MFA Exhibit Will Highlight the Best of Editorials
Pooch Storm Protectors
The Greyhound Rain Coat Will Keep Your Dog Safe from Hurricane Sandy
Viral Starlet Storm Memes
The Hurricane Sandy Memes are Hopelessly Devoted to Humor
Staggared Movement Photography
Multiple Exposure Photography Methods Bring Pictures to Life
Adorably Dorky Doggies
Dress Your Pooch Up in a Star Wars Halloween Ewok Costume This Year
Seasonal Couture Illustrations
Ignasi Monreal for V Magazine Spain Depicts Fall 2012 Fashions
Whimsical Norm Photography
Constructed Reality by Madame Peripetie is Bursting with Pastel Colors
Gallant Countryside Collections
The Ted Baker Menswear F/W 2012 Campaign is Dashing
Provocative Aging Actress Editorials
The Esquire UK November Issue Features Cameron Diaz at 40
Explosive Cloud Photography
The Marcel Christ Powder Series Portrays Rainbow Dust Columns
Deserted Urban Mecca Videos
'Empy America' Shows the City of New York During Hurricane Sandy
Foliage Framed Photography
Benoit Paille LSD Shows the Underside of Canopies
Drag Queen Barbies
The Blonds Blond Diamond Doll Makes Cross-Dressing Super Glamorous
Magnified Foodscape Photography
Nadege Meriau Snaps Shots of Landscapes Found on Edibles
TV Mogul Photo Shoots
Terry Richardson and Oprah Team Up for Harper's Bazaar Magazine
Saddled-Up Pooch Outfits
These Ride On Dog Costumes are a Hilariously Clever Halloween Look
Paper Transfer Photography
The Ultra-Thin Rub View Camera is More Impressive than a Polaroid
High Rise Storm Videos
The ‘Hurricane Sandy: View from Above’ Tracks Weather from Up H
Thrift Store Ensemble Runways
The Stolen Girlfriends Club Spring/Summer 2012/2013 Collection
Luminary Weather Artwork
The Caitlan r.c. Brown CLOUD Installation is a Public Night Light
Effervescent Cityscape Photography
Chris Eayres’s ‘BY-PASS_NY’ Heartbeat Art Giv
Alphabet Origin Illustrations
The ‘Where Letters Came From’ Series is Enlightening
Burned Clock Ads
The UK Government Fire Kills Campaign Urges People to Check Their Smoke Alarms
Edgy Feminine Fashion
The Rag and Bone Resort 2013 Collection Transforms the Classics
Manipulated Public Area Photography
Robert Rickhoff Plays With Urban Planning for Funny Results
Photography-Focused Currency
Shantanu Starick is Travelling Penniless Using the Pixel Trade
Southern European Gentlemen Tomes
The Tod's Italian Style Book Collects Portraits of Italian Men
Decorative Tattooed Dolls
These Edgy Figurines by DolliPopVintage are Exceptional
Personified Insect Photography
Laurent Seroussi Transforms Women into Stylish Bugs
Wealthy Pig Ads
The Karlstad Energi Campaign Urges People to "Learn How to Avoid the Worst Pigs"
Photoshopped Terrain Editorials
The Corona Boreal Magazine INTERTROPICO Portrait Series is Quirky
Instagram Camera Commercials (UPDATE)
ADR Studio Unveils an Advert on the Socialmatic Camera
Fashion Icon Feline Spreads
The Harper's Bazaar 'Kat Daddy' Piece Shows the World of Choupette
Neon Illuminating Installations
The Topographical Light Paintings by Janne Parviainen are Vibrant
Storm Aftermath Natural Prisms
Noah Kalina Captures the Beautiful Hurricane Sandy Rainbow
Detailed Demon Drawings
The Vince Movie Monsters Series is Creepily Elaborate
Female Punk Rocker Candids
The Gwen Stefani Behind-the-Scenes Photos are Playful
