May 27
CSS Decorative Gallery
Did you like my previous CSS tutorial on how to create gradient text effects? I’m using the same trick to show you how to decorate your images and photo galleries without editing the source images. The trick is very simple. All you need is an extra <span> tag and apply a background image to create the overlaying effect. It is very easy and flexible — see my demos with over 20 styles, from a simple image icon to a rounded corner to a masked layer (both decorative and complex).
What Are The Benefits Of This CSS Trick?
- Saves Time — You don’t have to manually create the decorative template in Photoshop and export the individual image.
- Keeps Original Source Images — So you don’t have to worry about changing the design theme in the future.
- Very Flexible — You can have a completely different look and feel by just editing the CSS.
- It Works on Any Site — This CSS trick works on any type of site, with any image size.
- Cross-Browser CompatIble — It has passed the test on most browsers (Firefox, Safari, Opera, and even the "buggy IE6").
Basic Concept (see demo)
You need to insert an extra <span> tag within the <div> tag, with which we’ll apply a background image to create the overlaying effect. If you don’t like to have an empty span tag, you can append the span tag by Javascript (I’ll show you how later in this tutorial). Here is how it works:
Then in the CSS, the key point you have to remember is: specify the div element to position:relative and the span element to position:absolute. You can position the span element anywhere you want by using the top and left property.
IE PNG Hack
To make the transparent PNG image work on IE6, I use this wonderful iepngfix.htc hack. Download a copy of iepngfix.htc and insert the following code in between the <head> tag:
<!--[if lt IE 7]>
<style type="text/css">
.photo span { behavior: url(iepngfix.htc); }
</style>
<![endif]-->
Look and Feel
To change the look and feel, simply edit the CSS specifications of the span element. Click the image below to see the demos I have. To show you how flexible it is, I’ve created 15 different styles (notice the HTML markup is same).
The jQuery Solution (see demo)
I know some of you (particularly the web accessibility fans) don’t like to have an empty span tag in the markup. Well, I’ve solved this issue by using jQuery to append the span tag to the source code. Insert the following code in between the <head> tag:
<script type="text/javascript" src="jquery.js"></script>
<script type="text/javascript">
$(document).ready(function(){
//prepend span tag
$(".photo a").prepend("<span></span>");
});
</script>
#1. Simple Gallery (see demo)
Let’s take the technique from the previous step and apply it to create a photo gallery.
#1b. Mini Icons (see demo)
This example shows you how to position different icons on top of each photo (note: an extra CSS class name is required in the span tag).
#2. Photo With Text (see demo)
This example shows you how to create a gallery with linking text (em tag).
#2b. Popup Text (see demo)
#3. Mini Paper Clip (see demo)
#4. Cork Board Gallery (see demo, IE6 version)
sIFR Version (Flash Text Replacement) (see sIFR demo)
This example uses sIFR to replace the em text with a handwritten font (notes: in this demo, the span tag is appended by jQuery)
#4b. Cork Board With Masking Tape (see demo, IE6 version)
#5. Art Gallery - Black Frame (see demo)
#5b. Art Gallery - Gold Frame (see demo)
#6. Grungy Watercolor (see demo)
sIFR Version (see sIFR demo)
#7. Glossy Style (see demo)
#8. Wood Panel Gallery (see demo)
Finally, this example demonstrates how you can apply the background image to all elements to create a wood panel gallery: ul, li, and em.
Final Remarks
As you can see, this CSS trick is very flexible. So, be creative! Feel free to incorporate the graphic images and CSS styles in this tutorial to create your own.
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259 darlet http://multiply.com
August 27th, 2008 at 10:42 pm
does this work on multiply? its cool..
258 CSS Model http://www.cssmodel.com
August 26th, 2008 at 12:58 am
Thanks for such a great technique! It is really a wonderful idea.
257 Fred
August 25th, 2008 at 11:10 am
Very nice.
What about then you have landscape and portrait images mixed together?
256 website design http://vdhdesigns.com
August 25th, 2008 at 10:29 am
great tutorial. I learned something today. Thank you.
255 Patrícia Anzanello http://piratasdaprotasio.blogspot.com/
August 25th, 2008 at 9:36 am
Wonderful! Do you know if this can be used in Blogger? I was thinking in using it to decorate each post photo. Didn’t work yet. I’ll keep trying!
Thank you!
254 Ritwik
August 22nd, 2008 at 5:39 am
I need a solution that how could I make the backround such as your? Your design is excellent
253 Justin
August 21st, 2008 at 5:23 am
nice ….. good job dude …. keep on the good work
252 feha http://www.vision.to
August 20th, 2008 at 6:43 am
I just can say WOW, was thinking about this, but now is here
Thank You very much.
251 Term Papers Writer http://www.writingservicescompany.com
August 20th, 2008 at 3:27 am
I really like Simple Gallery and Mini Icons. Shows that a lot of work has been put into this. Very different from traditional work. Can you we have more of these?
250 Jeremy
August 18th, 2008 at 6:47 pm
Thank you for sharing this wonderful technique! I am using the mini paper clip theme to display a photo gallery on my company’s intranet, and it is working very well.