The Potting Shed

Leonie2 · Posted: Fri Jun 16, 2006 5:05 pm Post subject: Posting a photo onto the forum

Here are some instructions:

Firstly, remember that some members are using dial up, which means that if large photos are posted on the forum it takes a long time for their browser to download the photos in order to view them. With this in mind please keep your pictures to less than 400 x 400 pixels in size and a resolution set to 72dpi.

It is difficult to give exact instructions for sizing your photos because each picture editing programme is different. But somewhere in your photo editing programme you should be able to set the size and dpi of your photo.

Your photo now needs to be stored in cyberspace on a server, and it will always have an address (or "URL" = "universal resource locator") that tells any computer exactly how to find it. Most ISP's (internet service providers e.g. BT internet, Tiscali, Wanadoo etc.) provide some server space for this, and you would need to check with your Internet Provider to find out how to use it. Another option is to use a free photo hosting service. Photobucket seems to work well for this. You need to register and sign up for an account here, click past a few advertisements then follow the instructions to upload your pictures, where they will be stored on their server, each with its own address, and can be added and deleted as you choose. It always helps to carefully write down the exact URL for each image, although one of the nice options with Photobucket is that they have some posting options which not only saves the URL, but adds the "tags" that are needed to post them on the Forum.

The URL ("address on the internet") for your photo should be something like this:

http:/ /www.your_isp_provider.com/your_photo_name.jpg

If you copy (ctrl c) and paste (ctrl v) that text into the address bar of your browser and hit "enter" it will take you right to the photo.

Now you need to link the Photo on the Server to Your Post on the Forum. The easiest way to do this if you're using Photobucket is to find your photo at the bottom of the page on Photobucket, then go to the bottom box labelled "Img". Carefully left click to select the entire contents of that box (all of the symbols and letters within that box have to be blue at this point). Now right click and while the mouse is still over the blue area, left click on"Copy". Go back to the forum post and put the pointer within the box where you type your response and right click again and then left click "Paste". Your picture should appear, and now you could go back and add another picture if needed. Click "Preview" at the bottom of the screen to check that it uploaded correctly.

If you used some other method to host your photos, such as your own web site or ISP option, you will need to know the exact url where the image is stored e.g. http:/ /www.your_isp_provider.com/your_photo_name.jpg Go to the forum post where you want to include your photo and type in [IMG] without leaving any spaces paste the url of your image and then without leaving any spaces again type in [/IMG]

Click the "Preview" option to verify that the picture has uploaded correctly.

If in the preview the url shows as a hyperlink rather than a photo, check that the url name you've pasted in the forum message ends with .jpg or .jpeg. If it doesn't that could be a sign that you've copied the incorrect url for your photo. If it shows as text rather than a hyperlink or photo then check that there are NO spaces in the [IMG] url address [/IMG] coding/text.

In both cases, remember that if you delete your photo from your hosting space, it will no longer show up in your forum post, so please leave it on the server for as long as you can. In most cases this can be "forever".

If you still encounter problems posting photos after following these instructions please post here or pm me and I'll try to help.

lloyd · 5 Star Club Joined: 17 Jun 2006 Posts: 2648

I'm wondering about doing a "How To post photographs" posting specific to Photobucket, (which is the only one I find easy to use). Does anyone think there is any value in a second "how to" post on this subject?...I notice that many members don't post pictures, and wonder if this is choice or lack of understanding of the process.???? Confused

_________________
www.smokedfoodsdirect.co.uk

Kathy · Posted: Tue Sep 12, 2006 8:47 am Post subject:

Now that I have discovered the "add image to post" underneath the typing window, I use that, much much simpler and easier for people who struggle with using photobucket. What does everyone else think?

Leonie2 · Posted: Tue Sep 12, 2006 9:02 am Post subject:

I agree Kathy, it's much easier. But Lloyd if you have the time it would be nice to have all options covered, then members have a choice about how they want to post pictures. Very Happy

Becki · Posted: Tue Sep 12, 2006 9:20 am Post subject:

Yes go for it Lloyd, you've volunteerd now Laughing

_________________
The Card Bee

lloyd · 5 Star Club Joined: 17 Jun 2006 Posts: 2648

Becki · Posted: Tue Sep 12, 2006 1:36 pm Post subject:

Depends on what colour your viewing the forum in. I look at it in red which dosn't have the option to post photos. However if you change it to green in your profile you can then post a image.
_________________
The Card Bee

lloyd · 5 Star Club Joined: 17 Jun 2006 Posts: 2648

I no longer bother with photo hosting, but may use it again for the "how to" pictorials. Right now I just use the "Insert" button.
_________________
www.smokedfoodsdirect.co.uk