How To Import Images

We’re pretty darn proud of our killer built-in image search (which the great Lawrence Lessig, founder of Creative Commons, called “insanely cool”), but of course there are times when it makes sense to use your own images or screenshots in a Haiku Deck. Here’s how to import images like a pro.

In EDIT mode, use the + to add a new slide. Go to the blue IMAGE icon on the left, then use the IMPORT button (iPad app) or click the ⬆UPLOAD IMAGE button (Web App beta).

iPad App example: the blue Image button on the left, and the Import button

iPad App example: the blue Image button on the left, and the Import button

Uploading an image from the Haiku Deck Web App

Uploading an image from the Haiku Deck Web App

A popup will appear displaying all of the options to import images.

iPad app example: the Import popup displays all your options for importing

iPad app example: the Import popup displays all your options for importing

Take a picture (iPad app only)

Tap Take a picture to take a picture with your iPad’s built-in camera.

Inspiration: This method is ideal for a Haiku Deck advertising a real estate listing, like Paul Kaplan Group’s stunning Midcentury Modern Bungalow, or for “how-to” Haiku Decks like Jeremy Conn’s Cell Membrane Bubble Lab or Destination Cuisine’s How to Eat a Pomegranate. Kesey Pollock also used this technique to create their extraordinary Women In Art Photo Project, which helped drive support for their successful Kickstarter campaign.

My photos (iPad app only)

Tap My photos to select a picture from your iPad’s Camera Roll, your Photo Stream, or a custom Album or Photo Stream you have created.

Inspiration: If you’re making an “About Me” Haiku Deck, like this one by Haiku Deck Guru Megan Hunt, you’ll definitely want to include some of your own imagery for a personal touch. Importing your own images is also very useful for a Haiku Deck portfolio like Cat Barrett’s Cat’s Print Shop, a Haiku Deck using custom imagery like Andrea Sutten’s Buying a Home, or even a Haiku Deck showcasing drawings by imaginative 1st and 2nd graders, like Anacondas (one of many amazing Haiku Decks produced by Pat Johnson’s students).

Importing Multiple Photos (iPad app only)

With the latest update to Haiku Deck, you can select multiple images from your iPad’s Photo Stream or Camera Roll, and turn them into beautiful Haiku Deck slides in a snap.

iPad app example: tapping multiple photos will outline them in white to be imported as separate slides.

iPad app example: tapping multiple photos will outline them in white to be imported as separate slides.

Tap all the images you’d like to include in your Haiku Deck — a white box will appear around the images you’ve selected. Tap Add Images, and voilà! Your slides will be created automatically, and you can visit each one to adjust sizing and placement and add text.

Uploading a Logo to a Logo Slide Type

Once you’ve selected the Logo Slide type, tap on the camera icon in the white circle on the slide to upload your image or logo.

haiku deck logo slide

Tap on the camera icon in the white circle on the slide to upload your image or logo

Tip: For the best results, the optimal size for logo images in Haiku Deck is 600 x 600 pixels. If you find that the automatic zoom is cropping your image, we recommend resizing your image with free apps such as Canva to place your logo on a larger canvas, or PicMonkey’s collage feature to increase the amount of white space around your logo.

My Computer (Web App beta only)

Selected by default, My Computer will allow you to drag-and-drop photos right into the middle of the image import popup, or click the Choose File button in the bottom right to browse through all the photos you have on your computer. Tip: if you’re on a Mac, clicking Choose File and selecting Photos on the bottom left of the next window that pops up will allow you to browse your iPhoto or Aperture libraries.

Online (Cloud) Photo services

You can also upload pictures from FacebookInstagramDropboxFlickrPicasaGoogle Drive, or Box to quickly access photos you’ve saved to any of these services. You’ll need to sign in to each account to connect it to Haiku Deck, but then you’ll have easy access to your favorite images.

Inspiration: Our CEO Adam worked some Facebook photos into his Mother’s Day Haiku Deck message, Things I Learned from Mom. Also don’t miss GlobalFootprints: A Travel Photography Project, a gorgeous Haiku Deck made completely from Tercia Goh’s Instagram photos.

Editing Imported Images

Once you select an image, it will be automatically placed as your slide background.

Import Images to Haiku Deck

Your imported image will be placed automatically

If you’d like to resize or reposition your image on the iPad, simply tap the blue IMAGE icon again, then use your fingers to make any adjustments in the PREVIEW pane.

Import images to Haiku Deck: Resizing and cropping

BEFORE: Tap the blue IMAGE icon, then use fingers to resize and reposition

Tap DONE to save your work.

Import images to Haiku Deck: resizing and repositioning

AFTER: Tap DONE to save your work

On the web, just use the controls in the bottom right corner of your slide once a background has been selected:

Web Image Controls

Creating Custom Albums on the iPad

If you have a large number of images on your Camera Roll, you’ll save time by creating an Album for the images you want to use in your Haiku Deck first. From your iPad’s main screen, tap Photos, then Albums, then, the + button in the top left.

Import images to Haiku Deck from a custom album
Tap Albums, then the + button to create a new album

Type a name for your new Album, then select  the images you’d like to include.

Import images to Haiku Deck with a custom album
Tap the images you’d like to include in your album, then tap Done

In Haiku Deck, when you tap Import, then Albums, your images will be easy to find.

Import images to Haiku Deck from a custom album
Creating a custom album makes your images easy to find

Advanced Tips

1. If you’re sharing images across devices, sharing them to your Photo Stream is a great way to save time. You can even create a customized Photo Stream using the same method described immediately above.

2. To take a screen capture from your iPad, press the round Home button and the power switch on the top simultaneously. The image will automatically appear in your Camera Roll.

3. If you’re creating custom images using another tool, the optimal image size is 1124 x 768. Be sure to leave 50 pixels of space on each edge to allow for the cool scrolling “parallax” effect on iPad playback.

4. If you’re trying to resize an image with your fingers on the iPad and it’s snapping back, try using your other hand to tap DONE when you have the image how you want it.

5. Some of the best Haiku Decks seamlessly incorporate both personal photos and images from our powerful image search. Even if you’re showcasing an event you attended or a trip you took, you can often supplement your own imagery with photos capturing unique perspectives, beautiful lighting, or scenes you didn’t get a chance to photograph yourself. Read more about how Haiku Deck’s image search helps you tell the story (and see a fun Haiku Deck about a family trip to Ironman Canada) here.

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