I used to publish a substantial amount of photography on my blog, especially in Wordless Wednesday posts, and then it all ceased!
I couldn’t help but notice how they generated little to no engagement. I felt somewhat disheartened by this apparent lack of interest in my photography. After all, how can you respond week after week to the same ‘Great shot’ comments, other than with a ‘Thank you?’ It almost seems as if people are just going through the motions with those kinds of comments without truly engaging with the content.
Can a photography blog post generate meaningful engagement?
It’s something I wasn’t entirely convinced about. I only had to look around the blogosphere and see the same ‘Great photo’ comments on photography posts.
However, some photo challenges seem to spark discussion and engagement, although you’ll sometimes have to sift through the ‘Nice shot’ types of comments. Nevertheless, as I’ve discovered, hosting any kind of blog challenge is hard work, so it’s always a shame when people drop links or short comments and run without recognising the effort the host has put into creating the post. Some of those hosts must feel disheartened when it happens, but the thoughtful and engaging comments they get must make all the difference.
I love photography, so why don’t I showcase mine?
After realising I was missing out on sharing my photography and not wanting to create my own photography challenge, I decided to publish a monthly photography post showcasing four photographs I’ve never featured on my blog before.
Not only that, but at the end of each post, I will display the photos in a separate WordPress photo Gallery block and give a brief explanation of that block’s features.
So, here we go. I’m excited to share with you four never-before-seen photos that I’m delighted to finally unveil on my blog!
1. How old is this tree?
What initially caught my eye in this shot were those colourful buildings in the background. But the fallen tree had me asking many more questions.
Can you actually determine a tree’s age by counting the rings in its trunk? Well, this tree got a bit overzealous during a storm and decided to take a nap across a footpath! It turned into the ultimate footpath block, leading to some unfortunate lumberjack shenanigans where it had to be chopped into manageable pieces.
Not only did I ponder the ancient age of this tree—seriously, is it older than me?—but I also found myself wondering about the brave soul who planted it and how many people have swung from its branches or taken leisurely naps beneath its leafy embrace. The rings? Oh, they’ve got secrets, but counting them seemed as feasible as getting my two dogs to sit still long enough for a family photo.
Today, the chunks of trunk are still hanging around, serving as a posh Airbnb for wildlife that need a place to kick back and relax. I’m thrilled parts of it are still there because this tree has decided to become the ultimate retirement home for other species.
2. Do you know this bear?
This cheeky face practically yanked a grin out of me when it halted my stroll. I simply had to snap a photo—who could resist it? There it was, perched impossibly high, making me ponder not just how it got there, but also who the previous owner was. Was it a child’s hat, a brave toy that escaped the toy box, or maybe even a rogue UFO pilot’s accessory? Hey, a guy can dream about flying a UFO dressed as a Bear, can’t he!?
A few days later, the bear was gone. Someone had either claimed it or rehomed it, although my darker, more creative mind was also insisting that it had fallen off the wall and was now trapped behind it (was that a call for help I could hear?).
Whatever had happened to this smiling bear, I was thankful for the joy it had not only given me when I spotted it, but also for the smiles it must have brought to others who had seen it on their journeys. I hope it was reunited with its owner.
3. Does this sign give you mixed emotions?
This sign will probably evoke mixed feelings. After all, that first line isn’t pleasant, is it? It evoked a vision of a horror story and film by one of my favourite authors, Stephen King. However, the bottom part of this sign brought to mind a beautiful, tranquil place that could be the name of a location you’d find in a children’s book.
I wondered why there was not a separate sign for the dogs’ graves. After all, who would want to visit a dog’s graveyard, apart from maybe pet owners who had buried their beloved pets there? Bluebell Wood, on the other hand, sounded like a lovely place for a walk, especially during bluebell season in May. I pictured myself sitting in Bluebell Wood, forest-bathing, while recharging my body and mind.
Later, I discovered that the gardens, where the photo was taken, were purchased by William Graham Vivian in 1860, when he acquired Clyne Castle, a nearby dwelling, and began creating the surrounding landscape gardens. He died in 1912, and the many dogs buried in the graveyard were his pet dogs. So, there’s the answer to why the dogs’ graveyard is on the sign.
