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Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About PhotoBlogging But Were Afraid To Ask

By
Industry Observer with Retired

Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About PhotoBlogging But Were Afraid To Ask

About a year and a half ago, I wrote a post about the ABC's of Photoblogging and it contained a couple useful videos about photo placement in a blog post . There are many tutorials in the ActiveRain library but if you are unsure exactly what you are looking for you you could easily miss them. So I have included them here once again for anyone not familiar with them. So assuming you know how to place a photo in a blog, what else do you need to know about photobogging?

For starters maybe I should define what photoblogging is or not as the case may be. You are probably acquainted with the wordless groups. These are groups where you simply add a photo and the photo becomes the post. They are popular groups. People do want to add a photo and call it a post and move on. Some photos are just so rich in content that the owners feel they require no words. A sunrise for example. But a lot of you figured out that if you don't have at least 50 originals words you get no points for those posts. Sorry, but I don't make the rules. So what transpired is some would add the (Almost Wordless) in the title and then the necessary words to make that post count for points credit. Some just add their signature at the bottom and if it is not set up in the default signature line in your settings, the scanners cannot tell that the signature material added is not original words.

Actually it was this rule that gave rise to the ActiveRainPhotoBlogger group itself. A photoblog by defintion ( ActiveRain ) is a blog about the story contained in the photo augmented by words to position the story and expand on it. The first element of this is then adding a photo to a post. But not necessarily the first thing you do in setting up that post. The first thing you encounter when you are adding a new post is the Title Bar. This is where you decide if you want Google Juice for that post. Google Juice is that warm fussy stuff that people work so hard to obtain. In a nut shell, it is Page ranking for your post.

While we are on that subject, what do want in return for the photoblog presentation? Kudos from your AR network subscribers or real page ranking from your client prospects when they see the posts. I'll will assume it is both but I will focus on the latter, otherwise I don't have a very good reason for writing this.

Selecting a title for a Photo blog is really no different than that for a regular blog post. Does the title capture interest? Wait a minute, the spiders and crawlers don't care about interest. They are interested in key words people use to search for things and that is what they are looking for. So depending on the nature of the post, be aware that while Google loves Photo Blogs, they expect the photos to have an Image Description and a Title and they are key words in the post. Google indexes photos in a different way than words but if done correctly, they will make quite a difference for you.

 

For those newer in the Rain, this first video will  show the 2 different ways to insert a photo onto your blog.

 

 

 

This second video will show you how to align the photo in your post, re-size it and also how to place some white-space around your photo so that the words of your post do not run into your photo.

 

 

 

 

Now that you have your photo downloaded into the post, you are ready to enhance your story contained within your photo. What's the difference between a photoblog and a regular blog since both of them can have a photo in them?" It is a nuance of course but here is how I would explain the difference. When you write a blog some may want to illustrate it by adding a photo. The photo adds interest and supports the blog or story you have written. In a photo blog, the photo is the story and you write words to further enhance and embellish the story. It is my contention that photblogging is a way to get more attention for your blogging efforts and ActiveRain Localism is a great place to focus your community specific photoblogging.  Who doesn't like looking at photos? And when your photo blogs are about your community or events taking place there, it puts you and the consumers in the community or event together. And on top of that, you look like the local authority.

Think of photoblogging as photo journalism. The photo becomes the story and the words enhance the story contained within it. As I mentioned this is a nuanced meaning that it is open to other interpretations. But it is why I started the ActiveRainPhoto Blogger Group. To share resources, to share experiences and to learn how better to enhance our own photo telling stories and presentations. We also share in photo editing and enhancements, tutorials on photo taking, branding and and even copy writing your photos for public presentations, etc. And if you don't see your questions answered in our group posts, one of us will be available to help you.

Some of the more interesting Photoblogs I have read capture important history, past or present and the photos and corresponding stories take on an even more important role. When you show historical sites or events in your community, you really have taken on the appearance of the true expect in your area.

San Diego Arboretum

Some of our members posts even share you how they originally took the photos as a tip to better photography. There is so much we can all learn about Photo Blogging but it is mostly about having fun and sharing what we do. Google loves them and so do consumers so in my estimation, it is a win win.

