Blog post pictures. They are, if you don’t know how to do them, a bit of a mystery.
I have had a couple of lovely compliments recently about the photos I use to start my posts, (thank you, and blush!). But what it’s resulted in, is me sharing my photo tweaking knowledge with others. So I thought it might be useful to share that knowledge with everyone else.
If you would like to know how to make photos like mine, or ones in your own style, then read on.
Now before I start, I want to draw your attention to an awesome post by Helen. She wrote about the pitfalls of using any old photo, instead of ensuring they are copyright free or your own images. Check it out, it’s called Before You Publish.
Let me first begin adding a caveat to this post too. I always make a point of trying to find websites with copyright free images, pay for images myself, or use ones I have taken. I wrote this post of my own volition, any websites I mention are not paying me to promote them, I am sharing those that I use, find helpful or have been told are helpful. You must first check terms and conditions on all sites as they are ALL different, or else use photos at your own risk.
Right now the boring bits out the way lets talk about the fun stuff.
If you aren’t a hot-shot photographer than you are going to need a supply of photos to edit.
ONE – WHERE CAN YOU GET PHOTOS?
There are lots of paid places which cost a varying amount, I personally use Fotalia, as recommended by Ali, and I have to say it is excellent. 44 million photos or something it has, careful – you can end up wasting 45 minutes looking for a photo – which I did Sunday night looking for one for my 8 Steps to Cracking The YA Mindset. *foreheadslap*
As general points – If you are careful and use the paid ones for special posts, then the credits last ages. I have only used 4 I think of the 26 I purchased and that was only about 20 quid, and I have been using photos for ages.
PAID AND FREE PLACES – in no particular order
1. Fotalia – paid for
2. Deposit photos – paid for
3. Stockvault has a variety of images both paid for and free – Hint – Paid for ones are the ones displayed in a black background at the top and bottom of the free section which is in white!
4. Graphic Stock – paid for
5. Death to Stock Photos – free
6. Free Images has a mix of free and paid for images
7. Stocksnap – free
8. unsplash – free
9. Gratisography – free
10. Negative Space free
11. PicJumbo – free
12. New Old Stock – for vintage photos and a mix of paid for packs and some free photos
13. Creative Commons + Flicker – possibly the two most famous places to get images – creative commons is widely known as a source of copyright free images. It will link you to flicker too hence the joint point. Scroll down until you find the section that says ‘Find CC Material’ and type in your search.
If this isn’t enough – here are two post one, post two, with 37 sites between them for a variety of free and paid for images.
TWO – CHOOSING PHOTOS
When choosing photos there are a couple of things to bear in mind.
1. If your topic is on the perils of editing, make sure you choose a photo that’s relevant – a typewriter or a book, whatever, use your imagination, but if you start posting photos of a lion eating a safari truck, or a kid sat doing a poop on the toilet people are going to think you’re a) bonkers and b) not credible. That’s not to say you can’t be abstract, but having some kind of link to what you are saying is important.
2. Which means – send a message. Use the photo to give a message in a way your writing can’t.
3. I have found myself liking a particular style of photos, for me personally, I like to stick to that style. It gives a kind of branding to your imagery. If you are consistent after a while people see a photo and instantly recognise it as yours.
THREE – BEFORE YOU EDIT
1. I have a thing for consistency. I always use the same font across all my photos, posts, business cards, you name it, if I can edit it, then it will be in the same font. Like point 3 above there is a benefit to being consistent. You build your own brand, people recognise your stuff. BUT, like all things, rules are meant to be broken. One example is this. Where I used several different fonts all in one go. The way I kept consistency was to only use three colours for the font.
2. Light and dark distribution – when you pick a photo it’s important to consider what colour text you want to over lay on it. If for example you want a dark photo to represent a horror story or a post about writing horror stories, you can’t then over lay dark text on it. See the photo – can you even read the text? Yeah, exactly!
3. Text colour options – Now we each have our own style, so don’t feel obliged to do what I am saying, you may hate my style. The important thing is you find your own style and designs. I am just sharing what I do.
I like to (although not always) pick out the colours in the photo for the text so that they blend. Hence you can see orangey yellows around the skulls and the same sort of colour for the text. But I have used completely contrasting photos and it has just as good an impact.
4. Who are you? If you have something you want to promote then you need to make sure you label it on the photo. I always include my website address and if the post is part of a series, I try to put that on there too.
5. Busy photos – be wary, busy photos can be very hard to overlay text on. Text can become lost or the colours of the text don’t show up enough to pop against the busy background.
