In pre-digital days, when picture libraries only offered transparencies, picture researchers and editors reviewed images on illuminated tables or portable, translucent boxes. Slides have given way to digital files that can be viewed and comped online, but the term “lightboxes” lives on, simply because it’s useful.
Lightbox Icon
Each time you do a search, the thumbnail images you see will have this icon (lightbox icon) below them. If you click on the icon, the image will automatically be added to your lightbox, and that icon will change to red; also notice that the + sign for “add” has now changed to – for “delete”. So, if you change or mind or want to remove that image, just click on the icon again.
Your first lightbox
Your first lightbox – We’ve created a ‘default’ lightbox ready for your first choices. PLEASE NOTE: to use the lightbox facility, you first need to enable your browser to receive cookies. For instructions on how to do this, click here. Once your browser is enabled, you can begin adding images and using all the lightbox functions explained below immediately. (More)
Add Lightbox Notes
On the main lightbox page, select “notes: edit” to add notes or amend existing ones. You can designate the project, the client and comments that could help you – or a colleague – to grasp essentials quickly.
View Active Lightbox
Either scroll to the bottom of your search page and click on “view lightbox” or choose “lightboxes” from the main navigation bar. If you decide to have more than one lightbox, remember that only one can be your “active” lightbox at any given time; it will be the most recent you’ve created or referred to, unless you go to the main lightbox page and select a different one in the “current active lightbox” slot on the left side of the page.
Add Image Notes/Captions
At the top right of the main lightbox page, select “detailed view”. This page allows you to annotate images and save this information.
Send Lightboxes to Colleagues
Even if your project spans all five continents, you can keep everyone aware of your visual ideas. Go to the main lightbox page; in the middle panel at left, type in your message, add the name of your main recipient and copy it to others, if you wish. As soon as you’ve clicked “send”, we’ll email you confirmation that it has gone.
View Others’ Lightboxes
As long as your colleagues are also Robert Harding registered members, they can share with you their user name and lightbox name. Type this information into the “Open a colleague’s lightbox” panel at bottom left of the main lightbox page, select “save a copy” if you wish, then “open”.
Create and Copy
Making new lightboxes or duplicating existing ones can be done with one click from the top left panel on the main lightbox page. You can also delete them at any time.
Download to Your Desktop
When you’re beginning to finalise your ideas and want move from an online lightbox to a trial layout, we make it easy. Robert Harding World Imagery gives all registered members the advantage of unwatermarked images for this purpose. Just do your search, then click on the image you want. You’ll then get step-by-step instructions for both PC and Mac users.
Manage All Your Lightboxes
At the top right corner of the main lightbox page, click on “manage lightboxes”, and we’ll display every lightbox you’ve created with client/project names you assigned, the date each was created and its expiry date – plus an option to extend this if you’re still using them. From time to time, have a tidy-up and delete lightboxes you no longer need.
