Too Many Pictures in Reviews

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Too Many Pictures in Reviews

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Contributor: Adriana Ravenlust Adriana Ravenlust
Do you ever read a review and find there are too many images?

While I understand that pictures can be useful, I guess I use them sparingly. To me, they're especially helpful if something is different from the product images or unable to be seen in them, like with textures. Pictures can be good to describe unique shapes that are hard to define in words or flaws of a product. Lately, I've run across reviews with nearly a dozen pictures and I find this overwhelming. If an image isn't significantly different from others or I can't readily identify what I'm looking at or why, it doesn't add to the review for me.
01/05/2012
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Contributor: Coralbell Coralbell
I agree. Having a ton of pictures doesn't increase the usefulness. I really don't need to see the packaging from 4 different angles etc. I keep it to 4 pictures or less.
01/05/2012
Contributor: Chirple Chirple
I haven't seen a review that I thought had too many so far, but I haven't been here *that* long.

I usually only have 3-4 pictures, I just try to take useful pictures, like what I'd want to see, I guess. :B I might take more pictures if there's a special reason.
01/05/2012
Contributor: js250 js250
I have noticed a few reviews with a lot of pictures. There are also a couple with little writing and multiple pics, not a good idea - I still have sizing and cleaning or etc. I would like to know about these products. I find 4-5 pictures per review to be a good high limit.
01/05/2012
Contributor: K101 K101
Well my advice is... don't read them and PLEASE don't give low ratings ONLY because the reviewer added photos. If your personal preference is that you don't like em' then you can always move on. Wait for another review. Personally, I am very weird about buying something (lingerie especially) if I cannot see photos to show the colors and actual product.

Quite frankly I can't understand why there are constant complaints about something so damn petty.

For some, photos are a need. Now I have seen some reviews that are ONLY photos and very little info and it seems the photos are there not to show the lingerie, but to show the person. THAT I can see being a problem. Nudity to an extend, I can see being something that's a problem (at least if there's no warning first) but just pictures of a product bothering someone this badly? Just don't understand it.

I add photos because it helps others to know what to expect. 9 times out of 10 a photo of the product itself will help at least one or 2 people.

If there's a few photos of the product like say clothing. A photo of them wearing it, a photo of the inside of the product lying flat (like a corset) and even photos of tags, those are useful when combined with A FULL review. If the writing part is lacking due to too many photos, yes it can be less helpful. But no sense in bashing those who do (like me and yes, it happens to me) over adding pictures.

I try to choose to just focus on my own reviews rather than bitch and complain about everything others do. If I don't like it, there's really no reason for me to bring that up when it's been brought up a million times. That is just me though.
01/05/2012
Contributor: Shellz31 Shellz31
Personally, if I'm interested in an item I want to see all the pictures I can so I know exactly what I'm going to purchase. Not everyone has the luxury to just send it back if it's not what they thought it would be.
I also like to give readers a good idea on what the item really looks like in mine. The product images are often rather different, so I appreciate seeing buyers views of them!

And if someone puts a heap of photos in, I don't have an issue scrolling by if I'm not interested in seeing them all. Some people will want to see them.
01/05/2012
Contributor: Silverdrop Silverdrop
I guess I'm one of the guilty reviewers. My last review had 9 photos, and the one before that had 18. When I'm writing a review, I feel like the photos help me to describe the product better. It takes quite a bit of work to take photos, move them to the computer, crop and resize them, upload them somewhere, and then get the image links into the review - and I'm a slow reviewer anyway. I wouldn't put that much work into it if I didn't think it was going to improve the review.
01/05/2012
Contributor: Coralbell Coralbell
I wouldn't give a review a lower rating because there are lots of pictures. It doesn't take away from the usefulness, it just doesn't add anything for me. A lot of pictures are no more useful to me than a few well-chosen ones.
01/05/2012
Contributor: Cookie Monster Mike Cookie Monster Mike
In some cases I rate a review higher if there are pictures, but only accompanied with a text review that is also good. I have seen some reviews with 10 or so pictures, if I don't feel like reading and looking at it all then I'll skip over it. But I won't vote down on someones review because of too many pictures. The only thing is that too many pictures can make a review cluttered or overwhelming. Just depends on the product, quality of pictures, are they placed all together or separated into different sections etc.

