Guideline 9: Use the highest quality images available
When searching for images on the web, digital story creators should always try to find large, highresolution
images. When using an image search engine, restrict the image search to only large,
high-resolution images if possible. Be sure that the full size image is saved, and not just the
thumbnail image.
When high-resolution images are not available and a lower quality image must be used, we
recommend that panning and zooming for that image not be used. When a low quality image must
be used, and several are available, students should consider creating a photo collage of these
multiple images, and saving the group as a single high-resolution image. There are several easy to
use software applications that can be used to create photo collages, including Picasa, Microsoft
AutoCollage and even PowerPoint. We have a page on our 1Educational Uses of Digital Storytelling
website devoted to creating photo collages for digital stories.