I hope if you haven't already joined the ActiveRainPhotoBlogger group, that you will consider doing so. And also please understand that you don't have be an expert photographer to be doing great photoblogging.  Any reasonably good photo works because there is always a story. But if you need help in that regard, we have some real experts in our group that will help you. We do use guidelines that have been approved by ActiveRain and by doing so, our photo posts are also eligible for consideration for daily featuring just like the other regular blog posts. Our group members have had many of their posts featured. So we hope you will drop by and check us out.

There has been a rumor circulating that come the end of April, we are planning to have our first ActiveRainPhotoBlogger  group contest. OK, there is truth to the rumor ( I think I started it, actually, LOL ) but I haven't yet approached Bob or Kerri at ActiveRain to see if they allow us to offer just an obscene amount of points for all the winners and special incentives  for everyone entering the contest. I know that some will want  to take special photos and that may take some planning. So watch my posts for the announcement of the ActiveRainPotoBlogger Contest.

 

 

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Comments (118)

William Johnson
Retired - La Jolla, CA
Retired

Hi Jeanne, Welcome to the Rain. I was hopeful some of the newer members would see this and find the videos helpful. Now join the group and enjoy Photoblogging!

Apr 02, 2011 09:41 AM
William Johnson
Retired - La Jolla, CA
Retired

Hi Sharon Lee,  You love birds and flowers and I have seen many great photos you have in your collection. I hope that you will share them and the many other photo stories that you so brilliantly can share.

Apr 02, 2011 09:47 AM
William Johnson
Retired - La Jolla, CA
Retired

Hi Melissa, Thank you for this nice comment. Prior to year and half ago, I wasn't much of a photo person either. You should try it though, it might be good fit. Escpecially living in one of the most beautiful cities on the west coast.

Apr 02, 2011 09:49 AM
William Johnson
Retired - La Jolla, CA
Retired

Hi Bob, Thank you so much. I don't know much abut the Sony or video photography. I was just trying to think of someone I could refer you to that does video. Lynda Eisenmann comes to mind. She is doing a lot of videography and does a smashing job. Here is a link for Lynda. Send her an e-mail and I'll bet she will share what she knows. Another person that comes to mind is Jeremy Blanton that produced to the two video in my post. Here is the link for Jeremy.

Apr 02, 2011 09:56 AM
William Johnson
Retired - La Jolla, CA
Retired

Hi Barbara,

Thank you so much. My camera does most of the work. I use a Nikon D-90 and have been dreaming about moving up to the D-7000. I have a variety of lenses and building up the tools that make for better photos. It is a process of learning and applying for me. With all the great weather of late, I expect there will also be some super opportunities out there to capture many new things. 

Apr 02, 2011 10:26 AM
William Johnson
Retired - La Jolla, CA
Retired

Hi Debra, Thank you as always for your wonderful support and encouragement. There are only a few hard and fast rules and I violate the few there are way too often. I am getting better at it, slowly but surely.

Apr 02, 2011 10:28 AM
William Johnson
Retired - La Jolla, CA
Retired

Hi Steven, Anything we can ever to do to help, just let us know and thank you for the nice comment.

Apr 02, 2011 10:29 AM
William Johnson
Retired - La Jolla, CA
Retired

Hi Renee, I would be delighted to help anyone that I can. Thank you for the very nice comment Renee. Are things picking up yet in your market? Ours seems to be in spurts but this past few weeks has increased  quite a bit.

Apr 02, 2011 10:32 AM
Bridget "Mortgage Mama" McGee
SWBC Mortgage 410-960-2061 - Baltimore, MD
Maryland Mortgage Mama NMLS#196068

REBLOGGED With the following.  Thank you for sharing your knowledge and your beautiful photography!

If you have seen my blogs you know that I have some real trouble placing my photographs (or those taken by Papa Razzi).  It is truly something I need to work on.  I hope that you will take the time to read, view the amazing photos and watch the videos.  This is great stuff!  Thanks William.  I think my blog may have been the inspiration.  My next blog will hopefully look very different thanks to William!!

Bridget "Maryland Mortgage Mama" McGee

Apr 03, 2011 04:46 AM
William Johnson
Retired - La Jolla, CA
Retired

Hi Bridget, You are very kind and I so appreciate that this little post could make a difference for you. That is the reason to reach out. This is what we all did back when we all started and no one realy knew very much about what to do or even more so, How to do it. 

I can't wait to see what this small tip can do to help you be more successful in your efforts. You made my day Bridget!

