Yesterday I was reminded of the importance for a business to use proper practices when uploading images to their business website.

Specifically when naming the image files. Since the almighty Google uses all the text on a page to do a search, and to decide what it presents in a query the file names also count. (as do the Alt text btw)

For example, let's say you sell horse blankets. If your images are named something like: 455khorsered.jpg, this doesn't tell Google anything about the image and it is more likely to be ignored. If it was named: blanket-wool-red-striped--60-inch-horse.jpg, you are much more likely to have this listed as a result in a search.

For a good part of the day, I combed through my website, specifically the "Product" page, and re-named a good number of my image files. From now on I will be much more attentive to such things. The competition is fierce and never-ending. Every bit of attention counts.

If you have control of your website, you may want to take the necessary steps to improve it's performance. Even if it means simply changing the file names of your images.

Human perception of colour is a complex process involving both physiological and psychological factors. The process begins with light entering the eye and stimulating specialized cells called cones in the retina. These cones are sensitive to different wavelengths of light, which correspond to different colours.
There are three types of cones, each sensitive to either short (blue), medium (green), or long (red) wavelengths of light. The brain then processes the signals from these cones to create the perception of colour. Additionally, there are also rods in the retina that are more sensitive to low light levels and do not perceive colour.
Colour perception can have a significant impact on mood and emotions. Different colours are associated with various psychological effects:

1. Red: Often associated with energy, passion, and excitement. It can also evoke feelings of danger or aggression.
2. Blue: Known for its calming and tranquil qualities. Blue is often associated with stability, trust, and serenity.
3. Green: Linked with nature, growth, and harmony. It can promote feelings of balance and renewal.
4. Yellow: Typically associated with happiness, optimism, and warmth. However, it can also be overwhelming in large doses.
5. Orange: Combines the energy of red with the cheerfulness of yellow. It can evoke feelings of enthusiasm and vitality.
6. Purple: Associated with luxury, creativity, and spirituality. It often evokes a sense of mystery and sophistication.
7. White: Symbolizes purity, innocence, and cleanliness. It can also create a sense of spaciousness and simplicity.
8. Black: Represents power, elegance, and authority. It can also be associated with mystery or negativity.

These associations are not universal and can vary depending on cultural and personal experiences. However, colour psychology is widely used in marketing, interior design, and art therapy to influence mood, behavior, and perceptions.

-------------
As a professional product photographer here in Peterborough, I think about colours every single time I am given a project. These definitions and descriptions are so important to everything I do, none can be taken for granted. My studio here in Peterborough where I shoot products for businesses of various types, is a colour calibrated studio.  My cameras are calibrated, as is my computer monitor.
The lights I use are all near to the same colour balance to assure that my customers get the best quality that I can achieve.
Every month I recalibrate my equipment and double check my workflow. I'm constantly updating my skills in post-production to make sure I have a thorough understanding of what's achievable in the current software. These things matter.
I care about the results, so it matters that I pay attention to all the relevant details that could potentially affect the results of my efforts.

Go on to the Google and punch in your own name.

It's interesting to see what comes up in the first, second and third pages.
You may be pleasantly (or not so pleasantly) surprised what options are shown. I on occasion will put my name in to the search bar, in a normal way and sometimes in a more creative fashion, just to see what pops up.

It tends to change as the years go by, but not by much.
I've learned that my name is owned by hundreds if not thousands of fellow humans across the globe. Some of us are photographers, musicians, painters and one I know of is a pro football player in the USA.  Some of us use the short form and some use the more official form. Most of the spellings are the same but some variations to show up now and then.

On occasion I will find listings that I had completely forgot about or never even knew existed. What an adventure.
Mike Taylor Photo Arts however, is mine. Only mine. I made sure of that when I registered the business name. I named it that to remove any doubt. I'm not an artist in the traditional sense, nor am I a football player or saxophone player. I work only in the photographic arts.

Shooting photos for businesses of various sizes and for various purposes since about 1996. Who knows, I may venture into the world of painting way down the road, but for now, my only tool is a camera and a never-ending interest in creating images.
​Mike Taylor