Would Somebody Please Clarify What Size The First Hub Photo Should Be?

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   Rangoon Houseposted 9 years ago

   Hi everybody - would you mind just clarifying what size the first photograph on your hub should be - is it 800 x 800 pixels? Thank you so much for your help. And, I am really sorry if this is super obvious and there are a gazillion forum topics etc. about it already. I have been looking and have seen a few different possibilities, so just wanted the final verdict.

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      Robinposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      This is not a super obvious question; it's a great one!  The size of the the image depends on the Hub. This Hub on cupcakes for example has a first image with the size of 520X700.  It's an image that will do well on Pinterest because it is long and had text on it.  I personally don't like having all images this size in the Hub because they are too long, but it's nice for the first image.  If you want a smaller image, I think that the size 520X325 looks nice.  In HubPro, we try to have all of the photos, except for the first one if it's a pinnable topic, be the same size and full width.  I think this creates a consistency that is professional looking.  I recommend changing all of your photos to full width.  Traffic to mobile is now higher than traffic to desktop and all images on mobile are full width. 
      
      The most important thing is to take your own photos if you can.  Having original photos tells your reader that you are an expert.  If you have to, use creative commons photos.  Our Learning Center has a great resource on using photos properly.

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         TIMETRAVELER2posted 9 years agoin reply to this

         Robin,   I always have the largest pixel for my photos at 1000,  Is this a problem?  Also, I do not understand the need to create wide photos because when hubs are viewed on mobile, so why does this matter?  Also, I disagree that taking your own photos makes you seem like more of an expert. Some people are not good at photography, but this does not mean they don't know their topics well.

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            Matthew Meyerposted 9 years agoin reply to this

            1000 is great.
            We suggest a minimum size of 1000 pixels in the FAQ.
            http://hubpages.com/faq/#imagerequirements

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               Rangoon Houseposted 9 years agoin reply to this

               Thank you very much Matthew and thank you for pointing me in the right direction.

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            Robinposted 9 years agoin reply to this

            Of course sometimes you can't take your own photos, e.g., a Hub about life on Mars.  I didn't say that you aren't an expert if you don't have original photos—just that your reader will likely trust you more if you have them.  For example, f you are writing a Hub about the best chocolate cake recipe and you have stock photos, I'm not going to believe it's the best recipe out there.  Original photos are usually the best way to go.

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         Rangoon Houseposted 9 years agoin reply to this

         Thank you very much Robin. (One matter that certainly doesn't require clarification is that you spend an awful lot of time answering questions and addressing issues here, so I really appreciate your help). So, it seems that there isn't necessarily a steadfast rule. I have looked at your recommended hub and understand the Pinterest preference and the full width visual requirements. I am in full edit mode, so I will obviously be at it for a quite a while. Thank you again.

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         wildernessposted 9 years agoin reply to this

         Robin, I use quite a few thumbnail photos rather than a huge batch of centered, full width photos.  Does this work for the mobile crowd if I center them rather than right justify them?

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            Robinposted 9 years agoin reply to this

            Hi Dan!    I think I would make your photos full width, especially your original photos.  It is fine to still have them in a thumbnail if you think that's a better reader experience.  When you make them full width you are certain how they will be shown on mobile, e.g., you may want a photo below the text, but we put them above on mobile and the work doesn't flow properly.

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               wildernessposted 9 years agoin reply to this

               I'll think about it.  I've several "how to" hubs with as many as 20 thumbnail photos showing particulars of the work.  Making them all full size in a hub of 1000 words means a LOT of scrolling.  I did manage to check a couple on a phone - HP centered them with the blown up one (reader chosen) being full width and changed the location of the worst offenders to be centered after the explaining text rather than alongside of it.  I think that might be the best option.

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   Robinposted 9 years ago

   Interestingly enough, I'm trying to see if I can increase time on site for my Bee Sting to the Eye Hub by removing the thumbnail view on my photos.  I'm wondering if users aren't sure how to use the photo capsule and aren't seeing all of the photos.  It might be worth a try for you, too.

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