THE CREATIVE FINDER KEEPS GETTING BETTER.

Bloggers, you don't have to steal from Google anymore.

Thu, 02 May 2013 00:47:00 -0400

Yep, bloggers - “You don’t have to steal from Google anymore.”
(quoting from our member Sara Holt here).

Many talented creators like Sara produce awesome works, but it’s been a sad reality that many of their works have been ripped off the internet, whether via search engines or their online portfolios.

“Imgembed allows artists to make a little money from their work while supplying bloggers with cool images for their articles that are completely legal to use.” - Sara Holt (read her message here)

And many of these artists aren’t even asking for exorbitant flat fees, they just hope to strike a win-win deal with bloggers for use of their images. You only pay based on the number of actual impressions you’ve used (no need to overpay if the image isn’t gaining that much traction with your readers), and artists get paid accordingly. Prices are set by the creators themselves. If users agree to the price, they use it premium. It’s a win-win and mutually respecting – like how you would book an apartment from airbnb.

Let’s face it – legal prosecution is an extremely tedious and expensive process, and most of the time impossible for most small-or-no-budget creators.

Start supporting the fair use of images today. It takes two hands to clap.

Join Imgembed, if you haven’t yet. It’s free for both image creators and users.

P.S. Don’t forget to check out Sara’s works. They are awesome and priced very reasonably for premium use.

Your photos with your name, on Google Images

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 12:21:24 -0400

Did you know: All images uploaded to Imgembed appear with attribution to creators on Google Images? Start protecting your images today -http://imgembed.com

Importing from Picasa

Tue, 02 Apr 2013 03:22:02 -0400

imgembed:

It is now possible to import your photos from Picasa as well as sign up directly for an account with your Picasa account.

To do so, click on the upload images button on the top right corner of the screen and scroll down till you see the Picasa icon.

Create zoom-ins and add notes on your image

Fri, 22 Feb 2013 07:06:00 -0500

We have just added these new features to The Creative Finder. Please take note of the following when you log in to your account next time.

1. Set image as cover
This may not be a new feature but I am sure not many of you have noticed it. You can actually select a portion of an image and make it the cover image of your gallery. While the gallery covers are not visible to others, they can help you organize your portfolio more efficiently.

2. Create zoom-ins
Let’s say you have an image and would like viewers to see only some portions of the image, what would you do? On The Creative Finder, you can simply create zoom-ins on by focusing on the details of selected areas of an image and generate new images from there directly. These new images will be reflected in the same gallery.

3. Add notes to image
Yes, you can now add notes on any part of your image that you wish to highlight. It is pretty much similar to the ‘tagging friends’ feature on Facebook, but instead of names, you type notes in the pop-up box. The notes will be visible when viewers hover on the parts that have been annotated.

Drag and drop image files

Fri, 22 Feb 2013 06:33:54 -0500

In this newest feature of ‘uploading made easier’, you are now able to drag and drop image files from your computer or thumbdrive directly to your portfolio on The Creative Finder.

Even better is that you can drag and drop multiple files at once. Why don’t you try it now?

Import images from your Instagram account

Thu, 14 Feb 2013 10:09:00 -0500

So far this year, we have made updating your portfolios much simpler by allowing you to import your artworks from your social network accounts - Flickr and Facebook.

For those of you who are so used to using Instagram, you can now select images from your Instagram accounts and import them to your portfolios.

Try out this new feature now and feel free to email us to share your feedback.

Import images from your Facebook account

Fri, 25 Jan 2013 03:09:00 -0500

Just last week, we have introduced a feature that enables you to import artworks/ images from your Flickr account to your portfolio on The Creative Finder.

Now, we have extended the ‘importing photo feature’ to your Facebook account.

Do take note of this feature especially if you have all your artworks already uploaded to your Facebook account.

Import images from Flickr

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 06:23:46 -0500

Here comes the first update - one of the many to come - to The Creative Finder in 2013.

