List of members who allow limited use of their photos

I state that any PHOTO posted in my gallery here on gather can be freely used for inspiration or study for drawing, paintings or sculptures by artists. Any other use of photo as it is, parts of it or digitally changed is NOT allowed.

I would appreciate a comment on any postings of that work, saying that you used a photo of mine as inspiration or reference photo. If possible also I link to either my gallery here or to http://mtv65.blogspot.com If your work sells, I expect such a curtesy.

Trine - I am happy for any of my photos to be used as artistic inspiration. I agree with Angela though that I would prefer they not be used DIRECTLY OR IN ANY DIGITAL WAY without asking permission from me first.

By photo, photographs of my paintings or other art is obviously NOT included - only ordinary photos of landscapes, wildlife, plants, things etc

Trine

I state that any PHOTO posted in my gallery here on gather (that does not contain people) can be freely used for inspiration or study for drawing, paintings or sculptures by artists. Any other use of photo as it is, parts of it or digitally changed is NOT allowed.

I would appreciate a comment on any postings of that work, saying that you used a photo of mine as inspiration or reference photo. If possible, I would like you to add a link back to my webpage here on Gather. www.kyra777.gather.com

Trine~This is a great idea. I used your comment and just added a bit here and there to fit my needs & concerns. ;o)

I place my photos up for this drawing inspiration concept. I do request that the photo itself not be posted elsewhere without my express permission in it's current form or in any edited format. You may, however post the work that it inspired or is included in - in fact I'd really like to see it.

Please note that any photos of myself or my family are off limits. You may use any animals in said photos, but not my family members themselves.

One additional thing, I'd appreciate a comment on the photo, that you intended to use or had used it.

If the work is listed for sale, a link back to my page (poysen.gather.com) is requested, but not required.

Janet T: I appreciate you comments and find them important ones. I too try to take my own reference photos as much as possible and I prefer to use multiple ones so that I can avoid as much as possible to make a copy of the photo or parts of the photo. I also never use a projector or even a grid. BUT since I can not draw properly and my three cats and winter here won't allow me to get the bird photos I want or sightings - yet - it is nice to be allowed to practice on other people photos. I appreciated your comments

LOL the last month I think I have seen 30 cardinal photos here - brilliant colours - THAT bird does not exist here in Norway.

I painted two card sized paintings from two photos tonight to show you how similar a use at the most probably could be. Often one only get inspired nad do something in asimilar style or use for example the bird in a photo to practice painting feathers. But I though people should see how similar a painting can become so that they know what they say yes to. I also want to show how one should give credit. Thes two will only be posted here and to the owners of the reference photos (if I manage to do that correfctly LOL) Trine

I have no problem at all if someone finds my photos inspirational. Only three stipulations (1) the artist post the painting and make sure I see it (she says with a wink), (2) please don't use photos of my paintings, (3) if I post photos of people, please don't use them...other wise I would be honored.

Bren

I really wish I could paint ... if anyone wants to use my photos for reference for drawing or painting it's okay. I don't know how inspirational they will be, but you're welcome to them. If used, I'd love to see a shot of the work done. I'm babbler.gather.com

I agree with Dan and Janet. Copyrights should protect the artist, but unfortunately it is not always respected. As a professional artist, I do not consider this negative to say, it is my right to protect my work. I would want written permission from any artist I had to copy material from to incorporate into any of my works and I would expect the same courtesy.

I do not consider that negative either lahs, and I hope none do but as you say copyrights is not always respected or it would probably be fair to say that it is way too rarely respected.

That is why making a distinction between what use is allowed and what not makes people more aware. At least I hope it will. Just saying that every image is naturally copyrighted do not solve the challenge with reference photos. Yes people should take photos themselves or buy them at stock photo places, only problem is that those places are meant for people using the photos online on web pages or putting them in 20,000 newsletters, not for one amateur or semiamateur drawer or painter's use. For example most people need to study images of elephants to be able to draw them and all do not live close to Serengeti.

The good part is that most people reply nicely if you ask politely and state use and give credit and post link on finished work to their site. :-))))

This is the first time I have made a group so it will be interesting to see how this developes ;-)

Trine

mine may b used as inspiration or refrence but may not b used digitally in part or whole. i have tons of amazing landscape photo's i have taken at rivers, mountains, and urban settings. i would like 2 b notified if u use any of my work just because i love art of all mediums. this group was a great idea, Trine! havent heard from u in a while...i hope all is well!
~ceL

Janet, there are a few places in connection with art forums for example wet canvas where I am a member. Those places where you can buy photos are great and there are hundreds of them. Only problem is that for an amateur price is at least ten times higher than the artist could get for the finished painting if it sold at a local art and crafts fair or something. And although I see very well the non commercial clause, paintings are meant to be on walls like poems are meant to be read. That is why many painters sell their work on ebay or local fairs for less than material costs sometimes. But even so - THAT is commercial use - and that means the very highest rates on those stock photo places. The rules even state that you can not put it up in a public place either so even the office or student work wall at school is off limits. And using only a tiny part of a photo (less than 10 %) does not change those rules.

I am not against rules that protect copyrights naturally since I want that protection myself, but I do find it strange that I can buy use of an image as it is and not giving credits for less than $1 and send it to 200,000 selling hammers, BUT if I want to study squirrel fur and use one of their images then I have to pay 100 times that amount . . . In short it is often very tempting for amateurs just to google and use images unlegally - I know amateur artists that does that - even using projectors so the result is a very close copy.

