Are pictures necessary in eBooks?

GoldPro · 05-09-2009, 01:43 PM

I am in the midst of writing an eBook, and I am wondering if pictures should be used in it. What is your opinion on this?

TimCastleman · 05-09-2009, 01:49 PM

It depends on what type of ebook you're writing. If you are doing an exercise book then photos are a huge help to show people how to set up for the exercise, proper alignment, etc.

If it is an IM book then photos of proof are also a great thing as well.

It just depends on the book and the market in my opinion.

Tim

ecoverartist · 05-09-2009, 01:52 PM

I personally think ebooks are much more valuable with pictures, but it's like Tim said, it depends on what you're writing about. Step by step instructions and illustrations are a huge help, even if you think it's something simple that EVERYONE should know.

Kim Davis · 05-09-2009, 01:54 PM

I have read ebooks with and without. If you can put photos in I would because it is far more entertaining to read. I dread those books that have pages and pages of just words....you scroll down and it all looks the same...

waken · 05-09-2009, 02:01 PM

Pictures, diagrams, graphs, colours, all help better readability and comprehension. Be sure to use large enough (but not too large) fonts as well.

Good luck in your venture!

new2ebiz · 05-09-2009, 02:05 PM

Generally I'd say have a ebook cover at least on the title page.

And whatever you do don't make the ebook hard to print out or make it where when it prints the reader has to use a lot of ink.

As for pictures, not unless it adds to the understanding of the reader, you don't really need them. Or unless the reader were to be a demographic group that expects them.

GuruGazette · 05-09-2009, 02:43 PM

I'm a fan of pictures in ebooks too. It makes the final product look much more professional and polished, plus as others have said it can really make or break instructions, tutorials, and examples.

BrianMcLeod · 05-09-2009, 02:54 PM

I design nearly all my ebooks and reports with graphics and illustrations.

It's more engaging and pleasant to read; it can add to the understanding of the material; and at a bare minimum, it adds to the professionalism of the design.

That said, if you are not handy with design, you may want to brush up on it a little bit. Poor design and ugly illustrations can do the exact opposite and detract from your message. That ain't good...

If you are good with layout, and have an eye for design, go for it.

Best,

Brian

05-09-2009, 06:14 PM

i just created my 1st ebook, and i used photos....and I think it helps a lot. It would be rather dull w/ no colorful photos to look at.

Just my opinion. -Sheila

Maria Gudelis · 05-09-2009, 06:18 PM

Pictures say a 1,000 words....

yes - it adds more perceived value too!

istockphoto has great pics to choose from - only $1 for xsmall size...

and you can use techsmiths 'snagit' software for screen pics etc.

ecoverartist · 05-09-2009, 07:08 PM

Just a side note, though, if you're creating your own ebook cover - some of them are very high resolution and the $1 extra-small stock photos won't work. You'll need to spend around $5-10 to get the high resolution so it will look sharper!

05-09-2009, 01:43 PM	#1
GoldPro Active Warrior Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 53 Thanks: 0 Thanked 7 Times in 5 Posts	Are pictures necessary in eBooks? I am in the midst of writing an eBook, and I am wondering if pictures should be used in it. What is your opinion on this?

05-09-2009, 01:49 PM	#2
TimCastleman Gunslinger War Room Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 1,649 Blog Entries: 34 Thanks: 155 Thanked 744 Times in 293 Posts	Re: Are pictures necessary in eBooks? It depends on what type of ebook you're writing. If you are doing an exercise book then photos are a huge help to show people how to set up for the exercise, proper alignment, etc. If it is an IM book then photos of proof are also a great thing as well. It just depends on the book and the market in my opinion. Tim
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05-09-2009, 01:52 PM	#3
ecoverartist You need to become a War Room Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: A cave with 47 computers and an internet feed Posts: 1,641 Thanks: 208 Thanked 156 Times in 72 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: Are pictures necessary in eBooks? I personally think ebooks are much more valuable with pictures, but it's like Tim said, it depends on what you're writing about. Step by step instructions and illustrations are a huge help, even if you think it's something simple that EVERYONE should know.
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05-09-2009, 01:54 PM	#4
Kim Davis Ghostwriter War Room Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Ontario Posts: 393 Thanks: 26 Thanked 80 Times in 68 Posts Contact Info	Re: Are pictures necessary in eBooks? I have read ebooks with and without. If you can put photos in I would because it is far more entertaining to read. I dread those books that have pages and pages of just words....you scroll down and it all looks the same...
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05-09-2009, 02:01 PM	#5
waken Senior Warrior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 1,206 Thanks: 52 Thanked 59 Times in 49 Posts	Re: Are pictures necessary in eBooks? Pictures, diagrams, graphs, colours, all help better readability and comprehension. Be sure to use large enough (but not too large) fonts as well. Good luck in your venture!
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05-09-2009, 02:05 PM	#6
new2ebiz HyperActive Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 199 Thanks: 11 Thanked 17 Times in 17 Posts	Re: Are pictures necessary in eBooks? Generally I'd say have a ebook cover at least on the title page. And whatever you do don't make the ebook hard to print out or make it where when it prints the reader has to use a lot of ink. As for pictures, not unless it adds to the understanding of the reader, you don't really need them. Or unless the reader were to be a demographic group that expects them.
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05-09-2009, 02:43 PM	#7
GuruGazette AKA Kathy/EPerceptions War Room Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Southern Arizona Posts: 1,747 Thanks: 46 Thanked 222 Times in 53 Posts Social Networking	Re: Are pictures necessary in eBooks? I'm a fan of pictures in ebooks too. It makes the final product look much more professional and polished, plus as others have said it can really make or break instructions, tutorials, and examples.
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05-09-2009, 02:54 PM	#8
BrianMcLeod Fingers of Fury War Room Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Miami, Florida, USA. Posts: 2,111 Blog Entries: 5 Thanks: 1,289 Thanked 1,486 Times in 637 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: Are pictures necessary in eBooks? I design nearly all my ebooks and reports with graphics and illustrations. It's more engaging and pleasant to read; it can add to the understanding of the material; and at a bare minimum, it adds to the professionalism of the design. That said, if you are not handy with design, you may want to brush up on it a little bit. Poor design and ugly illustrations can do the exact opposite and detract from your message. That ain't good... If you are good with layout, and have an eye for design, go for it. Best, Brian
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05-09-2009, 06:14 PM	#9
simba999 Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Are pictures necessary in eBooks? i just created my 1st ebook, and i used photos....and I think it helps a lot. It would be rather dull w/ no colorful photos to look at. Just my opinion. -Sheila
simba999 Guest Posts: n/a

05-09-2009, 06:18 PM	#10
Maria Gudelis Senior Warrior Member War Room Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sarnia, Ontario Posts: 2,642 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 1,701 Thanked 946 Times in 383 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: Are pictures necessary in eBooks? Pictures say a 1,000 words.... yes - it adds more perceived value too! istockphoto has great pics to choose from - only $1 for xsmall size... and you can use techsmiths 'snagit' software for screen pics etc.
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05-09-2009, 07:08 PM	#11
ecoverartist You need to become a War Room Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: A cave with 47 computers and an internet feed Posts: 1,641 Thanks: 208 Thanked 156 Times in 72 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: Are pictures necessary in eBooks? Just a side note, though, if you're creating your own ebook cover - some of them are very high resolution and the $1 extra-small stock photos won't work. You'll need to spend around $5-10 to get the high resolution so it will look sharper!
	Sherice Jacob - Web Design & Graphics Pro eCover Design \| Web Design\| Follow Me on Twitter! Buy My Book from Amazon.com Get Niche Quick!