How to add text to photographs. It’s EASY peasy.
Feb 21
Photography and blogging should be listed as one of the seven wonders of the world.
It is a mystery.
Adding text and graphics on to photography is a guarded secret. Like the crown jewels.
A baffling perplexity.
What-up-wit-dat?! Enough already. Let’s blow this popsicle stand.
Are you ready? Set? Go !!
Time to blow the lid right off of that secret.
The jig is up. The mystery is over.
You are about to learn how to add text and photo edit…. the gansta’ way.
The real life way.
The free way.
Why the mystery?
I wondered about the photo mysteries of blogging since the beginning of time. I just didn’t want to admit it in my outside voice. {{ I felt as dumb as a stick. }}
Could it be that everyone else was super duper dope intelligent and I was the only duffass on the block who couldn’t figure out how to add funky graphics and text to photos?!
If you said yes, I just throat punched you.
Surely those text editing dopes geniuses were using photoshop. Could it be? How did they do it?!! Was photoshop the answer?! Were all these people epic rich with wads of cash and a boat load of time on their hands ?! Did all these people like downloading programs and spending forever trying to figure out how to navigate through the tutorials?!
If that was the reason, then I was going to throw myself off of a bridge. Pronto.
I prepared myself with a ‘to do’ list :
In the spirit of over sharing on the internet, the word PHOTOSHOP makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up. I cringe. It also makes my knees knock from fright.
Why ohhhh why ??!
1. Photoshop is a billion-zillion-trillion dollars to buy.
2. You need a PhD to figure it out.
3. It requires tutorials, lessons and complex reading of manuals. OMG. Kill me now. Just shoot me and get it over with.
4. Manuals = jail. They are torture chambers of fine print.
5. Uhhhm. Yeah. Not gonna happen.
6. There needed to be a way edit photos quickly. One that still allowed time to do other things. Like eat. Or sleep.
7. A solution had to be out there that was so inexpensive that we all felt like we were stealing it <– funny ikea video
8. The solution needed to just be easy. Thank. You. Very. Much.
9. Who has time to do complex photo editing ? The words ‘complex photo editing’ makes most of us want to curl up in a ball and take a nap. And die a thousand deaths.
10. What do we need? A solution that would not give us the random urge to punch our computers.
Here’s your answer :
PICMONKEY
Tahhh dahhhhh ……
It is free.
There is no program to download.
You simply go here : picmonkey and those banana happy monkeys get straight to work. No monkeying around. Excuse the pun. Just click ‘ edit a photo ‘ and the magic begins.
In moments ~ you will be happy dancing all over your sofa.
No need for a tutorial. Or a manual. Or a margarita to wash down the pain of figuring it out.
It is absolutely simple to do. It has:
- epic photo filters
- awesome editing features
- text and graphics capabilities
- cropping
- loads of gorgeous fonts
- resizing
- touch ups
- add-on shapes, arrows, funkiness
- frames of all different shapes and sizes
…..it will blow your mind.
PicMonkey can make you skinny. OMG. What is the world coming to when we have photo edit programs to make us skinny with the touch of a button? I think that is super cool wrong.
I would totally do that never do that.
You can share your skinny self to Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter or with your cat. Or your ex.
Are you a blogger? Do you want to start a blog?
Here is where the rubber meets the road. This is the juicy stuff. You will want to have a fast loading site. You need a fast site, if you want to have any sort of success as a blogger/website domain.
REsizE*
Your photos
* It’s a must for website-blogging survival.
Whether you are a new blogger, black belt blogger or blog reader… photography in a blog can be the straw that breaks the camels back. Or it can be the race car that drives blog traffic to epic levels. Properly formatted photography makes the whole experience all that much better for everyone.
What is the secret behind blog photography? Size counts. Yup. I bet you have never heard that one before. Size counts.
In the case of photography on a blog, smaller (pixel size) is better.
Imagine that?
Smaller is better?
Waaaaeeird.
Sharpen your blogging pencil and get ready for this one :
Large pixelated photos = slow download speed for your blog.
Slow loading blogs are a big butt problem for both the reader and the blogger. Guess what happens when you have a slow site?
It is called silence.
You’ll hear crickets.
There is nothing louder than silence.
Heavily pixelated photography can blogstipate you ~ big time.
What does fast loading blog speed mean? It means that google will luuurve you. Google sends people to fast loading sites. Google is smarty pants, smart. It doesn’t send readers to slow sites. Period.
Things can get pretty quiet on a slow loading site.
The silence can be deafening.
Faster loading blog = More Google traffic
Most bloggers want more traffic. If you are a blogger and you don’t want traffic, I don’t know you. You must live in a cave with crazy dreadlocks and a tin can telephone.