4. Do you know this dog?
Talking of dogs, the chap in the above photo turned 14 last month.
For those of you who haven’t read my ‘About‘ page, this is Toby, the older of the two Welsh Cardigan Corgis my partner and I own. I still recall the day we collected him and how, from the moment we met him, our lives took a new turn. It’s one of the best days of our lives.
Toby is a photography subject, like me, in that he usually moves when a picture is taken. However, on this particular day, his 14th birthday, he posed for the camera, and I was thrilled with the result.
Toby’s hobbies include sleeping, walking, and meeting his mates on the beach. He also enjoys having a mad 10 minutes after dinner, when I have to chase him (very slowly) around the dining table while carrying his favourite toy in his mouth. Additionally, he likes to believe he’s in charge of the household.
When I first started blogging in 2013, Toby was a prominent feature on my blog, but over the years, he hasn’t been as interested in appearing. However, he has recently garnered considerable attention on Bluesky, where some of his photos have been shared hundreds of times and generated a lot of engagement. It’s a rare occurrence that he appears on my blog, and I’m very grateful that he agreed to let me share his photo.
The Gallery Block
The first WordPress gallery I am displaying and featuring is the ‘Gallery‘ block. Here are my four photos.
The Gallery block is a straightforward photo gallery that lets you drag and rearrange images to display them in any way you prefer. It’s a useful gallery, and I notice it being used more frequently than any of the other image blocks provided by WordPress.
Notice how the captions I’ve added to my photos appear at the bottom of each one. You don’t need to add captions to photos, but they are a great way to boost engagement from visitors, especially when asking a question.
To find the ‘Gallery‘ block, search for ‘Gallery‘ under the ‘Blocks‘ tab when drafting a post.
Click the following link for more information about the Gallery Block.
How to make a photographer’s day.
Next time you leave a comment on a photography post, instead of simply saying ‘Great photo,’ explain what it was about the picture that made you think it was great. Was it the subject, the lighting, the scenery, the angle it was taken from, or the emotion it evoked when you saw it? It only needs to be a few lines, but they will appreciate the feedback much more than when all you say time after time is that it’s a great photo.
How do you usually engage with photography posts? What encourages you to leave a comment other than saying, ‘These are nice photos.’ Are you a photography blogger? If so, does engagement on your posts matter to you?
The featured image in this blog post is taken from Pixabay. AI checked spelling and grammar mistakes.
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Happy birthday to Toby!! He looks quite pleased with himself in the photo. :) That is almost a black and white photo, which was probably not intended.
I expect you will get a lot of engagement with this photo blog, Hugh, because you tell a story with each photo. When I see photos in challenges, I usually don’t think much more than whether I like them or not. Unless one really stands out for some reason, I don’t have much to comment. Maybe that’s because my life consists of amazing photos, hundreds a week, from our travels. I have thousands of photos that have never been published, but this lifestyle keeps producing more every day, haha.
AI missed a typo in the second to last word of this sentence: “Click the following link for more information about the Galley Block.” :)
Yes, I’m delighted with all the engagement this post has inspired, Liesbet. These are the kind of comments and engagement I crave. None of those ‘I don’t really want to engage but feel I have to’ types of comments.
I’m not even going to guess the number of photos you have on your devices or in the Cloud. You must be taking pictures every day. I can sometimes go months without taking any photos, more often or not, because I’ve left my phone at home, but I don’t mind that. The rest from social media is especially welcoming.
Thanks for pointing out the typo. I think AI saw it as ‘Galley’ rather than ‘Gallery’.
I enjoy photography posts, Hugh. Don’t let anything discourage you from doing what you love. These photos are interesting. Love the discussion about the tree’s age. Toby is adorable.
It’s hard for me to ignore the non-engaging comments, especially when those who leave them leave them everywhere else, Jan. I love people and conversations. Thankfully, I think I’ve managed to deter those who leave those awful, non-engaging comments from doing so on my blog.