FOUR – MAKING MAGIC
Here’s the bones of it. It kinda depends whether you have a Mac or a PC. I have a Mac, which isn’t going to help many people. But our trusty Geoffle will explain for PC users. There are three ways you can edit photos simply.
ONE – MAC USERS
You could spend money and buy software – Mac’s have the App store and a simple google will tell you the right apps. I have Photoshop and illustrator – I do use them, but most of the time I don’t. I use the very simple and basic photo viewing software ‘Preview’. That’s what it looks like. I believe ‘Paint’ in windows is of a similar ilk. If you open a photo in your Macbook it will open using preview, and look something like this:
This is where the magic happens. To get your tool bar up, which is the row of icons. You need to press the suitcase – the suitcase is usually grayed out until you click it, like so.
This then appears:
These are the icons you need to edit photos. The ‘T’ is for a text box. It appears when you click it with the words ‘text’ in it and then you can type whatever you like it in and move them wherever you want. Add as many text boxes etc as you like.
The letter ‘A’ on the far right is your ‘font’ box, where you can change sizes, colours, fonts, alignments etc.
If you ever want to crop an image highlight the shape you want using your normal cursor ensuring the dotted square on the very left is highlighted and then the ‘crop’ button will appear.
TWO – INTERNET USERS
Another method for editing photos is online. There are various websites that will let you edit photos. For example, Pic Monkey, which gives a free trial – but then you have to pay monthly for its use. It does come highly recommended by Ali though. I believe Fotor is another site, but a quick google should tell you.
THREE – PC USERS
Over to you Geoffle:
You can use Paint. If you haven’t found this yet you can either open Paint by clicking the Start button , clicking All Programs, clicking Accessories, and then clicking Paint. Or you can choose a picture and right click to bring up the drop down menu. If you click on ‘Open with’ you will find Paint as an option. Or you can choose a picture and right click to bring up the drop down menu. If you click on ‘Open with’ you will find Paint as an option.
As Sacha explains with her Mac programme, Paint allows you to add text. Click on the A on the tool bar and this will provide you with a text box and the usual range of options. I’ve used a cool photo to give you an example. You can see the text box which can be moved and expanded as you like.
The same principle concerning croping applies here too.
Thanks Geoffle. If you didn’t know, he has just released a new book, called my Father and other liars. You can read his guest post on differentiating dialogue, and buy his books: My Father and Other Liars and Dead Flies and Sherry Trifle.
Helen Jones says
A super useful post, Sacha! I confess I struggle with how to get text onto an image – now I know how to do it! And thanks for the link back too xx
Sacha Black says
Thanks Helen. Yours was a cracking post too 🙂
TanGental says
Reblogged this on TanGental and commented:
Having been shown how to both chose pictures for your blog but also add text by Sacha I gave it a try last week. Two bloggers asked for guidance. I’m delighted to say Sacha has now posted on this very subject ( the power of a good nag) though she threw me a curved ball and had me add a para at the end.
Cathy says
Thanks so much for this post, it’s super informative and hopefully I’ll make great use of it 🙂
Sacha Black says
No problems Cathy – Im glad you enjoyed it 😀 I really do hope it helps 🙂
BrizzleLass says
This is a great post! Pixabay is a great free resource for royalty free photos, and Canva is really good for creating images, it’s especially good for people with no design experience as has very simple tools and layout ideas.
Sacha Black says
hey thanks so much for reading this post and for the lovely comment. Great to know Pixabay comes well recommended, I think I will check it out myself.
jenanita01 says
Very helpful post, Sacha…thanks!
jenanita01 says
Reblogged this on Anita & Jaye Dawes.
Sacha Black says
Thanks so much, I am glad you liked it and thank you for reblogging it too 🙂
Yvonne says
Very useful post. I haven’t heard of several of the photo sites, and didn’t realise you can edit in Preview.
You don’t have to pay for Pic Monkey. I’ve been using it for years. There are some particular effects and fonts you have to pay for, but I’ve managed fine without them. It’s more limited than Photoshop, but very easy to use. (I’m terrible at Photoshop and have to ask my kids for help regularly.)
Sacha Black says
Ahh Yvonne, that’s great news, actually in researching one or two were new to me too. I did know there was a free version of picmonaey – but I figured to get the full monty you need to pay – I should amend that to clarify really. Im not great with photo shop either. But I can fiddle and just about save a photo with a couple of changes!
The Story Reading Ape says
Reblogged this on Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog and commented:
Make your own and avoid Copyright Infringements 😀
Sacha Black says
aww shucks – thanks Chris.
The Story Reading Ape says
Welcome Sacha – you’ve given a lot of great links as well ???