But as others said, pictures need to be useful, not the exact same style as the original product page pictures, or 5 pictures of the product at different angles. I think it would be best to add a link to the photo album of the hosted pictures to allow people to see those kinds of options.
01/05/2012
Contributor: Taylor Taylor
I think a lot of times different people are going to have different ideas about what makes a helpful review, for some people that is more pictures. I can see where you're coming from with it being overkill, but I guess I don't personally have a problem with it.
01/05/2012
Contributor: Ansley Ansley
I've only seen one or two reviews that just went overboard with the pictures, but I figured it was just their style and didn't really give it much thought otherwise.

If Eden wanted everyone to have the same style, they would outline requirements and then yank any review that doesn't comply. Obviously, they want us to have our own individual styles and what you may not like someone else may love or vice versa.
01/05/2012
Contributor: Kindred Kindred
I've seen a few reviews that I would consider to have an excess amount of pictures. Personally, I try to be sure each picture serves a specific function in my review. Too many pictures breaks up the flow of a review and to me impacts it just as negatively as if the written were babbling about useless information (at least what I consider useless). I also see a lot of poor quality photos that are either dark or out of focus. If you are going to include photos, please take the time to edit and preview them before including in a review.
01/05/2012
Contributor: padmeamidala padmeamidala
Quote:
Originally posted by Adriana Ravenlust
Do you ever read a review and find there are too many images?

While I understand that pictures can be useful, I guess I use them sparingly. To me, they're especially helpful if something is different from the product images or unable to be ... more
I like pictures in a review. I try to put up at least 3-4 of them in my review but it doesn't cut into what I write about. I figure people will want to see pictures of the toys in use.
01/05/2012
Contributor: unfulfilled unfulfilled
I like seeing reviews that have pictures because it helps me get a better idea of what I may or maynot be purchasing. I wouldn't want the review to just use pictures to overplay the fact they didn't write but a few sentences in every field, but if they are thorough in writing and include pictures I find them Extremely useful to me.
01/05/2012
Contributor: Beck Beck
If I have too many images I try to make a collage that way they are all in one image, however that is my style not everyone's. Really I have seen a few reviews where there was nothing going on but pics, but that does not make their review any less useful, it still got the point across. I like pictures and I find all of them useful, but some do not like them and find them less useful.
01/05/2012
Contributor: Jul!a Jul!a
I've definitely seen reviews with what I would consider to be too many pictures. To me, you have too many pictures when the review is mostly pictures, when the words are broken up and the review reads choppy because of all of the pictures, or I can't seem to focus on the writing because of all of the pictures. Yes, pictures can be extremely helpful, but there is such a thing as too much of a good thing. If there's something really intricate you want to show, maybe make a small collage rather than post 5 full size pictures? Please don't put in 4 pictures of the packaging unless it's something really special. And please try to make picture placement make sense.

I try to keep my pictures in one section of my reviews so that they can be easily ignored if you only want the text. That being said, I have added pictures throughout other places in my reviews, but I tried to only do so in a way that broke it up like an extended review template. As for voting on reviews that have a lot of pictures, I have voted lower than I might have if I felt as though the amount of pictures took away from the content of the review. If I can't get myself to read what you've written, your review is not useful to me. Or at least not as useful. I haven't voted SU or lower just because of pictures, but having too many in a manner that really breaks up the flow of the review has been the difference between useful and extremely useful for me.
01/05/2012
Contributor: Liz2 Liz2
For me, pictures add so much especially in lingerie reviews. I can usually get a sense of how the outfit might look on me.
Pictures should add to the overall review. Pictures of the packaging do nothing for me, I am interested in the product not the package! Tantus ans Aslan have minimal packaging but they are awesome products.

And multiple pictures don't make up for an mediocre review.
01/05/2012
Contributor: Allstars316 Allstars316
I have enjoyed the pictures a lot. The sizes have helped a lot.
01/05/2012
Contributor: Lucky21 Lucky21
I think the pictures are great, especially in comparison to other toys, objects so we can get an idea on how big or small something actually is. If I can't tell what is going on in the picture, I think it's kinda worthless.
01/05/2012
Contributor: ~LaUr3n~ ~LaUr3n~
Quote:
Originally posted by Adriana Ravenlust
Do you ever read a review and find there are too many images?