How to make your site fast loading :
Format your photos to a web friendly pixel size. For example, this blog is formatted for 670 x 1000 pixel photos. What is your size ? Find out. STAT.
PS. I signed up for the Royale version of PicMonkey. Best.Decision.Ever. I lurve.
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February 21st, 2013 at 7:48 am
@lynneknowlton Thanks for sharing. I love #picmonkey, I just need to use it more!
February 21st, 2013 at 7:52 am
Lurv picmonkey …. Already use it, but could use it even better
February 21st, 2013 at 8:01 am
Nice post!
February 21st, 2013 at 8:14 am
Betty Ann Shepard liked this on Facebook.
February 21st, 2013 at 8:20 am
Whoddathunk it is so easy, thanks for this. Going to picmonkey I am one of those who are “challenged” when it comes to photo’s, editing and the like. I’m a tech dope. This is great, You rock as always and have fun in Vegas!!
February 21st, 2013 at 11:55 am
Hey Suzanne
I hope I come back from Vegas with my front teeth. You will love picMonkey for your blog. Waylay taught me about how to resize my photos for fast web speed. It has been a life saver. They are easy to size and edit in PicMonkey. ENJOY !!
February 21st, 2013 at 8:20 am
Thanks Lynne! As always, amazing blog full of useful info!!
February 21st, 2013 at 4:28 pm
Thanks Dave !
You have been a great teacher of apps to me too. Thanks for that ! Did you see this blog post on fotorus ? https://lynneknowlton.com/my-latest-app-crush-the-fotorus-photo-app-will-blow-your-socks-off/
That was all because of you ! I owe you ~ BIG TIME!
Do you use an iPad? I have an epic app for you !!
Lynne xx
February 21st, 2013 at 6:00 pm
Ahhhh Lynne, I did see it but I didn’t know I had inspired you to write the blog?! Thank you so much! You don’t owe me anything!!!! I am not looking for credit…. well,….. unless you have another cool app to share of course! LOL, tehee, giggle And yes I do use an iPad mini (: You know me, I am always looking for the latest and coolest app…..Like WowFX HD that I use to create “instababs” and FrameMagic to prepare the pics for WowFX…. OH MY, would love to blog myself,,,,,,but,.,,,,,,,mmmmm,,,,,,I don’t have nuf time! /-: Hoping all is well with you and your lovely family
– Dave
February 21st, 2013 at 6:09 pm
Totally inspired by you for that blog post. I just got so busy, I forgot to write to you and tell you. Life of a blogger. LOL !
Of course, I LOVE love LOVE the Glaze App here : https://lynneknowlton.com/how-to-turn-your-photos-into-paintings-with-an-epic-photo-app/
I’m also luvin’ OVER hd app and notes plus (on the iPad). Notes plus is the biggest bucks I have spent on an app, but I love it !
See you in instagram !
Hugs,
Lynne
February 21st, 2013 at 8:31 am
ha..love the spray tan effect!
February 21st, 2013 at 9:00 am
Dave Hurst liked this on Facebook.
February 21st, 2013 at 9:23 am
Couldn’t agree more! I have had photoshop on my computer for over 5 years now and every time I have sat down to learn it I think I should be outside gardening or browsing thrift stores. I LOVE picmonkey for this!
February 21st, 2013 at 4:29 pm
Alex,
You are officially the bravest woman that I know. And the richest. You bought photoshop ?! Well… you are code/manual savvy so that probably makes sense for you. Never invite me to your place and show me your photoshop. I will punch your computer. Wait, I just assumed that you are inviting me. LOL.
Treehouse date this summer?
xx
February 21st, 2013 at 10:16 am
Hi Lynne,
I think you could be the coolest girl I have ever met. I have wondered and wondered what programs some of my other blogger buddies were using. I assumed they were using Photoshop and spending lots of dollars that I wasn’t willing to spend. I hated my blog because my pictures were too small and inferior to everyone else’s. You are so right when you say size matters.
I checked out picmonkey and it was love at first sight. I am all excited to re-do my blog format. Thank you so much for such a great post.
Cindy
February 21st, 2013 at 4:47 pm
Ha Cindy !
Coolest girl ?! I am going to print that, then put it in a poster ….. frame it…. and hang it in my kids bedrooms. hahahaaha!! They will never believe that someone said I was cool. LOL.
You won’t believe how using PicMonkey will help your photos POP on a blog. Photography is sooooo very important to a great blog post !
Have a monkey of a time !
Lynne xx
February 21st, 2013 at 10:59 am
Ardis McDonald liked this on Facebook.
February 21st, 2013 at 11:40 am
Kathy Sandler I thought about adding your yummy photo app to the post too. I’m making a free ebook right now for blog subscribers with all my fave photo apps. I’m definitely including your app ! Ps. Do you have an iPad?
