Editing Unsplash Images for Web Design
TL;DR:
- Unsplash photos are completely free to edit – crop, filter, colour adjust, whatever you need
- Use edited images for personal or commercial projects without restrictions
- High resolution means your edits won't look pixelated or degraded
- Crediting photographers is nice but not required, even after heavy editing
- Add your own creative spin to make images work with your brand and design
Unsplash gives you a massive library of high-quality photos that you can edit however you like for your web projects. The platform's licence is genuinely generous – you can modify these images any way you need without worrying about restrictions.
Why Editing Unsplash Images Works So Well
The beauty of Unsplash images is their high resolution. When you download the full-size version, you've got plenty of pixels to work with. This means you can crop heavily, adjust colours, add filters, or overlay text without the image looking rubbish.
Most web designers grab Unsplash photos as a starting point, then tweak them to match their project. Raw photos rarely fit perfectly into a design, so editing is pretty much expected.
Common Editing Techniques That Work
Cropping and Composition
Cropping is probably the most useful edit you'll make. Most Unsplash photos are shot as landscapes or portraits, but you might need a square for Instagram, a banner shape for a website header, or a tight crop to focus on a specific detail.
Don't be afraid to crop aggressively. Sometimes the most interesting part of a photo is just a small section of the original image.
Colour and Mood Adjustments
Your website probably has a specific colour palette, and raw Unsplash photos might not match. You can adjust the hue, saturation, brightness, and contrast to make images feel more cohesive with your brand.
Filters can also help create a consistent mood across all your images. Just don't go overboard – subtle adjustments usually work better than heavy Instagram-style filters.
Adding Text and Graphics
You can overlay text, logos, or graphic elements on Unsplash images. This is particularly useful for hero banners, social media posts, or marketing materials. Just make sure there's enough contrast so your text remains readable.
Commercial Use and Selling
Here's where Unsplash really shines – you can use edited images for commercial projects without paying anything. That includes client work, marketing materials, products you're selling, or even prints and merchandise.
The only thing to watch out for is that other people might be using the same base image. If you're creating something to sell, make sure your edits are distinctive enough that your version stands out.
Technical Considerations
Always download the highest resolution available from Unsplash. Even if your website only needs a smaller image, starting with more pixels gives you flexibility. You can always make images smaller, but you can't add detail that wasn't there originally.
Save your edited images in the right format for web use. JPEGs work well for photos, while PNGs are better if you've added transparency or need crisp text overlays.
Most image editing software handles Unsplash photos well, from basic tools like Canva or the built-in editors in website builders, right up to professional software like Photoshop or GIMP.
FAQs
Can I edit Unsplash images and use them commercially?
Yes, completely. Unsplash's licence allows both editing and commercial use without restrictions or payments.
Do I need to keep a record of which Unsplash photo I started with?
No legal requirement, but it's handy for your own records. Some people like to credit photographers even after heavy editing.
What if I can't find the original photographer's name?
Don't worry about it. While crediting is appreciated, it's not mandatory under Unsplash's licence terms.
Can I sell products that include heavily edited Unsplash images?
Absolutely. Once you've edited the image, you can use it however you like commercially.
Are there any editing restrictions I should know about?
None from Unsplash's side. The only limitation is your editing skills and the quality of your source image.
Jargon Buster
Cropping: Cutting away parts of an image to change its size, shape, or focus
Resolution: The number of pixels in an image – higher resolution means more detail and flexibility for editing
Saturation: How vivid or muted the colours in an image appear
Overlay: Adding text, graphics, or other elements on top of an image
Licence: The legal terms that define how you can use an image
Wrap-up
Editing Unsplash images gives you the perfect balance of professional quality and creative freedom. You get access to stunning photography without the cost, plus the flexibility to make each image work exactly how you need it for your web projects. The high resolution means your edits will look sharp, and the generous licence means you don't need to worry about restrictions or payments.
Roll your sleeves up and start experimenting. The combination of great source material and your own creative edits is often better than either element alone.
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