The Entry Archive
If You Want To Be Recognized, Make Your Images Recognizable
As much as I would like to pretend that celebrity gossip websites are run by worthless net-whores who have no purpose other than to make money and ruin people’s already tragically perverse lives, I must admit: you could learn a thing or two from them. Websites like PerezHilton.com, Pink is the New Blog, and C&D all have two things in common. First, they rot braincells. Second, they brand their exclusive images.
Now, unless any of you are operating your own gossip websites, I highly doubt that you will need loud and obnoxious graphics taking up a third of your images. But what you will need is a way to tweak your product photos or travel photos in such a way as to give them their own lives. Why? It’s all about branding.
The Importance of Branding
If you would spend an hour, or even two, writing up a brilliant blog entry to be read by the masses, then why wouldn’t you spend an extra fifteen minutes or less applying a signature to those one-of-a-kind images of yours that will also be seen by the masses? These “signatures” can be extremely simple accents on an otherwise attractive photo and add some “Umph!” behind an otherwise monochromatic blog entry.
Any successful business person will tell you that product branding is as important as the product itself. When we become used to seeing certain imagery on the television screen or computer monitor, the products that are placed in those images enter into our collective subconscious. Don’t get me wrong, I am not suggesting that a heap of cow manure can pass itself off as a diamond ring simply because it is in a pretty box. What I am suggesting is that smart companies cover all of their bases and images, as we all know, are worth many words.
The Importance of Image Layout
In addition to branding, the layout of your images matters tremendously. While the Rule of Thirds gives us a great jumping off point towards taking wonderful photos, my so-called “Rule of Image/Text Uniformity” governs how I place images inside of a blog entry. Before ever uploading my first usable photo in the Big Square Blog, I created a 450 pixel by 225 pixel image template. This template aids me by providing me with a method to create consistent blog entry photos which have the exact same width dimensions.
Of course, I can adjust for height when the need strikes, but I will always use uniform image widths on this blog. Why? For starters, image layout consistency makes reading websites easier. Secondly, it is a bit of a pet peeve of mine when I am reading a blog entry and the accompanying images seem thrown onto the page without any real forethought. Image layout matters.
A Final Thought
I steadfastly believe that content rules when it comes to websites, but the right kind of imagery doesn’t hurt. If you own a business and are trying to establish an identifiable, unique web presence, why stop at the business logo? Develop ways to incorporate your website’s style into each of its elements and immediately you will gain some legitimacy with visitors and potential clients. Website end-users want to know that your product is a professional product. Other than the pure service experience of it all, what better way to impress your future customers than with a professional look that shows you have paid attention to even the tiniest little details?
A Tiny Note: Of course I am not advocating for the complete annihilation of beautiful photos. Use your discretion wisely, and know when the right time to accent your images is.
Post Date: March 10, 2007
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