Graphics in Blogs...?

Jennifer

Jennifer:

I'm not sure about the distraction issue.  However, in my training period writing for About.com, I was told to place a graphic in a post only if it had a direct relation to the content and in some way helped to illustrate the point of the post.  Once I started using those criteria, it is very seldom that I place an image in a blog post.

I think some blogs that post a lot of photos don't really get their message across. My eye jumps around too, but maybe it's because I learn by reading. 

I am the Last person who should comment on this. I love graphics! I love finding, saving and using them .But I do think I limit them to being relevant to what i'm posting and efinately not to overpower. I wan them to attract...not detract!    SEE>>>>

I'm with Joan!  I want pictures.  I find that my eye is NOT attracted to a blog that doesn't use pictures.  I want at least one.  Too many words with no breaks is just tiring to me.  I want a "reward" when I read.  I think you can ALWAYS find a picture that illustrates what you're trying to say. 

Interesting post Jennifer.  I do like reading a lot and will devour books without any pictures, however, I have not found Blog posts with pictures to be distracting...particularly if they are written about information I want to read about.

Let me preface this by telling you that I have ADHD, so too many graphics give me sensory overload  (hee,hee...per Aziz)  or I usually just say that I'm over-stimulated :)  It's the same reason that I can't have too many things going on in the room at the same time.  If there are, I can't concentrate on anything....it's like my brain shuts down!  The same thing happens to me when I'm reading.  I can handle a picture now and then, but the moving pictures (sorry Joan, because the graphic is EXTREMELY cute) distract me. 

A perfect example is me trying write this comment and I can see Joan's picture and I keep looking up at it and losing my place!  However, that being said, because a blog tends to be shorter, it is easier to deal with than if it were actually a long text that you (or rather, I) were trying to get through!

Have a great week!

 

I think a well placed graphic or two is great.  A lot of people get visual messages and that is how they process information.  Others are more auditory -- others like graphs.  So, I vote for a graphic or two.

Personally, I have not had a problem with pictures being distracting.  I do prefer that the pictures be relevant to the information but, that is just my personal preference.

I think it's a little distracting but I still like the images :)