Unsplash Asset Images (Avatars, Portraits, Backgrounds, Wallpapers)

Goal: quickly grab good-looking images from Unsplash and deliver them in the right size + ratio.

When to use this skill

• Need a real Unsplash photo page URL (not a placeholder) for an avatar, headshot, portrait, hero background, or abstract wallpaper.
• Need the recommendation delivered with suggested output ratios/sizes (1:1, 4:5, 3:4, 16:9, 9:16) for a specific use case.
• Need guidance on downloading and cropping/resizing an Unsplash photo for a design or image pipeline.
• Need a quick "which ratio do I use?" decision for avatars, headshot cards, hero backgrounds, or mobile wallpapers.
• Need reminders on Unsplash licensing/attribution norms (e.g., avoiding Unsplash+ unless requested).
• Don't use this for Aura Assets (aura.build/assets) searches — route to aura-asset-images instead, which searches Aura's own asset library by tag rather than Unsplash.

Output rule

For each recommendation, output:

1. Unsplash page URL (canonical)
2. Suggested ratios + sizes for the use case

If the user wants a file, instruct them to use the Download button on Unsplash and then crop/resize in their design tool or image pipeline.

License / safety (keep it simple)

• Unsplash images are generally free to use, but avoid Unsplash+ images unless the user explicitly wants them.
• Don’t present the photographer name as “required attribution” (Unsplash doesn’t require it), but it’s good practice to include.

How to deliver the right size + ratio

1. Open the Unsplash photo page and use the Download button.
2. Resize/crop to the target ratio in your design tool or image pipeline.
3. Keep faces centered for avatars/headshots and preserve horizon for wide backgrounds.

Note: do not include Unsplash source or secondary image links; keep only the main photo page URLs.

Curated picks (5 each)

1) Avatars (1:1)

Pick images with clean face framing + simple backgrounds.

1. https://unsplash.com/photos/man-wearing-black-shirt-aoEwuEH7YAs
2. https://unsplash.com/photos/grayscale-photography-of-man-wearing-crew-neck-shirt-jmURdhtm7Ng
3. https://unsplash.com/photos/grayscale-photography-of-woman-with-two-hands-on-her-face--Keh6vLM7w0
4. https://unsplash.com/photos/man-in-black-crew-neck-shirt-QWa0TIUW638
5. https://unsplash.com/photos/man-wearing-black-denim-jacket-near-building-2RFwLL-YX44

Suggested deliverables:

• 1:1: 256×256, 512×512, 1024×1024

2) Headshots (4:5 or 3:4)

Aim for shoulders-up framing, neutral backgrounds, “professional but human”.

1. https://unsplash.com/photos/mans-grey-and-black-shirt-ILip77SbmOE
2. https://unsplash.com/photos/man-facing-on-left-side-co2Nn11OP3k
3. https://unsplash.com/photos/woman-with-blue-eyes-and-black-hair-VLJV46hPLSM
4. https://unsplash.com/photos/woman-with-blonde-hair-and-red-lipstick-8f3yvMdkWJI
5. https://unsplash.com/photos/a-young-woman-poses-with-hands-near-her-face-bF6wuOivk2M

Suggested deliverables:

• 4:5: 800×1000, 1200×1500, 1600×2000
• 3:4: 900×1200, 1500×2000

3) Portraits (editorial / candid)

Use these when the vibe is “human story”, not “corporate headshot”.

1. https://unsplash.com/photos/woman-holding-vintage-camera-to-take-a-picture-O_UK4X6ekgI
2. https://unsplash.com/photos/man-wearing-a-straw-hat-and-maroon-shirt-Rd2UXAg8Zc0
3. https://unsplash.com/photos/brPuA0a0Uuk
4. https://unsplash.com/photos/Plii16U9bOU
5. https://unsplash.com/photos/man-leaning-on-wall-silhouette-2trSyEqR0pA

Suggested deliverables:

• 3:4: 1500×2000
• 4:5: 1200×1500
• 1:1 crop for social: 1080×1080

4) Large backgrounds (website hero, banners) — 16:9

Pick wide shots with clean negative space and readable gradients.

1. https://unsplash.com/photos/landscape-photography-of-mountains-twukN12EN7c
2. https://unsplash.com/photos/a-black-landscape-with-mountains-in-the-background-X93tlrlx5kI
3. https://unsplash.com/photos/a-landscape-with-trees-and-mountains-in-the-background-96mTBTH9MEw
4. https://unsplash.com/photos/mountains-and-a-blue-sky-create-a-picturesque-landscape-fgCR4Yj3CLs
5. https://unsplash.com/photos/landscape-with-milky-way-night-sky-with-stars-on-the-mountain-long-exposure-photograph-with-grain-Vt7Se0uqEpA

Suggested deliverables:

• Desktop hero: 1920×1080, 2400×1350, 2880×1620
• Social banner: 1500×500 (3:1) — consider manual crop

5) Abstract wallpapers (desktop/mobile)

Use when you need “brand-safe”, non-specific visuals.

1. https://unsplash.com/photos/an-abstract-purple-background-with-a-black-background-5Q9Gf0WSyLk
2. https://unsplash.com/photos/abstract-layered-shapes-with-a-gradient-orange-color-5q4zsTaVN4I
3. https://unsplash.com/photos/abstract-organic-shapes-with-blue-and-yellow-gradients-c0B1HYG6ZK4
4. https://unsplash.com/photos/blue-waves-form-a-soft-abstract-gradient-dYksH3vHorc
5. https://unsplash.com/photos/abstract-purple-waves-on-a-dark-background-ZQSPIiFEMoU

Suggested deliverables:

• Desktop: 2560×1600 or 2880×1800
• Mobile: 1080×1920 (9:16)

Quick “which ratio do I use?” cheatsheet

• Avatar: 1:1
• Headshot card: 4:5 (great default), 3:4 (taller)
• Website hero background: 16:9
• Mobile wallpaper / story background: 9:16

If the user asks for “best image”:

• prefer clean negative space
• avoid busy backgrounds
• ensure face is not cropped awkwardly (use crop=faces on production URLs)

References

• Upstream source: https://github.com/MengTo/Skills/tree/main/agent-skills/media/unsplash-asset-images