Qualities of a full-page website background image?

Question

We are trying to create a web page with a full-size background. The following pages are our inspiration: - http://www.august.com.au/ - http://www.levehytter.no/ - http://danielfiller.com/. We have created a page with some striking images of our own, but they always seem flat, lifeless and don't give the copy any chance to stand-out. There seems to be some common qualities of the images that work that we can't put our fingers on. What are the qualities of images, or techniques used on those images, that would allow them to be used more effectively as a full-screen web page background?

Answer 1

Hello. I thought I would add my take on your question and the posed "issue" or block you may be having...

It's a little hard to completely comment from the whole perspective because I can't see the photos you are trying to use and compare to the 3 web examples you provided. However, I can speak on my observations from those sites and my experience with using background images with text or icons/objects on the forefront.

1. The first website had quite a bit of pictures and text in the slider. They either had some blank space somewhere outside of the main object of the photo to place the text, or there was a blurred area such as the background, or it was scenery and pattern like. You don't want to pic a picture(s) that are too busy when using text.
2. The second example just had the single image on top home page with white text over snow and a black or dark wooden building. Honestly, I think it would have looked a little better with a very light overlay of a smoke color with the white text.
3. The third (blog) just had the single image as well, and they actually did use a somewhat blurred image with a color overlay as well, then the text is free to roam where ever it needed to be placed on the image.

So, generally, I like to use a color overlay (whether a true color or actual shade) or use lured images and images with free space within the picture. Just make sure you don't clutter the space (full picture with all overlays - color or pattern, text, and how many objects you have within the picture itself). This will confuse your viewer and just be too much (overkill). You want to keep it clean and direct their eyes to what they need to see and read.

I hope some of this helps. Take what you can and discard the rest as all of this is generally relative and can vary somewhat. Have a good day!