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Background Image question

Kat_KatKat_Kat Posts: 169
edited December 1969 in The Commons

How does one go about trying to figure out the legalities of the use of a background image in a render? I am trying to find a HD image to use as a backdrop, I have found a couple that would work, free to download from a dozen different "wallpaper" sites and other places around the net, following links leads me everywhere and I cannot find any point of origin for the image.

I am unsure of where to go from there. No plans to commercialize any finished render. Probable plans to post here somewhere.

Comments

  • icprncssicprncss Posts: 3,694
    edited December 1969

    Just because you find it on a wallpaper site doesn't mean it isn't copyrighted. If the site is legit, they would have the artists information available including contact information. If you need the background for a commercial project, it is better to go through Corbis or a similar site where you know you are covered.

  • mjc1016mjc1016 Posts: 15,001
    edited February 2014

    Basically if it isn't spelled out in clear terms, avoid it like the plague.

    icprncss said:
    Just because you find it on a wallpaper site doesn't mean it isn't copyrighted. If the site is legit, they would have the artists information available including contact information. If you need the background for a commercial project, it is better to go through Corbis or a similar site where you know you are covered.

    Places like DeviantArt, where most of the stuff is posted by the artist who made it, have very clear terms of use...either by item or blanket terms, which are set by the artist.

    Post edited by mjc1016 on
  • mjc1016mjc1016 Posts: 15,001
    edited February 2014

    double post....

    Post edited by mjc1016 on
  • TjebTjeb Posts: 507
    edited December 1969

    Try your luck at deviantART.

    deviantART_site.jpg
    700 x 670 - 74K
  • Kat_KatKat_Kat Posts: 169
    edited December 1969

    Ok well, not spending 300$ at Corbis on one picture. No luck at Deviant. It is not for a commercial project. I guess my best bet is to try and find the artist somehow for the image I want and try and get permission to use it in my render. Or just scrap the idea altogether

  • ameesa001@gmail.com[email protected] Posts: 282
    edited February 2014

    Try the free photos at morguefile.com. I know for a fact at least one vendor here used photos from there for their promo shots, that's how I found out about the site. If you expand the pictures you are interested in, it shows what you can use them for. Most are good for anything as long as you don't try to sell them as stand alone copies.

    Edited to add: The expanded view also gives the artist name and clicking on that gives you a way to contact them for further information.

    Post edited by [email protected] on
  • CybersoxCybersox Posts: 9,053
    edited December 1969

    cgtextures.com has a pretty good selection of skies and landscapes and a very simple free license.

  • Kat_KatKat_Kat Posts: 169
    edited December 1969

    Thank you both, still no go. I might be able to fake what I want with creative lighting and other things and maybe a foray into Gimp. Some of the stock photo site might have worked, but still do not want to spend a minimum of 50$ for a "credit" package when I have no foreseeable need for any more pictures in my head.

  • ameesa001@gmail.com[email protected] Posts: 282
    edited December 1969

    I've been downloading from morguefile for a while now and haven't had to pay anything, as long as I avoid the tabs that take me to other sites like Istock and Fotolia. Maybe I'm confused. Anyhow I hope you find what you need.

  • mjc1016mjc1016 Posts: 15,001
    edited December 1969

    HDRLabs has a repository of free to use both personal and commercial uses, packs for IBL. Most/all include a 'backdrop' image...

    http://www.hdrlabs.com/sibl/archive.html

    Openfootage.net also has some nice ones...and decent usage terms, some very hi-res stuff for €6.00 ($8.25 US) a pop...

    http://www.openfootage.net/?cat=15

  • Kat_KatKat_Kat Posts: 169
    edited December 1969

    Well, surprising place to find it, flickr. Advanced search you can toggle it to search for things useable and then photos have their usability clearly spelled out in a right click menu. The one I found just wants a link back to it and the license. Non-commercial, but I am not monetizing it so no worries there.

    And am I right any picture found that has become "In the public domain" is free use as well?

  • ChoholeChohole Posts: 33,604
    edited December 1969

    Difficult to work out what Public domain is. I have found my images form my site on google image searches for things, and they definitely aren't public domain.

  • Kat_KatKat_Kat Posts: 169
    edited December 1969

    Hmmm, something like pictures of the moonlanding. "This file is in the public domain because it was solely created by NASA. NASA copyright policy states that "NASA material is not protected by copyright unless noted".

    And works of the US government for the most part are in the public domain as well.

    As two examples.

  • mjc1016mjc1016 Posts: 15,001
    edited December 1969

    Yes, public domain in those cases is Public Domain and they are usable for whatever you want...

  • CybersoxCybersox Posts: 9,053
    edited December 1969

    talas said:
    Hmmm, something like pictures of the moonlanding. "This file is in the public domain because it was solely created by NASA. NASA copyright policy states that "NASA material is not protected by copyright unless noted".

    And works of the US government for the most part are in the public domain as well.

    As two examples.


    In general, any NASA photography made publicly available, including film and video footage and processed satellite imagery, is free to use at no charge but requires credit. However, reproduction of NASA logos and insignia are NOT clear without the express permission of NASA, and imagery created by NASA contractors may not be clear, especially when the subjects are of unproduced prototypes, or when the images are derivative works in their own right. Finally, imagery containing recognizable individuals (like a lineup of Astronauts or a shot of mission control,) generally cannot be altered or used for commercial purposes in any way which implies an endorsement by those individuals or NASA.

    So, what that means is that you CAN use a photo of the moon landing, but you can't use a video of Walter Cronkite watching the moon landing. You CAN copy a NASA Spacesuit almost exactly, but you CAN'T put a reproduction of the NASA logo on the sleeve without permission.

  • Kat_KatKat_Kat Posts: 169
    edited December 1969

    I understand that :). Those were just quick examples, the rest of the NASA info was there where I pulled that quote from.

    Thank you all. I have my image I need. Now the work begins.

  • airboss1airboss1 Posts: 68
    edited December 1969

    You could take the photo yourself. I do. Lots of places to get it free though, even video. I just down loaded video of the moon landing.for
    For free and no restrictions.
    Paul

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