[@Rawk]

[quote=@Rawk]
I like [@Ey Iran]'s post as he has some valid points regarding image usage, but I'd say the most abused for the "lazy writer" are images to convey your PC's or NPC's appearance, or story location(s). Imagery should [i]enhance[/i] an already well written description, not replace it, and I find too often a picture on a player's CS under the "Character Description" section with no text to support it as though the author is saying "No need to use your imagination here, folks!".

Just my two pence...
[/quote]

I've grown to dislike that, "The Image I use is sufficient," mentality, mainly because I always have a written description added onto an image. Especially concerning still images, one can't necessarily convey proper poise, posture, normal attire, voice, or anything of that nature that requires a finer pen to describe. Even then, I'm picky with my images in that I rather have high quality images that not only fit what I have in mind but also fit the entire theme of the character. It's why, when I use real life people, I use rather well-known individuals. Gives me better, higher quality photos to use as a running theme while giving me ample space to write out the much finer details that you can't see or garner from just a photo.

Also, stock photos are the bane of my existence. I'm an HQ elitist *cough*

Regardless, because of that, I never allow any of the players in RPs I GM to just give me a photo. I need something more than just one image to get the feel of the character beyond just their surface looks. Cause, while looks and appearance are on the surface, there are so many intricacies that one can write out aside from hair color, height, weight, etc. Honestly, that's why I use images in the first place, so I can skip the dull parts of the appearance, so it doesn't feel like I'm just listing things. That's the purple, flowery poet in me, though (I've been working on stopping unnecessary filler description in my writing don't sue me).