How To Create Gif For Domain_6

What is GIF animation?

GIF animation is an animated image in a GIF (Graphic Interchange Format) format. Do you remember the time when GIF animation was very popular back in the web? Often, GIF animation can be based on an existing work.

GIF animation by Tobias Rothe. He used public domain images to recreate a GIF.

Why use GIF animation?

GIF animation makes static image live. It makes still images more interesting, enthusiastic and enjoyable. It is a very powerful way to catch attention and deliver message to people.

GIF animation can be used in different ways:

Making a public domain/archive image into an animated GIF - This is what GIF it up did it. GIF it up is an international competition organized by the Digital Public Library of America. Competitors create GIF animations using public domain images. All of the works from competition are distributed under Creative Commons license so you can use the work and remix with as long as you credit.
Using animated GIFs to your website and/or blog - animated GIFs are eye-catching and vibrant so it is a perfect to use it in the web environment. GIF animations also have stronger story-telling element compared to still images.

Adding to this, as a creator, you will learn essential skills during the process of creating a GIF animation:

Remix and appropriation: By remixing an existing historical or cultural work, it deepens the understanding of the original work.
Skills: By remixing a work, you can learn a lot of skills at once. Including copyright literacy, digital literacy, research skill, image-editing skill, artistic skill, and etc.

Types of GIF Images

Stereograms

Stereograms from historical images

Stereograms is one of the easier GIF animation to make. It is an appropriate method if you want the remixed image to look "live" . The easiest way to create an animation is by using http://stereo.nypl.org/.

Photo series to GIF

Photo series to GIF is a GIF based on a series of photograph. You just repeat 2 images

Manipulating images

Wikipedia in rainbow color

You can make GIFs by manipulating the image. For example, adding colors or removing elements from GIFs, like the GIF image above.

If you are more advanced, you can crop part of the image, and animate it like the GIF image below:

GIF animation by Tobias Rothe. He used public domain images to recreate a GIF.

How tos

Overview of GIF and GIF making for beginners

The video below is a 1 hr webinar from the Digital Public Library of America workshop. The workshop covers on history of animated gifs, significance and benefits on using GIF and how to find and make gifs.

0:00 Overview and history of animated GIF

9:45 Benefit of using animated GIF

10:44 Copyright concerns for animated GIF

12:00 Where to find animated GIF

13:45 Types of animated GIF images

15:19 Types of animated GIF images - GIF images that are relatively easy to create

25:15 How to make a GIF - tools

26:13 Making GIFs using makeagif

32:20 Making GIFs using Stereoranmator

Advanced GIF-Making Techniques

The video below is for people who want to take further step in developing animated GIFs using public domain images. The presenter is using Photoshop but you can re-create by using other photo editing software such as GIMP.

Where to find animated GIFs

GIPHY - GIPHY is almost like a Google search engine for GIFs. Be wary of copyright, as some GIF can be infringing copyright.
GIF it Up - All of the contestant works' are in creative commons licensed ( CC-BY 3.0 License )

Where to get images to make animation

Digital Public Library of America have list of links to the Digital Archive collections. Some of the archives are public domain, and some of the images are in creative commons license.
Creative Commons Search - If you are looking for creative commons licensed images. this is the place to go.
Prelinger archive

Tools for making GIFs

Online tools

makeaGif - Free animated GIF maker. The video above (DPLA Workshop: GIF Making 101 (September 21, 2016) has a walkthrough on how to create a GIF using makeagif starting from 26:13.
Stereoranmator Free stereograph GIF maker. The video above (DPLA Workshop: GIF Making 101 (September 21, 2016) has a walkthrough on how to create a GIF using Stereoranmator starting from 32:20.

Desktop tools

Gimp (Free) Gimp is almost like a free version of photoshop. It has an ability to create GIF Animation. GIMP has a tutorial on how to create simple animation.
Photoshop - Photoshop is an image editing tools that professional use. It is pricy but students, staff and faculty can get discount from it. Adobe has a tutorial on how to make animated GIF on photoshop.