Now, you can import images from your Flickr account to your portfolio on The Creative Finder. Simply log in to your account and find the ‘Upload via Flickr’ option/ logo when you are uploading your images.

Black Friday Special on The Creative Finder

Fri, 23 Nov 2012 06:46:34 -0500

This Black Friday, save 30% when you upgrade or renew your portfolio. Simply use the following promo code ‘BLACKFRIDAY’ before 27th November 2012.

http://thecreativefinder.com/connect/blackfriday/TCF_BlackFriday.html

The Creative Finder Gets Enhanced Features

Thu, 11 Oct 2012 08:31:00 -0400

To help you navigate the site more efficiently, we’ve improved The Creative Finder. In this update, you would be able to maximize the efficiency of the site, its search function and other various features.

MORE CREATIVE WORKS DISPLAYED

As a massive amount of content gets uploaded to The Creative Finder on a daily basis, we have reduced the three columns on the homepage to two columns—so that larger and more images get displayed, to show off your works in a more efficient way.

We’ve got rid of the pagination of the display column—instead replaced it with a “View more images” button that lets you load more images without leaving the page.

Before:

After:

SEMI-RESPONSIVE & FILTER OPTIONS

The enhanced The Creative Finder is also semi-responsive—depending on your screen size, the site would fit your screen as much as possible, and display the amount of thumbnails accordingly.

The image column also has a new filter option that helps ‘Finders’ to easily identify which images can be embedded—while you still have full control over your works, and get to set permissions on whether others can use your artworks.

‘HEART’, COMMENT, EMBED STRAIGHT OFF THE PAGE

From the main page itself, anyone can also ‘heart’, comment and embed images straight off the page.

MORE CONSISTENT EXPERIENCE THROUGHOUT

We’ve replaced the Navigation tags with a bar at the top of the page for easier navigation. ‘Finders’ can access finding images and talents, and post and find jobs.

When logged in, you are given a more consistent experience, with the links displayed on top.

Under ‘My account’, you can buy more quota or connect to your other social networks.

‘My contacts’ is a new tab that allows you to manage your contacts on The Creative Finder, as well as on other networks.

‘My pages’ gives you quick links to your three different portfolios and galleries.

An ‘Upload image’ button is also now available at the top right corner for you to upload images more quickly .

Specify the languages you communicate in

Tue, 28 Aug 2012 05:56:57 -0400

We have added yet another feature to further improve The Creative Finder. Now, you are able to specify the languages that you are proficient in. This helps improve the search when potential clients are looking for someone who fit their language criteria.

You’ll be prompted to add the languages you communicate in once you log in to your account or you can also do so by going to your ‘Account Settings’ page.

Please feel free to share your feedback by emailing us. If you are not a member yet, you can always do so here.

Olympic Photographers, Email Us To Get A Free Portfolio For A Year!

Tue, 07 Aug 2012 06:35:00 -0400

In line with the ongoing London Olympics 2012, The Creative Finder is offering a free one-year supersized account valued at US$149/year to all Olympic photographers.

To qualify for the free one-year supersized account, your portfolio must consist of at least 10 photographs taken at the Olympics this year.

In addition, you’ll also stand a chance to win an opportunity to be featured on our news site, DesignTAXI.

Email us now! Or, if you like, sign up for your own portfolio on The Creative Finder, where everyone is a winner.

'Faves Gallery' page on The Creative Finder

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 07:07:00 -0400

Have you checked out the latest ‘Faves Gallery’ page we’ve just launched on The Creative Finder? Yes, you can start using it if you already have signed up as a creative professional or a finder.

With this page, you can ‘like’, follow and comment on others’ artworks, and message other members on The Creative Finder.

Basically, the ‘Faves Gallery’ page acts as a personal space for you to display and show off all the tasteful artworks you’ve liked—and properly and ethically share content you like on our platform, with permission of the creators.

