Visual Imagery for Blogs

Mark MelnykowyczAn American Peyote Scribble

blog.americanpeyote.com

Blog Camp Berlin 3October 19th, 2008

Goal

• Discuss the use of pictures on the web

• Integrate visual and text blogging

• Increase blog visibility

• Build new connections to readers/viewers

Blogging

• Create a reaction in the reader

• Communicate or invoke emotion

• Transfer knowledge

• Give value to the readers

Blogging with Text

• Efficient - readers scan and read text

• Google indexes posts via keywords, tags, content, titles, etc.

• Easy to produce

Love

Fear

Hate

Dramatic

Beauty

Cool

Adventure

Desire

Love

Fear

Hate

Dramatic

Beauty

Cool

Adventure

Desire

Google

• Text based searching

• Flickr photos indexed in Google

• Links in Flickr description to your blog

• Good image search capabilities

Flickr for Photographers

• Ability to share images with an audience

• Fast posting (faster than text)

• Discussion forums (group interaction)

• The image stands on its own with little context

Flickr for Bloggers

• Images indexed in Google/Yahoo

• Use as image server

• Post photos to groups

• Use images in group discussions

• Participate in group communities

Flickr Workshops Blog Partners

DiscussionPhoto sharing

ReaderInteraction

BlogNetwork

Strobist.com

Photo

Text

Post Link

Flickr Posting

Flick DiscussionBlog Post

Flick Photos

Key Points

• Use the power of visual images

• Understand reader needs

• Understand value of timing

• Provide unique value

• Create multiple connection points to content

• Engage in discussion outside of blog

Reactions to Images

• Context, text defines the base for the image

• Viewer preconceptions about the image or presentation form

Images

• Instant understanding

• No translation needed

• Emotional response

• Open to interpretation

Reaction based on your experiences

What is the context?

Context

• A visual images means something because of its context

• Context defined by your experiences

• Context defined by text content

• Images reinterpreted based on new context

TextText

• Photography as a Weapon (Errol Morris)

• http://morris.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/08/11/photography-as-a-weapon/

U.S. Secretary of State Col in Powel l addressed the U.N. Secur i ty Counci l Feb. 2003

Is Truth Defined by Context?

• Images are as flexible as text to lie with

Discussion