One of the most popular discussions at my Social Media Workshops is consistently on how to effectively use images in posts.  With thousands of images passing through our feeds daily, what makes an image stand out, attention-grabbing, and effective?  

While I could (and may) hold a workshop focused solely on taking great photos with your phone or DSLR to share on social media, today I am thinking more broadly about how to maximize the use of images on social media platforms.

To start with, there are some best practices to consider:

• Post photos that are in focus - This may include selective focus or depth of field adjustments.
• Bold, clear images are usually more attractive than cluttered images.
• Find an image scheme/tone that you like and us it consistently - Bright or pale? Soft or sharp contrast? Light or dark? 
• Be recognizable - When someone sees your image will they know it's yours?
• Don't overshare - one great image per day or two is enough.
• Use an attention grabbing image to say something meaningful and find a way to relate the two, even a subtle connection can make it matter.  
• Use #hashtags - so your image appears in searches.
• Think of everyday moments as photo ops... snap now, post later.
• Sort your photos into albums to make them accessible when you want them.
• Find the right image editing app and sharing tools...

​Speaking of Apps, these are just a few of my go-to image editing and graphics tools. I rarely post without them. 

• ​Camera+ - Full manual or auto control over your phone's camera, great editing.
• Snapseed - Google's photos editing app with fantastic tools and design options.
• Canva - Turn images into properly formatted graphics for all purposes.

Here's a fun and useful exercise... 
Go to your favorite social media site (Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, etc.)  Simply scroll down the page at a medium pace without reading a word... stop when an image captures your attention.  What caught your eye?  Was it the colors? The composition? The subject? The light? Or something else? Do this several times and figure out what made you choose this set of photos... use this as a guide as you develop your own style of photographs.

Greetings ~
I am currently subscribed via #RSS to 4 or 5 blogs.  I read an additional 3-4 per day via Facebook, email, or other networks.  It has become part of my morning ritual.  Over coffee I begin my day reading stories and seeing photos of friends, colleagues, and strangers' travels around the world (Susie Weekes), technical tips and advice (Bob O'Haver), synopsis of current news (NextDraft), random observations about life and creativity (LaundryLineDivine), updates from far away family, or just cool and interesting tidbits.  It's a diverse collection of stuff that is in people's brains shared out loud.  I like it.  

So each morning I sit at my window in my usual morning fog where I can see and hear the earth wake up with me and I read blogs.  Somewhere during 2 cups of coffee and a few blog posts, the fog clears and I feel awake, caught up, inspired, informed, amused, and centered, ready to embark on my own adventures for the day.  Then I walk my dog, which is my time to let it all sink in.  Quite often on these walks I realize that what I've read stirs an idea or a new perspective that works its way into my own story... #STORY.  

That's it.  It's all about story.  Everyone is just telling their own version of the story.  That's what I am all about.  That's what Beansprout Productions is all about.  We all have a story.  It is our stories shared that make the world go round... literally.  I suppose the #internet and more specifically #socialnetworking is just our collective story.  And, I believe in the power of the #collective. The Evolution of the Collective Conscience is why we are experiencing #socialchange, #socialevolution, #increasedhumanity, #technologicalbreakthrougs, etc.  So, maybe I'll start #blogging, sharing #photos, and learning how and when to properly and effectively use #hashtags.  This is me #blogging and #hashtagging.  Maybe a few people will read it, maybe not.  I may or may not know what I'm doing, but I'll #doitanyway.  Of course, feedback, suggestions, and advice are welcome.  #OffWeGo!

PEACE + LOVE ~ L

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