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There are generally two distinct reasons for attaching images to blogs.
Firstly, there is the photoblog where photos are the main feature.
Secondly, photos can also used as an accompaniment in blogs for visual effect.
Let’s take them separately, but first some thoughts on what makes a good photograph generally.
General tips
Photographs need toengage.
One of the easiest ways topreventthis from happening is to give them some glaring fault to find issue with.
Removing as many of these faults as possible is well worth the effort.
The images in this post are just examples that indicate the subject.
Not particularly good or bad photographs.
Focus: Ensure that your image is in focus, unless you intend purposefully for it not to be.
Some images look great with only small parts of them in focus.
It’s unusual to find a good image which isallblur.
If you intend for the image to be taken on an angle, then do it properly.
Two or three degrees is annoying, twenty might work.
If your image is a little off, fix it before you post it.
Lighting: It’s hard.
And don’t think that flash is always a good solution.
Framing: I could put this twice, actually.
Firstly, I mean this in terms ofcompositionof the images.
Something appropriate from the background around the main subject, or thelackof something that distracts from the subject.
It’s just another distraction.
There is one overriding advantage to digital photography.
So assuming you’re not still using film, take lots of photos.
Think of lots of ideas, and then try all of them.
It costs very, very little to have some extras in case things don’t go as you expect.
It’s important to be able to add images which convey a message all on their own.
Not something that requires too much in the way of explanation.
In the same way that traditional photo albums rely on the images themselves, photoblogs need to be self-contained.
Make the most of it.
Think about images you’ve seen that you like, and how you might take advantage of them.
Take a good look atPhotoblogs.org.
Other people have already done some of the hard thinking.
Regular blog
In a regular blog, photographs are used for emphasis.
To attract or retain interest.
To illustrate or extend a point.
If I might be so bold,MakeUseOfis a great example of how this works.
You have a little more license here to include images which are not quite so self-explanatory.
It’s often helpful for images to amplify what the text says.
To answer questions or to ask others.
If the images need to be reasonably small, then think about placement of them.
Small images cannot contain too much detail.
Think of a sign, for instance.
Check how the RSS feeds work for your particular blog.
Is the full post going to appear in the feed?
Is the text going to arrive without the supporting images?
In Summary
Read blogs.
Take note of the things you like.
Re-blog appropriate pictures if that’s appropriate and permitted.
