A blog post is never complete without an image. An image that assists in conveying your emotions, or adding to the information about a product you may be writing about, or simply increasing the creative quotient of your post. It’s necessary that we create an image that not only grabs attention but also helps retain information we give to our readers.
Earlier, I would happily use images from Google for my posts, until I learned that Google could sue me for doing so! It’s sometime last year that I discovered Pixabay, thanks to my friend, Shailaja. It’s one place where you could go crazy looking at the million images at your disposal.
All you need to do is create an account, and all those exquisite images are yours…for free! You could also upload your personal images there to be used as and when you deem fit. Do leave behind a “Thank you” for the artist who prepared the image for you. That’s good manners, isn’t it?
Do keep surfing for the right images, as well as those which aren’t very commonly used.
There’s also a place that helps you design the perfect image for your blog post – Canva. This place, too, I discovered last year, thanks again to Shailaja!
Canva contains tools that help you structure the image as per your needs, add/change colours and fonts, and add text that gives your post a very professional look. Again, it helps if you create a Canva account. That makes it easy for you to create your images as well as upload your own pictures onto it and use those in your images to make them more personalised.
There’s also this Canva app for the ‘Free photo Editor and Graphic Design Tool’ to help you create the designs of your dreams.
Sharing with you some tips on using Canva.
How to use Canva to create the perfect image:
Log in to Canva.
Click on the ‘Create a design’ button and you will find options to choose from for which you need to prepare an image. Click on the one that you wish to design for.
You will now have Canva Layouts to use to design your image. Remember to choose the free ones!
Once you’ve chosen a layout, click on the part you wish to edit. The text, for example. Click to delete the words, and add your own text.
You will find the options – Layouts, elements, text, background and uploads – on the left, for your use.
You could also delete the image on the layout, add one of your own from the uploaded ones to use for your image.
Add the text, change the fonts, add background in a colour you find right, and voila! you have your image ready!
Download it and use it for your post.
It will take time to get used to Canva if you are technologically challenged, like yours truly. But, once you get the hang of it, there’s no stopping you! Do install the Canva app on your android phone. Makes it easy to create and share images on Instagram and Facebook.
Do try it out and let me know your experience with Canva.
Wish you the very best!
Love,
SHILPA…
My theme for the A to Z Blogging Challenge is all about my blog, Metanoia, and my blogging journey from the time I started, 5 years ago. The lessons I learnt, the tips and tricks I picked up from fellow bloggers and the guidelines I could have used back when I began.
You will find all of my A to Z posts here.
Canva is a fabulous tool. I’ve used it too.
http://www.kalpanaawrites.com
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It is, indeed!
Thank you for dropping by! 🙂
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I too used to use images off Google, when I read one day about the repercussions. Hence, I switched to Pixabay and Pexels. Canva I hadn’t heard until today, but yours is the second post I am reading on it today morning. So definitely, going to try it out. Thanks for the information!
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Canva is a really good place to create your images, you know! I was mesmerised by all the magic that took place there! 😛
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Will check it out soon!
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DO check it…I am sure you will love it! 🙂
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Shailaja is such a blessing..I am learning so much from her. I love how each day you refer to a fellow blogger, that is how a community is built. I am also trying to learn Canva. Earlier I also used to use Google images, however now I have shifted to pixabay after a guidance from Shyvish. Btw I am copying your zentangle..when my son goes for his swimming I usually sit near his pool and try to copy your art..the artist in me is getting some practice this way..hugs
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You know, B, ever since I began blogging, I have met some really wonderful people online. I used to hear so much about the kind of things that happen in the cyber world, but meeting some really beautiful souls out here has taught me so much! True, Shailaja is a blessing, indeed!
I am honoured to hear you copying my art, B. Humbled, actually. I too have practised this way, copying artwork from the Net when I started. Now too, I try and find inspiration from other’s works. it helps bringing to life the artist within us and gives our brain a good workout when we begin creating new designs!
We really ought to meet some day, girl!
Hugs!
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Yes..we will surely meet..actually all 3 of us can meet one day..you me and Sunita aka bellybytes
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Hey, yes…we can do that some day! ❤
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Yes, images are necessary for any blog. Your blog post is quite helpful for bloggers. I like Canva and use it regularly for my work . Do read my post on travel here http://saba-relishingrascal-scribbles.com/2018/04/03/darjeeling-the-drooling-beauty-of-india/
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Thank you, Saba!
Will surely visit your blog soon.