Yes, that “great pic” is a fun one. I enjoyed this post as it explained to the pictures and why you took them. And yes, I can imagine wandering around int the bluebells in the woods having skipped the other two on the sign. An Toby posed so beautifully for that shot. My dogs I only get pictures when they are sleeping since they won’t sit still otherwise. And the tree won–I probably would have missed it for the colorful houses, so I adored why you took it any made me appreciate that photograph a lot more.
I take pictures of things that interest me. Sometimes they work. Other times–let’s just say I miss the mark horribly. But great work.
I’m glad you enjoyed reading this post. I try to add some humour to what I write as I think it helps engage with many readers. Comments like ‘Great photo’ are not particularly engaging. To me, all those types of comments are saying is, ‘I don’t want to engage but feel I have to.’
I was lucky to get that shot of Toby as he usually moves just as I take a photo of him. I think, like me, he’s camera-shy, although he doesn’t look like that in the picture.
Photography is a fun interest. Thank goodness that we can now delete any photos we don’t like. When I think back to the days of getting pictures developed, I recall wasting a lot of money on developing the majority of them that ended up in the bin.
Hi Hugh. I’m not really a photographer so I generally only comment on the composition or the perspective. With Toby’s portrait I would say great pallet of greys, blacks and whites and that look is beyond exasperation. It’s like he’s saying “I am not cute! I am handsome!”
You know, I think you are spot on with what Toby is saying, Jan. There were no filters on when I took the photo. He is black and white, and just happened to be sitting in a bland area of the house when I took the photo. I was delighted with the result, though.
I understand Dog! I’ve studied other languages but Dog is the only one that’s stuck ! 🐾
I understand some of it. But, sadly, not all. I think Toby throws in some trick communications into the pot just to confuse me.
Of course – there are all sorts of variants of Dog! Slang words, dialects etc.!
Toby is a very youthful looking, handsome guy. An adorable picture, but he also looks like he has a mind of his own.
Mine is – mostly – a photographic blog and I agree with your comments although I think people sometimes want to leave a complimentary comment but maybe are a bit intimidated by the specifics of photography or the jargon A blog-friend explained that to me one time, including how she once was slammed in the comments section when she tried to participate.
Oh, he certainly has his own mind, Lynette. He can be stubborn at times, especially when going on a walk and not to the route he wants to go. He’ll suddenly stop and won’t move, not even for a treat. A firm ‘No’ usually wins the day, and he will eventually move.
I won’t follow any blog where the host (or followers) are unfriendly. I’ve seen close-knit groups of bloggers do the same to anyone new who tries to join in a conversation. Those types of blogs are best avoided. I don’t tolerate any kind of unfriendly behaviour on my blog. It’s why I moderate all comments before they appear on posts. I mark any unfriendly comments as ‘trash.’
Thanks for your comments. Much appreciated.
No need to thank me. I always respond to comments (except for the short, spammy ones that go straight to trash).
Love Toby! I also would have to stop and take a picture of that bear.
I wonder how many people took the same picture as I did of that bear? It was certainly a photo opportunity I could not resist.
Speaking of the Chinese bots, at first I thought they were interested in my Yellowstone posts that began in September. I’d read China is developing a national parks similar to Yellowstone. Oddly, a post i published in 2023 has 100s of views daily: religious and spiritual spaces. Also, the views coincidentally aligned with the death of Charlie Kirk. I’ll never know but dang, its fun to see the imaginary views!
It’s happened on my blog a few times, Terri; however, it’s usually been for the wrong reasons. But seeing the stats peak gave me a boost, until I realised what was going on. I think the only time it worked was when I featured a video for a song by Will Young in a post. His fan club in Australia sent many visitors my way.
I chatted with WP yesterday and was assured its security walls are in tact. Apparently this is more common than not.
Good old WordPress. At least we’re not receiving numerous spam comments from those bots. I think they do a great job at protecting their users.
Lovely photos, Hugh. Toby is still adorable. All the best to you, my friend.
He’s impressive for his age, isn’t he, Colleen?
