Graphic Messages?

[old_expat]

I'm not sure if this is in the right place to post this, so maybe a mod can move it if ...

It's mainly about making some graphic images on article/info pages that "say something" or make a reader stop and think.

I'm not a graphic artist by any stretch of anyone's imagination, so drawing cartoons are not an option. Neither is paying to have someone draw them. Finding just the right photo or image is difficult, and getting permission to use it legally might be even more difficult.

A few things I have done on a new site I'm continuing to develop involve very obviously amateurish graphics. One example is a pair of snowshoes with a ? in the corner. It's on a "what not to take along" page when moving to a tropical country.

Another is a series of happy, sad, puzzled, etc faces, representing a family about to relocate.

These are really pretty bad, I guess .. but I'm looking for suggestions on creating graphic images that are easy/simple to make and that tell a bit of the story .. or make the reader curious.

Suggestions?

[D_Blackwell]

Search stock images or stock graphics. Pricing varies widely for a variety of reasons that will become obvious, but numerous good quality bargains. Buy monthly or quarterly package deal and build up a nice library for cheap; a few hundred bucks.

File sizes, usage rights, and download limit per day will likely apply but will still be a solid investment well worthwhile.

Shop around. Keep an eye on terms (specific usage restrictions); simple diligence and you'll learn a lot about the options.

[ZydoSEO]

I use istockphoto all the time for my blog... For about $70 you can get 50 credits. This will allow you to download and use about 50 different royalty free images, illustrations, etc. made by people who ARE graphics designers.

I generally use the small ones for my blog which only cost 1 credit each. They are generally 400x300px. I either use them at this size or resize them into thumbnails.