Thanks for your replies.
I have found the answer in Wordpress Codex: the_content() is used on the main page and in individual posts and it shows the complete post; the_excerpt() is used in the categories and archives by default, and then it shows only a part of the text, and hides photos even if they are the only thing in the post.
We can set the ammount of text by including in the post the <!--more--> tag, and then the "read more" or whatever you set will appear.
So I can use the_content() in the categories and archives form if I want everything to show. Or I can include the <!--more--> tag in every post with a "see the photo(s)" message to make it more obvious to the reader.
Warren,
I think this is a separate problem. Yes, editing is not very easy in WP environment, but in this case it's the PHP code as explained above. I still haven't tried your suggestion, but I will.
I'm learning. One of these days I'll be able to teach "wordpressing".
