How to Use the Gallery Module

One of my favorite modules to highlight images is the Gallery Module. It nicely highlights 1 to 10 images in a gallery format almost like a projector with the large image on top and smaller images below. As the viewer clicks on the smaller thumbnail images it replaces the larger one for better viewing of each image in the gallery. Here is an example from one of my lenses:

My three main recommendations for using this module properly are:

• Re-size your images to make them a consistent size! If you do not have any software on your computer to re-size images then use an online method (do a search, there are more than a few). I use a very old Corel Photo House program to re-size my images. Do not use this module if you are not willing to put in the time to re-size your images.
• Use 5 OR 10 images so you have an even row right across (see image above) the module. It is more visually appealing at first glance to see a complete row (or two) than three or seven images making an incomplete row.
• Use the supplied description area to add a few words about the image. This is handy for telling your story in pictures in case the image loads slowly.

The trick to making this module work properly is to use images that are all relatively the same size. I recommend no larger than 500 pixels in width or height so the module will fit in the viewers screen without them having to adjust their browser when looking at photos. I also recommend that they be in the same view — all landscape or all portrait — do not mix them within the same module (i.e. landscape, portrait, landscape, landscape, portrait etc.) or else it creates a jumping motion of the gallery as they click on each image and the viewer has to constantly adjust the image within their browser so they can click on the thumbnails.

Squidoo readers love photos so I highly recommend you take advantage of this handy image display module.