Finding graphics for your website can be a real
chore, especially if you're on a tight budget. Don't worry there
are plenty of sites out there that actually offer free graphics
for use on your site. You just need to know where to look (that's
where I come in).
If you're in need of graphics to help with your
sales pages check out this sweet
deal for only 7.00. (opens in new window)
Make sure when putting together your site you
compress any and all graphics you use so the download time of
your site doesn't take too long. It's a major mistake of newbies
to put huge graphics or too many animated ones on a page. Remember,
less is more. Simpler is better. K.I.S.S.- "Keep it Simple
Stupid". Not that you're stupid, just keep it in mind when
designing your website.
For Photoshop Tips jump to this
section.
Stock
Images: A web site specializing in royalty free stock
images provided by talented artists and photographers. Many
categories to choose from.
Stock.xchg:
SXC is a friendly community of photography addicts who generously
offer their works to the public free of charge.
Pics:
Thousands of free pictures on many themes. All the pics are
free to use as desktop wallpapers or a part of any non-commercial
design.
GuiStuff:
Dozens of graphical interfaces, use their Flash, DHTML, and
graphics generation tools to add spice to your page, and check
out the tutorials section to learn how to design by yourself.
Google
Image Search: Don't forget the King of search engines
also has an excellent image search finder. Make sure you don't
take anyone's copyrighted work though.
GifCruncher:
One thing any website owner needs to do is keep their Gif and
Jpeg images small so your site downloads quickly. If you have
some images you need to downsize use this free online tool to
compress their size.
GifWorks:
It's an online GIF image editor. This unique tool is completely
on-line -- nothing to download or install. Better yet, it's
ABSOLUTELY FREE -- no prepaid tokens or subscriptions. Create
your own special effects with any GIF -- even animated ones!
Resize it, colorize it, optimize it, and more.
Clip
Art: Largest subscription selection of clipart,
photos, fonts, animations and sounds on the web! Over 2.6 million
images. Not free but very reasonable pricing.
Cool
Archives: Need some new icons? Well, of course
you do. These come in handy when making favicons for your website
or in your ebooks.
Photoshop is the number one graphics software
for good reason. It's very powerful and the choice of most web
designers today. You'll find some real experts out there who
turn out some beautful projects using this tool.
PhotoShop
Killer Tips: A collection of cool tips and hidden secrets.
PhotoShop
Tips: Laurie McCanna's complete list of tutorials for
Photoshop.
304
PhotoShop 6 Tips: You'll want to print out this great
PDF book on hundreds of shortcuts available in Photoshop. Written
by Trevor Morris at http://user.fundy.net/morris/main.html
you'll want to check out his awesome site too.
Designs
by Mark: This guy is awesome! I just love his stuff
and so will you. His site offers plenty of freebies for your
creative enjoyment. Photoshop tutorials abound.
PhotoShop
Today: A great collection of tutorials on everything
you can imagine doing with Photoshop. If you need to get up
to speed fast this site is for you.
Good
Tutorials: Over 1,000 Photoshop Tutorials all in one
place. An oasis to an aspiring artist.
PhotoShop
Effects: Tutorials and techniques that manipulate
the focus in a photo. Learn how to simulate soft focus, add
motion effects, create drama, and focus attention on the subject
of a photo.