February 21st, 2013 at 11:41 am
Isn’t that spray tan hilarious Kerry ? And the teeth whitening?! LOL
February 21st, 2013 at 4:24 pm
Thanks for the shout out Lynne! You have been a most excellent student 😉 It looks like the student has become the teacher. We had never heard of PicMonkey. It’s pretty nice.
Looking forward to meeting you and MIchael when you grace us with your presence in our humble little town!
February 22nd, 2013 at 8:46 am
Hey Wayne !
Can’t wait to get to Las Vegas ! I won’t miss all the SNOW BANKS that are surrounding me right now.
Thanks for putting up with all my billions of questions that I throw at you. You and Selina have been so beautifully awesome to me and my ‘blogging journey’
Forever grateful xx
February 21st, 2013 at 8:47 pm
I do!
February 22nd, 2013 at 12:47 am
Lynne – It’s been soo long since you posted anyTHING I’m interested in/had time to read.
Now that I’m baack – gd thank you for this SUper secret invite to PicMonkey. I too sit here thinking I must be the ONLY ONE who doesn’t know how to figur it all out.
Maybe I’ll get to it – tomorrow. 🙂 nite night friend! Cheers!
February 22nd, 2013 at 8:40 am
ha Linda !
Thanks for hanging in 🙂 Too funny ~ I thought about doing a blog post/survey of my blog readers and asking how many are bloggers. I think it is alarmingly high~ how many readers are also bloggers. I am happy to share some epic little tips and tricks along the way. I checked out your blog. I bet if you made the changes to your photos, you will find that your blog loads faster.The little changes can make a big difference 🙂
Wishing you ahhhmazing blog success !
Lynne xx
February 22nd, 2013 at 1:45 pm
I’ve never heard of Picmonkey. I will check it out. Thanks!
February 24th, 2013 at 9:15 am
Hi Ann
You will love it ! It does collages, filters, retouching… if only it made dinner.
*dreaming*
Lynne 🙂
February 22nd, 2013 at 6:18 pm
Thanks Lynne, for this fab post. I’m going right over to monkey pic. Just wondering how to define a ‘slow site’ vs. a ‘fast’ one? Is it 1 second delay or are we talking 10-15 seconds slower than most? Could use a little advice here. I lost my web guy a few months ago so I’ve been fixing some things myself. It’s fun learning new stuff but too time consuming and now would like to rip out my ‘chicken’ hair. I stole that from you b/c I also have chicken hair!
February 24th, 2013 at 9:11 am
Hi Lisa
You can usually tell if your photos are downloading slowing, if you are waiting on the page, and the photo takes seconds to slowly appear. I checked your site, and tested one photo which was 415 x 650 pixels which is great ! Good job. I didn’t delve too deep yet, because I was diving deep staring at the gorgeous man in the pool with tattoos. I may never leave your site. Just sayin’.
Holy smoking hawt tamale. I think I just had a hot flash.
LOVE !
Lynne xx
February 24th, 2013 at 2:02 pm
Thanks Lynne, for checking my site! 🙂 I know, the hot flashes these men cause.
February 23rd, 2013 at 2:08 pm
Thank you for the wonderful advice and the picmonkey link- it is precisely the thing I have been searching for.
I agree with you about Wayne & Selina; they are the perfect combination of genius, thoughtful, and nice.
February 24th, 2013 at 9:05 am
Debby !
You are a customer of Wayne and Selina too? Don’tcha just luv ’em ?
I have seriously, absolutely…never had such incredible customer service in all my life. Epic customer service.
We are road tripping to Vegas tomorrow. Can’t wait to meet them IRL. It has been a year of working with them. LOVE the entire experience.
I’m going off to play in your site now 🙂
Cheers !
February 27th, 2013 at 8:35 pm
Hi Lynne,
Yeah indeed photoshop is so expensive and it’s a bit tricky, but actually I have basic knowledge in photoshop, I’ve learned that through online tutorials. I am practicing Adobe Illustrator now cos I think that’s really good. I would love to try making logos and some other things to try on with A-Illustrator.
I love picmonkey too and. I have tried it on some of my photo editing.
♥ Nicholle
July 5th, 2013 at 4:51 am
Hi Lynn,
Came across your wonderful house on Design Mom and decided to hop over to your blog. Your house is wonderful, your blog is great. But, you’re better. I love your optimism, your attitude. More power to you!
P.S: This post is superb. I’m off to PicMonkey to create some beautiful pics:-)
July 5th, 2013 at 9:28 am
Thanks soooo much !
