Learn How This Image Became So Powerful That It Did Not Need Words At All

Rosie the Riveter Became Symbolic of the World War II Female Who Was Strong Enough to Carry America Forward, When Its Men Were Off to War.  See How the Rosie Poster Became One of the Most Powerful of All War Posters Ever and How Rosie Herself Is A Picture Worth 1,000 Words

Allow me to take you on an image and word journey, showing you exactly how images are more powerful than words:

Begin by Reading the Following words and Monitor your Reaction:

We Can Do It!

Let’s Bold It –

We Can Do It!

Let’s Explain It – With MANY More Words:

Rosie the Riveter is a cultural icon of the United States, representing the American women who worked in factories and shipyards during World War II, many of whom produced munitions and war supplies.[1][2] These women sometimes took entirely new jobs replacing the male workers who were in the military. Rosie the Riveter is commonly used as a symbol of feminism and women’s economic power.[3] Use of similar images of women war workers appeared in other countries such as Britain and Australia. Images of women workers were widespread in the media as government posters and commercial advertising was heavily used by the government to encourage women to volunteer for wartime service in factories.[4]…

According to the Encyclopedia of American Economic History, “Rosie the Riveter” inspired a social movement that increased the number of working American women from 12 million to 20 million by 1944, a 57% increase from 1940.  By 1944 only 1.7 million unmarried men between the ages of 20 and 34 worked in the defense industry, while 4.1 million unmarried women between those ages did so.[23]…

In 1942, Pittsburgh artist J. Howard Miller was hired by the Westinghouse Company’s War Production Coordinating Committee to create a series of posters for the war effort. One of these posters became the famous “We Can Do It!” image—an image that in later years would also be called “Rosie the Riveter,” though it was never given this title during the war. Miller is thought to have based his “We Can Do It!” poster on a United Press International wire service photograph….Wikipedia

An entire Wikipedia of Words will not increase my interest in this account. More words are not needed–we need something to increase our interest in the words.

How about this?

Even this is better!

With the added stroke, I have not only added more interest, but I am talking about patriotism now!

How about this for red, white, and blue patriotism and women who are strong?

Now, I am beginning to get the picture–and I am getting it without any words at all–Patriotic Women Are Strong!

How about this:

Wow! But Wait! Why the Yellow?

That color of orangey yellow is the complement of Vincent Van Gogh Delft Blue.

Any time that you can place 2 complements NEXT to each other, your message will be a Smash Dunk!

Notice how much more powerful the poster with only words [and yellow] is as opposed to that without yellow.

In the final poster [with Rosie herself added], you don’t even need the words to know that Women Are Strong Enough to Handle Things. They Can Do It!

More about the power of images Here

and Here

Learn How This Image Drove A Country Into Action – An Experiment Illustrating That A Picture Is Worth 1,000 Words & More Statistics

“Seeing comes before words. The child looks and recognizes before it can speak.” Dr. Lynell Burmark, Ph.D. Associate at the Thornburg Center for Professional Development and writer of several books and papers on visual literacy, said, “…unless our words, concepts, ideas are hooked onto an image, they will go in one ear, sail through the brain, and go out the other ear.”

Whoever controls the media—the images—controls the culture. – Alan Ginsberg

Considering that Alan  Ginsberg was a poet and an author and not a photographer or visual artist, this admission from him speaks volumes. 

This week I am on a campaign to explain why images are vital to online communication, powerpoint–as well as to books, as illustration.

I have an experiment for you. How impressed are you with the following comment:

I Want You

I dare to say that the previous sentence is not very impressive to most people.

Let’s try it again. Let’s try it in bold:

I Want You

That is still fairly unimpressive. Let’s try the words as a quote:

I Want You

Well, at least I see the words now. The words are separated from the rest of the text. Let’s try bolding the words, putting them in a quote

I Want You 

With every added action on the words, we make them more noticeable. Now, let’s try turning the words into images:

By merely placing the word inside a decorative frame, changing the colors and sizes, our three words are definitely beginning to stand out. Take a peek at how an image, combined with three words, moved an entire country into action:

“Originally published as the cover for the July 6, 1916, issue of Leslie’s Weekly with the title “What Are You Doing for Preparedness?” this portrait of ‘Uncle Sam’ went on to become–according to its creator, James Montgomery Flagg–“the most famous poster in the world.” Over four million copies were printed between 1917 and 1918, as the United States entered World War I and began sending troops and matériel into war zones” – .http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/treasures/trm015.html

“As early as the late nineteenth century, advertisers, based on their collective experience, were convinced that illustrations sold goods.” – http://billiondollargraphics.com/infographics.html

Clearly, we are more drawn to the poster with Uncle Sam’s image on it than we are to the poster without the image, and the poster with words is far more impressive than the first strings of mere words. The famous Uncle Sam poster was created 100 years ago, as propoganda to encourage people to enlist in the World War I effort. In no time, that poster became the most famous poster of all time, and its value is still recognized. If people, 100 years ago, responded better to images than to text, imagine how much greater the need for text is now–in the 21st Century, when texting, multitasking, tweeting, and other hurried efforts to communicate, are distracting potential viewers.