Thank you for dropping by! 🙂
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I’ve been using Canva and it really is an amazing tool. Will try Pixabay and see how better it is to use.
https://www.rohankachalia.com/2018/04/drown-day-4-a-to-z-challenge/
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Pixabay has images for almost every topic, Rohan. And, the images are countless! You could spend an entire weekend at PIxabay and yet not get bored. 🙂
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Thank you for sharing about pixabay. I would for sure use it now onwards. I also use Canva for creating my images and I find it so useful for creating diff graphics based on the social media platform. http://www.vibhuandme.com/2018/04/d-for-dried-ginger-more-beneficial-form.html
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Yes, Shipra. Canva helped me learn a lot about creating images. I am still learning! Pixabay helps, too! 🙂
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Canva is my Go-To Tool for images. It helps to make custom images simple for everyone.
5 Reasons to Keep a Travel Diary #AtoZChallenge
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Yes, Shilpa. Once you learn to use it, life becomes so much simpler. Life of a blogger, I mean! 🙂
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Shilpa I love Canva, Pixabay and Unsplash. Have learnt to design my promotional posts, logos etc there and it’s such an uplifting experience.
Yes a post is incomplete minus a good visual and I completely believe in that.
That’s a good coaching guideline for newbies to Canva,
Cheers 🙂
Natasha
natashamusing
April Anecdotes
Destinys Child
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Yes, Natasha. The first time I made an image on Canva, I was jubilant! Felt as if I was some art director, or something! 😛
Cheers to you, too!
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Oh tell me about it Shilpa. I so hear you!
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Canva is a very useful tool. Like you I discovered this through blogging family.
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We have really learnt so much from blogging, haven’t we? 🙂
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I am in love with canva too and had done a tutorial about it on Zainab s blog in December. Thanks for the tip about pixabay- never really explored it .
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I love it, too! And, Pixabay is another place that floored me the moment I visited it! 🙂
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I love Canva. I use it for images in blogposts, pinterest images, twitter headers, email headers, ebook covers and even to make customised bookmarks. I love it…
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It is really helpful, and so worth falling in love with! 🙂
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Canva and Pixabay are my favorite tools for finding images, editing and designing. I agree with you! Images add a different charm to your blog post. 🙂
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I learnt a lot from that post you had done about Canva on Write Tribe, Shalini. That post helped me understand Canva and that’s how I was able to do this post! ❤
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I’ve been having a hard time looking for relevant images for my posts. Since my theme entails sourcing images from Instagrammers, I think I’ll start using Canva and Pixabay after this Challenge ends.
Thanks a ton for your tips. This is really useful stuff!
Do drop by mine.
Cheers,
CRD
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I am glad you found this post useful. You get a wide range of images at these two places which you can use for almost any topic under the sun!
Wish you the very best! 👍
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Pixabay and canvay are such lovely destinations for a blogger. It makes your posts look good and professional in every way.
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True, Ramya. I am glad I discovered these sites! 🙂
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Thanks Shilpa for this post. I’ve been trying to get Canva but it doesn’t seem to work on my Mac Air. Some issue there. I think I need to check it on a regular laptop.
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Hey, I too use a MacBook Air, and I have no issues using Canva. DO keep trying, Tulika. It will work out.
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Shailaja and you seem to have all the answers for us bloggers these days 😀
I feel so blessed to know you both!
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Awww..that’s so sweet of you to say, Soumya..But, seriously, I have MILES to go before I reach the level Shailaja is at!
❤
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This is damn useful I hate the images part as I am always looking for free pictures and it’s an arduous task
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Do visit Pixabay, Akshata. It’s the best thing to happen for us bloggers!
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An extremely helpful post, Shilpa. I didn’t know about canva. Thanks so much.
Best wishes…
Moon
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Thank you for visiting, Moon! 🙂
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I used a Pixabay to get a image to combine with a drawing of my little Bookwyrm dragon to make a coloring page for today’s H post! Canva overwhelms me…but I will check out the tutorial someone else linked! As Vidya would say: Happy A to Zing!
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Yes, do check it. I am sure you will find it’s not so overwhelming once you use it a couple of times. 🙂
Thank you for the visit!
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Thank you so much .. I didn’t know about these apps.. I will use it for my blog posts too.. I was in a blogging break for over a month.. now I will make a fresh come back with these useful tips 😊🙏 ❤️
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I am glad you found these apps useful, Maya. I learnt about these quite recently, and as they are so helpful, I felt we all could avail of these to create the kind of images we all want to for our posts.
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