Femme Fatale Fashion Drawings
Illustrator María Caleis Brings Fashion and Art Together
DIY Polaroid Coasters
Darkroom and Dearly's Salvers Are Hands-on
Humanized Pooch Portraits
The 'Underdog' Series is Cute and Quirky
Foldable Green Paneled Abodes
The M-Velope by Michael Jantzen is a Sustainable Art Structure
Bold Bucket Hat Pictorials
The Shape Rodeo Portrait Series Captures Intriguing Silhouettes
Wall-Climbing Canines
‘TreT-The Parkour Dog’ is a Super Dog from Ukraine
Couture-Clad Anime Characters
The Magomed Dovjenko 'Domo Arigato' Series is Pop Culture-Infused
Dramatic Darkness Photography
Encounter an Ever Elusive World in Pablo Delfos Moving Shadows
Mixed Media Childlike Drawings
Playing with Pencil Shavings by Marta Altes is Full of Texture
Matrimonial Pooch Ensembles
The Pet Bride and Groom Costumes Are Absolutely Adorable
Trash-Utilizing Umbrellas
The EcoBrolly Is A Recycled Newspaper Parasol
Storm Formation Videos (UPDATE)
The NASA Hurricane Sandy Footage Shows How It Began
Cyclist Storm Tracker Films
Casey Neistat's 'Hurricane Sandy on Bikes in NYC' Tracks the Monsoon
Subtly Suggestive Portraits
The Fritz Richter by Mark Rabadan Editorial is Boldly Bound
Vigilante Dog Outfits
The Batman Pet Costume Will Turn Your Animal Into a Superhero
Vibrant Hipster Baggage Ads
The Vivienne Westwood Fall/Winter 2012 Accessory Campaign is Hipster
Lavish Ablaze Hotels
The W Hotel New Orleans French Quarter is Obsessed with Fiery Tones
Compact Camouflage Cameras
The Bape Polaroid Camera Set is a Premium Leather Success
Eccentric Beachside Captures
The Cory Bond GQ Russia Editorial Embraces Bold Patterns
Chic Cubic Puppy Coops
The Kooldog House Holds Your Dog in Sophisticated Style
Teeth-Scrubbing Chew Toys
The Yunfan Tan Q-Ring Dog Toy Cleans Canine Teeth
Graffitied Vehicle Drawings
Paul White Illustrates Trucks Marred with Street Art
Instagram-Inspired Wooden Toys
Anagram by Twig Creative is a Cute Camera for Children
Evident Production Photoshoots
The Honk Honk Editorial for Tatler Magazine Shows Background Lights
Captivating Deserted City Photographs
The Artsy Manhattan Blackout Photos are Beautifully Captured
Mutated Skull Drawings
Clara Lieu Depicts Craniums with Multiple Jaws
Chic Western Polaroid Captures
The Band of Outsiders Fall 2012 Lookbook Features Josh Brolin
Emergency Refuge Igloos
The Recurs(h)ive Project Would Provide Shelter to Those With Totaled Homes
Devilish Pooch Scarves
The Devil Horned Hand Knit Dog Snood is the Perfect Item for Halloween
Hybrid Creature Portraits
The Vladimir Stankovic 'Cephalopodoptera' Series Merges Animals
Social Media Cameras
The Nikon Android Instragram Integrated System is Handy
Diguised Album Photography
The Zebra Dots Album Cover is Deceiving
Canoodling Creature Drawings
The Denise Nestor Illustrations Feature Animals Sleeping
Red-Lipped Bombshell Editorials
Amber Heard for the NY Times T-Magazine Fall 2012 Edition is Chic
Formal Feminized Frocks
The Tuxedo Dress by Minx Shop Reinvents Menswear
Powerful Weather Simulators
The FIU Wall of Wind Prevents Hurricane Destruction and Damage
Filtered Photography Mapping Tools
The ‘Instagram 3.0’ Software Update Offers Advanced
Hilarious Extreme Weather Clips
The Ultimate Hurricane Reporter Fails Compilation is Amusing