“So visuals are processed 60,000 times faster than text, graphics quickly affect our emotions, and our emotions greatly affect our decision-making. If most of our decisions are based on relatively quick intuitional judgment and emotions, then how many decisions are influenced by visually appealing, easily digested graphics? The answer is no secret to advertisers.

Billions of dollars are spent annually to find the right imagery to sell a product, service, or idea. The United States Military spent $598 million in 2003 on advertising to increase “brand identity” and meet their annual recruitment goals. Nike spent $269 million in 2001 on its image to sell their products. Anheuser-Busch spent $440 million to promote its products in 2001. Pepsi budgeted over $1 billion in 2001 on its image. Not to be out done, Coca-Cola budgeted $1.4 billion for its image in the same year. Graphics help create “brand identity.” Visuals paint the picture of who the advertiser is, what they stand for, and how the audience may benefit. Graphics sell because of their ability to influence. How you use graphics greatly affect how you and your business are perceived.

Study after study, experiment after experiment has proven that graphics have immense influence over the audience’s perception of the subject matter and, by association, the presenter (the person, place, or thing most associated with the graphic) because of these neurological and evolutionary factors. The audience’s understanding of the presented material, opinion of the presented material and the presenter, and their emotional state are crucial factors in any decision they will make. Without a doubt, graphics greatly
influence an audience’s decisions. Whoever properly wields this intelligence has a powerful advantage over their competition.”

http://billiondollargraphics.com/infographics.html

Images Create Pacing and Drive the Reader To Your Post and Through It

Compare the Following Text about Sally Field’s Role in Places in the Heart both With Images and Without

Many years ago, I watched the movie Places in the Heart. The setting is in a cotton-farming part of Texas, just after the Depression, in 1930. I grew up in the cotton-farming region of Southeast Missouri–about 20 years after the setting of  Places in the Heart; but when I first watched the movie, I recognized my family and my childhood home, as it must have been when my parents were kids–and as it still was, in some ways, when I was a child.

By the time that I was a child, some things in the Bootheel had become more modern; but the stamp of the Depression era was indelibly etched upon my town. When I was a child, I was not forced to desperately try to save my home as Edna Spalding [Sally Field] did, but I did pick cotton during the fall. In fact, the kids my age were the last of the generations of children who were dismissed for cotton “vacation,” when we would pick cotton.

From first-hand experience, I know how it feels to have your hands splintered by the dried cotton hulls, and I know how the splinters swell and ache. I know the sting of cotton’s caterpillars, and I know how, after hours of  stooping over to pick cotton, your back begins to groan. I also know how it feels to lift a heavy sack of cotton to your shoulders and carry it to the wagon to be weighed.

Because I know Edna Spalding, I know that Sally Field was beyond superb in the portrayal of her.

I am a visual person and because I like music, I prefer many of the cinematic versions of most books–as compared to the books themselves. People argue with me about that, and I simply say, “To each, his own.” But when a movie becomes life itself, and I can step into any scene and take part, I feel that the movie has succeeded.

Although Sally Field did receive an Academy Award for her performance in this movie, the movie is only rated now as 3.5 out of 5 stars. That shocks me. To me, the movie is a solid 5 stars, but I believe that many do not love the movie as I do, simply because they have not lived it. Unlike for me, Places in the Heart is not part of many people’s memories, and such is the ever-moving, ever-changing wheel of history.

I have often said that each of us has the capacity to directly touch life, as we lived it during our own generation and to vaguely reach backward through the tales of our grandparents. After that, we have little real understanding of the history before that time.

I am almost 66-years-old, and my span of history far exceeds that of most people living today. Plus, I lived in a remote, rural cotton-growing community in Southeast Missouri. Because of that, my experience is also unique to that of most people today. Yet, picking cotton just outside of a tiny, dusty town is part of my direct memory, and I am absolutely in awe of the way that Sally Field brought that almost gone period of myself back to life again.

—————————————

In looking at the above, illustrated text, you will note that it is more attractive to the reader than the following with no text. The images also serve as resting places for the reader. Places where the reader can conveniently stop, reflect, and then jump right back into the reading.

Images are essential to grab the interest of the readers that might dart past you blog site without images–if they come at all. Thereby, images drive readers to your posting and they also drive the readers through your posting.

Now Without Images

Many years ago, I watched the movie Places in the Heart. The setting is in a cotton-farming part of Texas, just after the Depression, in 1930. I grew up in the cotton-farming region of Southeast Missouri–about 20 years after the setting of  Places in the Heart; but when I first watched the movie, I recognized my family and my childhood home, as it must have been when my parents were kids–and as it still was, in some ways, when I was a child.

