Visual content	Issues for visual content	Image production	Image acquisition	Image manipulation	Image creation

The methods of producing visual content for websites can be summarised into two basic areas: acquiring images or creating images. Techniques relating to these distinct areas may be combined when images are manipulated (acquired and then redrawn or retouched). Image editing software such as Adobe Photoshop, with a scanner interface, is used for image production.

Resolution, compression and web colour

There are some web-specific issues that relate to both acquiring and creating images:

Image resolution - the pixel size of your image
Image compression and file formats - data size and how compression works
Web colour issues - web colour palettes and colour bit-depth

Some basic understanding of these is essential to be able to effectively use scanners or create images for the web.

See the menu above for these image production topics, or see below for acquiring, creating or manipulating images.

Acquiring images

Images may be acquired by scanning, downloading from another website or by using a digital camera.

Acquiring images may be done with minimal software supplied with your scanner ­ however to have better control over the final image, using image-editing software (such as Photoshop) is recommended.

Acquiring images from another source has copyright implications ­ make sure you are familiar with copyright requirements before you use such images in your online course.

Go to Image acquisition

Manipulating images

Images that you have acquired or created may be manipulated using image-editing software. Manipulating an image includes:

• Resizing and cropping
• Adjusting brightness, contrast, sharpness and colour balance
• Selectively enhancing the image by reducing background detail or retouching the image
• Adding text or other objects

Go to Image manipulation

Creating images

Images may be created using image-editing software. It is worth investing in professional quality software (eg Photoshop) if you will be doing very much of this work, although it is possible to get by with bundled or freeware applications for occasional use.

Images you create do not require any copyright clearance for you to use them, although there may be copyright implications if someone from another institution wishes to use them.

Some understanding of use of colour, fonts and basic design principles will assist in producing a more professional-looking image.

Go to Image creation