Photos Before Text?

1. 97

   eugbugposted 5 years ago

   In a long article describing multiple items, which is best, text before photos or photos before text? Should the reader see explanatory text first and then the photo? Things can get more complicated if there are several photos corresponding to a text module.

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   1. 96

      Pollyanna Jonesposted 5 years agoin reply to this

      I like to add a photo before text, to illustrate and introduce the sub heading that I am writing about. I've found though that the placing of the adverts breaks the flow. They put the advert underneath the photo, before your text, which makes it look messy and confuses the reader. So in some instances it is necessary to put the photo at the end of the text so that it is contained within the same space as that particular part of the article and does not confuse the reader. It looks a lot less messy that way.

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   2. 94

      OldRosesposted 5 years agoin reply to this

      I like to put my photos after the text.  I write gardening hubs.  My reasoning is that after reading a description, readers can then see what I'm talking about.  If I post the photo before the explanatory text, then readers will have to scroll back up to the photo to see what I have described.  It may work differently for other topics, but text before photo works best for my niche.

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2. 97

   eugbugposted 5 years ago

   If there are several photos I put the main one before the text and further photos after the text. If text is very long, readers mightn't realise there is an explanatory photo/graphic further down and have some difficulty following an explanation. An issue arises when further text modules appear below photos and the reader has to work out which photo corresponds to which text module, especially if they are total dummies and don't recognise the items in the photos (I'm thinking here of my power tool guide).
   Maybe somehow text could be linked to capsules, e.g. with an enveloping fine outline?

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3. 92

   Natalie Frankposted 5 years ago

   I have usually put them before as well, to introduce what's coming up but have found the same problem with the ads.  It makes the pictures also look as if their ads so I worry readers will get annoyed before reading too far into the article.  I have cut down on the number of images I use with the increase in ads on articles to try to make it look less busy.

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4. 95

   Beth Eaglescliffeposted 5 years ago

   I tend to put the text first and then the photo. Then I link the two by referring to the picture in the text.
   
   I agree the ads can be really annoying as they break up the flow of the article. Even worse is that the ads break the flow in different places depending on whether the viewer is using a PC or a cellphone. You can check the ad positions in your articles by using the preview pane in edit mode.

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5. 95

   wildernessposted 5 years ago

   With the loss of the ability to float photos to the side and enclose it in text, i tend to put the photos under the appropriate text.
   
   I understand and agree with the reasoning behind that loss, but it still hurts the appearance and readability when on a computer.

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