Guide To Creating Great Website Images Without Photoshop
Every great website generally has amazing images. For website developers, creating the perfect website photo or graphic can require painstaking hours working with Photoshop, but it doesn’t have to be the case. Below you will find tips and tools to help you create great images for your website without devoting time and money to the pricy and complicated Photoshop software.
Picture Perfect
There are two steps to creating great images for your website. The first is finding creative and unique images to work with, and the second is editing the images to match your website brand and style.
Where to find great images without spending a fortune:
If hiring a photographer and graphic designer isn’t feasible for your website (or budget) just now, don’t worry. There are other avenues you can take to source great images. See our top three favorite methods below:
#1. Start snapping.
Any smartphone is now capable of taking high-quality images as long as a creative eye is pushing the button. Website visitors love to see what happens behind the scenes, and with a little forethought, you can add personality and excitement to your brand.
#2. Unsplash, Pixabay, and other free sites.
Many website owners are constantly on the lookout for free quality images. With a careful eye, you should be able to find something that works for your website. Have a look at this great post that offers 21 websites for sourcing free website images. Just be careful to stay away from anything that screams “I’m a stock photo!”.
#3. Build your own.
If you are looking for designs rather than photos, there are dozens of great apps that help you make your own website. Tools like Canva and Pixlr can help you create everything from infographics to social media graphics in no time at all. Simply pick a template and you are on your way!
Editing the perfect image without Photoshop:
Once you have chosen the perfect photo or image for your website, the next step is to add your own personal brand or flare before adding it to your website.
#1. Become a visionary.
The first step in this journey is to imagine what you would like your end product to look like. Decide how you will get to your finished product. Do you need to cut out certain elements? Are you planning to add a border or logo? If you need some inspiration, take a look at Instagram or Google Images. It’s important to have a solid grasp on what is currently popular for visual design. Try researching hashtags like #design, #branding or #creative to get started.
#2. Pick your tools.
Your next task is to choose an editing tool. Our personal favorite is Pixlr, but GIMP works just as well. Once you’ve uploaded your image to your favorite editing application, it may take a moment to familiarize yourself with the functionality of the tool. Take your time and make sure that you don’t get frustrated in your first few attempts. Remember that graphic designers spend years training to edit images, so be patient with yourself as you learn the ways.
#3. Ask for help.
If you’re not getting the results you are hoping for, don’t be afraid to reach out for help. There are hundreds of YouTube videos that demonstrate how to get the effect you are looking for. Knowledge bases can also be an excellent tool for figuring out how to get the exact image you are hoping to create. Take time to do your research. Start small and work up towards the visual masterpieces you have in mind.
#4. Publish.
Once your image is complete, upload it to your website and boast about your efforts. Use social media to brag about your accomplishments and hard work. You will be surprised at the response you receive when you demonstrate the human side of your digital brand.