Images make blog posts and web site articles more interesting, pulling in readers who might otherwise be turned off by a page full of text. Not only that, but including an image that augments your words will help make your post or article more memorable. The challenge is to find images that are free to use and that aren't the same overused stock images you see everywhere on the Web.
Finding remarkable images easier than you think.
One of the best places to find unique images that you can use freely is Flickr. Flickr is a photo-sharing community used by amateurs and professionals alike. Thousands of amazing images are hosted there, including some that you are absolutely free to use -- even commercially, and even if you modify them -- as long as you give the photographer credit. You just need to know how to find them.
Here's how.
Let's say you want to add images to your blog, which you're monetizing with AdSense or affiliate links. Let's also say you'll want to resize any image you use to fit your blog layout.
No problem. Here's what you do.
Go to the Flickr Advanced Search form and select these options:
- Only search within Creative Commons-licensed photos
- Find content to use commercially
- Find content to modify, adapt, and build upon
Now enter your search, using words that describe the image you have in mind. You can search within titles (the default) or the tags photographers have applied to their images. Experiment with different search terms and see what you get.
Click on any search result that catches your eye to view the image full size. If you decide you want to use it, click the "some rights reserved" link in the right-hand sidebar. This will take you to the Creative Commons license for the image.
If the license permits the use you intend (and it should if you selected the options above), you're all set. Download the image in the size you want and add it to your page.
There's just one more thing to do ...
All Creative Commons-licensed works require you to give attribution to the author. Here's how. Put a credit line or caption near the image, in a format similar to this: Photo by Author. Link Author to that person's Flickr profile page.
That's it. Now you've got a noteworthy image on your page, you don't need to worry about violating anyone's copyright, and you're bringing attention to a talented photographer who is graciously sharing his or her work with the world. How cool is that?
Barbara Andrade is the owner of http://www.publicdomainsherpa.com which provides free information and resources that help you find and public domain (and other free-to-use) content.
To learn about other ways to find images, follow this link: Picture Search Tips
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Barbara_Andrade
http://EzineArticles.com/?Having-Trouble-Finding-Images-For-Your-Blog-Or-Web-Site?--Try-Flickr&id=831719
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