An Image Can Paint a Thousand Words Until?
Getting that right image can be like playing chess, to be good we sometimes have to work many moves ahead of ourselves
A classic one liner goes like this,
" Play the opening like a book, the middle game like a magician, and the endgame like a machine.”
Was this person talking about affiliate marketing, I think it kind of resonates.
I am not a good chess player so a huge and steep learning curve stretches out in front of me.
When it comes to images it can be hard to find that perfect image that ties in and makes the content shine, one of the things that I am starting to see is a proliferation of the same image being displayed across the online world.
One of my go to tools is https://tineye.com
What it basically does is give you an indication of the instances of an image online and also an indication of ownership, it kind of goes under the title of reverse searching.
I like the image I used as the cover image, and as you can see there are 54 instances of it online at the moment.
I like this image as well but as you can see there is 262 instances published online so one would kind of think that it is becoming well-known.
"My thoughts are at this stage is that there must be a point whereby an image is too prolific or saturated, not sure where that tipping point sits but it has appeared on my radar."
So if an image is saturated does it still paint a thousand words or only 350?
I am slowly coming around to the point of view that perhaps we need to be more selective or drill down a little deeper when selecting that content crowning image, if we want to step out from the crowd.
Thinking along that vain, then the next step in originality would be to take our own images, I am as good at that as I am at chess so a work in progress. It can be enjoyable and really creative but then there is the time factor.
The thought has popped up in my head to approach a photographer to see if we couldn't work out a mutually beneficial arrangement, attribution for images kind of style. Another work in progress, but one that has real potential the soft way to build assets and networks I guess.
When I see an image everywhere it kind of loses that shine, like that single that is blasted on the radio just that one time extra can make it go from top of the pops to that change the channel song.
So closing out with another chess quote,
“It is my style to take my opponent and myself on to unknown grounds.
Just speaking figuratively and with creative license, you folks are the best of the best to share this wonderful journey with.
I think I have talked my self into a mixture of;
- researching ownership usung Tineye to establish if it may be safe to use the image.
- researched, royalty free images with an instance score 55 or less
- original images
- original photographer images with attribution.
- "Shudder " some purchased stock images if price and value align.
So an image strategy moving forward, have you thought about it, or you happy to use images that speak to you, with out thinking of the real impact they may have on your audiences,
I have been sitting on the fence but think it is time to up the game.
Image strategy is a new one on me.
Really interested to find out your views on the subject.
Regards
Alex
Recent Comments
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I'll be frank (sorry, Frank!) ...I really dislike the derivative, throwaway writing style of many blogs. So I get a touch excited when I chance upon a writer with flair.
The banality of imagery being used online also wears me down. Yes, you've noticed that some images get used many times over. But there is an even greater saturation of certain types of images. Whole families of forgettable images, roving the interwebz like wildebeest. Is it a 'work from home' blog? There will probably be a glimpse of a macbook, on a desk in a brightly lit room.
There are whole herds of these images grazing the fields of ecomm blogs, I've come to expect it. But every now and again, I wish it were a giraffe. You know what I mean?
I liked your comment, Ivy.
Yes, banality it the default flavour of the Internet, I'm afraid.
I suspect that is, in large part, due to the number of people following cookie-cutter patterns of writing to achieve a target.
I totally agree with your comment about certain images being used so much for certain niches that they've become a cliche rather than an embellishment.
Hi Ivy,
Such a way with words, there does seem to be a saturation of niche centric images and posts for that matter. Image de jour see one post seen them all kind of style.
"There are whole herds of these images grazing the fields of ecomm blogs..........."
Awesome.certainly paints a picture.
I do know what you mean, thanks for sharing your insights so eloquently.
I have been having the same thoughts, just when I see the same image on Google images, our site content and pixabay. Keen to check out the image checker tool.
Thanks for sharing
Hi, Heidi, you are most welcome, so many of us are tracking down the same path.
Tin eye is really useful, it can run as an extension in the Chrome browser, kind of interesting to check images of folks as well some are not who they say they are.
I agree with the power of imagery and also the detrimental effect of using an image everyone else is using.
My preference is to use my own photographs. Sometimes I'll use free stock images and replace them with my own later, as time and inspiration allows.
Either way, one thing I have learned is that it's better to use an image people have seen a hundred times before than no image at all. There's nothing that makes me leave a page faster than seeing a see of text with no visual distractions to break it up. :)
The field covered Phil and a real valid point, it is indeed better to use an image that has been used a hundred times than none at all thanks for sharing that.
it is another take on things as well it is possible to edit and replace images as it is possible to edit and update text content making it flowing and alive.
In this day and age, all text can be a struggle for sure.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
Hi Alex,
I personally take my own images because they are my products. BUT it doesn't matter if do you have to get images off Dreamstime or whatever, the whole point is, they have to be an eye-catcher. Dynamic and NOT just some photo to fit in the jigsaw puzzle. I often have to use photos from other sources but I look for dynamic photos and I have found some through our own WA Site Content.
I am learning about photos and thanks to my fellow WA members, Courtney and Trish, I now have a real understanding of how powerful photos can be. I took a photo of a gemstone I made out of rough rock and Trish and Courtney genuinely complimented me on how good it looks. PHOTOS ARE POWERFUL. Much more powerful than I ever imagined
Hi, Brad thanks for joining the conversation I like your use of the word dynamic, and agree that using your own images can create that originality that makes content stand out.
PHOTOS ARE POWERFUL
and done well bring so much value to the content that we are producing.
Alex,
I made a gemstone out of rock and Trish and Courtney honestly loved the photo. This is what made me realize the difference between - oh! nice photo, and WOW that looks really good. I apply this now to all photos, mime or other sources.
Getting that feedback can certainly validate what we are doing and give us confidence moving forward.
Really appreciate you sharing that.
Hi Loes, it is a concept that has some merit, there are so many images out there but the same ones seem to be appearing, if they relate to the content then they bring value, if there are a lot of the same images then the reader's mind will be deflected and half on, the last instance of that image, we tend to lose focus.
Kind of food for thought. we need you to keep the brain of yours together because of all the value that you bring the community.
Think is very interesting which I have never given a thought too before, if I like an image I use it, assuming it is appropriate for my needs. This strategy might just need a rethink, thank you Alex.
Regards
Stuart
Hi, Stuart thank you for sharing, your thoughts, I guess we all just cruise along until someone points things out. I have only just come across the concept of creating an image strategy, kind of popped into my head as a random thought.
Glad that it has given you some food for thought.
Thanks for sharing.I love chess but my friends can't play the game
I have worked with 2 photographers fou unique images.
Hi Courtney good to see you, it can be a challenge but well worth persevering with by the looks.
How did you find the experience of working with photographers, one whom I approached wanted an arm and a leg for some images I must say they were very good just feeling my way on that one, another seems to be very receptive I guess it comes down to where you are career, wise.
Thank you for sharing.
One had his website URL at the bottom of each photo and the other nust asked for a small contribution..the images were of local subject matter.
Hi Tom, way to go and a good image to boot. definitely, the best way to go, I feel time permitting.
Hope you don't mind me asking but what do you use to place the text in your images.
Thank you very much for sharing,
I use PhotoScape, Editor them object then the T. all free. Improve the photos and crop etc. Let me know if you need more help.
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interesting and thanks for the TinEye reference seems like it's worth a look.
Hi Steve,
Definitely, worth a look, a really powerful resource, in more ways than one, Let us know how you get on.
Thank you for stopping by.