Too Many Pictures in Reviews

I never have read a review that I thought had *too* many pictures. I have, however, read reviews that had plenty of pictures, but little text explanation.

I don't see this issue as "too many pictures" I see this as "not enough text" because before I buy something, I want to see whatever pictures the reviewer took the time to snap and include in the review!!! BUT to me, just because you have a lot of pictures doesn't mean you can slack on text. less

I never have read a review that I thought had *too* many pictures. I have, however, read reviews that had plenty of pictures, but little text explanation.

I don't see this issue as "too many pictures" I see this as "not enough text" because before I buy something, I want to see whatever pictures the reviewer took the time to snap and include in the review!!! BUT to me, just because you have a lot of pictures doesn't mean you can slack on text. less

First of all, I want to apologize for being so upset yesterday by this thread. I guess I'm really oversensitive about the topic because I hate the way I look in pictures and I'm always feeling like I don't do as good a job on reviews as some other folks.

After hearing from many folks that the pictures help them, I'm going to stick with my formula because I do have a purpose for 99% of my pictures.

But - I am also going to look at reducing them to a slightly smaller size because this thread has made me realize that might really help the reviews not seem as overwhelming when you first open it up.

I also want to state- publicly - for the record that the person who had privately contacted me - also sent a note of apology because they never meant to hurt my feelings about photos, etc. I haven't yet had a chance to reply and I need to head out the door in a bit for mystery shops - and then wait anxiously for the mailman and UPS man to bring my new LINGERIE!

I really have taken away some good things from this thread - for instance - making sure every photo has a purpose - putting items next to something that gives you a good idea of size - possibly going with a collage - and so much more. These are tips which I can use to pass on to my students too!

to all who have been involved in this thread. less

I think your pictures are typically a great size. The problem with pictures being too big is when you open a review and they LITERALLY fill your screen. Your reviews are always a pleasure to read and I actually look for the specifically. I look for them not only to recommend things to my plus sized friends, but also to see what the quality of an item is like. If you really love something, I consider buying a smaller size for myself. I also do not see what you saw when you looked at your pictures. I really, truly, honestly do not. I think you look radiant, and you've got a butt that is seriously enviable. SERIOUSLY!!!

Also, I loved reading your comments and I'm excited to read the article you wrote. It's an adorable idea I'm glad that the person apologized to you, but in the future, if you are feeling harassed by someone on this site? You can ABSOLUTELY hand that over to administrators. You do NOT need to tolerate private messages criticizing your reviews, let alone your body or the way you carry it. It's UNACCEPTABLE and, like I said, you don't have to deal with it. I believe Kristi would be the one to contact, but if someone knows a better person to contact then feel free to correct me.

Finally, I hope you don't feel you have to change anything about your reviews. I have always loved them and always found the photos very useful. less

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. less

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. less

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. less

Now this, I understand. I felt the same way, especially since the people who have made complaints about it are the ones that I've seen go through each review of mine and vote down. I've even had a comment recently that was pretty clear that the commenter was irritated with me and my review. So yes, I totally understand feeling defensive. Also, it is hard work to add those photos and it does kind feel disappointing when you're down voted when you've truly added everything. Silverdrop, I hope this doesn't deter you from your style. I happen to love it and it would be a shame for you to stop doing it how you do it. It'd almost be like taking away from something you do well just to please others. I'm not asking you to continue posting photos just to please me, but I'll be the first to let you know that they are appreciated very much. less

Yes - this is correct.

If you like doing the pictures and reviews and you're not showing the item untold times - go ahead and keep doing it and let folks downvote you. When you consider how many other votes you'll get - it doesn't matter in the longrun.

I was telling someone the other day that I have three people that I can ALWAYS count on voting useful - always.

So when I look at those reviews I laugh and go "Ok...jerk one and two were here...jerk three should be here soon - but compared to the 10 or 12 or whatever votes...it won't matter". Truly - it doesn't. I mean - come on. If you have like 10 or 12 EUs and then 3 U votes and those same people always vote "u" on your reviews (or lower) - trust me - other folks notice too and they come to you privately and stuff to reassure you.

Just tell yourself that it doesn't matter. less

Not sure if anyone has mentioned it or not but for those who feel they want to provide extra information there is a place on most product pages to upload pictures. It's near the bottom, kind of just above the comments area and you can find it on all the "new" style product pages.

This doesn't help with lingerie since they have the old style pages but it does, for most products, give you an area to upload images that are helpful and will be seen even by those who don't read reviews -- while allowing you to be more choosy and only put the most relevant images inside the actual review.

Just another option, I suppose. less

Just a reminder that a "useful" vote is NOT a bad vote, is not downvoting and it's kind of out of line to call people jerks for voting the way they feel.

We all have the right to do so and NO ONE should be forced to feel they have to vote they way everyone else does.

Hell, I've been reviewing just about since the program began and I work here and I still get useful and somewhat useful votes. It's the way it goes and, in the long run, it is not just a matter of telling yourself it doesn't matter -- it truly doesn't matter.

A few less than perfect votes are just not important and you're always going to have a few people who don't like you, your style or your writing. That's life. less

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. less

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. less