When I chose the above image for this post, I thought of how I choose images on a weekly basis.  Choosing legally usable images is a given.  How else do I choose?

Though I could probably do so legally–as long as the people are in a public space and not the focus of the picture (Rich, 1999),  I rarely use photos of people.  My extreme caution proves challenging for certain posts, such as graduation-themed pieces.  My trick is to find an image I can connect metaphorically to graduation.  Sometimes I even work the metaphor into the text, as in my 5/3/12 post (Look at the closing line.).

Sometimes I unexpectedly find the perfect image.  The 6/14/12 post, for example, shows a picture of the QE 2, the very ship mentioned in the TV episode I cite.  The 9/13/12 post was a treat because it both conveyed summer’s end  and featured a post (a pun on blog posts).

Thoughtful use of all information–including images– is part of information literacy (ACRL, 2000, p. 8).  It is a treat to learn tricks for using images effectively.

References

Association of College & Research Libraries. (2000). Information literacy competency standards for higher education. Chicago, IL: Author.

Rich, L.L. (1999). Publication of photographs: Is a release required?  Retrieved 24 October, 2012, from the Publishing Law Center website: http://www.publaw.com/article/publication-of-photographs-is-a-release-required/