Creating a Gallery in WordPress without Plugins

In this article, Linda shows how to create a simple gallery within WordPress without plugins...but she also points readers to plugins that really work.

How the Gallery Works

You probably noted that I kept the images in this gallery linked to an "Attachment Page" rather than to an image. The reasoning I have behind this is the layout for the reader who is computer illiterate. If I link to an image only, the reader has no recourse but to click the "back" button to return to the previous page. But, when I link the gallery to an attachment page, the gallery creates a page that includes larger views of the image, a new image to click on in the series and a way to return to the previous page:

This is the attachment page that shows when I click on the first image. Note the link to head back to the gallery page in the lower left. And, if I want to continue on to the next image, it's provided for me in the lower right.

This is not the most aesthetic layout in the world, but it does provide an easy way to build a gallery without the worry about plugin gloat and a new learning curve on how to use that plugin. It is the simplest way to build a gallery. If you are worried about aesthetics, I'll provide you with a variety of options to use in the conclusion below. Before I do that, however, I want to show you how this gallery will look on the front page when published and warn you about some minor issues.

Using the Flash Upload for Mass Uploads

I know I said in a previous article that I prefer the browser upload to the Flash upload in the Media Library uploads section. However...if you want to upload a large number of images at once and walk away while this process is in execution, you can. Simply choose the Flash uploader and select the images you want to upload from your hard drive. The rest is history.

A few notes here...make sure that your images are not oversized...the largest image you may want to upload is 600 px wide or deep and usually at 72 dpi. This sizing will help you to keep image bloat away from your database and keep your site running up to speed. You might notice that the Flash upload does "crunch" the images, but you still can keep control better if you do the work yourself on the front end.

You also will need to go back into the images to add the 'alt' tag, title, etc. The Flash uploader cannot read your mind, so it doesn't do that work for you. And, you still need to get into the gallery to adjust the settings the way you want...but, most of the upload work is done in advance with this option.

Once you've finalized adding the images via Flash, you'll notice that none of them are connected to a post. Just click on the "Attach" link within each image row to attach that image to a post...

When you click on the "attach" link, you'll get a box that opens up to help you attach that image to a post or a page. Use the search option, as I did above to find the post for "Four Sheets to the Wind," click on the post, click the "Select" button and then click the "Close" button and you're done. In fact, the window may close by itself once it has finished insertion. Voila. Easy peasy.