Who can I get images from?

[Book cover shake down]

I recently had a letter from Getty which I have dealt with. So my question is: when I want to get decent images, who is a reputable company that is known to have the appropriate licences (so that I don't have to then deal with Getty et al. again), and has the ethics to not use extortion type tactics for alleged infringers? Do we have a good company list? I want to reward companies who play fair.

[Greg Troy (KeepFighting)]

Here is a thread from a while back where Jerry Witt made a list of companies.

http://www.extortionletterinfo.com/forum/getty-images-letter-forum/list-of-public-domain-stock-footage-companies/

I recently had a letter from Getty which I have dealt with. So my question is: when I want to get decent images, who is a reputable company that is known to have the appropriate licences (so that I don't have to then deal with Getty et al. again), and has the ethics to not use extortion type tactics for alleged infringers? Do we have a good company list? I want to reward companies who play fair.

[Jerry Witt (mcfilms)]

If you decide you wish to purchase royalty free microstock photography, I urge you to consider Pond5.com and avoid iStockPhoto.com. iStock is owned by Getty Images and it makes no sense to feed the trolls (financially speaking). Furthermore, the photography on Pond5 is as good as what iStock offers, and their pricing is lower. I have checked with a couple Pond5 reps and they have stated that they do not participate in the practice of trolling and don't send out demand letters. As far as I can see, that is true.

[Book cover shake down]

Good information, thanks.

[Oscar Michelen]

Buy a good digital camera and take them yourself!

[Jerry Witt (mcfilms)]

I agree with this in general. But sometimes you really need a picture of a hot air balloon or a shark. In THOSE cases I suggest either a.) using stock footage that is from a legitimate US site that claims it is in the public domain -- and document that source meticulously; or b.) use a fair microstock company that doesn't threaten to sue their customers and keep your receipts.

Sure, neither of these guarantees that some copyright troll won't claim ownership and hassle you. But they seem to do it anyway. We've heard reports of them hassling people that obtained images from paid for templates, and even licensed images that just barely went over their license period.

So by all means, if it's a simple image, shoot it yourself. If it is more complex, their are plenty of resources.

[Greg Troy (KeepFighting)]

Great advice as always Jerry!

I agree with this in general. But sometimes you really need a picture of a hot air balloon or a shark. In THOSE cases I suggest either a.) using stock footage that is from a legitimate US site that claims it is in the public domain -- and document that source meticulously; or b.) use a fair microstock company that doesn't threaten to sue their customers and keep your receipts.

Sure, neither of these guarantees that some copyright troll won't claim ownership and hassle you. But they seem to do it anyway. We've heard reports of them hassling people that obtained images from paid for templates, and even licensed images that just barely went over their license period.

So by all means, if it's a simple image, shoot it yourself. If it is more complex, their are plenty of resources.