🌱 3 Ways You’re Choosing the Wrong Image for Your Story

Image by Moose Photos from Pexels

It matters more then you think

What’s the first thing you see on your homepage…

Image from author

Text, images, and claps, right?

While you and I may hear a ton of writers talking about how important copy is, not many talk about the images.

From several stories I’ve noticed, many writers aren’t choosing their images as well as they could. After all, writers are writers — they’re usually not Photoshop gurus or Graphic Designers like me =(unless you’re a jack-of-all-trades, perhaps).

If you have good engagement and views… then that might not be a problem to change, but it’s important for more than just aesthetics.

I may only be a kid in college for Graphic Design at the moment, but from noticing things like distorted dimensions to a loss of focal point — I think I know a thing or two when it comes to images.

Here are 3 ways you’re choosing the wrong images for your story based on my experience.

Wrong dimensions

Screenshot from Author

When browsing through Pexels, or searching for a keyword, that 1 image may be the most perfect you’ve ever seen… but what’s its dimensions?

The thing is, Medium loves horizontal photos — at least when it comes to cover images.

Not only do horizontal images show a better focal point, but they’re easier to see on the homepage. Which — you already know what that means, more eyes on your story!

If you have an image in vertical mode as your cover image, it might not look right.

But what if I can’t find the right horizontal image?

Here’s a few tricks I have to help.

1. Take that perfect vertical image, and crop it. Be careful if the image is too zoomed in though, it might look weird! Keep in mind to have 50/50 balance (colors, objects, etc.) on either sides, or have your main person taking up the center of the image. Keep your focal point with a slight left-ward emphasis (like image below)— since readers will be looking over from the left side.

Screenshot from Author edited in Illustrator (ignore black box plz)

2. Look through the photographers page to see if they have the same image, but horizontal. Usually it’s an option below when you click the image, but sometimes they don’t have one.

3. Look up keywords of that same image and find a new one. Even if that vertical image was perfect, if it couldn’t be cropped to be horizontal, you can at least find one that’s almost perfect.

Where might vertical images be useful?

I see many writers putting them in the body of their articles, which looks great. Not only does it give a nice length to an article, but it doesn’t look large on the screen when seen on desktop.

But consider the look of your article when on mobile…

Screenshot from Author

The image takes up a little too much of the screen, doesn’t it?

So maybe you can try choosing a smaller image that’s more horizontal, or if you love this look then go for it.

Off to infinity

A lack of focal point =

• No emphasis
• No attraction for your story
• Often doesn’t fit the article’s context

Now, not to bully any writers out there. I’m sure they’re doing an incredible job at writing! Just tell me…

Screenshot from Author

Which article captures your attention?

In my opinion, the bottom one. Why? Because the corners fade and make the shoe the focal point, thus giving context to the title. It’s as if it’s shouting,

One step today can make a big difference.

Whereas, the image above seems to focus on nothing, thus giving I’m off to infinity vibes!

Tip: If you have trouble finding a focal point, just chose an image with someone’s face in the center— works every time.

Screenshot from Author

Bad quality

What makes a good-quality photo? Usually it’s,

• Crisp colors
• High resolution
• Well-chosen context

For example, consider why photographers take pictures. It may be at first to turn a brief moment into one that’ll last forever, but it’s also a way to tell stories.

Stories? Like the one’s I’m telling with words?

Exactly! Often we don’t think of it this way, or maybe we do on a deep subconscious level, but if you see a really good-quality photo, then you might understand.

Consider Eberhard Grossgasteiger.

Screenshot from Author

Literally ALL of his photos (from the hundreds I saw scrolling down) have been featured on Pexels (the lil’ star on the top-left of every image), and for good reason.

His pictures are crisp, clear, and tell a story in one moment. It’s the meaning of_,_

“a picture is worth a thousand words.”

When you see a far away mountain, it draws you in. Even if Eberhard doesn’t take pictures of people, he’s a guarantee source for good photos.

Takeaway

Picking the right image for your story doesn’t have to be difficult, as long as it,

• Attracts readers
• Has a clear focal point and
• Is high-quality with the bonus of telling its own story

… along with a thrilling title, you’re set for success.

After all, no one wants to spend an hour choosing a photo after spending an hour having already written a story.

My hope is that these 3 tips can help you write a story that not only looks good, but gives your story justice.