By the time that I was a child, some things in the Bootheel had become more modern; but the stamp of the Depression era was indelibly etched upon my town. When I was a child, I was not forced to desperately try to save my home as Edna Spalding [Sally Field] did, but I did pick cotton during the fall. In fact, the kids my age were the last of the generations of children who were dismissed for cotton “vacation,” when we would pick cotton.

From first-hand experience, I know how it feels to have your hands splintered by the dried cotton hulls, and I know how the splinters swell and ache. I know the sting of cotton’s caterpillars, and I know how, after hours of  stooping over to pick cotton, your back begins to groan. I also know how it feels to lift a heavy sack of cotton to your shoulders and carry it to the wagon to be weighed.

Because I know Edna Spalding, I know that Sally Field was beyond superb in the portrayal of her.

I am a visual person and because I like music, I prefer many of the cinematic versions of most books–as compared to the books themselves. People argue with me about that, and I simply say, “To each, his own.” But when a movie becomes life itself, and I can step into any scene and take part, I feel that the movie has succeeded.

Although Sally Field did receive an Academy Award for her performance in this movie, the movie is only rated now as 3.5 out of 5 stars. That shocks me. To me, the movie is a solid 5 stars, but I believe that many do not love the movie as I do, simply because they have not lived it. Unlike for me, Places in the Heart is not part of many people’s memories, and such is the ever-moving, ever-changing wheel of history.

I have often said that each of us has the capacity to directly touch life, as we lived it during our own generation and to vaguely reach backward through the tales of our grandparents. After that, we have little real understanding of the history before that time.

I am almost 66-years-old, and my span of history far exceeds that of most people living today. Plus, I lived in a remote, rural cotton-growing community in Southeast Missouri. Because of that, my experience is also unique to that of most people today. Yet, picking cotton just outside of a tiny, dusty town is part of my direct memory, and I am absolutely in awe of the way that Sally Field brought that almost gone period of myself back to life again.

[YAWN – Without Images]

I posted a similar snippet of memoir both with and without images Here. 

Compare a Snippet of Memoir With and Without Images: A Picture Is Worth 1,000 Words

My ancestors were among the earliest people to settle in Virginia, and my family’s history is that of the people who carved their ways through the Cumberland Gap, crossed Appalachia, and finally arrived in the Southern Midwest. I am fortunate that I have my great aunt’s words that she must have directly overheard, describing my people’s movement west.

As a visual experiment, I will first share some of my great aunt’s words without images. Then, I’ll share them again, with images.  Judge which account is more vivid to you.

What My Great Aunt Said:

“Kenley and Mayme experienced many moves and changes some of which consisted of log houses, wilderness, wild animals, pole roads over which they had to travel slowly during stormy winters and hot, dry summers. Wild animals were hunted, butchered and prepared for food. Also, wild animal skins were sold for fifty cents each. There were domesticated animals used for food; and, of course, there were animals as pets to enjoy and to utilize as protection. Wages at that time were $1.50 a day. They made long trips along the wagon trails, used ferry boats for crossing rivers and streams, and traded cattle and horses.

“They searched for inexpensive farm and hunting land to rent or to purchase; however, the chose to buy choice land for their home sites. Their days were filled with experiences as they met Indians who became friends, traveled with them, camped out, drank strong coffee boiled on open fire, and shared meats and other needs. Because animals were plentiful, there was sufficient food for preparing and eating by the campfire. Coal oil lanterns were utilized on their long journey. Marksmen with their guns and bows and arrows hunted deer for food. The long trips included time for Bible study although they were traveling to find work which took them from city to city and from one state to another.” Curry, Mildred.

I’ll only share a bit of the above passage with images, but I’ll provide a link to a spot where the entire account is illustrated with old photographs.

As you read the illustrated account, also notice that the images provide resting spots–places to help a reader move from point to point. The images not only draw a reader to the post, but they also drive the reader through the post.

“Kenley and Mayme experienced many moves and changes some of which consisted of log houses, wilderness, wild animals, pole roads over which they had to travel slowly during stormy winters and hot, dry summers.

“Wild animals were hunted, butchered and prepared for food. Also, wild animal skins were sold for fifty cents each.

 

“There were domesticated animals used for food; and, of course, there were animals as pets to enjoy and to utilize as protection. Wages  at that time were $1.50 a day.

“They made long trips along the wagon trails, used ferry boats for crossing rivers and streams, and traded cattle and horses.”

See the rest of the illustrated account Here

While the illustrated account is probably too heavily illustrated, there is no doubt that most people will be more drawn to the text with images–as opposed to that without.

