FAO web or graphic designers - free image sites

[Perfect Eye]

Hi there

My business, Perfect Eye, regularly uses images from a royalty free stock photography site where you can download images of pretty much everything really and use on your clients site free of charge.

The site is: http://www.sxc.hu/

We're currently working on a site but cant find suitable imagery. Can anyone else recommend any other image banks (with quality lifestyle shots on) which are free and add them to this thread?

I'm aware of premium photo sites but they are very expensive.

 

[clickprofits]

Hi,

There is a list of royalty free stock photography sites here which might help (most are not free but prices are reasonable on many of them) :

http://www.jumpola.com/#photo

 

[Juvanescence]

I find that istockphoto.com is good for my needs.

Very cheap with a large picture database.

 

[Shaggy]

We use places like Getty Images etc.. but one I found in the States http://www.bigstockphoto.com/ is exceptionally cheap and Royalty Free.

You will be able to find everything you want there.

 

[sparklyscotty]

www.webshots.com is a site for amateur (and pro) photographers to upload their work. I can't seem to find any copyright info on the site forbidding commercial use. (This may be a legal if not ethical loophole.) However, I find budding photographers are more than happy to let their work be used in exchange for credit if you drop them an e-mail.
-Angel-

 

[kyber]

www.webshots.com is a site for amateur (and pro) photographers to upload their work. I can't seem to find any copyright info on the site forbidding commercial use. (This may be a legal if not ethical loophole.) However, I find budding photographers are more than happy to let their work be used in exchange for credit if you drop them an e-mail.
-Angel-

There is no legal loophole. Copyright on photographs is automatically with the photographer unless specifcally assigned to someone else. A photograph does not need a copyright notice on it to make this so.

If you get permission from the photographer to use a photograph that is great but make sure it is clear what license is being granted to you. For example, if it is not stated that it is only for web use but later you run magazine advert featuring the same photo will you be licensed?

Also, I would recommend that you do not use any photo featuring people and/or buildings without corresponding model/property release forms (reputable stock libraries usually make this a condition of submissoin these days but this may not be the case with photog sites). Get written/email confirmation from the photographer than he has these.

Even if you use your own photos featuring family and friends, I would suggest you get model release forms signed before using the photographs commercially or you could find yourself in serious difficulties later on.

Stuart

 

[blackcatz]

Deviantart has a stock photo section http://stockart.deviantart.com/ They are geared towards photoshop designers rather then web designers BUT there are some quality photos, you just need to browse for them.

99% of the photographers don't mind they being used for commercial sites as long as you ask their permission.

 

[Eagle]

www.webshots.com is a site for amateur (and pro) photographers to upload their work. I can't seem to find any copyright info on the site forbidding commercial use. (This may be a legal if not ethical loophole.) However, I find budding photographers are more than happy to let their work be used in exchange for credit if you drop them an e-mail.
-Angel-

There is no legal loophole. Copyright on photographs is automatically with the photographer unless specifcally assigned to someone else. A photograph does not need a copyright notice on it to make this so.

If you get permission from the photographer to use a photograph that is great but make sure it is clear what license is being granted to you. For example, if it is not stated that it is only for web use but later you run magazine advert featuring the same photo will you be licensed?

Also, I would recommend that you do not use any photo featuring people and/or buildings without corresponding model/property release forms (reputable stock libraries usually make this a condition of submissoin these days but this may not be the case with photog sites). Get written/email confirmation from the photographer than he has these.

Even if you use your own photos featuring family and friends, I would suggest you get model release forms signed before using the photographs commercially or you could find yourself in serious difficulties later on.

Stuart

^ What he said!

 

[Ravenfire]

I tend to use Istock as well but will take a look at the ones mentioned here.

Thanks

 

[Twistmedia]

try here has a good selection of different urls - http://www.masternewmedia.org/news/2005/04/01/where_to_find_great_free.htm