Welcome to this week’s thought of the week.
This week’s quote is:
“A picture can paint a 1000 words, but don’t forget that words can paint unlimited numbers of pictures!”
When I first started my blog I rarely, if ever, used images as I really didn’t think they were necessary.
As time went on, and I read countless tips posts, I came to realise that they are necessary. We are visual creatures and a pretty image can attract someone to read something that they may otherwise have overlooked. Plus, in a long posts, images can break the text up a bit and make it easier to digest.
I still believe though, that words can paint a more vivid image than a picture if used correctly.
A picture shows you what is there – words create a backdrop for you to paint yourself. You decide on the details, and you see something exactly as your mind chooses to.
Think of your favourite novel that became a film – do the actors look exactly as you imagined the characters?
Probably not, but to whoever did the casting, those actors perfectly represent the character. Your choice of who looks exactly like how you imagine the character to look will be different to the next person’s and his to next and so on.
That’s why, for the most part, I prefer books to movies – the words paint the picture and I shape it to how I want to see it.
A horror book is often creepier than the movie because of what is left unsaid.
Words paint the picture our paint brushes may not be able to, the picture our mind sees.
What do you think? Are words more powerful than pictures? Let me know in the comments 🙂
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I do have to agree about my favourite novel compared to the movie. I don’t think I’ve ever watched a movie, after reading the book, and thought “that was better than the book!”
I love reading and you’re right about conjuring the images in your head.
However, when it comes to blogging I think it’s slightly different. If it’s creative then that’s fine but otherwise people do like to see what you’re talking about.
As with everything though, it’s a matter of opinion. 🙂
The movie just never lives up to the book does it! I do get it that blogging is different – when I look back at my early posts with no images they do look boring!
I like it 😋… as a fan of the written word I completely agree that words paint unlimited images. Just look what happens when we txt and someone misinterpretes what we are saying because we can’t write enough to fully communicate what we mean.
In blogging terms, because we use limited words to get across what we mean – I am all for using images, and who can resist a good photo 😄.
Very good point about the text messages! I love looking at all the pretty photos on Instagram and blogs but I am still a fan of a well written piece that lets me visualize the scene myself too 🙂
I don’t know that one is more powerful than the other to me. I would never have the words to describe the most gorgeous sunset I’ve ever seen. I don’t think there would be many who could the words would not do it justice. For some things and feelings there are no words. But I also agree a great author can make me see and feel so much with just their words, but it’s not something that the average person can do. So, for me, it’s a toss up! Great discussion!!!!
I think images have their place and I love a good photo as much as the next person, I just feel it’s important not to lose sight of the fact that words are important too – and that by using words you can paint the picture you didn’t take. Thank you 🙂
This is a brilliant quote Debbie! It’s one to stop & think about. I am the same way when it comes to books vs movies. I rarely watch movies of books I enjoyed because nothing looks like it does in my mind. I have a mix of posts on my blog – sometimes I don’t have images & other posts are mostly images. I love your mix of images & words. x
Thank you 🙂 I do sometimes feel that some of my posts use images just for the sake of it, maybe I will start doing the odd one without any. Thanks! x