It is important to keep in mind that when a person crosses your path via social media, he is no doubt racing past. The writer has a fraction of a second to catch the attention of the passersby.  Images provide the impetus for the viewer to stop and take another glance.

The Internet has numerous studies, proving that sites that use images wisely are better viewed than those which do not. If you are willing to take the time to blog about something, take about 5 minutes more and provide a decent image or two for your post.  Doing so will probably decide whether you are viewed or not.

Read what I said about my family tree and the family’s westward expansion from Virginia: Moving West

2015 Statistics Show Images Are Essential for Online Communication

Compare the above image to the below. Both say the same thing, but ask yourself, “Which says it better?”

I am fortunate to have studied both visual art and writing at the graduate level, and I am fortunate to be able to effectively use both in my blogs and other social media. I also feel qualified to advise others that the use of images is essential to online communication in today’s America. But don’t take my word for it. Allow me to share with you some statistics:

17 Stats You Should Know About Visual Content Marketing Here

Allow me to present you with a brief overview:

“…marketers who are leveraging visual content are seeing significant increases in their blog traffic, social media engagement, visitor-to-lead conversion rates and inbound customer acquisition results.”

“Tweets with images receive 18% more clicks, 89% more favorites and 150% more retweets.”

“70% of marketers plan to increase their use of original visual assets in 2015”

“Over the last 12 months almost every major social network, including Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram have increased the prominence and importance of visual content. Keeping pace with this trend, several research studies conducted over the course of 2014 point to the rather amazing effectiveness of visual content for social media.” http://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/visual-content-marketing-strategy

Because I was essentially paid to get my MA in English, I earned that degree first. As I sat before the graduate committe to earn my second MA in visual art, a professor said to me, “You already have one MA, why do you want another?”

My quick and simple reply was [and still is]: “Because A Picture’s Worth 1,000 Words.”

Obviously, I continue to write; therefore, I still believe that one’s best approach is to add writing to images and to present the 2 as a harnessed team.

This site will be committed to sharing evidence that A Picture Truly IS Worth 1,000 Words–and More!

Beautiful Fall Free and Coyright-Free Photograph Cropped and Ready to Use on Facebook, Twitter, Blog, Etc.

I found this gorgeous fall photo that is both Free and Copyright-Free on thePickabay Site.  

In this post, I’ll provide you with some pre-cropped versions of this image that will be ready for you to use on Facebook, several different Wordpress Blog Headers, Twitter, etc. 

In order to do that, the images need to be cropped at set sizes for each situation,

Facebook Cover Images 

A Facebook Cover Image should be 838 pixels wide and 315 pixels high. If the image is not that large, your Facebook Cover or Header will be blurry. The above image is 838 x 315.

Because I knew that the profile image would cover the lower left corner, I rotated the image before I cropped it into the correct size.

Notice that I also cropped the image so that the upper fringe of orange will balance the lower left place, where the profile image will go.

 A Facebook Profile Image should be 180 pixels x 180 pixels .

I used the Rule of Thirds to help me decide where to crop the image. Notice that one dominant vertical line follows along the leaf, to the tip [on the left],  and the upper horizontal line is approximately where the cusps face each other, about 1/3 of the way downward.

Feel Free to save this Facebook Profile Image to Your Computer and Use It

Feel Free to Save this Facebook Cover Image to Your Computer and Use It.

A Faceboook Post image should be 440 pixels x 440 pixels. I created the following in that dimension, but the emptiness [on the right] seems to beg for some text. there

Twitter displays images that are 440 x 220 or a larger image cropped to a proportion of 2:1
Following is a suitable Twitter Image:

The WordPress Free Theme Blaskan needs a Header that is 1120 pixels x 160 pixels. 

Following is the photograph cropped to that dimension:

Below is how the image looks, as a header on that theme.

  A Widget Image for theFree WordPress Blaskan Theme can be 300 pixels wide:

 Widget Images can be hyperlinked.

The widget image Everyone Loves Something Free is hyperlinked. Click on it and see where it takes you.

The Free WordPress Theme Mystique – with one sidebar- also uses Widget Images that are 300 pixels wide.

The Header Image for the Mystique Image must be 940 pixels x 200 pixels Here

On that site, the above Widget Image is Hyperlinked back to this site.

Following is the Widget Image at 225 Pixels Wide When the Free WordPress Theme Mystique is displaying 2 sidebars, the Widget Images cannot exceed 225 pixels wide.

Following is another 300 pixel Widget Image

 300 pixels wide

 225 pixels wide

Free Resources for Social Media

A Picture Is Worth 1,000 Words is a Place with Free Tutorials Teaching How to Usee Free Image Editing Software

and Offering Links to Numerous Free and Copyright-Free images.

A Picture Is Worth 1,000 Words Here

  12-Month WordPress Pro Here

Learn how to set up 12 different Free WordPress Themes