05 . . . Photos and Logos


Formats

Dales and Vales prefer to be supplied with photographs in full size JPEG format and logos in GIF format


Selecting your Photographs

"A picture tells a 1000 words". Never more true than when one is used to display you accommodation. Choosing the right photographs for your entry gives you a head start when attracting viewers to visit your web site. Good photographs will attract visitors to click on the links to your web site. . . the rest is up to you!


Accommodation Directory Page Photographs

The size of the photographs used is approximately 210x140 pixels

If you opt for the Add-a-Photo upgrade then you are restricted to a single photograph. An exterior shot is the normal choice but if the outside of your premises doesn't lend itself to being photogenic then go for one that shows a bedroom or lounge.



Photo Copyright: COTE HOW GUEST HOUSE


For exterior photographs a bright blue sky is almost a must, and yet you will surprised as to how many owners seem content with a sub-standard illustration with a miserable washed out sky to portray their accommodation business. Most people don't go on holiday to see a miserable grey sky so why use a shot that would instill a feeling of gloom on a potential customer? The shot below ticks all the right boxes for what is required, blue sky, sunshine and an attractive setting by a village green on a beautiful summer's day



Photo Copyright: Alan Richards


"Almost a must", but there is no blue sky in this photograph of the Britannia Inn, and it still works well. It has a lot going for it, good lighting, strong autumn colour in the foreground, a vintage car in the middle ground and a photogenic Inn in the distance. Pity It's not so easy for everybody, I know some excellent looking properties that just don't seem to work for photography and are next to impossible to get a good shot of. If this is the case with your accommodation then concentrate your efforts on your interior shots of bedrooms, lounge and breakfast room. Alternatively you can also use shots of the local landscape to attract viewers.



Photo Copyright: Alan Richards


This example below, of a well known lakeland hotel, has little going for it when considering its location and what should be possible. The photo on the left is the original, an image with all that is lacking, poor lighting, grey sky, wrong time of day; wrong time of year etc . . . not a lot going for it with regards an advertisement for a holiday accommodation! On the right is the image after a little brightening and sharpening in a photo manipulation program. Not much improvement. If this was to be used you would have to try again when conditions are more favourable. Be honest and critical when selecting your photos. They are the most powerful way of portraying your accommodation and you need to get it right.

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Photo Copyright: Geoff Richardson


The photographs below, of a well known hotel on Skye, illustrate that you need all the elements to hang together to portray the property to its best effect. The first fails down on several points, poor lighting, a characterless sky and the hotel is far too small for an illustration of this size. The second photograph also fails on poor light and the sky, it also fails on the composition which doesn't make the best use of what is available. The third picture is reasonable and could be used. Some decent light, just enough character in the sky and the hotel is a good size in the frame. Not a bad picture but the same composition could look a lot better when conditions are more favourable.

When a better photograph becomes available Dales and Vales will replace the original free of charge


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Photos Copyright: ALAN RICHARDS


Not every accommodation looks like the one illustrated below. Garden photographs portray a mood of tranquility and if you have a property that looks good then you are on to a winner. Even the most simple of gardens can be used to provide an attractive photograph, it's just a matter of getting the right light at the right time of year.



Photo Copyright: MIREFOOT SELF CATERING


Not a spectacular hotel garden, a tidy grass area and a view to a mountain, simple, but it conveys the right message and gives a good feeling about the accommodation.



Photo Copyright: ALAN RICHARDS


A second view from the same hotel garden as the photo above, just a simple composition but one that works well for a small illustration. An enlarged photograph would be equally at home as a Brochure Page illustration.



Photo Copyright: ALAN RICHARDS


Brochure Page Photographs

The size of the photographs used on the Brochure Page are 350 pixels on the longest length of the photograph

If you choose to upgrade to either of the enhanced entries that include the Brochure Page you will be able to include 4 photographs to illustrate the page. These can include enlarged versions of the 2 photographs used on the Directory entry, or four completely new ones, the choice is yours.



Photo Copyright: ALAN RCHARDS


Including figures enjoying a leisure activity is a big plus



Photo Copyright: ALAN RICHARDS


Just an ordinary photograph of a very quite country lane. This is the type of shot to use on your Brochure Page if your accommodation is included on the "Off the Beaten Track" page.



Photo Copyright: ALAN RICHARDS


Another shot of a family group enjoying a leisure activity



Photo Copyright: GEOFF RICHARDSON


A beautiful winter landscape can be a great way of promoting a "Special Winter Breaks Offer" or a "3 nights for 2 Midweek Saver" offer. This lovely winter landscape is taken from the rear of a Yorkshire Dales B&B in Muker.



Photo Copyright: SWALE FARM


Tourism Photographs

Much better to include a top quality photograph of a local historic building on your Brochure Page rather than fill up your allocation of four photos with a second view of a bedroom



Photo Copyright: DALES AND VALES


Logos

Sponsors are entitled to use "Walkers Welcome",. "Cyclists Welcome" and "Mobility" logos free of charge on their enhanced entries in the Accommodation Directory. You must be entitled to use the logo in line with relevant conditions of the organisation concerned



These are included free on all enhanced entries. Entry on Standard Entries is not permitted

Tourist accreditations logos are not allowed on the Accommodation Directory entries but can be included on the Brochure Page