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How often do you useGoogle Image Search?
Or do you bypass the image search for the “always in your face"GoogleWeb search?
I, for one am a habituatedFlickruser; only occasionally traipsing over to Google Image Search for a look-see.
And it was an error in judgment to neglect such a ready-at-hand powerful image search engine.
Google Image Search operators and theAdvanced Image Searchoptions help in bringing laser sharp focus to our search.
And they can be used in a variety of ways.
Search a website for all its images
Google operators work in the same way as the web search operators.
The[site:]operator can be used to find all images from a specific domain.
This is handy because Google’s custom search box on websites does not include an image search option.
For instance, I can key in insite:makeuseof.comto get all images belonging to this website.
Maybe, you would like a copy of ourGoogle Cheat Sheetwith all the operators to become a Google ninja.
For instance, typing inimagesize: 580x400returns results corresponding to the size mentioned.
Using the filetype operator, likeimagesize: 580x400 filetype:jpegwill filter JPEG images from the other file types.
The same results can be achieved more easily from the options inAdvanced Image Search.
you might also try out an alternative interface at Imagery (it works only in Firefox).
This experimental service works like a mirror site to Google Image Search.
Only, it has a similar images link below each picture.
Click that and you get more " lookalike' images.
Read more about it here.
Of course, I can punch in the make of my camera and do a normal image search.
Else, I can visit a site likeJunknstuffto use its Google-based interface.
The results reveal interesting life tidbits and the camerawork behind it.
Preferably, set the size to extra large or large from the dropdown.
The Google images are a lesson in themselves.
Try it with’Monet'.
Words in pictures
Words and their dictionary meaning are fine.
But to really form our own mental lexicon, imagery really helps.
Something like -dead man’s float.
Use the image search to punch in it in and see associated images for the word.
It really imprints the meaning in the mind.
Although bounded by server limits, the image results are still a handful.
The tool is also available as a client side Greasemonkey script which gives even more results.
WebImageGrab Light- This is billed as a 3D web search and image surfing app powered by Google Image Search.
The free version is limited to 30 images only.
throw in in a keyword and the tool downloads the images in a folder.
The stand alone software is compatible withWindowsandMac OS.
Use only Creative Commons images
Last but not the least, if you are thinking of reusing an image.
Though, it is present at its backend.
A search can be filtered by Creative Commons licenses by adding the following parameters to the results URL.
More easily, one can use web services which utilize this parameter behind a slicker interface.
Three of them can be found here.
Or use an available Greasemonkey script in Firefox.
The Google Images Creative Commons script allows you to filter search results by Creative Commons copyright licenses.
Want to know more about Creative Commons?
Read our previous post on3 Tips for Getting More Out Of Creative Commons.
Yes, this was a pretty long post.
It just goes to show the immense power of this Google tool which is belied by its simple interface.
Let’s hope that we manage to tap into some of its power.
Our image quest will be better for it.