While I understand that pictures can be useful, I guess I use them sparingly. To me, they're especially helpful if something is different from the product images or unable to be ... more
I completely agree. Not every review needs pictures, and most don't need more than a few. Thankfully, most of the reviews I see that have too many photos also have a good amount of text to go with, so the review could stand alone without.
01/05/2012
Contributor: ~LaUr3n~ ~LaUr3n~
Quote:
Originally posted by K101
Well my advice is... don't read them and PLEASE don't give low ratings ONLY because the reviewer added photos. If your personal preference is that you don't like em' then you can always move on. Wait for another review. Personally, I ... more
What you described is exactly what is helpful. I appreciate those photos too. What Adriana is talking about is just random pics none more useful than the next... here's the dildo on the couch and here's another picture that is almost the same, in low lighting, same picture but zoomed in etc. This is what I don't like, but I don't down rate for that unless the text isn't there. Like Corabell says a few posts below yours, for me they can add something, I don't down rate for too many, but a lot of pictures doesn't mean it adds a lot. They have to be the RIGHT pictures.

That said. The forum should be a place where we can all express ourselves and not be bashed at for our opinions. Adriana is just sharing hers. Just like the advice you gave her to just not read them, then maybe those who don't like her opinion or are going to bash it can just pass this forum along. It's one thing to disagree...
01/05/2012
Contributor: ~LaUr3n~ ~LaUr3n~
Quote:
Originally posted by Shellz31
Personally, if I'm interested in an item I want to see all the pictures I can so I know exactly what I'm going to purchase. Not everyone has the luxury to just send it back if it's not what they thought it would be.
I also like to ... more
That's a very good point! We have plenty of customers who are not in the US.
01/05/2012
Contributor: ~LaUr3n~ ~LaUr3n~
Quote:
Originally posted by Kindred
I've seen a few reviews that I would consider to have an excess amount of pictures. Personally, I try to be sure each picture serves a specific function in my review. Too many pictures breaks up the flow of a review and to me impacts it just as ... more
Well said. I agree.
01/05/2012
Contributor: ~LaUr3n~ ~LaUr3n~
Quote:
Originally posted by Jul!a
I've definitely seen reviews with what I would consider to be too many pictures. To me, you have too many pictures when the review is mostly pictures, when the words are broken up and the review reads choppy because of all of the pictures, or I ... more
This is also important. It's good if you put them all in one place or put them where they logically make sense. You are reading about size and then there is a picture comparing size, not a random picture of the controls. This helps not break it up. I can lose interest in the text if it is broken up illogically.


So, if you are going to include pictures in your review, please make sure they really are adding to the review, are decent quality, and are placed so they don't illogically break up your review text. If they are don't well, you'll surely be rewarded for your efforts.
01/05/2012
Contributor: Antipova Antipova
I like pictures sparingly as well---basically, the written review is the most important part to me, and when the pictures AUGMENT that (like is often the case in lingerie reviews, or when you're showing comparisons) then I like them.

When the pictures DETRACT from that (they are repetitive, or scattered through the entirety of the review rather than collected at the end of the review or the end of the paragraph where they were mentioned, or there's just not that much written content there and the pictures are the entirety of the review), then they're not that helpful.

I've seen some reviews where a lot of pictures are helpful (Shellz and Stainedclear are good examples of this that come to mind easily) and I've also seen reviews where the pictures totally monopolize the review. In those latter cases, why not just upload all your pretty pictures to the product page? Lingerie reviews I view a little differently than toy reviews---a few different angles for lingerie is always helpful. They can be made into a collage before uploading to make it easier on readers with slow internet connections/smartphone s, though.





So in my reviews, I typically have 1 picture, and I try to include 1) a different angle than the product page or 2) show off a special feature, and 3) give a reference for size all in the same picture. If I want to show a few or more shots, I try to make them into a collage at least, for people with slowly loading computers.
01/05/2012
Contributor: BBW Talks Toys BBW Talks Toys
This might sound a little snarky, but I'm going to say it anyway:

If you take issue with the way someone does a review and you feel like you can help them improve, why not just contact them privately and offer to mentor them, or offer some advice?

