6 Top Photo Effects that Will Make You Glow with Pride

By: | May 24, 2015 | Tags: , , , , , , , |
photo effects

You can make the subjects of your photos glow.

Are you interested in learning about photo effects?

Welcome to the future, an age where pictures have become more important than words.

There are many reasons graphics are so valued and this guide to photo effects will teach you how to use them effectively.

Visual content can be understood by anyone regardless of their native language and is easily shared on social media.

The brain takes in a photo’s message faster, making graphics a preferable source of information for busy people.

Images on social media actually get more engagement than text*.

Therefore, the goal should be to spruce up photos that accompany the written information in order to increase reader engagement and social sharing.

This will lead to a greater awareness of your site which will result in increased traffic for you.

Fortunately, there are tools that exist today that make this not only possible but easy.

Welcome to my follow-up to How to Double Your Traffic Using Simple Photography Tips!

Factors such as images, color and layout, draw in the user in the first couple of seconds, creating that first impression that will keep them browsing your site or social media.**

2014 saw a rise in visual content, and 2015 even more so as the trend has continued.

The problem is that while many bloggers feel confident in their ability to inform their readers by conveying information through the written word, they lack the confidence to do it through the medium that’s trending today–graphics.

Note the comments I received from readers:

Photography is my weakness…

I’ve been working on creating a pinnable image, but I don’t have a lot of patience with my photography.

I know that my graphics are my weak point, but I struggle to make them better.

Photography is my nemesis. I am working hard on it, but I know that I have lots to improve.

How to Improve Blog Photography

Instagram

With over 412,000 followers on Instagram, the odds are great that you are using the app.

Although it has a reputation for being used by younger bloggers, its special effects are amazing.  Therefore, it has appeal for all content creators who want to supplement their information with graphics.

Before:

Since the special effects hadn't been applied yet, the camera isn't glowing. #phototips

Since the special effects hadn’t been applied yet, the camera isn’t glowing.

After:

#Instagram made the camera shine.

Early bird was the special effect that made the camera glow.

#Instagram #Photography Tips

The special effect choices are under the photo.

As can be seen by the screen shot, there are many special effects that you click to see how your photo will look once you apply it.  I counted over twenty choices of filters that apply those effects.

I chose “Early Bird” since it made my photo glow, and I wanted to use the word “glow” in the headline.

Apple Iphone

According to blogging guru Jeff Bullas, we are living in a visual culture, one where 2.5 billion people literally have cameras in their pockets.

This is due to the functionality of cameras on smartphones.

While this section will explore the special effects on the Iphone, Android users I know have expressed comparable results with the cameras on their phones.

Before

#phototips

Special photographic effects can make this lackluster photo look more interesting.

After

#phototips #photographytips

Process was the special effect that changed the colors of the wall.

#Photography tips #phototips #specialeffects #Iphone

The box is blue to indicate special effects have not been applied yet.

My iPhone 5S has nine special effects to choose from.

Picassa

Update: I heard a rumor Picassa folded.

Picassa is a downloadable program used for photo editing.  I know first-hand it can store many photos since I have the bulk of my blog graphics stored there.

Picassa is my “go-to” choice for special effects.

Before

#Phototips #Photographytips

Since my headline mentioned “Building a Blog”, I wanted to make it more obvious the wall was under construction.

After

Before Photographic Special Effects #photographytips

Now that I applied the special effect, it’s clearer the wall is being built.

Before

#specialeffects #photographytips

I wanted the light bulb to look bright, so I applied a special effect.

After

#Blog #photography

I used a special effect to make the light bulb glow.

My article had to do with “smart” bloggers, so I wanted the light bulb to glow as if someone had a “bright” idea.  By applying the special effect, the bulb looks brighter.  Picassa even straightened the bulb for me.

Picassa Special Effects

This is Picassa’s photo-editing area.

The tool used to select the special effects is circled.  My two favorite effects are Warmify and Saturation.  I use those the most.

Stumble Upon Can Help Increase Page Views

PIcassa enabled me to blur the photo, so I could write on it.

The StumbleUpon photo was one of my most shared photos on Pinterest.  I had one other photo of a crockpot that I blurred.  Both posts received higher than usual page views.  Coincidence?

#photography #tips

These are just a few of the many effects you can do with photos.

Wrapping Up: Photo Effects

In conclusion, I have chosen three popular platforms.  Hopefully, you will have access to at least one in order to make your blog photos shine.

These special effects enhance your ability to be even more creative than your writing allows you to be.  For many people, more creativity means having more fun.

Ten percent of photos taken by humankind occurred between May of 2011 and May of 2012.***  These numbers just get greater as the trend towards using visuals increases.

