Searching for Web Images

Not all Web Images are Alike!

Selecting and sourcing images to use in your digital artworks can have a huge impact on the final work.

Common Errors:

• • • Copying/ saving low quality images by not looking at file size/ image resolution

    • Saving the "thumbnail" version of the image instead of the "original" file

    • Searching without descriptive search words 

    • Wasting time by not using search "tools" or "filters" to search results

Using Google and Bing.com to Search Web Images 

Tips for Searching for Images Using Google:

• 1. Type descriptive words into the "search bar" to best find the exact image you want 

• 2. Add a + between words and Google will search for both, narrowing your results  (i.e. "designer shoes + Jordans")

• 3. Once you get your search results, click to switch to the "Images" Tab to only get image results

• 4. Over to the right-hand- side, click on "Tools" and set size, colour, type (and usage rights) to narrow your image results

     • Size: always set to "Large" or "Larger Than..." (which usually have higher resolution/ pixel counts)

     • Colour: search specific colours only or black and white

     • Type: choose if you want photos, line drawings, clip art, etc.

Here's a screenshot of my Google search:

Tips for Searching For Images Using Bing.com:

1. 1. Type descriptive words into the "search bar" for the image you want 

1. 2. Add a + between words and Bing.com will search for both, narrowing your results  (i.e. "designer shoes + Doc Martins")

1. 3. Click to switch to the "Images" Tab to only get image results.

1. 4. Click on "Filters" and set size, colour, type (and usage rights) to narrow your results

      • Size: always set to "Large" or "Extra Large"  (which usually have higher resolution/ pixel counts)

      • Colour: search specific colours only or black and white

      • Type: choose if you want photos, line drawings, clip art, etc.

      • Layout: lets you look for document formats (i.e. "square," "wide," "tall")

      • License: find images that are copyright free

Here's a screenshot of my Bing.com search:

Your Task:

Use either Google or Bing.com and do an image search for "iguana"