• GIF (Graphics Interchange Format) this is commonly used for logos, icons etc..
  
• JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) this is commonly used for photographs.

To find out more about Image Formats visit:

There is some great design programs out there that let you create your own images. However, you can create graphics with your 'Paintbrush' program (if using Windows) but as alot of browsers have trouble reading the .BMP extension, you will need a graphic format converter - such as LVIEW PRO to convert the format to either a .gif or .jpg.
Many programs offer a shareware version that you can download from the internet.
A good place to begin looking is TUCOWS . There you can access many shareware, freeware or demo versions of various Image viewers.

The most common graphics program used by budding new artists and first time Page Creators is JASC's Paint Shop Pro.
If you use Paint Shop Pro, the JASC site also offers a 'Designer Studio' where you are able to learn tricks to help you create graphics.

If you want to find some GREAT Sites that offer Tutorials, Tips and Tricks with Paint Shop Pro - head on over to the Paint Shop Pro Section.

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If you want to start your Web Page but don't want to create your own graphics just yet - don't fear!. There is some great sites on the Web that offer free images for you to use. If it is a background gif, bullets, buttons or images that you are looking for, check out some the sites listed below. There should be something there to suit what you are looking for. If there isn't, another great place to look is Search Engines. Yahoo provide numerous links when you type 'free images'.

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If you have a background of another colour and are wanting to put graphics on your page, the odds are, you may want to have the backgrounds of some of the graphics the same colour as your page.
The way to do this is to make that graphic a 'Transparent Gif' (an image with an invisible background). Here is a Site to visit if you are wanting to learn more about how to do them:

If you see an image (public domain) somewhere on the Web and you would like to use it on your Web Page, follow the instructions below to save it to YOUR hard drive: First make sure the image is not copyright.

Most Browsers follow this similar format:

• Right click on the image
• Choose 'save image as' (or 'save target as')
• Then either give it a new name or leave it as it is
• Choose the directory in which you wish to save it
• Click 'save'.

Now you know how to 'Save an Image', head on over to the find how to: