WPA Poster from the Library of Congress

When I started writing blogs, I had not thought about using pictures to make the post more attractive. I then noticed that other blogs would use pictures not only to illustrate at point but also to make the post more pleasing to the eye.

I knew that you could not just take pictures from the web and use them. By doing that you could be violating copyright laws. I did a search for “free photos”. I found a site Stock .Xchnge and started using the free photos from there. It was fairly easy to use and I could usually find a shot that I could use.

I had noticed lately that some of the images were very small when I went to use them and then if I enlarged them, they were too fuzzy. Partly for this reason and because I found it to be fun, I have started using more of my own photos on the blog. I enjoy going out and taking pictures that can be used here and there.

Late last week I went to Stock. Xchnge to get a picture for a blog post. The web site came up with a page that said that they were closed for maintenance. The site has now been closed for at least a week.  There has been some speculation that they won’t be back. (http://reader.cogdogblog.com/syndicated/stock-photo-service-stock-xchng-down-for-days-users-left-in-the-dark/ )

I liked using Stock.Xchnge for photos partly because it was very easy to use. I am usually in a bit of a hurry by the time I am inserting photos and I don’t want to take a lot of time trying to figure out how to use a site.  I have looked for other sites but they seem not immediately user friendly. I will have to take some time to figure them out.

BUT, what has made me a bit “hot under the collar” is that the pictures that I used from Stock.Xchnge have disappeared from my posted blogs.  So if you go back in time on my posts you will be able to see where I used the free photos because the pictures are missing. Yup, there are blank spaces in the middle of my posts.

I suppose it is another kick in the pants to get me to take my own photos. I will work on that as a priority. In the meantime, I did find a site that is pretty interesting. I am not sure that I will be able to use the site often but I am glad to know it is there. It is the site for the Library of Congress. They have lots of public domain images that you can use.  http://www.loc.gov/pictures/

The coolest things that I have found there so far are 932 WPA posters. I can’t see using them often but I used two today because I like the look of them.  I just think they are cool.

While I am “hot under the collar” about Stock.Echnge, I am a bit stoked about the Library of Congress site. 

Thanks for reading!