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. 

Thing #10: Images and Photos

Remember cameras that used film? Remember negatives? Flash bulbs? Photo albums? I do.

If not, you may be more familiar with digital photos. With the advent of the digital age and low-cost PCs, digital cameras, and cell phones that take photos and video there has been an explosion in the amount of pictures we are taking. There has also been an explosion in the use of online image and photo sites. These sites allow users to store, organize, and share their online.

What is photo sharing?

Photo sharing is just like swapping snapshots with your friends -- only online! And, without the need to actually print them, it is easier to share them.

Watch Commoncraft’s “Photo Sharing in Plain English”, here.

Individuals share their photos to keep family members and friends updated, to back up their photos, or because they enjoy getting comments on their photography. Institutions share photos to promote and encourage interest in their services or special events.

flickr

flickr is a website to store, sort, search, and share your photos online. Users upload their photos and then share them with family, friends, or the world. Photos can be “tagged” (remember tags from Thing 9?)with descriptive words and phrases—to help users easily identify and search for them.

flickr and Libraries

Libraries use flickr to share photos of their programs and services, to highlight their collections, and to feature special events. Check out some of these libraries on flickr: the Smithsonian Libraries, the Library of Congress, or the New York Public Library.

Two interesting library-related photo projects on Flicker are: Librarians' Desks and 365 Days of Library Pictures. Even ALA has a flickr account.

Other Photo Sharing Sites

There are other popular photo-sharing sites: Google’s Picasa, HP’s Snapfish, Shutterfly, Kodak Gallery and PhotoBucket.

Thing #10 Activity: Explore flickr

Step-by-Step Instructions:

In Thing 10, you have two options. Pick one option and complete it to finish Thing #10.

Option 1: Explore flickr

1. Go to flickr.

2. Search for a photo by using the Search box. Enter any keyword or keywords (such as: libraries, houses, library signs, Florida, or whatever interests you) to find photos with those tags. Click Search.

3. Browse through your search results for an image you find interesting.

4. In a new window, log into your blog and add a post about the photo you selected. Include a link, or the URL(you can copy and paste it from the address bar), to the image.  NOTE: Remember to tag your blog post with "Thing #10".

OR

Option 2: Create a flickr account

1. Go to flickr.

2. Click Create Your Account.

3. Use a digital camera (your library may have one, or you can use your own) to capture a few pictures of something in your library. (For this activity, don’t photograph people!)

4. Upload these to your new Flickr account and tag at least one of the images with the tag “BCL23Things”.

5. In a new window, log into your blog and add a post about the photo you took. Include a link, or the URL(you can copy and paste it from the address bar), to the image.  Even better:  upload the image to your blog (here’s how).  NOTE:  Remember to tag your blog post with "Thing #10".

Optional Additional Resources:

Flickr has lots of helpful resources available on its site: Welcome to the Flickr Tour, How To Get The Most Out of Flickr. See flickr’s most popular tags here.

For more info on flickr in libraries see Webjunction’s “31 Flavors - Things to Do With Flickr in Libraries”.