This business of putting up an image on the blog (for which I blame William Wildblood) has led to continual dissatisfaction about 'the impression created'.
The previous blog picture (which didn't even last a week) had me on a walk in Spain (Costa Blanca) - which, while accurate (I have been there dozens of times) creates a falsely globetrotting ambience; whereas in truth I travel less, and less far, than anyone I know.
The current image on this blog therefore has me at the stone circle Long Meg and her Daughters, just across in Cumberland - only about an hour from where I live. (See how long this one lasts...)
The trouble is that images are overwhelming - as the modern world knows only too well. Images trump words.
So the image will surely come to dominate whatever written content I generate; and it will be hard to resist continual tinkering (although so few photos of me exist, since I take the family pix and am usually behind the lens - so that will set a limit).
I see no way around this: we are up-against evolved psychology, or something...
8 comments:
You could just post a headshot without any particular background, thus avoiding "impressions."
FWIW, nothing in the Spain photo screamed globetrotting to me. If you had told me it had been taken a few miles from your home, I would have believed you.
I liked the last one but this is good too.
At least, I only replace mine once every 10 years!
Don't feel bad. Your picture isn't even visible on mobile view and who reads blogs on the computer anymore?
@Wm - A headshot would be unwise. I don't want to experience a total collapse in page views.
@William - If I can keep changing it down to once every 10 days, I will be happy.
@Nym - "who reads blogs on the computer anymore?" - Those of us who don't own a 'smart'phone, I guess!
I liked the hiking photo. It appeared Tolkienish. Bilbo did not travel much either, though is known for his adventure.
Perhaps you should pose with a Pipe at a University desk to conjure up that Old Professor feel, though I assume you don't smoke.
Maybe the fact that I'm a Yank who's never been outside of North America has something to do with it, but if you told me that the last picture was the English country side I would have believed it.
“The trouble is that images are overwhelming .... I see no way around this”
A black-and-white photo (instead of a colored version) seems to have less emotional salience.
@Otto - That gives me an excuse for even more tinkering!
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