Antbag.com

I like to visit websites that have great layout and design. There’s no doubt, the content is what keeps visitors returning, but a great design and layout will leave a lasting impression. One of the best and easiest things you can do to add color and flare to your site, is to add images. I gave a few pointers here on how to position them where you want them. Now, we’ll look at a few enhancements to help them stand out!

*All the examples below were made using Photo Filtre, which is a free image editing program. The same results can be achieved using other image editing programs as well.

Tip #1 - Add a Border

This is probably the easiest step in adding that little somethig extra. Adding a border doesn’t look as well on every photo. For instance, I think a photo that has a white background and will blend in with the background looks better without a border. In most themes, placing the “border” element in the tag of your photo is all it takes to make it happen. I’ve seen a few themes that didn’t want to cooperate however, so the result can be easily accomplished using Photo Filtre. Just click the Image link at the top and choose “Outside Frame”. Then your given the choice of color and thickness of the frame. I made this one red to make it extra noticable for this example. Sometimes a more subtle color may work better. Now that was an easy tip, huh? Wait till you see the next one……

Tip #2 - Add a Drop Shadow

Now this one really makes a difference! This little shadow gives the illusion that the image has space between it and the actual webpage. This is one of my favorites. Just click the Image link at the top of the Photo Filtre interface and choose “Outside Drop Shadow”. Not only will this add a shadow, but you can choose the color, depth, and the direction. As for the color, black or gray will look best most of the time, but you just have to experiment. Keep in mind that there really aren’t any right and wrong answers. It’s all about what YOU like and what YOU think will enhance your content rather than steal attention away from it. Now the next one is super cool because you can combine it with either of the first two tips, and it still works great……

Tip #3 - Rotate the Photo

Wow! Now that looks good. Sometimes the easiest things can make all the difference. When you think rotate, I think it’s probably natural to think in terms of 90 degrees or 45 degrees, but rotating an image ever-so-slightly really stands out. In Photo Filtre, go to the Image link at the top, and click on Rotate and choose Free. Now your given the choice of exactly how many degrees you want this thing turned. One of the cool things, is that you can add a minus sign in front of whatever the number, and the image is rotated counter-clockwise. That’s exactly what I did with the image here. It’s rotated at -3 degrees. Well, what do ya think? Look good?

…Don’t Forget

Remember, to place your images on your site, they have to be hosted online. I generally upload them to a folder on my own server, but you can also use services such as Flickr or Photobucket.