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I manage several internet blogs and I try to post at least one new article weekly. When I'm feeling inspired I can write several and schedule them for automatic posting. Thus, I am often looking for free, and legal, images to add to my articles. This instructable will show you my method of finding appropriate images, preparing them for uploading, and most importantly, how to give credit to whom credit is due .
Language?
All of my instructions and examples are based on using a computer with Windows XP as the operating system, Google Chrome as the internet browser, and several specific software programs. I'll give a link to each program as I describe the steps, HOWEVER...all the instructions can apply to any other operating system and browser, as well as many other software programs. Translate all my terms and examples into whatever language/system/platform/program is best for you!
For me, it's best to begin first with the content. Write your complete article and do all your proofreading and editing and formatting first. Concentrate on the content of your blog post. The images, graphics and colors should then support and focus on the content , which is the most important element of your blog, right?
The exception is when you are creating a how-to article that uses an image to support each step. You'll probably need to find an appropriate image for each step first, and then write specific instructions based each image. This is especially important when using screenshots. This is the method I used to create this article.
Language?
All of my instructions and examples are based on using a computer with Windows XP as the operating system, Google Chrome as the internet browser, and several specific software programs. I'll give a link to each program as I describe the steps, HOWEVER...all the instructions can apply to any other operating system and browser, as well as many other software programs. Translate all my terms and examples into whatever language/system/platform/program is best for you!
For me, it's best to begin first with the content. Write your complete article and do all your proofreading and editing and formatting first. Concentrate on the content of your blog post. The images, graphics and colors should then support and focus on the content , which is the most important element of your blog, right?
The exception is when you are creating a how-to article that uses an image to support each step. You'll probably need to find an appropriate image for each step first, and then write specific instructions based each image. This is especially important when using screenshots. This is the method I used to create this article.
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Signing UpStep 1Find an image
Free is good...very good! There are thousands of internet sites that have photos, images, graphics and logos. It's a simple matter to search for an image using a keyword that best fits your article. Surf to a likely site, right-click on the image and save as a new file on your computer...
HOWEVER...you most likely are using someone's photo or image or logo that they've created themselves, and the law of the land, as well as the law of most every other country in the world, protects the property of those who create or own their photos, images and graphics. DON'T STEAL...IT'S THE LAW! (It's immoral, unfair, and just plain wimpy, too!)
So...what's a law-abiding, peaceful blogger to do?
Thankfully, there are thousands of generous graphic artists and philanthropic photographers who gladly offer their work for free, with few or no restrictions regarding usage. This article will show you how to find images that are free and licensed for public, and even commercial, use. Usually, the only condition of use is that you give credit to the creator or owner of the image.
The first step is to point your browser to http://search.creativecommons.org. This is not a search engine, but it is a very convenient site that allows access to search services that can find content you can share, use and remix.
Enter your keywords into the search field and select two options, depending upon your needs:
- Use for commercial purposes
- Modify, adapt, or build upon.
- These two options are the default selections when you visit this site. I usually keep them both f.
Now, select the search service you desire, depending upon whether you're looking for media (text/audio/video), images, web (sites), music, or strictly video.
Most frequently, I select "Google Images".
HOWEVER...you most likely are using someone's photo or image or logo that they've created themselves, and the law of the land, as well as the law of most every other country in the world, protects the property of those who create or own their photos, images and graphics. DON'T STEAL...IT'S THE LAW! (It's immoral, unfair, and just plain wimpy, too!)
So...what's a law-abiding, peaceful blogger to do?
Thankfully, there are thousands of generous graphic artists and philanthropic photographers who gladly offer their work for free, with few or no restrictions regarding usage. This article will show you how to find images that are free and licensed for public, and even commercial, use. Usually, the only condition of use is that you give credit to the creator or owner of the image.
The first step is to point your browser to http://search.creativecommons.org. This is not a search engine, but it is a very convenient site that allows access to search services that can find content you can share, use and remix.
Enter your keywords into the search field and select two options, depending upon your needs:
- Use for commercial purposes
- Modify, adapt, or build upon.
- These two options are the default selections when you visit this site. I usually keep them both f.
Now, select the search service you desire, depending upon whether you're looking for media (text/audio/video), images, web (sites), music, or strictly video.
Most frequently, I select "Google Images".
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Oct 9, 2011. 1:02 PMRanie-K
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Good job!
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