He is, Hugh. We still miss our Pomeranian sisters, Sugar & Spice. Although, Chloe & Sophie, our cats, keep us amused now. 💜
I remember Sugar and Spice, Colleen. They were with you when we first met here on WordPress.
Having a pet or pets is something I always recommend. I wouldn’t be without the boys.
New here but it was such an interesting and enlightening read however Toby stole the show as a lover of Dogs I couldn’t help loving it immediately I saw it’s picture, such cute eyes and colour and it definitely looks great for its age Kudos to you and your partner for taking good Care of Toby🥰
Thank you, Funbi. Toby has played a massive part in our lives. He is our first dog and has introduced us not only to many new people (when we take him out walking) but also to many new places (when we take the dogs on holiday). I can’t imagine life without them. Even though he is now 14, he sometimes thinks he’s still a teenager. However, he loves his sleep and loves his comforts. He’s never been fond of rain, but enjoys running on the beach when it’s windy.
Hi Hugh.
You & I share the dislike of short, polite but useless comments. These days I rarely even look at photo-only posts. If I don’t have some thing of value to say to a post (and photos rarely inspire me as much as someone’s words can) I just move on after leaving only an incremental view uptick.
I do miss KL Caley’s weekly photo challenge and wish someone would let me know if she’s okay because she just stopped any engagement with her own blog. She read a lot of my stuff and always offered both encouragement & criticism to help me improve. Maybe being closer has given you some insight.
Your post today drew me in because I know & respect you. It was still about photos which I struggle to reflect something useful.
On the other hand, Toby does radiate good friendship.
Hello, and thank you for your comment.
KL Caley is a name I remember. Didn’t she take over a writing challenge once hosted by the adorable Sue Vincent, who sadly passed away a few years ago? I had the honour of meeting Sue a few times. She was not only a charming individual, but an incredible writer who encouraged and supported me with my writing. I still have some short stories on my blog that were inspired by her writing prompts.
I don’t mind looking at photo-only posts, but if I have nothing of value to say, then I don’t write ‘Great photo’ and leave. It’s as bad as clicking the ‘like’ button on a post without reading it.
I hope you see my reply, as I’d love to know who you are, given that you’ve come through as ‘Anonymous.’
I loves Sue Vincent’s posts. I found them inspirational and I miss her. Do you know if they still available to read?
Hi V.M, yes, Sue’s blog is still live. I was checking some links on my blog yesterday, and some led to her blog, so they were not broken.
That’s great news, Hugh. I’ll be rereading some if her posts.
I love what you did with this post, Hugh, and happy 14 years to Toby. He looks strong and healthy!
Telling a story about a photo takes skill. You have that creative, dare I say, overactive imagination that illuminates your photos. Me, not so much. The journalist in me.
As a photo challenge host for two features, I get my share of “nice photo” comments, but very few. Most people engage to my satisfaction, whether they choose to comment, share the post on social media, or hop into the challenge.
I’ve backed off Wordless Wednesday posts a bit now that I host The Flower Hour, which gives me more creative leeway to tell a story about the floral subject. Here, I truly love the engagement and the flower pics people love to share. Now that Cee is gone, there is a void for floral photography link ups that I decided to help fill. Keeping me busy! 😆
I do agree with what you’ve written but I’ve found that WordPress is the better way to share my photography. And others inspire me to learn more and stretch my skills.
As always, I enjoy your intriguing posts about blogging. By the way, the Chinese AI bots have discovered my blog. I had over 13K views yesterday, mostly from China. I hope the bots learn good things from my posts! Have a wonderful week and give those sweet dogs some extra hugs!
Oh, I’m sorry to hear you’ve been visited by the Chinese bots, Terri. I wonder what it was that they latched onto? It always makes me wonder what it is. Sometimes it’s a post, or a word in a post, or something mysterious that we’ll never figure out.
I suppose the title ‘Wordless Wednesday’ should have given me a hint that the entire post would be wordless, including the comments. What got me was that it was always the same people saying ‘Great photo’ week after week. I felt they didn’t really want to engage with me, which made me think why they kept saying the same thing. I dislike it when people feel obliged to leave those short, non-engaging comments. I’m off my soapbox now.
