# Make it easier to insert photos into comments, journals, etc **URL:** \ **Category:** Feature Requests\ **Created:** [July 8, 2020, 1:13pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/make-it-easier-to-insert-photos-into-comments-journals-etc/14147 "2020-07-08T13:13:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![jwidness](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9d8465/32.png) [@jwidness](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/jwidness)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2020, 1:13pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/make-it-easier-to-insert-photos-into-comments-journals-etc/14147/1 "2020-07-08T13:13:06Z")
I love how easy it is to put photos into posts here on the forum – usually I copy the image to my clipboard and just paste it directly into the composer. I don’t have to save the image to my computer or write raw html or anything. In contrast, my usual workflow for posting images to iNat is to put them up on imgur, then copy the URL, then add the image via typing in html in the body of the comment. (I’m talking about images like maps to display on taxon changes, not actual observation images, example below.) This request is for a forum-style way to add images on iNat. That means both having iNat host the images, and a way to insert them when composing comments, journals, etc. that doesn’t require writing out html/markdown. ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/inaturalist/original/2X/d/d4ca3d29bb27c85355952f897b001176ca7176b7.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![yayemaster](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/yayemaster/32/12153_2.png) [@yayemaster](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/yayemaster)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2020, 1:31pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/make-it-easier-to-insert-photos-into-comments-journals-etc/14147/2 "2020-07-08T13:31:19Z")
@jwidness I completely agree with what you say. There should be a way to insert photos like how it is on the forum. Great idea. ---
**Author:** ![robotpie](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/robotpie/32/630_2.png) [@robotpie](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/robotpie)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2020, 1:42pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/make-it-easier-to-insert-photos-into-comments-journals-etc/14147/3 "2020-07-08T13:42:45Z")
Agree too. Especially when posting images in comments, it would be especially useful when someone asks for ID comparisons between two similar looking species. Since sometimes words may be too technical for the layperson, or sometimes too vague, so visual context would be useful in that sense. ---
**Author:** ![diegoalmendras](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/diegoalmendras/32/1473_2.png) [@diegoalmendras](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/diegoalmendras)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2020, 2:44pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/make-it-easier-to-insert-photos-into-comments-journals-etc/14147/5 "2020-07-08T14:44:03Z")
same!! ---
**Author:** ![Manassas](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/manassas/32/12999_2.png) [@Manassas](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/Manassas)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2020, 7:14am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/make-it-easier-to-insert-photos-into-comments-journals-etc/14147/6 "2020-11-05T07:14:12Z")
Couldn’t agree anymore! I am a web iNat user and sometime when I use the messege on iNat to comunicate ID and taxonomy topics, I have to send the photo to explain my idea or show more detail than the observation photo or just to let the recipient know what I am saying. But I can’t send the image directly because there aren’t the function on the messege. I have to send the image or original website link but some of the photo are saved in my computer an can’t find its original link any more so I can’t let the opposite see my image, that’s much annoying. If we can send the image directly it will be easier and better. ---
**Author:** ![keirmorse](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/keirmorse/32/17344_2.png) [@keirmorse](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/keirmorse)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2021, 9:32pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/make-it-easier-to-insert-photos-into-comments-journals-etc/14147/7 "2021-12-07T21:32:18Z")
Yes, having iNat host the images would be a major improvement. ---
**Author:** ![bouteloua](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/bouteloua/32/1180_2.png) [@bouteloua](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/bouteloua)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2022, 2:35pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/make-it-easier-to-insert-photos-into-comments-journals-etc/14147/8 "2022-08-29T14:35:48Z")
Split this topic on August 29, 2022, 2:35pm UTC 3 posts were split to a new topic: [Trouble embedding an external image into a journal post](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/trouble-embedding-an-external-image-into-a-journal-post/34991) ---
**Author:** ![frank879](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/frank879/32/30432_2.png) [@frank879](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/frank879)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2022, 11:07pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/make-it-easier-to-insert-photos-into-comments-journals-etc/14147/9 "2022-10-06T23:07:51Z")
I too would like to drag-and-drop photos into my journal postings. Not all photos that would go in a journal posting are what would be considerend observational evidence. They pertain to just the thoughts contained in the journal posting. They are not necessarily posted anywhere else. ---
**Author:** ![aaravmishra](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/aaravmishra/32/33901_2.png) [@aaravmishra](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/aaravmishra)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2026, 5:39am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/make-it-easier-to-insert-photos-into-comments-journals-etc/14147/10 "2026-10-09T05:39:59Z")
this was so necessary that I literally made a duplicate feature request without knowing if this! ---
**Author:** ![DianaStuder](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/dianastuder/32/43358_2.png) [@DianaStuder](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/DianaStuder)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2026, 7:35am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/make-it-easier-to-insert-photos-into-comments-journals-etc/14147/11 "2026-10-09T07:35:58Z")
This feature request is from 2020. And there is still NO response from iNat staff. ?? ---
**Author:** ![aaravmishra](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/aaravmishra/32/33901_2.png) [@aaravmishra](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/aaravmishra)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2026, 8:30am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/make-it-easier-to-insert-photos-into-comments-journals-etc/14147/12 "2026-10-09T08:30:39Z")
really this is so bad I NEED this feature so much!!! Is anyone going to find this useful? Then vote! @texas_nature_family & @gcwarbler may find this useful. PS: I have seen that the iNat staff almost never handles feature much. I have only seen a handful feature requests that have ever been implemented, or the staff comes up with some excuse or keeps silent. Very unfortunate. ---
