O RLY? The Funny Side of Image Annotation

Well, not always what we call here image annotation or text-over-image delivers additional knowledge on image content or feeds search engines more content for indexing. It can be used for conveying funny or sometimes offensive messages.

I’m talking about image macro. This is a definition on Wikipedia: “An image macro, also known as a thread bomb, is a picture with text superimposed, typically through the use of graphics software such as Photoshop or Microsoft Paint.” Encyclopaedia Dramatica adds that “Often used in flame wars and a fundamental feature of gif wars, they convey a humorous message of disdain towards the original poster or the entire thread.” The article on Encyclopaedia Dramatica contains some examples of image macros.

Probably, one of the most famous image macros is O RLY?! (Internet speak for Oh really? For those who are not aware).

Originally started with the snowy owl photography (which is the classis O RLY image macro), it spread quickly in the Web and now is presented by many other photos that convey all the spectrum of human emotions. Look here: http://www.hjo3.net/orly/gallery1.htm. Integration of an image and text gives you very different inflections of O RLY?, from indignant David Bowie as Jareth the Goblin King (remember? the Labyrinth movie, 1986) to George W. Bush to cunning Bill Clinton to Johnny Depp.

Image macros are like snapshots of your current mood. Something that adds a new intonation to a still image. Personally, I like it. By the way, at Guy Kawasaki made a funny "comic" entry in his blog (read here). In the recent post here he explains how he did it. As it's also all about image annotation, I think I'll cover the Comic Life tool he used in my next post to understand how it works and how it relates to what we do with FotoTagger. So it's time to say "to be continued..." :-)

Posted on February 11, 2007 by Alex Masycheff

See all posts