Cool Custom Images
December 23, 2008
One of the things that definitely separates marginal video from really good ones has to do with “what’s going on visually?” as the viewer watches. I almost always try to put some kind of visual spark to keep the video interesting. Lots of folks have asked me where to get graphics to use for this little tactic. I have several sources but here’s one that’s fun, interesting, and has just released a “Commercial” account membership so you can use them for marketing and commercial purposes.
ImageChef offers some creative ways to customize stock images with whatever text (and/or images) you like. It’s a quick and easy way to whip up a “just right” message into a nice image you can put into Camtasia videos, PowerPoint slides, post to web and social sites…cool!
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Posted in QuickTips, Resources, Uncategorized
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December 23rd, 2008 at 10:08 pm
I love it! I always wondered how you did that! Great content and great presentation!
December 24th, 2008 at 12:00 am
Thanks Stephan! And everybody check out what a little bit of Screencast Profits magic can do for your videos…Stephan did a GREAT job here: http://www.esquaredmarketing.com/
Lon
December 24th, 2008 at 12:25 am
This is fantastic. I love how this content is so simple, but so usable. This is mainstream solution for those of us who aren’t very artistic, or don’t have the time to learn how to use Illustrator, but still need some great graphics to add interest to our presentations. Love it!
December 24th, 2008 at 1:30 am
Lon, you always teach in such an understandable manner. You make things clear and yet fun to learn. That’s a gift!
Thank you for this tutorial and the very useful resources you shared, too.
Joyeux Noel,
Donna
December 24th, 2008 at 11:11 am
Lon,
Truly awesome. A quick tip, but full of “steak”.
You really deliver the mail. Thanks for this special Christmas gift.
Dan
December 28th, 2008 at 6:15 am
Hey Lon,
If the largest image is 500X500, how does that play with 4:3 and 640X480? Or even 720X480?
I’m looking to make a promotional movie like Carrie Wilkerson’s The Boss Movie and I’m looking for a place to get quality images that will be the best fit — which includes resolution.
Am I missing something here. and the Image Chef output will work?
Is there a better place?
Are the images like the ones Carrie used all custom shots?
Just trying to piece this together.
Thanks.
Jerry
December 28th, 2008 at 6:26 am
Lon,
Am I right that you can’t DOWNLOAD these images; that Image Chef has to host them?
I’d obviously need to import them into another program.
Jerry
December 31st, 2008 at 2:56 pm
Lon,
Fantastic as usual! Wondered how you managed some of the graphics you include in your screencasts – had visions of you slaving away with photoshop! I really appreciate the tips and advice you give and the way you share your discovery’s with all of us – awesome!
Have a fantastic 2009.
January 20th, 2009 at 1:31 pm
Jerry,
Ya…the images are 1:1 (square) not 4:3 – this means you can’t really make them go “full” width in a standard aspect ration video. You will either have to live with “black bars” which often are OK, put them into another image with a background sized to 4:3, or sometimes even zooming in works OK.
You can save the images just by right-clicking on them and Save As (or Save Image As) to your hard drive.