You're Destroying Your Writing by Using Stock Images.

Medium has seamless integration with Unsplash, but is it too seamless?

(Left) Photo by Domenico Loia on Unsplash (Right) Photo by Me

Medium’s writing interface makes jotting down my thoughts quick, immersive, and distraction-free.

But I’ve already begun to notice that I especially dread one part of writing articles. Adding photos. If I add a photo from the internet I have to check if it’s open source, and then consider stuff like citations.

This process feels like homework. Am I supposed to be writing in MLA format too or something?! 🥲

Of course, Medium has an elegant solution for this. They have a seamless integration with Unsplash. It’s almost too easy!

But here’s the catch. EVERYONE is using the same batch of these beautifully generic photos.

I’M SICK OF LOOKING AT THESE PERFECT PEOPLE WORKING IN THEIR PERFECT OFFICE…

Photo by Jason Goodman on Unsplash

I have a couple of complaints with these photos:

1. They don’t stand out. If I had to put it into words, these pictures are too perfect. They are almost beckoning me not to look at them at all.
2. They aren’t and don’t feel real. They just feel staged. Is a messy desk really ever as aesthetic and well-lit as the one below?

Photo by Marvin Meyer on Unsplash

Instead of this ⬆

Why not this ⬇

Just a casual iPhone pick of my desk by: ME

Platforms like Tiktok and Youtube have proven the power of iPhone images and videos of lower production value. They do a great job at grabbing people’s attention and feeling personal.

GIFs = emotional tone 😮

Photo by Arnold Francisca on Unsplash

Nahhh ⬆

Yahhh ⬇

GIF by Psyklon from Giphy

I realize sometimes gifs can be distracting. So if you’re going to use them, do so sparingly and wisely. I find gifs work best when I’m making a joke or I’m trying to convey some sort of passionate emotion.

Picture perfect doesn’t have a voice.

(Left) Photo by Austin Wade on Unsplash (Right) Selfie by ME

The guy to the left is undoubtedly handsome. But again, the photo almost looks fake/staged. It feels more like a persona and less like a genuine person.

The photo on the right, though noticeably less handsome, gives the impression of a real person. It’s easier to imagine there’s a human and a real voice behind the photo.

Using photos that you take yourself provides character, narrative, and real context!

Photos need to contribute to the story, not fill space.

Photo by Casey Horner on Unsplash

Doesn’t it feel like this image belongs with some quote like…

Follow your feet and eventually you’ll reach the mountain top

or

Wisdom is the path that guides your direction onward and upward

Please don’t use this photo unless you're literally talking about a road. Otherwise, bleeehhh.

Photo by Kanchanara on Unsplash

I’m pretty sure this coin ⬆ was made to be used in a generic crypto article about nothing.

Medium has done a great job making our lives easy with Unsplash. And Unsplash is a great resource with a HUGE amount of talented creators.

My point is not to bash stock images, but to suggest these photos can easily become a crutch. Imagery is a huge part of storytelling.

So take your articles to the next level and use photo’s that amplify your writing, not hold it back!