Random Header Images
One of the first things I wanted to do with this blog when I returned from our short break, was to implement random header images, so that I could display some of my photographs for you to enjoy. I’m far from an expert photographer, but ever since I bought my first digital camera two years ago (a Panasonic FZ5), my interest in taking photographs has increased. Finally, near the end of last year, I concluded it was time to move on to a fully manual D-SLR. After many questions, reading reviews, and checking prices, I managed to grab myself a Canon 350d for very good price.
The transition from working on automatic modes, to attempts at manually adjusting shutter speed and aperture, isn’t without its hiccups, but it’s well worth it. Maybe in a few years I’ll set up my own ‘photoblog’, but right now I don’t think my work is anywhere near good enough to be displayed in such a manner, and I don’t have any desire to turn iFFECT.NET into a photoblog. This blog is all about online advice, and I plan to keep it that way.
Having said that, maybe you’re a budding photographer, and you’d like to use your work in a subtle way that may enhance your site? Well if that’s the case, it makes two of us. However, not all images can work if your header is only 120px in height like mine, but with careful cropping I was able to find some. Currently, there are ten images that are displayed at random with each page load. They are random photos displayed at random, from such places as Ireland, Northern Ireland, Singapore, Australia, and my mum’s garden!
But How Did I Do It?
Well, after checking out the available options mentioned by Lorelle with no success, and then finding out that Chris Pearson’s Simple Random Header Images wasn’t so simple, I ended up using (what I think is) the simplest option of all in a Random Header plugin by Narcissus.
There’s only one thing you should be aware of — random doesn’t mean different. You could refresh five times and see the same image twice, even though there are ten to choose from, which is a little annoying.
I plan to change the photographs every-so-often, so maybe five would be a better number. What do you think?
Benefits
Is it worth the effort? I’m not sure. This site is based upon written content, but making a page slightly dynamic surely isn’t a bad thing, is it? You never know, if you introduce it in your blog, it might be the very thing which sets you apart from others, and brings in new visitors and subscribers.
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Comments
5 Responses to “Random Header Images”
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Based on the first few I have seen in the banner, I must say that you have some great photographs. I think you should set up a photoblog of some sort.
I’m loving the shot from Belfast zoo! I think the text would be more legible in white however.
Also great to see some Ballintoy in there, Armen!
I’m with Jake. You’ve got some great shots and the random header images is definitely an improvement to your site.
Good job.
I use www.imageox.com ’s service
“Image Randomizer
This unique feature will display random image from any specific series of images that you have uploaded. You may use it for displaying random forum avatars, signatures or even different logo of your site each time the page refreshes you have a new image on that specific area. It will display a random image from a static url.”
But Firefox tends to use cache image, so it shows the same image most of the time till I press ctrl-F5
btw, may I ask what plugins do you use on this site?
especially, the plugin that shows
number of comments, save to dilicious, digg and stumble in your feed.
I don’t have a random image as such, but you will appreciate that banner.
Its mybloglog users…It’s cool I think.
Cheers!
Jake - Thanks for the compliment, but I barely have time as it is
David - There’s a couple from the zoo in there, a Lemur, and two Deer. I suppose the N.I. ones will mean more to you than most. N.I. is a very photogenic country, but it’s difficult to get out to take photographs because it rains, rains, rains! Very frustrating!
I love your last photo of your Thai collection, and the one with you gazing at the sunset would be top if you just cloned out the bulb above your left arm. I’m hoping to get to Thailand some day.
Nice - Looks like a nice possibility, but I’d be afraid it wouldn’t work in some browsers. Do you know of any issues in Safari or the like?
I’ll maybe write a post about the plugins I use, but what your specifically asking about are Feedflares that are offered by Feedburner.
Alpesh - I’ve never seen that done before. Interesting idea.