Stop using google image search. Using those images is often illegal and they are not the best images anyway.
Here are a dozen sites that are better and legal.
1. Stock Exchange
Of all of the stock photo sites on the web sxc.hu is the best. It has high quality free stock photos. But be careful. The first row of photos cost money. Clicking on them will take you to a different site where you have to pay. Most of the photos we use here at AuthorTechTips.com come from sxc.hu.
2. Flickr Creative Commons
Flickr has a huge selection of photos mane of which are protected under the Creative Commons which means you can use them legally as long as you attribute the photographer.
3. EveryStockPhoto.com
Every Stock Photo searches several other stock image sites for you. It does not filter offensive images, so use with caution.
4. MorgueFile.com
Morgue File has many photos that you are free to use commercially without attributing the photographer. The photos are mostly snapshots and not true stock photos.
5. FreeStockPhotos.com
Not only does Free Stock Photos have some great nature photos it also has a list of over a dozen other free stock photo sources.
6. IconsPedia.com
Icons Predia has the best selection of free icons. If you want to add a cool Twitter Bird to your website this is the first place to look.
7. BiblePlaces.com
If you need biblical photos BiblePlaces.com is a great place to start.
8. NASA
I’m not sure how this happened but if the U.S. government takes a photo they often release it into the public domain. If you want high quality technology or space photos you can’t do much better than NASA.
9. StockVault.net
StockVault has 13,000+ high quality stock photos. The photos are high quality but low selection. The site does not offer safe search so use at your own risk.
10. FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Freedigitalphotos.net has high quality photos but the selection is not great and the terms of use require a link back to use the photo for free.
11. FreePhotosBank.com
FreePhotosbank has a lame selection of mediocre photos.
12. HistoricalStockPhotos.com
If you want vintage photos Historical Stock Photos is the site for you. Don’t expect much color here.
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4 Responses
Hey Thomas,
Google just came out with a “Creative Commons” search:
http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2009/07/find-creative-commons-images-with-image.html
But, with my limited experience, it’s really bad.
Oh, what is the licensing like for Microsoft’s clip art? Can I get my pictures in windows and switch over to linux and use them there. :evil grin:
> Brian
Hey Thomas,
Where did you get all your research from? Did you test all these sites? Which ones were your favorites in terms of quality and search? That is a big list and tough to go through it all. Have you heard about Cutcaster which also offers free images as well as RF images. Find royalty free images, stock photos, vectors, illustrations and premium clipart at Cutcaster that can be immediately downloaded for use in your advertisement, brochure design, web design, newsletter design, textbooks or any publication where you need great photography and illustrations. Cutcaster also offers publishers, advertisers and web designers free stock photos and images. Hope that info helps.
My recent post Why buying Cutcaster credits is an easy payment option?
[...] places to search for legal images. If you’d like more, check out some of the examples in this Author Tech Tips [...]
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