This is the official blog of the Brevard County Libraries 23 Things project.

Scroll down to see earlier Things, or click on the Thing # under Labels.

Thing #11: Photo Fun with Online Image Generators


   image created using spell with flickr

In Thing #10, Images and Photos we learned about photo sharing and flickr. Now we are going to have some fun with photos.

Most of us don’t have the time, talent, or resources to create custom graphics or logos for our special projects. Luckily, these fun tools let you create many types of images – pictures, comics, animations, trading cards, calendars, and much more – easily and at no cost. When using these “online image generators”, the possibilities are endless!

Using Images in Libraries

There are many ways to use images in your library:

• Use graphics to convey basic information
• Add images to PowerPoint presentations, brochures, and flyers
• Include images in your blogs, or on social networking sites
• Create a calendar with an image related to what you’re promoting that month
• Make a mosaic with multiple images related to your books, videos, or other resources
• Librarians at Carleton College are using trading cards as a way to reach their students

 Resources

These websites all feature online image generators:

Big Huge Labs -- trading cards, jigsaw puzzles, special photo effects
Image Chef -- animations, word mosaics, photo frames
Toon Doo -- custom cartoons
The Generator Blog – a blog of image generators
Letter James – images to personalize, e-cards


images created using The Generator Blog, Glass Giant and Image Chef


Thing #11 Activity: Add an Image to your Blog

For this Thing, we just want you to have fun.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Visit some of the sites included in the Resources section above and look at the available images.

2. Select an image, customize it, and save it. The easiest way to save an image is to right click on it and left click the “Save Picture As…” option. If this option is not available, save your image by following the site’s instructions. Be sure to save the image to your desktop so you can easily find it for step 3, below.

3. Add a post to your blog about how you can use these tools in your library and upload your image to your blog. Here’s how to upload an image to your blog.  NOTE: Remember to tag your blog post with "Thing #11".




Optional Additional Resources:

To learn more about using images to market your library’s view the webinar, Library Images and Video: Engage, Inspire and Tell your Story from Webjunction.

UPDATE:  Check out this recent article in the New York Times for more photo fun sites.  Thanks to Diane Vosatka for sharing. 

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