I can't help with the colors, but might be able to with the image posting. The problem seems to be that when using the image codes (the []) codes), one only needs the address itself, not the "<a href="" or "<a href="" portions.
(url]http://s1221.beta.photobucket.com/user/dsumner1970/library/(/url]
(img]http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd473/dsumner1970/DSC01571.jpg(/img]
I used the (url] and (img] to keep it from being read as a code. Properly formatted, the pictures and links will show:
http://s1221.beta.photobucket.com/user/dsumner1970/library/
I know, it's a little confusing to someone who knows HTML coding ( I don't), but it works...