Giving life to your website with images that are worth more than a thousand words

It’s usually said that an image is worth more than a thousand words. For the digital world, it more clear than ever. Images on the Web can even look better than on a Magazine! They seem to connect digital and real world. They transmit the true, reflect reality and build trust. But, you should have two main concerns regarding to photo-graphical issues.

On the one hand, you have the quality of the picture and what you can do with it. On the other hand, and even most important, you have to worry about Copyright Laws and how to protect images.

How can your Web Sites be improved by using photographs/images?

In first place, you should also work with high resolution pictures. Bad quality images can damage your Web Sites credibility. So, if you don’t have the proper equipment to make your images look good, then you should consider hiring photographic services or buying photographs online. There are many cool services!

Pictures also communicate what you are trying to say with words. Take advantage of their power, you have many options to do that. For instance, you just can illustrate your Web site, show your products or what you do, or even create your own online photo albums or banners! If you are showing your product, light it well and provide multiple angles.

Furthermore, take the time to think the subject or title of each image and incorporate ALT attributes. Include a descriptive and short title, even more if you have plenty of photo galleries.  By the way, avoid sequences of pictures that have numbers of nicknames as title. It’s also useful to incorporate a brief description of the images!

Now, let’s pay attention to Copyright Laws and how to protect your images. The first thing you should know is that Copyright is automatic. This means that every tangible form of literary, artistic, musical or photo graphical work is instantaneously protected by the Copyright Office for author’s lifetime plus 70 years. In other words, it covers the actual works, not the ideas. Still, registration is recommended for several reasons. Mainly because in case someone else uses your material without permission, you will have a certificate of your authorship. Also, if registration occurs within five years of publication, it is considered prima facie evidence in a court of law.

It is also important to get familiarized with the Fair Use Doctrine. This doctrine allows a limited use of others works, but only with critics or commentaries. It is really hard to determine plagiarism in this way. So be aware!

In summary, pictures are a useful resource for both artistic and marketing purposes. It is extremely important for Web Designers to take the time to choose them and also get familiar with the Law. You always have to think about your clients comfort and pleasure. Let’s start shooting great photos then!

Sources:

• Taking Great Pictures for Web Sites
• How aware are you of the power of the picture?
• U.S. Copyright Office
• Copyright Office Increases Most Fees