 So, what are you waiting for?  Go use these tools.  You’ll increase your fun, because being creative is fun, and you’ll increase your traffic.
Readers, if you believe any bloggers or other content creators can benefit from these special effects tips, please share.
What do you do to give your blog graphics pizzazz? What are your favorite photo effects?  I look forward to your views.

Related Post:

4 Simple Ways to Start Blogging More Creatively

Sources:

10 Reasons Visual Content Will Dominate in 2014*

The Importance of Graphic Design in Social Media**

6 Powerful Reasons You Should Include Images in Your Marketing***

  1. john doe

    So informative. Are you sure you’re not the photography teacher at Your school?

    • Janice Wald

      Hi,
      I am the Yearbook teacher at my school. We don’t currently have a photography teacher, but if they are looking for someone, I’ll make sure to put my name in, LOL
      Thanks for reading what I wrote and writing.
      Janice

  2. blondeusk

    Oh Janice I am loving Photo Editor and knocking years off my face. I think I want to live in ‘Photo Editor World’ permanently 🙂

  3. Janice Wald

    Hi Lucy,
    Thank you so much for the recommendation. I just made an account. I’ll try it the next time I need to doctor my photos. Thanks for writing.
    Janice

  4. Scott

    As a photoshop guy, I get jealous seeing how easy it is to do with apps that sometimes takes me hours to perfect…

    • Janice Wald

      Hi Scott,
      Thanks for dropping by today. Nice to see you. Seriously, do you think the future of Photoshop is obsolete due to all the free effects people can use today? Thanks again for coming by.
      Janice

  5. Thumbup

    What you said, Visual content can be understood by anyone regardless of their native language, YES!

    • Janice Wald

      Hi Thumbup!
      I love that enthusiasm. We all work so hard on perfecting the written information, it occurred to me that writers would be angry at my beginning saying that graphics are more important than words in 2015. Thank you for your embracing the trend and the information I shared.
      Janice

      • Thumbup

        It’s easier for me to use graphics when I want to express my emotion? My English sucks big time!

    • Janice Wald

      Hi Thumbup,
      I don’t think your English “sucks,” but if the pictures help you, I think that is great. Where are you from?
      Janice

        • Janice Wald

          Hi Thumbup!
          Did I ever reply to this? That was so funny. I meant to reply: =) Big smile over here.
          Janice

          • Thumbup

            No worries!

  6. deafinitelywanderlust

    Great tips! I agree that it is important to use different photo effects to help attract the audience. I haven’t use Picassa yet but I will check them out 🙂

    • Janice Wald

      Graphics are definitely a great way to reinforce our written message. Picassa is amazing. I could have shown many more examples. I’ve used it recently to make popcorn look even more appetizingly yellow.
      Thanks so much for dropping by, reading what I wrote, and writing me.
      Janice

  7. Smorgasbord - Variety is the Spice of Life.

    Reblogged this on Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life and commented:
    If like me you use a lot of images in your blog posts then you will find this article interesting by Janice Wald. Images do encourage more blog traffic but also give a post focal points that break up and enhance plain text.

    • Janice Wald

      Hi Sally,
      You are right. Of all the benefits of graphics I mentioned, I omitted that they do break up the monotony of the text on the eye. Thank you again for the reblog.
      Janice

  8. Let's CUT the Crap!

    This is a fascinating subject I have not delved into. A real eye-opener. 🙂

    • Janice Wald

      Hi Let’s Cut the Crap,
      My Pinterest graphics has really taken off lately since I’ve been joining more group boards. I don’t know if they would have without those effects. I recommended 3 tools; it only takes one. If you have any questions about any of them, please let me know.
      Thank you for writing.
      Janice

  9. Pingback: Inspire Me Monday Linky Party #34
    • Janice Wald

      Hi Nicole!
      Thank you for coming. How interesting that one hasn’t struck a chord with me yet. I will give it another look the next time I make a graphic. Thank you again to your supportive group for being there. I have recommended your group in my blog posts.
      Janice

  10. Jennipher

    I was just speaking to my wisdom coach and he was suggesting photos to enhance our site in this same way. Your article really brings it all home!

    • Janice Wald

      Awww… thank you. Do you mind if I ask, what is a wisdom coach? Thanks for coming,and nice to meet you.
      Janice

  11. thisyearinmusic

    Really good points here. A few subtle tweeks and your pictures look totally different.

    • Janice Wald

      Hey Nick,
      It’s true what you wrote–the effects of the effects–=). Thanks for coming.
      Janice

  12. Shonda

    This article is really handy for someone like me who really likes taking photos but does a horrible job taking them. lol. Thanks for the tips.