If you’re a creative member on The Creative Finder, with this ‘Fave Gallery’ page, you’ll get your work promoted on a platform you have full control of—with proper accreditation and direct linkage to your portfolios—and get your exposure multiplied.

‘Faves Gallery’ page can also be viewed on mobile devices. Accessed from smartphones, or screens of smaller netbooks or browser, the contents within the page would be automatically resized according to the size of the window for better browsing.

If you already have a ‘Finders’ account, you can access your Faves Galleries at http://thecreativefinder.com/(yourusername)/faves. Alternatively, you can log in via The Creative Finder, click on ‘Your Pages’ tab ‘Your Faves’.

‘Finders’ accounts were originally created for ad agencies, recruiters, and hiring businesses who’d like to look around and be able to digitally-collect art pieces as a virtual lightbox—users get to store images for future references.

If you’re not yet part of The Creative Finder community, why not sign up and immerse yourself in creative inspiration.

Embed button

Fri, 25 May 2012 07:11:00 -0400

Remember our recent post regarding the image embedding feature? Bloggers and individuals who wish to share your portfolio images on their blogs or sites can copy the embed links which are found under all your portfolio images.

We have also included the embed button on every image in your gallery. This makes the button more visible and with this, we hope to encourage more bloggers to use this feature.

(Images by Tim Tadder)

Please feel free to get in touch with us if you have any feedback or suggestions on how to make The Creative Finder even better.

Buy more image quota with our micropayment system

Fri, 04 May 2012 07:10:52 -0400

Here’s more good news if you are a basic member on The Creative Finder. Two months ago, when we launched The ‘New’ Creative Finder, we changed the system to allow you to publish ten portfolio images without paying any subscription fee. But, how if you wish to publish more than 10 images but still do not want to pay the full price of an Upsize or Supersize account?

You may wish to check out our latest micropayment feature. This feature allows you to increase your current quota of ten images by paying $0.20 per extra image.

For example, if you have thirteen artworks and wish to publish all of them to your portfolio, you can simply add your quota by paying for just the three extra images. The amount you are required to pay will automatically be reflected when you insert the number of additional quota you wish to buy.

Do take note that this is a recurring monthly payment. Of course, if you have a lot of images you wish to showcase on your portfolio, then we strongly recommend you to opt for the Upsize/ Supersize account where you’ll be able to publish unlimited portfolio images.

Check out our signup page if you are interested to know more about the benefits of the different membership plans on The Creative Finder. Feel free to email us too if you have any feedback or suggestions on how we can make The Creative Finder even better.

Embed code for every image

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 07:42:00 -0400

If you have read our last post about ‘image embedding’, you’ll be glad to know that it is now up on The Creative Finder.

This means that bloggers and websites can now embed images from your portfolio. It works similarly to Youtube’s video embed.

You can see the example by clicking on the ‘Embed’ button below the image.

Take a look at the following key points too to help you understand the feature better.

You can enable/disable permissions for sharing images anytime.
You can protect your images with watermarks, simply by clicking a checkbox via the member interface.
Bloggers can set different sizes for embedding (though we limit it to 550px in width to prevent commercial use).
Below every image, credits with your name will be added automatically.
All images will be linked back to your portfolio.
There’s also a one-click sharing option to Tumblr blogs.

How does this feature benefit you?

Bloggers now have more creative content to feature on their blogs.
While unauthorized sharing of images is growing rampant, this channel provides a professional channel for image-sharing ethically, and with necessary accreditation of the creator.
You get a lot more referral traffic back to your portfolios, meaning more exposure and opportunities.

Try it today. And if you have any feedback, feel free to share it with us.

Expand your reach significantly by making your images embeddable

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 07:48:37 -0400

With the use of the internet growing rapidly, this medium has undoubtedly become one of the main channels for creatives to gain exposure, and most of the time, with the help of blogs and social media.

