One of the most common challenges that every blogger has to face is to find images to use on their site. Spending time and dealing with copyright legal issues makes the whole process frustrating. It is a challenge that everyone has to learn how to overcome. One of the best solutions to solve this problem is Creative Commons, which we will analyze in this article.
What is Creative Commons
So what is Creative Commons? Is it a program? Creative Commons is an NPO that helps to legally get any desired pictures without causing problems for both owner and user. In simple terms, it provides a license agreement for non-profit (and profit) use of the image. It is the rule maker, the middleman that makes this process work. One thing to note is that if an image is going to be used in commercial business, then the owner has every right to get paid for his work.
This is why Creative-Commons licenses are so popular on the Web. It has allowed people to be more creative, while protection of their work can be achieved. This works to protect from everyone who would like to take advantage of their work for malicious use. Commercial use of the copyright work becomes fair and everyone is happy.
Creative Commons Licensed images in WordPress
WordPress has been adapted to the new needs of the bloggers and web development industry, so a lot of plugins have been implemented to cover those needs. Now everyone has access to those tools required to find and select the proper image.
How to find Creative Commons Licensed images in WordPress?
A small list of those plugins follows:
- Image Inject
- Pixabay Images
- Photo Dropper
- Flickr Pick a Picture
Image Inject (AKA WP Inject)
Image Inject, which is a WP Inject, enables users to smoothly import images and photos to their Website or WordPress blog. It searches among hundreds of free (and licensed) images using the defined keyword of your desire.
It is very quick and simple to use. It is one of the most popular tools that Web developers use.
Pixabay Images
Pixabay Images is a very nice plugin as well. It is easy to use, with a single-click image solution. It connects to its own database of free-to-use pictures, with or without attribution. The control panel is pretty simple and easy enough for everyone to get the job done.
Photo Dropper
Photo Dropper comes to shake the waters. With more that 250+ million CC photos and another 10+ million premiums (licensed to pay) it becomes a complete solution for every blogger.
Flickr Pick a Picture
Flickr Pick a Picture is one of the most common used tools for this job. It is the connection pipeline between WordPress and Flickr, giving the author credentials for the use of the work.
How to insert Creative Commons Licensed images in WordPress
All of the above plugins use pretty much the same philosophy in getting a CC image into a post. They are easy to install and almost all of them are compatible with all the versions of WordPress. The process goes as follows:
- There should be a button usually at the top of the editor so when it gets clicked, a search window will open.
- Typing the subject of the photo will provide related pictures to get downloaded or linked to the post. Some extra options might be available, depending on the plugin.
- More options regarding the size, location for the image to be saved, description and even alignment for the image will be available to make the necessary choices for the blog.
- This is the final step. Selecting the insert to the post button closes the window and inserts the image into the editor. After that many formats can be chosen to achieve the necessary format of the article.
In Conclusion
I encourage and recommend everyone to use that program, not only for legal purposes but also for simplicity and fairness. I know some of those tools might not be as good as we want them to be, but it is your choice to support, encourage or even contribute to make them better.
I will be happy to hear thoughts and comments, especially if you have found a better plugin or a way to improve them.