How to find Free Stock Images and Photos

Whenever you start a new project such as a web site, leaflet or even a Hubpage it is helpful to have images to use. It maybe tempting simply to go and rip them off other sites such as Google Images but you should remember that this leads you into the dangerous waters of Copyright violation and could really annoy the owner of the relevant image. Of course, there are plenty of sites selling the use of images but who wants to pay for all the images they need for an entire website for example. Thankfully there is another option 'public domain' and licensed free images!

Public Domain Images

Public Domain images are images that are not protected by copyright at all, you can do what you want with them! These are my favourite form of free image as they can be used without any copyright worries.

You may want to make a file on your computer to keep any images you find so that you may use them time and time again. You could divide them into categories and soon have your own image library on your computer!

Be careful though as some images may be labelled as Public Domain when they are more like licensed images for which there are conditions. Also be careful when using Public Domain images that were Copyright protected and have fallen out of Copyright to ensure they are considered Public Domain in your country of residence and in any country your hosts server maybe located in the case of websites.

Licensed Free Images

There are also free photos that you can find that are issued under a re-use licence such as a Creative Commons licence or simply a stipulation that if you use the image you must link back to the image website or other similar term.

You may want to store these images so that you can use them again however make shore you know the relevant licence conditions that go with each photo to inshore your compliance with the terms each time you use the photo.

It is important to understand the terms and conditions of any licence and to stick to them. One thing to watch out for is image licences that prohibit commercial use of a work as many projects have some commercial aspect.

There is always a but...

An important legal point is that while images may not in themselves be copyrighted, you should consider if the image contains Trademarks or other intellectual property. Additionally if you are using an identifiable person consider if your usage requires a model release.

You should get familiar with the law in the jurisdiction in which you live so as to avoid any trouble and ensure you are keeping within the legal boundaries.

Do You have Photoshop?

You can edit the public domain images you find, this will help make the image unique so your readers will not see the same image again and again on the web. If you need a free alternative to Photoshop then I have a Hugpage that will help you out there.

Remember not to edit licensed images that do not say you can modifying them freely.