I think others are using free photos from other sites and add to their own shots in layers. How does everyone feel about this? For example if I want a wild animal I cannot possibly get a shot of where I live, is it ok? Just curious. Thanks for your opinions.
@miata2u It's okay; a common mantra on this site is "your project, your rules." Personally I don't do it for several reasons, primary one being I have no idea how to, but many others do! Admittedly, I do get a little miffed sometimes when I think a shot is brilliant because obviously the artist stayed out late, waited for the perfect moment, sacrificed life and limb... only to find out it's a composite. Ya, that gets me sometimes LOL But bottom line, it's your project! :)
It is perfectly fine, if that is your thing. I would caution you to make sure you are not violating anyone's copyrighted image. You could buy images from a stock photography site or use images licensed under Creative Commons. Many Creative Commons images have a lot of stipulations as to how the image can be used and if you need to credit the owner of the image. For me, if I was going to do this I would disclose what images are stock images and make sure that I credited any image that required that. Just because a site offers "Free" images doesn't necessarily mean that its a free for all with that image. You may have to credit the original photographer and you may be limited on being able to sell even a print of the image. Also, only use images from reputable sites.
@miata2u I use layers in two ways. I create my own most of the time or I buy textures individually or in packs from sites like textures.com. There are also sites that clearly state the photos are free. I haven't used them, but if I needed one and it was freely available, I would use it, but then when I post it, I'd indicate my sources. The main problem I would have with using even free images from elsewhere is consciously implying it was my own.
Using others' images to layer and create something new is creating art as it is no longer the original image which is why it wouldn't concern me to see others doing so and why I wouldn't hesitate if I needed an image (and it was free) for something I was trying to create. I mostly use my own since I think that's more fun, not because somehow that is more 'right.'
As long as you make sure you have permission to use the photo and credit the creator, I don't see why you shouldn't. Personally, I'd rather my project be entirely my own work but that's the joy of 365! Every one of us has our own ideas :)
@miata2u I think it's fine as long as it's permitted and you attribute. Personally, I prefer all of the images I use to be my own, but if I had an idea for something that needed an element from an image that I absolutely couldn't get myself, I'd consider it. But I'd always be up front about my process and the image source.
Totally agree with @grizzlysghost about some images without that clarification - I'll see a photo and I'll be like 'Oh wow... oh, wait...'
I love doing composite work and the photos I create people can clearly tell they are composites. I don't sell them and I don't charge to do them, I just enjoy the process of it. I use free stuff off the internet all the time. It's not like I have a wolf hanging around in my back yard where I can get a photo of it lol. Everyone is different I guess, but that's what makes the world an interesting place to be in. The person in my photo is always my own. I also have taken a lot of background photos personally but sometimes I need something extra for what I want to accomplish.
i think it's ok as long as you're honest about what you've done, and give appropriate credit... i prefer to always use my own images when i do composites - but for me that's part of the challenge... how do i make something work with what i have at my disposal... but i expect others approach the challenge differently...
Several years ago, I noticed a composite image which a 365er had created by merging two images taken from elsewhere on the internet in the name of art. No attribution was given to either of the original images, or any indication that it was a composite. My interest was twigged by the fact one of the images looked remarkably similar to one of my own, which had been taken in a location which is difficult to reach in an isolated area. The composite, in my view trivialised the beauty of this unique location and destroyed the work of the original photographer. There are many cases where photographers have rightly complained that their work is being stolen, placed on third party websites and sold as a stock image or given away for free. Personally, I don't believe it is OK to use images from elsewhere "under artistic licence", even if they do appear in google images after a search.
The only time I've used photos that are not my own for composites is when I've done the WWYD challenges here on 365. In that case the photographer has given me permission to play around with the photo. One time I "worked" on someone else's shot to illustrate something I thought they could do to improve the shot, but I let them know that if they did not want it posted in my project, I would gladly delete it as technically it was not my photo. Personally, I would rather use all my own pictures. I think the only exception would be textures which I do use once in a while.
Looks like the vote is in. I think I will just use my own. I thought of it because I saw a photo on 365 a few days ago with little red riding hood and a wolf. And of course you cannot get a photo yourself of a wolf in the wild. I am just now learning layers so I think I will just try to stick to my own. I appreciate all the opinions. Thanks you so much. And by the way, I loved the red riding hood photo.
Personally I would not use any one else's photograph especially if I intend to post part or all of it on the world wide web, for me photography is a very personal thing my view of the world through my images, sorry to sound negative Peggy but its only my opinion, just keep doing what your doing your are producing some wonderful and interesting images of your own:)
I agree with Jake's caution here. Creative Commons Licensing comes in all shapes and sizes. For the activity you are thinking, just check the artist's allowances (or the site where the work is posted). Not too long ago 45's son stole a photo of Skittles from a Flickr photographer, ignoring the clearly articulated "all rights reserved" message, and then making it represent a political statement without the artist knowing (until it was too late). Best to use your own work, but just follow good borrowing practices and you're good to go! @deadschool
Without weighing in on the relative merits of using, or not using, photos that are not your own, I have discovered a site called "Unsplash," which offers free, high-res, photos for folks to do whatever they want to do with them. Give some, get some. :). https://unsplash.com
This is a great example of the problem with free sites like unsplash.com that Rosie just mentioned. A very quick look at their terms of service shows a big problem. This site lets users put up photos for others to use but makes no attempt to verify that the photo belongs to the person who uploaded it.
From their site
The Website is intended to be a site where Users can upload Pictures, which Pictures can then be copied, reproduced, modified and used (for any and all purposes) by other Users, for no compensation payable to the User that uploaded the Picture and without any permission being required. In this regard, all Users acknowledge that the Company is not verifying the Pictures, and therefore the use of such Pictures in any way is at each User’s own risk, and same are being provided on the Website “as-is, where-is”, without any representations or warranties whatsoever by the Company.
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Using others' images to layer and create something new is creating art as it is no longer the original image which is why it wouldn't concern me to see others doing so and why I wouldn't hesitate if I needed an image (and it was free) for something I was trying to create. I mostly use my own since I think that's more fun, not because somehow that is more 'right.'
Totally agree with @grizzlysghost about some images without that clarification - I'll see a photo and I'll be like 'Oh wow... oh, wait...'
This is a great example of the problem with free sites like unsplash.com that Rosie just mentioned. A very quick look at their terms of service shows a big problem. This site lets users put up photos for others to use but makes no attempt to verify that the photo belongs to the person who uploaded it.
From their site
The Website is intended to be a site where Users can upload Pictures, which Pictures can then be copied, reproduced, modified and used (for any and all purposes) by other Users, for no compensation payable to the User that uploaded the Picture and without any permission being required. In this regard, all Users acknowledge that the Company is not verifying the Pictures, and therefore the use of such Pictures in any way is at each User’s own risk, and same are being provided on the Website “as-is, where-is”, without any representations or warranties whatsoever by the Company.