Starting this group is my way of trying to educate people to think about these issues and hopefully turn them into finding really FREE photos to use and also to be aware that use of people should be very carefully thought through. In another artist forum a member had made caricatures of people's faces just shot in the street and blown up. So there are many very important issues in connection with this. Thanks for bringing discussions into it Janet.

Yes, there are a few free reference photo places and I hope we can all share links to those places. Here is a good one.

www.wetcanvas.com

Trine

Another nice place for reference photos for artists

http://painting.about.com/od/artistreferencephotos/Reference_Photographs_for_Artists.htm

I did some serching and here is a few more: remember that to be absolutely sure you must always check yourself too because some lists get copyrighted material mixed into it so be a bit critical anyway. And evn if NASA and other places are kind enough to allow use a thank you if you publish the final work can be a nice gesture.

http://gimp-savvy.com/PHOTO-ARCHIVE/

I would be honored if anyone found any of my photos inspirational, but of course... I wouldn't want them to claim them as their own. So I am stating that any PHOTO that I've posted on Gather can be used for inspiration or study for drawing, paintings or sculptures by artists.

Please do not use my entire photos, or parts of my photos, or digitally change them in any way, or claim them as "your own".

If you do feel inspired in any way by anything that I've posted, I want to first tell you THANK YOU so much! Then, if you could please comment me at that specific photo to let me know that you'll be using it, or have already used it for inspiration or as a reference photo, that would make me a very happy woman. Also, if you can possibly link back to my photos, I would appreciate it very much.

Thanks, Faith B. on Gather.

And another place for reference photos
http://www.artmorgue.com

Please include links if you find more places. Trine

I'm with Faith, Dan & Sherry.

I would be flattered to have my work used. It would be nice to get a comment and see the final work though.

My photos are all copyrighted and may be used only with permission for one time use, not for redistribution of items to be sold (i.e. on tee shirts, caps, etc). If they inspire an artistic venture - lovely. The high res versions will soon be available for purchase on photographic stock sites. ;o)

Thanks, Trine. I was just thinking about this yesterday - on my website it's all crystal clear, but on Gather I'd hadn't made the point of copyright yet! Thanks for waking us up about this very important issue. Of course, it holds true for our writing, too!

My photos are copyrighted as well. I think folks should take their own photographs - isn't that part of what creativity is all about - being an individual. We're all inspired by everything and no one can stop that but I agree with Aaron Lazar and Janet T. I do thank you Trine for this thread - it's most informative! Salud.

I also think this is an important tread because we all see lots of images on gather that is NOT taken by thye person posting it - all these wandering images. many of them are in fact originally copyrighted before they start their journey on emails etc.

The thing is that even sites which use the word free often have rules that do say no to the use by artists. So in general if nothing specific is said about it being allowed for drawing practice or similar it is bets to consider it illegal to use it.

I wish we all could get the photos we want or need. The rality is not so. If a person wants to practice painting squirrels that person need to study squirrels and may not have a zoo with squirrels available.

I agree with faith. You may use my work as a reference point but in no way use the whole image or claim it as your own.

I do not take the rating thing serious at all because there seem to be a hidden social rule going on - "unless you want to rate 10, don't rate, or you risk conflicts".

Works being copyrighted is not a big problem if people can ask because often it is only a certain colour or the twista and turns of a road somewhere in the image or a detail that sets off the painters own way of working. Or for animal or birds it is the anatomy or directions of feathers taht is of interest to the artist to study. Most of such work has only a tiny thing to do with what is the quality of the photo and as such does not "steal" the photographers skills.

I think that you are wise in not showing your most valueable ones here, I too would only have showed them with watermarks and only on sites that hinder right clicking etc. if I had real valuable ones.

Funny Trine, I was laying in bed last night thinking about this. I think that anyone who posts images to your group "Reference Photos for Artists" is giving their permission by doing so.

I think its great that some folks are so willing to share their photos with the artists. Even with permission granted in this thread, if I intended to use someone photograph I would still ave the courtesy to ask in advance.

Anyone may use my photos (if there happens to be one that might inspire) to create art from. As several others have stated, the photo's themselves are not to be copied or altered for use. And none of the people shots please. I also would like to see the completed artwork though!

This list might work well just to be a place where people can browse when lacking inspiration without the fear of accidently using a part copyrighted material unintentionally. The internet is not as big as we seem to think and I for one sometimes get afraid of doing it by accident. Getting a accusation of doing that would be a terrible thing. Yes, I know I am probably a sissy when it comes to breaking rules but that is how I am raised.

I have a friend that pays $20 per photo of mine that she picks out - I get her an 8x10 print and she uses it for reference and paints them. It was her idea to pay me, I would have given them to her for her own use but she reminded me, "How do you expect to ever make any money for all your hard work of taking these pics when you keep giving them away." She's a smart friend, I took the $20 and thanked her repeatedly.

Great to hear about good companionship like that Layne. The day I break even I will definately also share the spoils with anyone helping me.

Feel free to use any of my photos. However you see fit :)

If someone wants to use any of my content here on Gather, please write such request on a $100 dollar bill and send it to me please... OK, seriously now, just contact me about it. Gracias.

Thank you shannon and Rico - having a variety of photos for inspiration when painters or writers block hits is lovely. Usually people do not use it but it is nice to have as a reserve when we do not have the right image ourselves

I'd love to use photos from Gather Friends and Neighbors for my Who Sings Now? pieces... but I never seem to get any replies when I ask. So, I've just started leaving links to their pics somewhere in the article or in the images.

Totem piece is done on that last Singer.http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474977140122#comments

..
U wishing you laughter