The number 1 question that I get asked each week by new members is how to insert photos into your blog and move them around. I would guess this question comes up anywhere from 3-5 times each week. Adding photographs to your ordinary blocks of text in a blog post can take your boring posts to another level.
However, many are confused on how to insert photos, or use the different components of ActiveRain's photo editor, so I am going to break this down into several components.
The first part I am going to show you is how to insert photos either from your computers Hard Drive, or from a link to the photo on a web hosting service like Flickr. (Remember to read the TOS of the web hosting site before uploading photographs for commercial use.)
The one advantage to loading your picture to a web hosting site first is that it gives you another link in your blog that helps to build your SEO & Google juice by linking from the photo site to your blog. You will notice that since I uploaded the picture of the Lilly Pads from my photo account, I have the ability to go back & place a link on it as well back to the photo album. Since the picture on the left came straight from my hard drive, there isn't a way to link back to another area. The other nice thing by linking this photograph is that if someone wants to see it much larger, they can click on the picture and will be directed straight to where the photo is available in full size.
This first video will just show the 2 different ways to insert a picture onto your blog. I broke this tutorial into two parts to keep the videos from becoming too long. When you are actually inserting the picture into your blog, you would do both processes of both tutorials before clicking the update button.
This second video shows you how to align the photo in your post, re-size it & also place some white-space around your picture so that the words of your post do not run into your picture.
Here are a few final reminders for inserting photos onto your blog:
Do not use any photo that is not yours without written permission from the owner. Using a photo without permission can result in an instant lawsuit and cost you thousands of dollars!
Keep your photos on your ActiveRain blog under 550 pixels in width. Any wider than that and you can run into major layout issues on your Outside Blog.
Turn off Pop-Up Blockers. The number #1 issue that people run into when trying to insert a picture is that they have a pop-up blocker that is prohibiting them from loading a photo. Sometimes even after changing the settings they run into issues. If this is the case, hold in the CTRL button on your keyboard when clicking the links and it should allow the boxes to load properly.
Give Credit to the Photographer. Some places have a creative commons license which allows you to use another persons photo, but you must give them credit for taking the picture.
The photos I used for this demonstration were taken from my Flickr Set that were taken on my recent trip to Atlanta & our journey to the Atlanta Botanical Garden.
I hope this tutorial answers any questions you may have on how to insert an image into your blog. If you have any other, do not hesitate to contact me.
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Great post - I never realized about how good it is to have another link by putting my photos on a hosting site - I will be doing this - always looking for ways to create links back. Thanks
Darn, Jeremy- where was this when I was trying to figure out how to place photos in my blogs last year. But, great information. Better late than never.
You're back! You're back! You're back! Welcome back. Great tutorial. Just a minor thing here, though. You can link a photo from your hard drive to somewhere else if you wish simply by uploading the photo, clicking on the photo, clicking the link icon and adding the URL there. The benefit of adding the photo from an account such as Flickr or PhotoBucket is just as you said, you can view it in a larger size if you want as well as the SEO/Google juice.
Of course, I could have just TOTALLY misunderstood what you meant in your post about not being able to link a photo that comes from your hard drive. If so, sorry. :)
Thank you very much for taking the time to show us how to do this. Maybe I am wrong, but I would like to know how to do all of this before I start my first blog. I really appreciate the opportunity to learn this! Thanks, Jeremy!
Jeremy: You are awesome on creating helpful ideas for the readers and we certainly appreciate all your help and easy to understand posts. Thank You, I have wondered how this was accompolished and now we have the answers.
Jeremy, good information...Maybe another good topic to post on is editing photos you've already added...I thought I knew how to do this as I swear I've done it in the past, but it doesn't seem to be working now...Don't you click the picture you want to edit, then click the picture icon? Anyway, that's how I thought it used to work, but when I tried to today, it brought up a new blank window which would indicate I'd be adding a picture instead of editing the one I already have in my post...Hope this makes sense...Anyway, I guess you need the basics before you "take it to another level", LOL! Thanks for the post!
Chanda- The steps you mentioned do seem to be the correct way to edit a photo. You first click on the photo you wish to edit which will bring up a box around the picture. Then, click on the tree which should open up the edit box for that photo. Then, make your changes to the photo and click save.
Jeremy - You're warning about reading the Flickr TOS needs to be a bit bigger! No one wants to end up in my position. I just hope I can save one agent from the mess I created.
Wonderful, Jeremy! I hadn't noticed the "hard to see cursor" when I moved pictures, which is why I always had bad results.
I also appreciate the tip on extra links via photo upload. Is there any loading time difference, however, for a reader depending on whether it originated from my hard drive or a Website?
Jeremy, I quite often have the same situation as Chanda. I just now went to a post (my latest with a picture of my dog) clicked on the picture then the tree and I get a new blank window.
Thank you! I was delaying my post as it seemed to need visual attraction. I just added photos (for the first time) and posted my blog. I think it's a good first try for the clip art. Keep 'em coming!
Really great post and helpful too. Earlier I wasn't perfect in inserting pictures but now I followed the instructions and done it perfectly thanks a lot.
Hi Jeremy, I would like to re-blog this t for our ActiveRain Photo Blogger Group. The only problem is the videos are not playing. Could you check it out and let me know when OK to re-blog. Many Thanks. Looks like a good basic tool for those that want to learn.
I went back in and now it works fine. No problem now , please disregard. That's like trying to un-ring a bell isn't it? LMAO.
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However, many are confused on how to insert photos, or use the different components of ActiveRain's photo editor, so I am going to break this down into several components. 
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Good instructional Jeremy. I've walked a number of AR members through this process. It makes a huge difference in the "eye appeal" of their posts.