As we work on new ways to help you expand your reach on the World Wide Web, we will like to introduce a new method for bloggers to promote your works properly and ethically.

The method is ‘image embedding’, a code generator that works similarly to Youtube’s embedding feature. When bloggers copy the code and display any of your images on their websites, your name will be added under the image automatically, and the image will be linked back to your portfolio on The Creative Finder.

With the rampant emergence of screen capture technologies and the easing of browser restrictions, it’s becoming easier to grab and use artists’ images off any website, regardless whether permissions were given.

Through this feature, we aim to reduce unauthorized usage of images online, by providing a professional image source that shows users how to embed images correctly with the necessary accreditation, and most importantly, your. As an artist, you can also choose to set watermarks to protect your images.

Even though we recommend this feature so you can enjoy the viral marketing reach of the internet, it is fully optional and you may opt out of it simply by going to ‘Manage my portfolio’, and then ‘Edit Artworks Info’ to set permissions for all the images.

More information about this embedding feature:

This feature is optional. You can specify which images to allow/disallow embedding by other websites.
The use of the embeddable images is restricted by size (max. width is 550px).
If your name is too long, the ‘View Full Portfolio’ button will not show to make room for the name display.
If enabled, watermarks will appear on embeddable images too.
This feature will only commence from Apr 26, 2012. If you do not wish to enable it, please set your image permissions before then.

Feel free to email us anytime if you require any assistance.

Protect your images with watermarks instantly

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 07:39:21 -0400

Watermarks have been commonly used by artists to protect their images from unauthorized use online.

Following the feedback from some of you, we’ve added this feature, allowing you to set watermarks for your images instantly, at the convenience of a checkbox.

All watermarks are generated and sized according to the unique dimensions of images.

To enable this feature, please follow these steps:

Log in and click on ‘Manage My Portfolio’
Choose a gallery and go to ‘Edit Artworks Info’
Click on the slider to enable/disable watermark

More information about the watermarks:

You can specify which images to apply the watermark
The watermark application is optional and reversible, so you can ‘undo’ it anytime
Watermarks do not appear on small thumbnails on our site
When enabled, watermarks will appear on embeddable images too (read below)

If you are a creative professional and have not listed your profile on The Creative Finder yet, why not do it today?

And, if you have any feedback or suggestions on how to make The Creative Finder even better, please feel free to email us.

To share or not to share

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 06:45:00 -0400

One way to increase your visibility online is to share your portfolio images on your social media. At the same time, we also encourage finders and your followers on The Creative Finder to share your portfolio images on their social networks too.

However, we understand that some of you do not want your images to be shared freely online. Therefore, we have added a new feature which now gives you a choice whether to allow social sharing of your portfolio images or not.

Simply log in to your account and go to ‘Quick Upload and Tag’. You will find the tickbox below every image you’ve uploaded. This box is ticked by default. So you’ll need to untick it if you want to disable social sharing.

If you have any feedback or suggestions on how to make The Creative Finder even better, feel free to get in touch with us.

For creative professionals who have not listed yourselves on our network yet, why not sign up today?

Disabling email notifications

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 06:30:07 -0400

We have received feedback from some of you regarding the flooding of notifications in your email inbox. We understand how annoying that can be especially when you have finders liking your images or following you almost every hour.

So, if you do not wish to be notified via your email each time a finder likes your image or follows you, you will be glad to know that you can now disable your email notifications.

Simply go to your ‘Edit Account Settings’ page and scroll all the way down. You will find a section where you can choose to receive or stop receiving emails when a finder messages you, follows your and/or likes your image.

Disabling your email notifications does not mean that you’ll not be able to check on who has followed you or liked your images. You’ll still be able to see these notifications when you log in to your account and click on the ‘Notifications’ tab.

If you have not joined The Creative Finder, why not sign up today? Even if you are not a creative professional and enjoy the contents on The Creative Finder, you are free to join us as a ‘Finder’.