The images you linked to are bad. That's the price for immediate gratification. But there will always be talented, hard working photographers documenting on a professional level. These will be the images that come out in the next days, weeks, or months after an event like Sandy. They'll be featured in print media, exhibitions, photography magazines, etc. Instagram knows it's cheap fast food, but I'm pretty sure that's the appeal. It's like being upset that you can't dine on a prime cut steak filet when you visit McDonald's.