Images: Where to find them and how to protect yourself
In my travels today I came across this resource that explains in detail how to use images.
http://12most.com/2013/03/26/ensure-using-legally-online-photos/
If you use images on your site, and you should, make absolutely certain that there is no copyright infringement going on. You are opening yourself up to a huge can of worms if you don't do this.
Of course, the best place to find images is on your own camera. Taking them yourself negates any issues with copyright. I have started taking my little Point and Shoot with me when I go out. If I happen to have an idea of an image that I might want or come across a situation where the lighting is just too good to pass up, I stop and grab a few images. I can crop and refine them in GIMP when I get home. (Photoshop works well too but costs money).
I have found 3 places where images are freely available including Morgue file (which is linked in the article)
Gratisography has kindly made its photos freely available. A new one is added each week and they are starting to have a nice selection.
One of the bloggers that I have recently come across is Thomas Hanna of BlogPhoto.tv he provides some free images as well as an additional set available as a paid subscriber to his blog.
Hope this is helpful to some of you. I know I have always had problems finding images.
Now, your next task is to use these in creative ways to keep them relevant to your blog posts.
Recent Comments
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Thank you Labby for the post I really appreciate the knowledge here. Please let me know if I am wrong or not. I don't mind at all about following rules but here is my understanding.
If a picture has been downloaded without a copyright noticed attached I feel that it is free to use as long as it is not for monetary gain. Now I know for a fact for instance that if you use a picture from amazon which is free to the world the person or company that owns that picture has to notify you about using their product and you only have to delete it from wherever you are using it. You are in no special trouble with lawyers etc. except if you continue to use that picture say leave it in your article after any warnings.
So unless there is a copyright noticed attached or otherwise these places like photo bucket are only affording a way to make money from the consumer. In essence they are the ones causing problems and of course their lawyers, for no reason but to make money.
Noe other note here that in the U.S. Every man, woman and child gets sued for there lifetime earnings three and a half times. It is a lawyers world.
Ken
No, that is not the case at all. Copyright is determined at the time of publishing. It is implied whether or not it has a notice attached.
Amazon allows the use of their images as do many of the other manufacturers so that people can promote the products.
Purchasing images from the stock photo sites allows you to fall under their copyright. So you can use the images without attribution.
Thanks Labby. I have seen tons of the same picture on different websites all of the same picture. I am sure that none of them get copyright approval
Ken
The ones that I posted require no attribution.
Per your link the terms and conditions require a link back to the site.
When you download a free or purchased image from FreeDigitalPhotos.net you automatically receive our Standard Licence which allows you to use the image as an illustration for almost any business, personal, educational or charitable purpose. The image is yours to use anywhere in the world as many times as you need and for as long as you want.
If you choose to download an image free of charge you need to publish an acknowledgement to FreeDigitalPhotos.net and the creator of that image wherever it’s used – find out more about publishing an acknowledgement.
The whole point of my post was to provide images that are absolutely free to use without attribution.
I honestly never thought of using a photo without attribution. When you get the photo, it comes with a short line, as in "Photo by ________, provided by freedigitalimages.net." I simply copy that. I always credit the photographer somewhere.
I did. I know the rules of the game. I've been using photos in my articles for years and, yes, I got in trouble a few times even with proper attribution. I only use photos I'm allowed to use and I always give credit where it's due.
You are free to do as you wish. Here is the relevant section that needs to be pointed out.
10. Your website, your liability
One of the most common explanations I hear when someone gets a “cease and desist” or a DMCA takedown for an image used in their website design is that they didn’t choose that image. “It’s the designer’s fault!” is not a defense to copyright infringement. Not all web designers understand copyright laws, but that won’t relieve you from liability if a copyrighted image is used without permission or license. Few design agreements address this issue, which leaves the site owner legally responsible for copyright violations. While a designer may not be willing to modify their contract, it’s worth asking (1) if they will, (2) where do they source images, and (3) if the image they use is found to violate a copyright and you’re required to pay, will they indemnify you.
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Thank you for the resources! Much appreciated as always!