When I first started this blog in October 2007, I experimented with various layouts and finally settled for the Cleaker theme. I liked it because even with no basic html knowledge, I could still customise it to look somewhat different from other blogs using the same theme.
The ideal width of photos in blogs using the default Cleaker theme setting, in my experience, is 505 pixels. The screenshot below is what this blog used to look like on Cleaker.
Old Macro Photography Blog layout
After several months of using Cleaker, however, I wanted to change it to another layout but could not find the suitable theme. The biggest problem was finding a theme with the content area of 505 pixels in width.
I found to my dismay that the content area of available themes was either too wide or too narrow and because of my lack of html, css or design knowledge, there was no way I could mod it to accommodate the 505-pixel photos I had in my blog without screwing up the overall design.
Thesis theme
Then along came the Thesis theme, the theme I am currently using. I like it because I can freely change the width of the content area and sidebars, and all of Thesis’ design universe will automatically align itself according to the width I’ve chosen; no screwing up of design or falling sidebars or funny lines appearing out of nowhere.
Even the guy who designed Cleaker is now using the Thesis theme and promoting it to his readers 
I bought Thesis’ Personal Option for US$87 which allows me to install the theme on a maximum of two blogs. Then I realised that I might need to install the theme on my other blogs as well so I upgraded to the Developers’ Option of the theme and paid another US$77. I can now install the theme on an unlimited number of blogs.
So how to choose the ideal WordPress theme for a photoblog?
It really depends on what you want the photoblog to be. In my case, I want to display pictures and also publish plenty of write-ups; so a blog with a main content area, with two sidebars is the most ideal.
Below are several aspects you need to look into when choosing a template for a photoblog [NOTE: you can implement all these using just one theme, the Thesis theme].
1. Content area: The width of the content area is the most important aspect in a photoblog as it will determine how the photo would appear on your blog. You need to decide from the beginning what is the maximum width of the photos you want to display. In my case, the maximum width is 505 pixels.
However, it is now a trend among photobloggers and photography sites to display large pictures for maximum impact. In that case, the content area should be at least 600 pixels.
2. Sidebars: You also need to decide whether you need sidebars; if you are, whether it is going to be two sidebars, a single sidebar or none at all. If you need to display a lot of links though, you are going to need sidebars.
3. Sidebar positioning: There are three positioning options in Thesis theme which you can choose with a single click of a button, namely right sidebars, left sidebars or a sidebar on each side of the content.
4. Background colour: It is no coincidence that most photobloggers choose black or dark background for their blogs because dark backgrounds enliven pictures. However, if you have a photoblog with plenty of texts, it is better to stick to the plain white background.
5. Header: You would want to customise your blog’s header so that it looks different from other blogs even though they are using the same theme.
That’s all for now. To demonstrate the capabilities of the Thesis theme, go to the Thesis Gallery Showcase — See killer customizations from around the Thesis community!
