Thinking-Intensive Image Searches
When I’m looking for a specific image to illustrate a post, going to the usual sources can be a time consuming adventure that leads down a long path to nowhere. Maybe all that I want is an idea–an image of someone falling behind. Unfortunately most photo and image sources are organized with more literal tags. So I’m forced to think of what sort of images might portray the figurative thought that I’m going for.
This morning I’m using a tool that gets past that problem. You’ll see it in use in the article I’m writing about thinking outside the box. Thought you might like to use it as well. So I’m taking a break to post this first.
WebPlaces.com
Great Find: WebPlaces.com ClipartSearcher
Type of site: Specialized One click searcher for images
Permalink: http://www.webplaces.com/search/
Audience: Anyone looking for images to illustrate content.
Content: The screenshot/link is self-explanatory. Do be aware that not all images are free use. So be sure to check copyright, as any responsible publisher would. If searching for free use images, start with .gov and then go to the original page and look for copyright, permission, or privacy statements.
This is a great tool for quickly finding what’s available on the Internet, providing images for your readers that aren’t overused. Fresh images creatively chosen draw readers into your posts and make your message stronger so that readers understand it easier and stay to read longer. It’s one more way that images are subtle, but powerful blog promotion.
Try a test. Post with images and without. See which draw more readers and then let me know.
ME “Liz” Strauss
Related articles:
Turning Reluctant Readers into Loyal Fans
Blog Promotion: Checking Out Curb Appeal
Great Photo Resources to Support Readers
Another resource that may interest you is WhoNu.com:
http://www.whonu.com
This site is also a search engine of search engines, and includes an images filter. We recently intereviewed the creator of this resource for our site and found the tool very useful for specialty searches like this.
Thanks Ed,
How nice of you to add this to the conversation. Everyone can always use another resource for interesting images.
Come back and leave a link so that we can read the interview. Be sure to make it BOLD.
For those who are using these images, a good clue for finding free images is to start by using the .gov extension and then checking the rights. Many–not all– government images are free to the public.
smiles,
Liz
Hi Liz,
Here’s a link to the interview. It’s available in text or in HD video. Derek Franklin created WhoNu.com and previously an application called Search Automator which is a client based search application.
-Ed
Great Ed,
Thanks for sharing it. That’s a great way to keep the conversation open between our blogs.
Hope you’ll keep adding your insights to the discussion.
Liz
Great new resources, Thanks
Hi Rocky,
Thank you for noticing.
Liz