Apr 03, 2011 04:57 AM
Virginia Hepp - Mesquite NV REALTOR
Desert Gold Realty - Mesquite NV Homes For Sale - Mesquite, NV
Mesquite NV Homes and Neighborhoods - Search MLS

I joined your group - to learn, I am a horrible photographer.  But occasionally I get lucky and get a good shot, I think I am going to try a few more photoblogs.

Question:

"while Google loves Photo Blogs, they expect the photos to have an Image Description and a Title"

Title - are you referring to the title of the image when you add it to the post?  Or the title of the post?  Or both?

Apr 30, 2011 02:56 PM
William Johnson
Retired - La Jolla, CA
Retired

Hi Virginia, Welcome to the Photoblogger group. The more you learn about your camera ( settings) and with good composition your photos will be just great. 

When you upload a photo, there are two tabs. One says General, where you add a title and discription and then you go to Appearance tab and decide how you want the photo to appear in the post. 

If you took a picture of a bird, you might describe it as the type of bird and the title may be the same as the post title , especially if it is about the photo as would be case in a photoblog. But like all things, you could optimize the description by including your name or at least Mesquite NV Real Estate and what I find as my preference is to make both the Title and Description the same. After the post is activated, when you mouse over the photo is describes and also credits you with the photo. 

Apr 30, 2011 03:57 PM
Virginia Hepp - Mesquite NV REALTOR
Desert Gold Realty - Mesquite NV Homes For Sale - Mesquite, NV
Mesquite NV Homes and Neighborhoods - Search MLS

Thank you!

Apr 30, 2011 05:28 PM
William Johnson
Retired - La Jolla, CA
Retired

You are very welcome Virgina! Good luck in the contest. 

Apr 30, 2011 05:51 PM
Tim Lorenz
TIM LORENZ - Elite Home Sales Team - Mission Viejo, CA
949 874-2247

I really think of this blog as a training video.  Thank you for your efforts.

Apr 30, 2011 06:13 PM
Ann Nguyen
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Truckee, CA
Lake Tahoe Truckee Homes For Sale

William,

Your picture is so beautiful. I bookmarked your post & also join the group. Hope to learn much more about photoblogging.

Apr 30, 2011 07:11 PM
William Johnson
Retired - La Jolla, CA
Retired

Hi Tim, Glad to help. All the Best!

William

Apr 30, 2011 07:28 PM
William Johnson
Retired - La Jolla, CA
Retired

Hi Ann, Welcome. I think you will really enjoy it. If you ever need help just send an e-mail. 

Apr 30, 2011 07:29 PM
Susan Jacobsen
The Alliance Group Realty - Hilton Head Island, SC
20 Years Providing WOW Real Estate Service

William - WOW clear, concise, and encouraging words to begin to photoblog! I joined your group and there are two upcoming events in my area that should lend themselves perfectly to this technique! Just one question, and sorry it's so elementary.....how do you get your name, date, and the (C) symbol at the bottom of your photos? Do you open them up in a photo editing program and add it? I'm also guessing that it is a good thing to identify/mark them as your own.

May 02, 2011 08:57 AM
William Johnson
Retired - La Jolla, CA
Retired

Hi Susan, I do use a photo editing software. Here is one that is free. Go to Picnik.com and sign up. The pro version which gives a lot more tools and many more fonts is only about $29. a year and is owned by Google now ( I love this online source because it is so easy to use.). However, you can also use the free version. Once you have signed up, upload your photo. Go to the edit tab and click Text. Select your font and use the code ( you will need to look this up on the Internet. I use a Mac and for us, it is option and the G key. On a PC it is obtained a different way using the ALT key and series of numbers) to create the character © and then type you name. Hit Add. It will now be be on your photo in large white letters. Re-size and position by dragging and dropping and making it larger or smaller with the workspace box that pops us. I like mine smaller than others and you can change color or intensity of the letters simply by sliding around the little o mark in the color palette. When are finished save it. At that time while saving it, look to see that your re-size 800x 531. Perfect size for storing the edited photo for your blogs. When you upload to ActiveRain, about the max size you want to show up best is 650 wide x (whatever the depth is by default). Make sure when resizing you check the Keep Proportions box and it post it large and wonderful in your post. If you want smaller that is OK, just keep the proportions box check and make it whatever size you want.

May 03, 2011 12:18 PM