Images on the web are not implemented like your favorite magazines. There are a number of things one must know in order to properly optimize images for use online. These are:

1. Editing images
2. Creating custom art
3. Integrating images
4. Understanding Copyrights.

Let me discuss these briefly;

Editing Images

It’s said, by I know not who, that you can tell how experienced someone is managing a website by how they use images on web pages. Worried? If you are, then the terms bellow might be helpful.

• Pixels - how images are usually measured.
• Canvas - the space an image can occupy.
• Width - length (in pixels) from left to right.
• Height - length (in pixels) from top to bottom.
• Image Size - Width and Height of actual picture, not the canvas.
• Canvas Size - Width and Height of  Canvas, not the actual picture.
• Distorted - A negative visual interpretation.
• Crop - reduce length of Width and Height of the Canvas
• Re-size - reduce or enlarge actual picture, not Canvas.
• .png, .gif, .jpg, .bmp - common file formats for web images.

Creating Custom Art

Of course we all know graphic art can be done by hand. With the invent of the scanner, this old form of expression is not lost. Now I’m no graphic expert, but I do have strong pencil art skills. These (hand) abilities did not transfer easily to the personal computer. In fact, unless I have a digital pen, I can’t draw crap on the computer.

For the creativity that exists in so many of us, there are bountiful amounts of software that can assist. Adobe Photoshop is one such tool. Oh, and what a powerful application it is, allowing professional grade image editing.

Integrating Images

Integrate, install, program, upload, style are all terms associated with the publishing of images to the Internet. Adding an image to a web page is as simple as <img src=” ” alt=” ” />, with the value of src being the URL to the image. Of course the image must reside online and accessible via a web browser. To upload an image, use an FTP program to access the server or a control panel provided by the host. The alt is optional but recommended as an alternative text if the URL is missing, incorrect or the image is unavailable on the server.

Understanding Copyrights

If an image did not originate with you, where it came from is unknown, no one gave permission to use it either in writing or verbally, then don’t publish it on your website or anywhere for that matter. There are serious financial consequences for using Copyrighted Materials without permission.

The same for images originating with you. If they are copyrighted or a date of creation can be verified then your rights may be protected. Now this is certainly not a substitute for legal advise, but protecting your assets is very important.

Conclusion

Images online can be tricky. It’s also very important website owners understand the significance it has in web presentations. With the ability to easily negatively or positively impact the bottom line, images should be used wisely.