Blog Images Rant/Questions

15 replies
Im a newb, trying to put together my first blog site ever, in a health and fitness niche. I have some articles typed out and my wordpress set up. I am having troubles finding free images to put in my content. I do not want to have to pay a dime for these images, so I am obviously only searching for creative commons-licensed images or the like. I want at least 1-2 images per blog article posted and I also want to have a page dedicated to "Motivational Media". This page, ideally, would be filled entirely of pictures, videos, GIFs etc to motivate my target audience for their fitness goals.

Is my only option to take my own pictures or pay for quality ones? What about youtube and vimeo videos, would I get in trouble with copyright infringement for embedding those? Also, what about images such as this one: https://twitter.com/FitMotivation4U/.../photo/1/large -could I get in trouble for using those types of images too?

Thanks, and sorry for the very novice questions
#blog #images #rant or questions
  • Profile picture of the author David Braybrooke
    No need to apologise for a 'novice' question; we're all here to learn. Morgue File may be worth a look - all images completely free to use. Morguefile.com free stock photos
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    "The scientific theory I like best is that the rings of Saturn are composed entirely of lost airline luggage." - Mark Russell
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  • Profile picture of the author Holmstrom
    This is not So novice question, this is the most common problem and its not matter are you newbie or not check out here Free Stock Photos for free photos.

    I have used many times "Google images search" photos with no problems, and I think few 1000 others do the same thing You can "share" videos in your content. Of course its better to use your own images and videos, but hey..this is not perfect world, if you know what i mean. If you wanna use that "Motivation" image or any kind of similar, check out is there any kind of copywrite mark or watermark, "what is not forbidden, its legal"!
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    • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
      Originally Posted by MadFin View Post

      This is not So novice question, this is the most common problem and its not matter are you newbie or not check out here Free Stock Photos for free photos.

      I have used many times "Google images search" photos with no problems, and I think few 1000 others do the same thing You can "share" videos in your content. Of course its better to use your own images and videos, but hey..this is not perfect world, if you know what i mean. If you wanna use that "Motivation" image or any kind of similar, check out is there any kind of copywrite mark or watermark, "what is not forbidden, its legal"!
      No offense intended, but this is some of the worst advice I see on this topic. Kind of like a shopkeeper - if it isn't in a locked case, is it free to steal just because others shoplift?

      If you truly believe in this advice, are you willing to indemnify anyone following it who gets a bill from Getty Images or another image owner? Didn't think so...

      As far as the YouTube/Vimeo thing, if you embed them using the code provided on the site, you're fine. People who upload videos and allow embedding grant the site a broad license, including the right to distribute via their embed code.
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      • Profile picture of the author savidge4
        Photos I'm not even going to get into. My personal take, if I don't take them, i don't use them.

        Videos? well that is another ball game. If the video is legitimately there then it is free to use, using the linkage available.

        here is my personal favorite

        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YyYV0TBY3rU
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        Success is an ACT not an idea
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  • Profile picture of the author Zeus66
    Places like flickr.com and google.com/images have advanced search options where you can narrow the search to only find images you can use commercially.

    At Flickr you run your search normally, then click the Advanced Search link at the top and scroll down to the Creative Commons area and check the boxes, then click Search again.

    At google.com/images, you run your search normally, then click the little gear icon in the upper right, then select Advanced Search. Scroll down to the usage rights area and use the drop-down menu to select the appropriate option.
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    • Profile picture of the author Coel19
      Originally Posted by Zeus66 View Post

      Places like flickr.com and google.com/images have advanced search options where you can narrow the search to only find images you can use commercially.

      At Flickr you run your search normally, then click the Advanced Search link at the top and scroll down to the Creative Commons area and check the boxes, then click Search again.

      At google.com/images, you run your search normally, then click the little gear icon in the upper right, then select Advanced Search. Scroll down to the usage rights area and use the drop-down menu to select the appropriate option.
      This is one of the most helpful thing I've seen on Warrior Forum yet! I had no idea about this!
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  • Profile picture of the author wordpressmania
    I personally use pixabay.com for images. Check their privacy policy as well before using their images.
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  • Profile picture of the author GuruGazette
    When you don't want to (or can't) spend the money, then you must spend the time. It takes a lot of time to find good pictures on the free sites, then even more time tracking down the legitimate owner and verifying use permissions. When you don't want to spend the time and/or your time is more valuable, you spend the money. Not sure any business becomes successful with the first option...
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    • Profile picture of the author Zeus66
      Originally Posted by GuruGazette View Post

      When you don't want to (or can't) spend the money, then you must spend the time. It takes a lot of time to find good pictures on the free sites, then even more time tracking down the legitimate owner and verifying use permissions. When you don't want to spend the time and/or your time is more valuable, you spend the money. Not sure any business becomes successful with the first option...
      Sure they do. Plenty of IM'ers work alone and do quite well selling their own products or services. I've spent as long as 20 hours just finding images for a sales page or video, for example. 20 hours is nothing if what I sell earns me 4 or even 5 figures in profit.

      Your point is well taken about time vs. money, but not all businesses are big operations with payrolls and segmented areas of responsibility. Some of us (most, I'd venture to guess) are one-person shows and we like it that way.
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  • Profile picture of the author GuruGazette
    Absolutely. I'm also the sole owner of the show and no way will I change that. I do use time and money in ways that bring the best ROI though, and that means I pay others for certain things. Outsourcing, buying rights, licensing tools/software etc.
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  • Profile picture of the author JRJWrites
    Go to Welcome to Flickr - Photo Sharing, search your keywords, click on "Advanced Search" and tick the "only Creative Commons" checkbox. Search again, and use whatever image you like with credit to the Flickr user who provided it.

    Or, go to The Leading Source Of Free Stock Photos - stock.xchng, grab any photo you like, and credit it to the owner.
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  • Profile picture of the author Stuart Walker
    I use photodune and pay $1. Works for me.
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    • Profile picture of the author DConny1
      Thank you everyone for your replies. Lots of useful information!
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  • Profile picture of the author ryanbiddulph
    I find a gazillion free images at freedigitalphotos.net, try them!
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    Ryan Biddulph helps you to be a successful blogger with his courses, manuals and blog at Blogging From Paradise
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    • IF your goal is to not pay a dime, then you don't have to. But that dime or dollar you could have spent could keep you out of a world of trouble. There are businesses who make a living out of hunting down images and getting money from the users who have broken the usage rules.

      And its a lot more than a dime.

      Kozzi has a decent site with reasonable prices. Really all it takes is one C&D letter to realize it is not worth the time or trouble or money to not get your licenses in order.
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