Liz Strauss at Successful Blog

Thinking, writing, business ideas … You’re only a stranger once.

March 20, 2006

Eye-Deas 1: Have You Started Seeing Things?

ME Liz Strauss wrote this at 10:33 am

Worth 1000 Words

I look at it this way. They say a picture is worth a 1000 words. A good post can be as short as 400. One picture could help A LOT.
–ME Strauss

Finding Ideas Outside of the Box logo 2

I like to have illustration with what I write. Pictures add reader support and interest. I’ve said that before, but I don’t think I’ve mentioned that I often use visuals as a way of reverse engineering. Photos, clip art, line art, fine art, and objects in the real world are all great sources for ideas. Of them all, rights-free photos and clipart work double time. You can use them to get ideas; then use them to illustrate the idea after it’s written. For this conversation I’m going to use the words photo and image to suggest any form of visual or illustration you might use.

The reason images make great idea starters is that they access the right brain–the place where words don’t usually hang out. Images get you thinking in a new way about things–connecting thoughts that don’t usually get connected, triggering memories. Images involve your eyes in the process of bringing in information. You don’t have the problems of words tripping over each other or of your left brain trying to edit your thoughts when all you want to do is get to an idea.

Folders, Envelopes, & Boxes of Ideas

Ever sit at someone’s house when the scrapbooks come out when you hardly know a person in the pictures? Isn’t it strange how if you’re friends with the person who owns the album, the pictures can get you involved in telling stories anyway?

I collect images. I use them for fodder–stuff to look at when I need ideas. They’re in several beat-up old folders, a couple of 9×12 envelopes, and a box or two. Some are at my friend, Peg’s house. I also have about 23 photo and art sites bookmarked on my computer–that doesn’t count the museums and art galleries which might be 20 or so more. I don’t put much effort into the collection, and I get a wealth of ideas from having it. The images come from a variety of places.

I read billboards and check out window displays too. Even the ads on buses have pictures that might trigger an idea about a subject that I write about. Those notes and pictures go into the folders, envelopes, and boxes.

I only do this kind of idea hunting when I’m alone. I don’t want to turn into one of those people who lives their blog the way some folks live their jobs. . . . But then I’m alone a lot.

Setting Up A Photo Idea Directory

I’ll often go to my favorite rights-free photos sites when I have down time to browse for photos that capture my imagination. It’s a great way to get the words out of my head and relax at the same time. I save photos I find into a Photo Idea Directory.

These points will help you to set-up a directory. This will start you out organized and give you a process that handles photos properly and saves you time when you look for ideas and find a photo you want to use.

Often when I’m away from home, waiting for something, I’ll mentally go through my photo file and one or two photos will come to mind for me to play with. Some of my best writing ideas have started that way. I think of the images in that file and connect one to some topic that I’ve been wanting to talk about. It’s as if the photos are waiting for me to tell their stories–I just have to figure out what those stories are.

Get the Picture?

Using your eyes to find ideas can get your right brain working for you. As you do what you do, you can be collecting images that hang out in a box or on your computer waiting for you to decide what their story is.

Try a little reverse engineering the next time you need an idea. Pick up a magazine, visit an online gallery, or browse your favorite photo site. Let your imagination do the rest for you. Suddenly you’ll find that you’re not stuck using the same images over and over again. What’s cool about photos is that they change in small ways to match what you’re looking to find in them.

Images will not only get you started, but also help you dress up and promote your final written work. Build a great image for your brand and your business by putting images to behind your ideas from the start. Get the picture?

How might reverse engineering with images add appeal and depth to your writing?

–ME “Liz” Strauss

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8 Comments to “Eye-Deas 1: Have You Started Seeing Things?”

  1. March 20th, 2006 at 11:01 am
    chartreuse said

    I’m big on images, too.

    What I have started doing is finding a person who’s pictures or art I like on Flickr and getting their permission to use their pictures/art in my posts. I always include a link at the bottom of my post to where ever they want me to point to.

    It’s a way to get some images most people haven’t seen and I feel cool that I’m introducing them to a new audience.

    btw, I’ve missed you!

  2. March 20th, 2006 at 11:04 am
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Chartreuse!
    How are you? I’ve missed you too! Family illness at this end.

    What a great idea! Thanks for sharing it. It’s certainly win-win-win for you, the photographer, and your readers. That’s fabulous thinking.

    I’ll be over to catch up with you today.
    Liz

  3. March 20th, 2006 at 11:57 am
    Robert Bruce said

    Absolutely right Liz. Use the photo to inspire yourself as well as help tell the story.

    In my battle to throw a few poems around, I’ve found images to be invaluable…

    I’ve been shooting my own little pics for a while, but I like Char’s idea…

    To add to it, I’ve also gone the old fashioned “email a friend” route. Ask to use photo’s they’ve taken and link back to them (if they want the link). What’s surprising is how many don’t actually want the link.

  4. March 20th, 2006 at 12:01 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Robert!

    If you’re a photographer, you’re a step ahead. Asking friends is a great idea.

    I’ve also know photographers who, because they use kids a lot, go to the neighborhood school at the beginning of the year and arrange to send home model releases with all of the kids who’d like to have their picture take when he needs one.

    I’m going to be doing about three more “photo” related posts before I move on from this . . . branding will still move forward too. )

    Thanks Robert, for sharing your ideas. I’m sure that folks will be taking advantage of what you’ve added here. Cool.
    Liz

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