Beaton says
Thanks for the list of sites (esp the free ones) I have noticed some people playing fast and loose with the rules maybe unintentionally just googling and copying pasting ( not sure if that is still in the realm of English language hahaha )
I have decided to go pro, I edit my photos with Photoshop you get way more options than simply paint
~B
Sacha Black says
Hey Beaton, no problems 😀 these rules are a little slippy and it can be dangerous especially if your books get famous – people sue!! I have photoshop but I find it really complex, I don’t understand how to do much on it really.
Sarah Brentyn says
Yeah, I use Paint. It’s sooo limited. But, for my simple blog, it would work. I’m not even sure what I’d want to write on them. ?
Sacha Black says
I have no idea but now the world is your oyster!
Beaton says
A lil fame, I could do with that lol
Photoshop only seems complicated but once you get the basics (which unfortunately you can’t get in one sitting) it’s like a walk in the park (a rather tricky park, with friendly joggers and murderous muggers)
Sacha Black says
Yeah see I never had a chance to get the basics really. Any tips or pointers for lessons ?
Rachel says
Very helpful post, thanks for this! I’ve been using Gimp, which is a free download to your computer. My photos are very simple because I still have yet to have time to play around with Gimp and really learn how to use it. But I do think it’s a great program.
Sacha Black says
ooh I haven’t heard of Gimp. I will check it out. Thanks Rachel
stuckinscared says
Incredibly useful post. Thank you!
Sacha Black says
No probs 🙂 thanks so much for reading it 😀 <3
Elissaveta says
You’re a star! Thanks for so much wonderful advice! I especially struggle with consistency and can never help myself sing a different font 😀 but I think you are absolutely right and I must work on that!
So once again – thank you.
Sacha Black says
hehe, no probs my lovely, glad you found it useful. Consistency is so so important – well if you want a brand anyway. I think I spent about 4 hours choosing a font!! ridiculous but once the decision was made, that was it!
Elissaveta says
Oh, I totally see you doing that as I’d inevitably do the same!!!
Would you say it’s worth going back to old posts and change the font for a unified look? (because you know I would do it if I knew it was worth the effort!) 🙂
Sacha Black says
Good question.
I would say look at the level of traffic your older posts are getting. If it’s still a lot then it’s worth changing them. If they don’t get much traffic I’d say don’t bother – does that help? 🙂
Elissaveta says
That’s a good idea! I do tend to promote older posts quite a bit so… I think I have my answer. 😉 Thank you, Sacha.
Sacha Black says
?
Icy Sedgwick says
I get my images from Pixabay or I use my own – I save all of the images I put on Instagram or I share my own photos from Flickr (the latter of which has the disadvantage of not having text on them). I also read somewhere that if you make your images 600 x 900 they show up better on Pinterest!
Sacha Black says
Hey Icy, yeah you know I hear that too about the images and pinterest – but whenever I seem to try and make them that size, they never ‘go’ right. Any tips on how to get them to the appropriate shape/size?
Icy Sedgwick says
I always use portrait images if possible and crop them creatively, but it depends on the image! I pin plenty that aren’t landscape so I’m not sure where that accepted wisdom comes from.
Sacha Black says
yeah see, I tried always using portrait ones, but I couldn’t always find what I wanted or they didn’t crop properly. But maybe you’re right I should give it another go. But I agree!! hahahaha thats a really good point – I pin loads of landscape images! I don’t even know where the logic comes from for choosing portrait?!
Allie P. says
I use PicMonkey. There actually isn’t a time limitation on the free version. Instead, what they do is limit the effect filters, fonts, and embellishment offerings while showing you want you could have access too if you only paid the monthly upgrade fee. Even so, I have been more than happy with what I have been able to do using only the basic effects.
Sacha Black says
Hey Allie, I realise that now, I got myself in a muddle with the pixabay thing. I will check out the free version – thanks for the tip 😀
Redneck_Goth says
Reblogged this on Crazy Little Redneck Goth.
Sacha Black says
Thanks so much for the reblog
John says
Reblogged this on Windlight Magazine and commented:
Great tips for all your bloggers out there:
Sacha Black says
Thanks so much for the reblog
Sarah Brentyn says
This is AWESOME! 🙂 Be back to let you know if it works for me…
Sacha Black says
Yeah please do 🙂 I hope it does – its wicked once you crack the basics 😀
esthernewton says
Super advice – as always 🙂
Sacha Black says
aww shucks <3
Mary Smith says
Really useful. Thank you.
