Visual Imagery for Blogs
Mark Melnykowycz
An American Peyote Scribble
blog.americanpeyote.com
Blog Camp Berlin 3
October 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

Fear Adventure
Beauty
Love
Cool Hate
Dramatic Desire

Fear Adventure
Beauty
Love
Cool Hate
Dramatic 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

Strobist.com
Flickr Workshops Blog Partners
Discussion Reader Blog
Photo sharing Interaction Network

Flickr Posting
Photo
Text
Post Link

Flick Photos
Blog Post
Flick Discussion

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
Reaction
• No translation needed based on your
• Emotional response experiences
• Open to interpretation
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

Text
Text
• Photography as a Weapon (Errol Morris)
• http://morris.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/08/11/photography-as-a-weapon/

U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell addressed the U.N. Security
Council Feb. 2003

Is Truth Defined by
Context?
• Images are as flexible as text to lie with

Discussion