Why are my photos loading so small?

[RachelAlbritton]

I'm creating a story map tour by uploading a csv file. I've used the template provided and everything imports OK except the images are really small. I double checked the image url to make sure that they're correct - and they are, and I've attached the file for review. What could be causing this?

Link: http://arcg.is/1QUpN3f

[AdrianWelsh]

Hi Rachel,

Can you share your story map here?

Also, can you share the link in which the photo is being grabbed (the one that is supposed to be big)?

[RachelAlbritton]

Adrian -

I've added the link to the map in the original post and I attached the CSV file that I imported.

[AdrianWelsh]

Rachel,

Thanks for sharing the info. It looks like it is behaving the way it was intended. The story map app is scaling the images to 'best fit' onto the screen. Since the first image is much taller than it is wide, then it is fitting itself as best as it can into that side window.

[RupertEssinger · Accepted solution]

Yes, while Story Map Tour can handle pics of any size and shape, for best results (both visuallly and to provide lots of space for your caption without it covering a lot of your pic), use landscape orientation images, ideally at 4:3 aspect ratio (for example 1000 pixels wide by 750 pixels is a good target size). Your photo is a very narrow portrait orientation that will get scaled to fit quite small in the Story Map tour:

https://photos.smugmug.com/National-Parks/Zion-National-Park/i-hnt6pBR/3/O/20150418_123611.jpg

Also for the best results, we recommend using photos that are all the same size and shape.  You don't have to, but it makes Story Map Tours look nice and polished: http://story.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapTour/?appid=d5b2c90d8a53466f9c3efb0f25d13325

Rupert

For some  more tips, see: Improve your chance of winning the Esri Storytelling With Maps Contest | ArcGIS Blog