Anyway, needless to say, I’ve now found a new way to display my photography, which I hope will inspire genuine engagement. Of course, a post like this is very different to a post like ‘Wordless Wednesday’, so maybe I’m comparing apples with pears, but I’m happy now that I think I’ve found a way to publish my photography.
You do a fantastic job with Sunday Stills. And well done on your new feature, The Flower Hour. Flowers aren’t a subject I enjoy photographing as much as other stuff, but it’s a great tribute to Cee.
You clicked four different moments. They tell four different stories.
Usually I like viewing photos which make me PAUSE and think.
Yes, those types of photos are the best when they prompt thought, especially if there’s a story behind them, making you want to know more about them.
Toby is so handsome. I still believe in that saying that a picture says a thousand words.
I agree on both accounts. And that’s why I think the majority of photography bloggers appreciate something more than just ‘Great photos.’ It can make all the difference.
Toby looks like a pampered and well-cared-for dog! And of course he rules the roost.
I do like to put pictures with all my blogs. Great for attracting interest and often doing a better job than words!
We had a tree come down across our driveway – huge, old, and when it was cut, I counted over 200 rings. Had the same questions you had and wondered about all the things it had seen.
He agrees with you about ruling the roost. He likes to believe he is in charge, and now that he is older, he knows where not to cross any red lines.
Blog posts with images or photos can attract up to 70% more clicks than posts that do not contain any, so it’s always a good idea to add at least one image or photo.
Wow! That was an old tree! The stories it could have told. It’s always sad when a tree comes down in a storm or is cut down, especially when it’s perfectly healthy. I feel sad when coming across any fallen trees. And seeing any being cut down makes my blood boil.
I was really sad when that tree had to come down. The wood from the tree went to a local craftsman who makes furniture to sell to support his tribe in Africa! And I was so happy when I saw a couple of new sprouts growing up from the roots of the old tree.
That’s terrific news about the tree being used to make furniture to help those in need.
Those new sprouts of growth you mentioned remind me of the story of the sad news of the Sycamore Gap tree that was chopped down here in the UK. Did you hear about it? Here’s a link about it.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c93969ln7zwo
It’s since sprouted new growth.
I did read about that tree and it broke my heart. Talk about wanton destruction. I hope they throw the book at the men who did it.
I’m pleased to say that they did. I’m hoping Karma pays them a visit.
I can relate, Hugh. I stopped taking part in most of the photo challenges too. A few hosts don’t even acknowledge when the URL is pasted in their posts — it does get frustrating after a while.
As a policy, I always leave meaningful comments on their photos.
Your photos are wonderful, especially Toby — full of life and warmth!
Sometimes, silence speaks louder than any comment, I feel. LOL!
Love those captions for your photos.
Thank you for sharing.
I don’t participate anything like I used to in photography challenges, but whenever I do, I always leave the host an engaging comment. If they don’t respond, then I’m with you and won’t participate anymore.
I know it can be hard work running a blog challenge, but I think it’s a courtesy to acknowledge anyone leaving an engaging comment with their link by always visiting their post and leaving a thoughtful response.
And you are right that silence can speak louder than words, especially so with those short, non-engaging comments.
Glad you like the captions. I always try to think of a question when creating them.
Thank you for enlightening me further.
oh, toby is an absolute doll!
A doll? Oh, no, I won’t tell him that. He likes to think of himself as the leader of the pack – the Arnold Schwarzenegger of the dog world.
That might damage the image he has of himself -)
I actually have an Arnold the Schwartz… he is a big, goofy blue-nosed pit bull… then 5 miniature dachshunds 😂
What a great mixture. I hope they all get on with each other.
They are all buddies… I’ll find Arnold in watching over the doxies(who are crated) when I’m not home. 😊
Hugh, since my blog falls into the ‘personal/lifestyle’ category, it is photo-intensive, and I often receive comments directly related to my photographs. It is a delight to my soul to have someone explain why they like a photo. Thank you for pointing this out to your readers. What I see on most ‘photography’ blogs or photography challenges isn’t a discussion of technique, a critique of composition, or a discussion of leading lines or the rule of thirds, but simply’good shot.’ BTW, I love the bokeh effect in photo #1. Your use of a large aperture setting to blur the background is very effective in this shot. Well done.
