1. Lightbox 2
Created by Lokesh Dhakar, it allows you to create an overlay (against a dark background) of any image on your website. It creates a professional display, allowing the image to stand out by itself. Version 2 also allows you to group related images together – so the visitor can view the whole group by simply selecting any one of the images in the group. The new version also boasts better transition effects.
http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/lightbox-2/
2. NextGEN Gallery
Coded by Alex Rabe, it has a load of capabilities with an easy management system. While it allows you to create cool-looking flash galleries, it also allows you to use different display effects, upload zipped image files, and add watermarks to your pictures. You can add your own templates to blend in with your theme, and easily manage album contents. Not to mention, you can add the slideshow to the sidebar, and add tags to the images – you can even create an image tag cloud to allow visitors to easily find specific images.
http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/nextgen-gallery/
3. Flickr RSS
The Flickr RSS widget allows you to display images from a Flickr RSS feed. Created by Dave Kellam and Stefano Verna, it supports photo streams from any user, group, community, picture set, or even favorites. On the one hand it can be used to showcase your own images as you upload new content onto Flickr, and on the other it can be used to add value to your blog by adding related images which will be of interest to your visitors.
http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/flickr-rss/
Videos on Flickr can also be imported, but the visitor will have to click through to Flickr to watch it. While the plugin is easy to use, it also has some advanced features for those capable of applying them – like custom CSS, and caching the images on your own server.
Between these 3 top WP image plugins, you can basically do anything you need to do on your blog. You have a choice of different effects and displays, the option to import content from Flickr, tag it, and easily manage albums. The best part about it is you can do all of this from your computer. You don’t have to be an expert in graphic design. All you need is a good quality computer, like HP desktop computers, and a little instruction from the plugin designer. While all of these are relatively simple to use in their basic modes, (so even a noob can use them!) there are also more advanced options for those who need it – allowing you to create the exact effect you want.