Monday, November 17, 2008

Free Website and Blog Images?!



Along similar lines to a recent post of mine (Personal Use Licenses), I am now giving my images away for free! I have not lost my mind. Read on to see why, and how...

In my post about personal use licenses, I said that more people are using images online without a thought to the fact that they may be effectively stealing those images from photographers. One way to reduce the number of those images thefts (aka Copyright Infringement), is to reduce the image licensing fee for such personal, non-commercial use. However, there are still those who feel they should be able to use Intellectual Property online for free. Regardless of whether you agree with them or not, it happens, and will continue to happen. I say, if you can't beat them, join them (and not by stealing yourself!).

In response, I have now made some of my most popular images available for free to anyone that wishes to use them online. Thanks to the great folks at Photoshelter (who never cease to amaze me with the great features they come up with), anyone can now embed these images (think YouTube video style) in their website or blog, for free, with a few clicks. Here's how:

Free Website and Blog Photos Step OneClick on the arrow at the bottom right of the image or gallery you would like to embed in your blog or website.



Free Website and Blog Photos Step One

Free Website and Blog Photos Step TwoClick the "Copy Code" button next to "Embed".



Free Website and Blog Photos Step Two

Free Website and Blog Photos Step ThreePaste the code into your web page or blog. Enjoy!



Free Website and Blog Photos Step Three

They get their free (and legal) images, and I get great online exposure. If you click on the embedded image, it takes you straight to that image in my Photoshelter archive where you can purchase a commercial or personal use license, or buy a print of that image. Maybe an editor or art buyer will see my images and hire me, maybe someone will buy a print, or maybe not. Regardless, my images are out there being seen, and they will only spread with time. I'm totally stoked about the potential this brings to photographers... What do you think?

Sound off in the comments.

Here's a link to all of the images I'm currently making available: Free Website and Blog images

Here's what it looks like when they're embedded:



And it's not just limited to individual images. Here's a gallery of my Best of British Columbia images that anyone can use on their website or blog:




Cheers, Josh
Copyright © 2008 Josh McCulloch.

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