The most obvious and basic example of a photo meme is the simple addition of text, à la the LOLcats phenomenon. While the Cheezburger network kindly offers an online LOLcat pic generator, this video will show you how to overlay words on any of your photographs.
2. HOW TO: Add Advanced Text
Some memes call for a more advanced use of text. In the example above, a USPS flyer's wording was changed to great comedic effect. For maximum effect, the text has also been made to look like the same style as the original. This tutorial will teach you some more advanced text tricks to give your creations more impact.
3. HOW TO: Cut Out a Person or Object
Memes can branch off into sub-directions. A great example of this is the "Courage Wolf" variation on the "Advice Dog" meme. The video below will show you how to successfully cut out an object from a photo, which could potentially offer you a way to alter existing memes. With the text skills you've learned above, you're well on your way to a finished product.
4. HOW TO: Remove Objects or People
Removing objects and people from photos can be a hilarious way to offer a new variation on a classic format -- as seen in the "Garfield Without Garfield" example above. This tutorial will show you an easy way to remove elements from a photo for dramatic, or funny, effect.
5. HOW TO: Add One Image to Another
This final lesson will help you pull all the skills you've learned above into the finished product, as well as enable you get involved with humorous photo-based memes that place characters in different scenarios. This is one of the most popular types of memes and has been seen recently with Sad Keanu (with or without helmet!), Strutting Leo and Prancing Cera, to name just a few.
More Meme Resources from Mashable:
- The Million Dollar Question: Why Does the Web Love Cats?
- LOLCat King on What Makes Internet Culture Viral [VIDEO]
- 10 Best Viral Video Remixes on YouTube
- 10 Excellent Examples of Guerrilla Marketing Campaigns [VIDEOS]