Sacha Black says
No problems Mary. 🙂
philosophermouseofthehedge says
Photos are important to most posts. (Thanks for mentioning about respecting ownership of images.) Hmm, maybe I’ll try some text on images – explained very well here.
Enjoyed all the hints and info
Sacha Black says
I agree – they are important especially if explaining anything difficult or complex, but also for giving deeper messages about what your talking about! Glad you like the post 🙂
D. Wallace Peach says
Great info, Sacha. I’m trying to be much more careful about where I get my photos so the resources are great. I’ve rarely used them as a background for text. Great idea and thanks for sharing the “how to’s.”
Sacha Black says
No probs 🙂 glad you liked it – and I hope you find you can make use of it too. What are you working on now you just released that book?
D. Wallace Peach says
The next book, of course! I’m addicted.
Sacha Black says
Stupid question really! Is it a series?
D. Wallace Peach says
A series, yep. Four books are plotted and I just finished the third draft on the first. A looooong way to go 🙂 How close are you? Soon?
Sacha Black says
Is this related to the one you just released? was that the first in the series? I finished my first draft back in august and haven’t touched it since. I started writing Adultland by accident and now I figure I will finish it, its already 8.5K so Im going to plough on for a few weeks, and then rest that pick up the original novel an edit. Once thats edited – Ill edit Adultland into something decent!! lol. But the original novel is a trilogy. Ive outlined the second.
judithbarrow1 says
Reblogged this on Barrow Blogs: .
Sacha Black says
Thank you Judith, really appreciate it, hope you’re well and your book festival went well 😀
Silver Threading says
Reblogged this on Silver Threading and commented:
Great info on photos for your posts (Writer’s Quote Wednesday… hint, hint) I also use pixabay.com for free images. <3
Sacha Black says
Aww shucks, thanks Colleen, really appreciate the support <3
Silver Threading says
Great info here Sacha. Glad to share. 😉
Silver Threading says
Great information Sacha. I also use Pixabay.com for free images. I had to share your post. Thanks again!!! <3
SeasonedSistah2 says
Helpful info. Thank you for sharing.
Sacha Black says
Thanks so much for reading it 😀
dgkaye says
Fantabulous share here Sach. I must reblog! And I will add another fun site here: photofunia.com. This is another site with free photos with a different spin. It offers already established templates with themes that you can add your own face into. Really fun! 🙂 xo
Charli Mills says
Informative and practical post. So glad you invited Geoof, though because you completely lost me at “Mac Users.” 🙂 Although back in the day…waaaay back in the day…I used to use Quark in setting up a daily newspaper as assistant editor. And, I’ll admit knowledge to using line art and posting copy, border and graphic. I use company photos for a publication I edit and I also have to make sure the photographers gets a signed model release even if the person is on staff or an agreeable customer.
macjam47 says
Thanks for posting. Wonderful and detailed information.
Sacha Black says
Glad you liked it Michelle
roweeee says
A great post but I almost exclusively use my own images. I’d also recommend people learn how to take photos themselves. I’ve been seriously into photography for over 25 years but am not professional. If you learn a bit about lighting and composition, you can do a pretty good job. The trouble is when you need a shot for a location you can’t access.
Sacha Black says
Yeah exactly it’s hard if you don’t have access to locations of objects. I’d love to get more into photography but I don’t have any time ?
roweeee says
I’ll try to write a post with some photography tips after I’ve got through the Proust Questionnaire. I don’t remember reading anything anywhere and there are some simple tips which make quite a lot of difference. That said, it’s hard to be a jack of all trades. I’ve been crook for a some time and am not working at the moment and am a kept woman, which does give me the luxury of being able to write and photograph even if I’m not rolling in cash.
Sacha Black says
That would be awesome if u did a post. ?
Ah well how lovely that you can you have that opportunity though ?
Autism Mom says
Love this! A fantastic summary – thank you!
Sacha Black says
Aww thank you so much ??
annabellefranklinauthor says
Thank you, Sacha and Geoff, for this useful post – I’ve favourited it for future reference.
Sacha Black says
No worries Annabelle glad you feel it’s of use ?
Raylynn says
LOVE this! I posted it to my networking group!
Sacha Black says
Thanks so much ????
theowllady says
Reblogged this on theowlladyblog.
Norah says
Thanks for this helpful advice, Sacha.
Let's CUT the Crap! says
E.x.c.e.l.l.e.n.t. Thank you! 😀
bacardi gold says
I find this post very useful for bloggers who push for excellence to entertain people across the globe.
Vashti Quiroz-Vega says
Hi Sacha! Great post! Very helpful. Pinned, Tumbled, and Tweeted! 😉