    • Janice Wald

      Hi Shonda,
      Nice to meet you. I hope you don’t mind, but I got you a link. This post was actually a follow up to a much simpler post about easy, quick ways to improve your photography. In some cases, it’s just where you point the camera. Check it out http://wp.me/p5jxvv-Uy
      Thanks for writing.
      Janice

  13. purpleslobinrecovery

    Janice, once again you’ve delivered so much content that I need!! Since I’m borrowing a friend’s desktop, I’ll have to ask permission to install Picassa. But, oh boy! I hope he says yes!! Your pix are fantastic, and those special effects take them to the nth level.
    Melinda
    PS. I haven’t tried to do any hyper links yet, still too nervous. I know, I know, I just have to get over myself and try.

    • Janice Wald

      Big smile here. Thank you!
      Speaking of my pictures–
      I read an article on the importance of joining group Pinterest boards. I have tripled my traffic coming over from Pinterest. Definitely do what you can to spruce up your pix for the Pinterest crowd. However, as I just wrote to you, I think on another post, it doesn’t have to be using Picassa.
      You’ve become a great commenter for me. Definitely one of my top commenters.
      Janice

  14. Carole West - Garden Up Green

    This is great information and you nailed it – photography is everything for us bloggers. I use publisher to edit all my photos, works pretty great.
    -Carole

    • Janice Wald

      I’m sorry, but I’m not familiar with it. What is publisher? Thanks for reaching out to me tonight.
      Janice

    • Janice Wald

      Thank you for the kind words about my post. I’m curious to your introducing me to publisher.
      Janice

  15. Kristen from The Road to Domestication

    So much information here, awesome! Thanks so much for taking the time to link up with us over at the #HomeMattersParty – we hope you had a wonderful holiday weekend, and that we see you again this Friday! Feel free to bring a friend 🙂

  16. Pingback: How to Make Blog Traffic Skyrocket with Stumble Upon
  17. Jennipher Brown

    I was just speaking with my coach about this and he was expressing the importance of getting your message across with photos. I enjoyed this article it really brought it to life.

    • Janice Wald

      Thank you so much Jennifer. The article was well-received. It’s actually my second post about photography tips. That was quite well-received as well which is why I wrote this follow-up. Thank you for your comments.
      Janice

    • Janice Wald

      Thanks Lisa!
      Thanks for the comment as well. I’m so sorry for my delayed response. I generally get more time to respond Tuesday through Thursday.
      Janice

  18. MaryHill

    Great info. I love the filters on Instagram. I just wish I could upload my camera photos too. 😉

    • Janice Wald

      I use the cord, or I Email the photo to myself. Emailing is easy on the Iphone. Choose the photo, then the envelope with the arrow straight up, then mail. Then I open the photo on my computer. Thanks for the nice comments on my post and for writing me. If you need more help with photo uploading, let me know.
      Janice

  19. D.G.Kaye

    Love this Janice. I have only just started using instagram and still trying to get the hang of it. Are you on there?

    • Janice Wald

      Hi Debby,
      Thanks for writing. I appreciate the comment. I hear when the weather turns nice, the comments turn slow. How are comments doing at your end?
      I read an article recently, I think by blogging guru Ryan Biddolph, that inspired me. I’ve been using Instagram consistently for about a week now. So far, no traffic from it, by I’ve used it for other blogging strategies. I may write a post on it soon.
      Janice

  20. Lou Lou Girls

    Hello Gorgeous!Thank you so much for sharing this with us. Pinned and tweeted. I hope to see you tonight at 7 pm, so we can party with you! Lou Lou Girls

  21. Janice Wald

    Hi Annabelt,
    Thanks for writing me. I am so sorry you had to wait so long for a response. I really am grateful for your comment.
    The special effects for Picasa are next to the cropping tools. The icon looks like a wrench. To the right are the effects. Thanks again. Nice to meet you.
    Janice

  22. Scribbleartie

    Hi, we met on WordPress recently, and I’m just browsing around after subscribing to your blog. I love using different effects on photographs, but I was always advised that its better to keep the image as natural as possible – ie without anything fancy added. The composition and lighting should “promote” the image, not the fancy effects. I’m on the fence now, as I love these filters (I use Pixlr for mine). Now I’m thinking that perhaps general use is fine, but for selling something, keep it natural. What do you think?

    • Janice Wald

      Hi,
      I am not objective. I have so much fun exploring apps that provide new filters for me.
      I do not see the notice that you subscribed to my blog. Did you activate the link in your email?
      Janice

    • Janice Wald

      Hi Scribbleartie,
      1. I am not objective since I love photo editing apps that let me play with filters. I am currently using Snapseed and will blog about it soon.
      2. I still have not received notice that you subscribed. Thinking there might be a problem, I took the liberty of adding your Email to the “Subscribe” box that came in with your comment. Please activate the link in your Email.
      3. I am having a blog party this Saturday. If you come, you can meet other crafts bloggers.
      I will check to see if I receive notice in the morning. Going to sleep. Happy we met today. Goodnight.
      Janice

  23. Pingback: How to Rock Your Blog Photos for Free with Snapseed

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