Thinking Visually: The Importance of Imagery in Social Media
This blog was first published in May 2020.
Social Media is a place where images thrive, and your sense of sight is engaged. The importance of a proper image cannot be diminished and many times success on social media depends on the images that you choose.
The adage that platforms like Facebook and Instagram have all turned us into photographers thanks to the availability of smartphones, and the ease of publication is true and now more than ever brands and businesses are judged on their content, especially the visual content, that they publish on these channels.
There is nothing worse than a drab, ordinary and boring image, and audiences can easily get turned off by them. Make it a habit of using them and your brand can lose its audience attention, and your social media activity will suffer because of it.
Luckily, you don’t have to fall into this trap, and with a few simple changes to your thinking, and how you capture your shots, you can get the best out of your images, and your social media presence:
Think About Your Shots
Taking the time to think about your images and what they need to accomplish pays big dividends in the end result. Consider the purpose of the image, what message it needs to convey, and how you want to present it before you start shooting.
Equipment
While smartphones have made instant photography a snap, and anyone can start capturing images, its beneficial to think before you do this. Camera phones are great for ‘in the moment’ captures, but they don’t have the functionality, range or depth of field capability that professional cameras such as DSLRs or Mirrorless Cameras have. For the most stunning results, the combination of a professional camera, a proper lens and a basic lighting set-up can deliver a much better result.
Composition
The way a photo resonates with audiences very often comes down to its’ composition or how it is arranged. To get the most out of an image consider employing a few rules such as the rule of thirds, hierarchy of the subject matter, use of leading lines, and incorporation of frames within your image. Employing some of these techniques will make for far better-composed images in the long term.
Post Processing
No image ever comes fully formed, and the impact of many images occurs because of what is done to it in post-processing. With applications such as the mobile VSCO editor, or desktop-based programs such as Adobe’s Photoshop and Lightroom, you can apply a range of effects to make your images that much more dynamic. Also, stay away from overlaying text onto your images as it usually takes away from the impact of the image, and can leave you with a very messy image.
Consider Stock
Sometimes you don’t have time to get out and take photos. In that instance, employing stock images into your workflow can be extremely beneficial to your workflow. Websites such as Shutterstock and iStock (paid) and Unsplash , Pexels (free), offer great images for when you need something generic quickly. Just remember to credit the author when you use them.
Professional Help
If you want to get the best results possible then employing the services of a professional photographer is the best way to go. A photographer who is proficient in what they do is worth their weight in gold, and they can deliver you an amazing product. Many photographers have very reasonable rates and will also offer post-processing as part of their services. At Matter Agency, we work with a range of different photographers and can connect you with the right photographer to capture the essence of your brand or business.
Taking the time to get your imagery right on social media is an extremely important action that brands and businesses can take in this visually driven marketplace that we all operate in.
If you’re looking for a way to take your brand to the next level on social media, be it with both your images and strategy, get in touch with our team today who have the knowledge and experience to help you make an impact.