Do you want to spice up your YouTube thumbnails
so they stand out in the search engine listings?
In the video below I’m going to show you 4 ways to find great images for making your own YouTube Thumbnails so you can get more views and subscribers from your videos. I’ll also outline the pros and cons of each method.
Here are 4 different options to find images to use for YouTube thumbnails
1. Screenshot images
This is where you take a screenshot of one of the frames in your video. Just pause your video and press the Print screen key on your keyboard (PCs) or Shift+Command+4 (MAC). You can then crop your image using the free online graphics editor…Pixlr . If you used your face, then import the cropped image into Canva to create your thumbnail.
Click here to learn how create a thumbnail image in Canva.
Click here to watch how I create a clickable thumbnail without leaving YouTube
Pros
It’s fast, easy and doesn’t require many skills
Cons
Lack of sharpness
Contains background of your video
2. Shoot your own images
Taking a screenshot of your video doesn’t often produce a sharp enough image of your face to use in your thumbnail. When the image is reduced to 320 pixels (the size of a thumbnail), it may look fuzzy, blurry or not so sharp. Therefore it’s better to take several photos of yourself using an HD camera (Phone camera or DSLR).
Here are some tips for shooting portrait images with your iPhone
a) Shoot in the best light
The best kind of light for indoor portraits is diffused window light. Using a window produces a beautiful rich directional light with diffused colors from whatever is reflected in it.
When shooting portraits outdoors, it’s best to work when the sun is low in the sky. The golden hours of early morning or late evening before sunset are perfect. Overcast skies are also really nice for portraits because you can shoot at any time of day.
b) Find a suitable setting
Explore your area to find interesting places to take portraits. Keep your setting simple and uncluttered so that your subject remains the focal point.
If you’re shooting portraits indoors, the ideal place to position the person is next to a window or entrance so that you have plenty of natural light illuminating your subject.
c) Think about the composition
When framing or composing your shot, keep in mind that you don’t need to center your subject. Usually the portrait is more interesting if the subject is off to the side. Using the rule of thirds will help you position your subject off-centre.
You can frame your subject using a natural frame such as a doorway or window. If you’re photographing outdoors, look for trees or bushes that can naturally frame your subject.
d) Focus on the eyes
When taking a portrait photo, it’s best to shoot just slightly above the eye line so that the eyes are wide and open. Make sure you focus on the eyes of your subject because this is the most expressive part of the face and it’s where the viewer will look first.
e) Experiment with different perspectives
As the photographer, you can experiment with different perspectives or angles to create unique and creative portraits that tell a story. Try standing, kneeling, stooping or laying on your belly to get the right perspective for your subject.
f) Use props to add interest
Using props can help to draw out a more realistic expression of the person, rather than a stiff unnatural pose. Try to get your subject, especially children, interested in their surroundings so that their smiles and expressions are more natural.
g) Think about your subjects pose
Most of the portraits I take are usually posed, but a few are candid shots. Think about what you want your subject doing to best convey their particular personality.
When photographing your subject, have them sit, stand, kneel or lean on a tree. Explore all the options for the best and most engaging portrait.
Pros
No need to worry about copyright infringement
Flexibility of using your own images
Cons
Takes more time than just taking a screenshot of your video
Need to remove background if you just want an image of yourself
3. Free stock images
Pixlr
Unsplash
Pixabay
Google images
Pros
All images are free
Large variety
Cons
Not original
May see them elsewhere
Limited selection
4. Paid graphics sites
If you don’t want to shoot your own pictures or can’t find a suitable free image, consider subscribing to an online graphics site such as graphicstock.com
Pros
Large selection of royalty free images
Easy to search and find a specific image related to the subject of your video
Download and keep forever
Use as B-roll in future videos
Cons
Costs money
Not original
Let me ask you an important question
How do you find suitable images for your YouTube Thumbnails or videos?
Post your answer in the comments below.
If you want to learn how to grow your audience on YouTube and
generate views and subscribers on autopilot check out my
YouTube Marketing Course at: TubeVideoBootCamp.com
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