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Oct 11 2008

Spicing Up Your Blog Posts with Free Images

Published by michaelnolan at 6:00 am under How Do I...? Edit This

One of the easiest ways to give your blog posts some extra impact and visual appeal is through the use of images, but copyright issues should always been in the forefront of your mind when you are working online.  All too often people will steal photos and other graphics they  find online and use them without either paying for them (when required) or offering proper credit.

stock.xchng

This is one of my favorite websites for free stock photos and other graphics.  It has a fantastic selection and you are free to use them at no cost.  I do recommend crediting the image creator and while you’re at it, send them a message with a link to the blog post that uses their image.  Worst case scenario is that they’ll check out your site and give you an extra visit.

Here’s an example of how I do it:

Herbert Bear 2 by Rizzly
photo credit: Rizzly

As you can see, there’s not much to it, but by naming the image creator you are giving them credit for their work (which they’ll appreciate) and showing yourself to be a responsible blogger (which your readers will appreciate).

 

Under no circumstances should you ever use an image (photo or otherwise) on your blog without having the proper permission to do so.  If you find an image you’d like to use, the proper netiquette is to email the creator and ask permission before you use it.

 

In the coming weeks I will be creating a static page here on Answerman that serves as a directory of reputable sites to find free stock photography and other images to use on your blog.  If you have any sites to suggest, please leave them as a comment to this entry.

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7 Responses to “Spicing Up Your Blog Posts with Free Images”

  1. # jodapoeton 12 Oct 2008 at 10:42 am edit this

    I always use my own images for my blogs. Which takes me to my ? Once i post my own images on my blogs, do I still hold the copyright?

  2. # michaelnolanon 12 Oct 2008 at 10:43 am edit this

    It is no different from you using someone else’s image. They belong to you and you are only using them to accessorize your posts.

  3. # yanjiarenon 16 Oct 2008 at 7:05 am edit this

    I was really bad with wORD PRESS BUT WILL TRY AGAIN TO START UPLOADING PICS. i AM TECHNICALLY RETARDED OR IMPAIRED LOL!

  4. # rosearcheron 27 Oct 2008 at 11:49 am edit this

    Here’s real question: is it possible to put an image up in the sidebar? I know I can add a widget, but how about a single image that doesn’t link to anything (like I can in a blog post).

    Thanks!

  5. # michaelnolanon 27 Oct 2008 at 2:35 pm edit this

    rosearcher: Yes, just use the same image code that you would use in the blog post.

  6. # iowahippiechickon 01 Nov 2008 at 9:39 pm edit this

    I remember when I first started blogging - I really thought you could just Google an image & use it … silly me!
    Luckily I had a reader comment saying she loved my images, and where did I get them.
    I commented back that I just did a Google search & Wa La!
    She kindly sent me an email … letting me know that was a no no, and giving me instructions on the proper way to do get & post images.
    Blogging is a journey isn’t it?

  7. # michaelnolanon 01 Nov 2008 at 9:46 pm edit this

    Indeed it is!

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