I was in Mt. Hood, OR skiing last month, when I heard a snowboarder I passed on the way to the bottom of the lift remark: “Man… I just feel like my whole life is one giant Instagram opportunity”. I couldn’t help but sympathize with this individual.

“HOOD/HOOD” by @murphy_roberts (my Instagram account)

My favorite form of social media is Instagram. It is super simple and easily digestible, especially after a long summer day of working, working out, and other adventures. I live in a small mountain town in rural Colorado. My town is known as “Ski Town USA®” due to the fact that we have produced more winter Olympians than any other town in the United States and has bestowed the nickname of “Bike Town USA” due to our access to the world class road and mountain biking throughout the area. My backyard is my playground. Therefore, there are Instagram opportunities aplenty.

“Life is like riding a bicycle. In order to stay balanced, you have to keep going.” by @murphy_roberts

The three day digital media use log that I recorded for this class will verify that I do tend to spend a good deal of time on Instagram. I follow friends and celebrities like most Instagram users, but also professional photographers as I enjoy learning from their techniques, despite my camera access being limited to a eight megapixel camera phone. I don’t go on a mountain bike ride or a hike with the intention of getting a “Instagram worthy” post, yet ofttimes I find myself in a setting that is too beautiful not to share.  Now that I am at college and have real responsibilities, I am finding that I care less about all social media networks. We will see if this trend continues over the next four years.

– Murph