You will have a blast in PicMonkey. I hang out with the monkeys for hours sometimes. LOL. Best part…it is super easy to do. And free. And all your friends will think you are brilliant 🙂
Lynne xx
August 31st, 2013 at 10:49 am
I know this post is a golden oldie but I re-read it this afternoon and now, thanks to you, I am a picmonkey addict! Thanks for the tip-off. I have heard about it but because YOU said it was easy (I am deeply allergic to photoshop) I thought I would give it a go. SO FUN!! Cheers, my lovely xxx
September 2nd, 2013 at 11:13 am
[…] with an instagram filter. Everything looks good with an Instagram filter. Problem solved. Or PicMonkey it. PicMonkey will remove your wrinkles, give you a spray tan and whiten your teeth. And you […]
September 8th, 2013 at 10:52 am
I was wondering about this- and you answered the question, tks L!!! xx
January 19th, 2014 at 8:18 pm
I have been using picmonkey for years and it is truly awesome. I use it for all my quick fun edits and leave photoshop for the bigger jobs. Plus to use the royale features it is a very small yearly fee.
January 22nd, 2014 at 5:00 pm
I totally agree Michelle,
The Royale features are super sweet, and I love how they keep adding more features… the collages, the Facebook cover page templates, the everything. Yum. Yum. Yum. Now, if only they baked pie. I’d be all over that too.
xx
January 29th, 2014 at 5:48 pm
Awesome! thankyou! I just used this on a photo i posted today and it was fast and perfect. really glad i found your site.
January 30th, 2014 at 10:35 am
Fantastico ! So happy to hear that it made such a great difference for you!
Cheers !
Lynne
March 19th, 2014 at 10:02 am
Lynne, you blog is so awesome and I apologize for not visiting it more – got crazy busy. Thanks for your great information and tips for those pics 🙂
March 19th, 2014 at 6:01 pm
Totally understand Donna !
I’ve been nutty busy too. I haven’t been on G+ much lately.
Ohhhh, if we could only figure out how to add a few more hours to a day 🙂 xx
October 26th, 2014 at 10:15 pm
Thanks for sharing picmonkey. Just starting a blog and looking for easy options!
March 3rd, 2015 at 7:47 pm
Yaaay, thank you so much, this is just what I was looking for! You’re a lifesaver 🙂 I’ve been stressing over how to add text to photos for ages! Heading over to Pic Monkey RIGHT NOW! Thanks again, you rock xxx
July 2nd, 2015 at 10:00 am
How to add text to photographs. It’s EASY peasy. http://t.co/sIr2MmQmoy
September 29th, 2015 at 2:48 pm
Thank you so VERY MUCH! You are a GOD! I laughed at your story, but felt an amazing connection too! You hit it out of the park! Mysteries should be left to fiction/non-fiction writers to whom books we enjoy! Not trying to conquer the darn
“mysteries” of placing words on my photography!
Once again, THANK YOU!!! You ROCK! 🙂
Sami and CK Korientz
October 15th, 2015 at 7:34 am
Ahhhh you are most welcome Sami!
Enjoy it all… and you are right!… mysteries should be left to writers 🙂
Cheers!!!
Lynne
August 13th, 2016 at 2:00 am
How to add text to photographs. It’s EASY peasy. https://t.co/esCKhwjHcB
August 13th, 2016 at 2:24 am
RT @lynneknowlton: How to add text to photographs. It’s EASY peasy. https://t.co/esCKhwjHcB
April 11th, 2017 at 10:16 pm
Oooo. Yoda of posts you are! Monkey of Pics I will use!
Hi, Lynn! How’s my favorite throat punching, wordsmithy, blogger Jedi?
Haven’t commented in a couple years.
Going to try the blog thing. Scared poopless. I’ll be checking out your bloggybits for ideas and inspiration. Hope the biz and the Hub are doing fabalicious! Muah!
April 12th, 2017 at 7:59 am
Ohhhh boy, this is such an old post Charisma….. and you came back. Yay!!!!!!
I’m doing just fine, but hanging on by a thread some days. LOL. Hence… hello wine. 🙂
Here are some pages on my site that may help you:
How to start a blog with wordpress : https://lynneknowlton.com/how-to-start-a-blog-on-wordpress/
My top blogging tools & resources :https://lynneknowlton.com/tools-for-blogging/
Blogging tips : https://lynneknowlton.com/category/how-to-blog/blogging/
You’ll be a blogging rockstar after all those 🙂
Big love!!!
Lynne xx
April 12th, 2017 at 6:45 pm
Thank you, Lynn, for the links.
Wanted to ask about the domain name thing. I love the idea of using your own name, but another pro stated that can be an issue with building authority in your niche. Who’s going to find little ‘ol me in the lifestyle blog search? heh heh.
April 12th, 2017 at 6:47 pm
I mean, LYNNE. I always spell it wrong. Thuch a bad name thpeller!