Have people given any thought to what makes an image popular on here-ie what will be viewed a lot as compared to what won’t?
I’ve been thinking about this, as I;’ve noticed that some images seem to get a lot of attention where others often quite similar draw much less.
For example, if I think of two of my paintings- Midland Compound:
and Cathedrals at Sonning:
they are both fairly similar subject matter, and use very similar techniques and media. They were also uploaded within a couple of days at each other. despite this, Midland Compound has received twice as many views as Cathedrals …just to illustrate one example.
Let me hasten to add this isn’t a complaint! I’ve been amazed and very pleased with the response to everything I’ve uploaded here-I was simply musing on what appeals to people.
From what I’ve observed some of the attributes that bring in lots of viewers include:
- Lots of bright colour, especially…
- A large amount of red in an image
- To my surprise, large amounts of green seem to have the opposite effect
- An image involving curves of a female variety seems to draw a lot of views.
Combining all of the above can be interesting-my image GhostGirl, featuring said curves in abundance and lots of red accounts for over 10% of my total views!
The point of all this is simply a question-what do other people find draws in the ‘audience’- what attributes of our images make them immediately eye-catching, when viewed from a thumbnail? I was just curious to see what others had observed…
karldenton, 5 months ago
It’s the red… other then the black and whites… every photograph I have uploaded with red and more of it get twice the views…
Red the color of passion regardless of trains or females (at least in my case I think).
Karl
RainbowDesign, 5 months ago
mmmh – then my gallery must be the exception to the rule … I have one painting in there with lots of red, that hasn´t got many views. On the other hand, the most viewed pics are my gargoyles (sepia pencil), my DHs sailing ship (mostly blues / whites), a country scene with lots of greens, and a still life with blues and yellows.
For me it´s personal taste – and sometimes luck. If there´s a lot of similar photos uploaded at the same time, showing greenery for example, or seascapes, your brightly colored painting sticks out, so it get´s clicked.
I always find I click on paintings with subjects I like, nothing to do with color :-)
David Librach
,
5 months ago
One of my most popular images does not have any bright colours, has no red and there is no female form to be seen anywhere. That seems to be the exception though.
On the internet, people tend to attracted to images that ‘pop’ or have instant impact. It is just how we absorb information in the digital age. Some of my more contemplative pieces that do quite well in galleries have some of the lowest views on this site. Again, it’s just the context in which art is viewed.
Also, I find that the size of images displayed does not work in a painter’s favor. One of the great things about paintings are their organic feel. That does not always translate into a digital image. I’ve seen some artists use close up images in their descriptions to give the viewer a better understanding of the art and medium. Just a thought….
Rasendyll in reply to David Librach’s comment, 5 months ago
David,
I know what you mean-all of that texture and feel is lost in a little image. Curiously I find Acrylic paintings come up better in smallodigital images than oils (which I prefer working in).
Rasendyll in reply to RainbowDesign’s comment, 5 months ago
That’s an aspect I hadn’t thought of- what else is uploaded at the same time could have an impact…
TallGuy, 5 months ago
Another point could be the time of posting… I find early evenings best for me, people in the UK are back from work and go on the computer, at the same time people in the States are going to work and have a crafty look while at work.
I have to agree about the brightness of the subject, it has to catch the eye to beat the opposition so to speak. When others aren’t posting many shots, it has to favour your views..
Also you mention your two train shots, can I say people seem to like smiley faces shots. No offence meant, but Cathedrals at Sonning seems down in the mouth, the engine is running down out of the picture as though it didn’t want to be there. I much prefer to be looking up at steam trains in awe, more like your Atlantic picture. I love all your train painting’s they are skilfully done with the atmosphere that I like, but as I say I prefer the ones that I have to look up to the engine.
Rasendyll in reply to TallGuy’s comment, 5 months ago
Interesting-hadn’t really thought of that before…..