In a thread like this people feel called out, even if the people who see the thread aren't the person you feel whose reviews need work. It can make people feel ill-at-ease about posting a review because it might not be what everyone wants.

We forget that the reviews we do are not for the benefit of just the community, but also for shoppers who have NO.IDEA. of the guidelines for writing reviews. It's great that we have rank, which allows us higher-priced toys as we increase rank, but it's not really the point of the reviews. It's to help shoppers make informed decisions.

Besides, not everyone has the artistic eye to realize that they took 3 pictures at the same angle, they may see something different in each photo and think that they're providing a good representation of the toy.
01/05/2012
Contributor: Hot 'N Sexy TexasMama Hot 'N Sexy TexasMama
Now you guys have me wondering if I should be putting my pictures in my linger reviews.

I try to do a front shot, a side shot, a rear shot, a closeup of the boob support (because its plus size lingerie).

Sometimes I will add photos of my daughter in the same thing IF it fits her much differently since she's a bit smaller than I am. I also include both of our measurements so people can see which model they'd be closest to.

I like photos as long as they're in there for a reason and I would never downvote anyone for the amount of pictures.
01/05/2012
Contributor: Miss Anonymous Miss Anonymous
I'm guilty of putting too many pictures into my reviews. I personally LOVE reading reviews with pictures. When I'm going to order something, I'll look through the list for the people who I know post pictures, and those will be the reviews I read. I like to see the items. I like to know what I'm getting into before I get into it. I've ordered so many items, and when I got them home, I was let down. It annoys me to no end when that happens, so I'm personally grateful for people who post pictures. Looking at my latest review, I have to admit, I did add way too many pictures. I'm going to try and limit them, but sometimes I feel like my words don't get what I'm trying to say across, so I add pictures.

I have to agree with Kendra, when it comes to things like clothing. I like to see pictures, because it’s hard to just go off what you read. The person reviewing it may like the way it looks on them, but me reading may decide, I’m not to fond of it. I personally can’t be running back and forth to the post. It helps to see pictures, but I agree that it shouldn’t be at an overwhelming amount of pictures. I also need to remember that not everyone loves pictures as much as I do. It should be a good balance of writing to pictures.
01/05/2012
Contributor: Cherrylane Cherrylane
I haven't seen a review with as many pictures as you describe, and idk what I'd think if I did, but thus far I've found pictures in reviews entirely helpful.

I get that some information you might get from a picture is "redundant" because things get pictured on the main page. I dont know what it is, but somehow I feel like it's *different* to see pictures someone took themselves. Pictures with the measurements, pictures that haven't been photoshopped or altered and modeled, with seems taken out and color brightened. Pictures of it in hand, so you can see a little more about functional size and what not. Pictures with it next to other items. All that sort of thing.

I think my favorite picture review I've seen lately is link by Curiouscat. They were really great because I hadn't had much opportunity to play with an Ella in the store, and even though I'm fairly familiar with Lelo toys and what not, it was just really nice to see such lovely pictures of it being held, in the packaging, next to a regular household item, etc. Really helped me imagine what it would be like to have the toy in front of me and whether it was really what I wanted.
01/05/2012
Contributor: Silverdrop Silverdrop
Quote:
Originally posted by Cherrylane
I haven't seen a review with as many pictures as you describe, and idk what I'd think if I did, but thus far I've found pictures in reviews entirely helpful.

I get that some information you might get from a picture is ... more
That link to Curiouscat's review is great. She's obviously a talented photographer. I'm not a talented photographer AT ALL. My camera is cheap, and my software skills are limited to 'crop and resize'. I understand some people would rather have a collage, but I don't have the skills or software to do that. As I said before, it takes a lot of time to put my not-very-lovely photos into a review, and it does make me feel a little defensive to hear people saying I shouldn't be doing that.

Photos are something I like to see in a review, and my mentor made suggestions about some additional photos to add that she thought would improve my review.

I don't think there's anything wrong with people putting zero to few photos in a review, if that's how they want to write it, but I do feel a little uncomfortable being called out like this for something that I put a lot of work into.
01/05/2012