Lightbox plugin that doesn’t need thumbs to work

Do you mean you want a text link to a photo or gallery image? Just grab the permalink or url of the image and “link” it using the link button.

Like this.

Sorry about that. I think I now get what you mean. You want a plug in that lets you text link to images that appear in a lightbox type display format?

I’m not entirely sure, but I think this plugin claims to do it.

https://www.ads-software.com/extend/plugins/ibox/

Have a look at the plugin homepage for eg.s. There’s an example of it (but using thumb nails as the link) at this site:

https://www.cambodia-cooking-class.com/fruits.htm