Animation Source Forums

Stock Images

Just as the title says - searching for your images on Google is illegal. This is a must-read for graphics artists. Please, please take the time to go through this short thread..you may not know that you're breaking the law!


Stock? What?

What's stock? Stock images are images that you are allowed to use. The owner of these images gives a clear statement saying that you may, indeed, use these images.

So..I'm breaking the law? Yes! The majority of you most likely are. Now, I don't blame you for this - I used to use Google for my graphics myself. Many of you do not know about stock, so no one is accusing you. However, it is wise to use stock images, if you want a good graphics reputation.

Griffin's definition of stock - Images that an artist is allowed to use for their own images. The owner of the image states somewhere on the website that their images are allowed to be use. The term 'Creative commons license' is often used. Some search engines may have this; in the event of looking for stock, you should check a box/click a category/etc that says 'Creative commons license'.

Now what?

Now you should quit using Google. Yes, you are allowed to search images for your amusement - but don't use them! It's theft.

Recommended

The websites listed below are highly recommended for stock images. Please memorize these links.

deviantART - If you follow that exact link, it leads you to the Resources & Stock Images category on deviantART. Type what you need in the search engine. To get to the link I provided from the main page, take a look at this screenie. The box outlined in white is where the categories are located. The words 'Resources & Stock Images' are outlined in red. Click that. =]

Flickr - This is the advanced image search on Flickr. MAKE SURE, that when you are searching here, you go to the last choices, at the bottom of the page, above the Search button. Check the box that says, "Only search within Creative Commons-licensed content." Then check the box that says, "Find content to adapt, modify, or build upon."

sobi.org - Sobi is a great place to get pictures of dogs and cats! Plus, you don't need to check or click anything.. Just look through the images. You're allowed to use them. (:

Magical Screencaps - This is a very useful site where you can get Disney/Pixar screencaps for graphics. To get to the caps, go to 'Media', then 'Caps'.

Wikimedia Commons - Wikimedia Commons has a very large database of stock images.




GRIFFIN - OVER AND OUT!