**Author:** ![DianaStuder](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/dianastuder/32/43358_2.png) [@DianaStuder](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/DianaStuder)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2026, 8:42am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/make-it-easier-to-insert-photos-into-comments-journals-etc/14147/13 "2026-10-09T08:42:31Z")
Each time we are warned, iNat will be offline for housekeeping – remember, staff are working hard to keep iNat running smoothly. ‘Some excuse’ is an unfortunate opinion. ---
**Author:** ![aaravmishra](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/aaravmishra/32/33901_2.png) [@aaravmishra](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/aaravmishra)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2026, 8:43am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/make-it-easier-to-insert-photos-into-comments-journals-etc/14147/14 "2026-10-09T08:43:12Z")
I know but this is a small request, they can’t use the same code they use in the forum there??? ---
**Author:** ![spiphany](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/spiphany/32/31332_2.png) [@spiphany](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/spiphany)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2026, 10:50am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/make-it-easier-to-insert-photos-into-comments-journals-etc/14147/15 "2026-10-09T10:50:10Z")
> [@aaravmishra](#): > > they can’t use the same code they use in the forum The forum runs on Discourse, which is an external forum platform independent of iNat’s infrastructure. ---
**Author:** ![texas\_nature\_family](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/texas_nature_family/32/65299_2.png) [@texas\_nature\_family](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/texas_nature_family)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2026, 12:02pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/make-it-easier-to-insert-photos-into-comments-journals-etc/14147/16 "2026-10-09T12:02:35Z")
Yes, this would be great without having to embed images code Like this monstrosity: ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/inaturalist/original/3X/e/0/e0ebb43577bb77498d3146a416c852f7db9004c9.png) ---
**Author:** ![aaravmishra](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/aaravmishra/32/33901_2.png) [@aaravmishra](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/aaravmishra)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2026, 3:10pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/make-it-easier-to-insert-photos-into-comments-journals-etc/14147/18 "2026-10-09T15:10:18Z")
really wish that was possible… ---
**Author:** ![aaravmishra](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/aaravmishra/32/33901_2.png) [@aaravmishra](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/aaravmishra)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2026, 3:29pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/make-it-easier-to-insert-photos-into-comments-journals-etc/14147/19 "2026-10-09T15:29:06Z")
can you or someone else tag people until this has say 100 votes? I’m so happy to see three new votes after mine. ---
**Author:** ![paul\_dennehy](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/paul_dennehy/32/1319_2.png) [@paul\_dennehy](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/paul_dennehy)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2026, 12:47pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/make-it-easier-to-insert-photos-into-comments-journals-etc/14147/20 "2026-10-24T12:47:24Z")
Part of me likes this idea, but part of me knows if it were implemented it would mainly be used to post annoying photo reactions to observations, like ![IMG_6509](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/inaturalist/original/3X/6/d/6df01ec24336c91be2337cd604f4d6eb34d69bee.gif) Which also raises the question of whether the photos added in comments need to adhere to the same copyright rules as the ones in actual observations. On most platforms, the photos used in the comment sections are pretty much all copy-pasted from elsewhere on the internet. Does iNat really want to deal with storing all that copyrighted material on their servers? Or deal with moderating/curating comment photos? This would be a much bigger deal on inat than it is here on this little forum with tight moderation. ---
**Author:** ![paul\_dennehy](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/paul_dennehy/32/1319_2.png) [@paul\_dennehy](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/paul_dennehy)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2026, 12:48pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/make-it-easier-to-insert-photos-into-comments-journals-etc/14147/21 "2026-10-24T12:48:30Z")
And if you find that giant pulsing gif annoying, welcome to the new iNat experience if this gets implemented. lol I do think drag-and-drop for journal post photos could be implemented without these issues though. I’d vote for that if it were its own request. ---
**Author:** ![bazwal](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/bazwal/32/109_2.png) [@bazwal](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/bazwal)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2026, 3:08pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/make-it-easier-to-insert-photos-into-comments-journals-etc/14147/22 "2026-10-24T15:08:18Z")
> [@aaravmishra](#): > > this is a small request Hosting an unknown number of images _for the entire lifetime of the site_ is not a small request. The extra storage requirements impose ongoing costs in terms of either additional hardware or third-party hosting. Currently, Amazon is providing _some_ free hosting for iNaturalist - but it seems unlikely that their [Open Data Program](https://aws.amazon.com/opendata/open-data-sponsorship-program/) would accept arbitrary images embedded in comments, journal posts, and such like. I’m not at all opposed to making it easier to compose html/markdown content, but I think some of the difficulties may be exaggerated. The mardown syntax for an image is exactly the same as for a link, but with a `!` in front: - link: `[Link Text](https://www.whatever.org/pages/example.html)` - image: `![alt-text](https://www.whatever.org/images/image-01.jpg)` and these can be combined like so: - image-link: `[![alt-text](https://www.whatever.org/images/image-01.jpg)](https://www.whatever.org/pages/example.html)` Comment fields already provide a simple tool for inserting the basic markdown, so all the user needs to do is paste in the url (and perhaps add a `!` for images). Personally, if I regularly wrote journal posts, I would look for a third-party editor that could be configured to use only the limited subset of HTML/Markdown that iNaturalist supports. [Next page](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/make-it-easier-to-insert-photos-into-comments-journals-etc/14147.md?page=2)