Whenever anyone tells me why they liked one of my photos, it gives me a lift and tells me it’s all been worthwhile publishing it, Suzanne. If I ‘like’ something, there is a reason why I like it, so I always try to tell the photographer or simply click the ‘like’ button without saying anything. Saying ‘Great shot’ doesn’t mean anything to me. It’s like walking into a wall.
I’m delighted you are receiving engaging comments on your photography. It can be hard work trying to get visitors to engage, but when they do in a way that makes you feel they truly enjoyed the post, which brings a smile to your face, it makes my day.
I’ll let you in on a secret about my photography. All my photos have been taken using an iPhone. Over the years, the iPhone has been equipped with some impressive new photography features that can significantly enhance pictures. As with anything, it’s all about trying the different options out and seeing what you like the most.
Very true we like to get a little more about why someone thinks our photos are ‘great shots’. I try to, when I leave a comment. I do like the way you presented this feature for your photos. Cute little bear, and that he was gone next time you went by makes us wonder what the story he has. Love your little Toby photo. Glad he was still enough for his birthday portrait. My daughter has a Corgi that looks a lot like him, by the name of Nugget. Well, that’s what they call him, but his name is really Elvis! haha :)
Thank you. Whenever I like anything, there is always a reason why I like it, so I always try to explain why I like a photo when I say, ‘Great photo.’ I know some readers have a time constraint, but I see the same people leaving the same short, non-engaging comments everywhere. I ask myself if their problem is how to manage their time rather than saying they don’t have the time. I’m sure you will agree that getting some genuine, engaging feedback does so much to lift us and makes us think that what we are doing is worthwhile and is making a big difference.
Nugget is an excellent name for a corgi, but so is Elvis. When we got Toby, we almost called him Colin! I’m rather thankful we decided on Toby in the end.
I can almost always relate to photographs in some way… I can’t not comment…it’s just me. I also can’t just write one line or a couple of words & be done. I’m a storyteller…I always have been. I honestly could write a whole story about someone else’s picture or comment. My mom had heard me talk my whole life & sometimes she’d just tell me to
‘Shut up’🤣 Well, when I write, nobody can tell me to ‘shut up. ‘ 😎
Love the concept of posting some favorite photos that you’ve taken & writing about them. Two thumbs up from me 👍🏼👍🏼
Thank you, Richelle. You are the type of reader that most bloggers would want to follow their blogs.
As I’ve discovered over the many years I have blogged, the majority of bloggers crave proper engagement in the comments section.
And I believe there is nothing wrong with writing long comments, provided what is being said is relevant to the post. Short, non-engaging comments, on the other hand, in my view, should be deleted as they don’t carry any value. Too many of them can appear spam-like.
You are most welcome. I definitely hope that I have people that want to engage with me when I start blogging and I totally agree with what you commented …. What are you doing honestly it’s like when I have a conversation face-to-face with a person I want them to engage not just stare at me like a lump on log.
It can be challenging to achieve the type of engagement that sparks meaningful conversations. What I have never wanted is for the comments section of my blog to be full of dead-end comments. They can make a blog look very spammy.
I’ve written and published a post about engagement that sparked a lot of discussion. Here’s the link to it.
I hope you find it useful.
Great… I truly appreciate it. I do think that I have enough people that are going to check it out that our friends and will let me know how to spark more comments and relevant discussions about various topics.
Toby looks fabulous for 14! That is my favourite photo of the four. I like to post photos but I always include an explanation and sometimes a story with the photos. I only just recently discovered the Gallery option on WordPress and love it.
I’ll tell Toby what you said. He’ll be delighted.
I think posts that contain both a photo(s) and written content have a much better chance of getting genuine comments, Darlene. However, you’ll still get some readers saying ‘Nice photo’ or ‘These are nice photos’ without explaining why they think that or offering any further comment. But the genuine comments that show a reader wants to engage make all the difference.