Web Graphics & Stock Photos
Web Graphics | Stock Photos | Colour & Backgrounds
Licensing
Websites have moved towards much larger photos and graphics than previously.
The use of very large graphics and video have changed how sites are built, and created even greater demand for variety and quality of illustrations.
This page discusses the use of graphics and stock photography as well as the use of colour on websites.
Web Graphics
Web graphics include illustrations, infographics and similar graphic content.
Unlike photos, these are generally specific to the point you're illustrating within your text.
Background images are a different category and are covered under the section on colour.
Illustrations
Illustrations can include drawings, screen captures, diagrams and other content that makes the page content easier to understand.
You'll see such illustrations on a number of pages on this site.
Infographics
Infographics can provide your visitors with a new way to view information about your product or service.
These are generally large images that incorporate an entire series of ideas displayed in graphic text and illustrations that can be shared with friends and contacts.
An example is this infographic (only a portion is shown):
Notice how colour and the bold use of text and images can communicate a lot in a small space and is more compelling than text alone.
Meet an Emotional Need
Infographics require some thought and work best when they satisfy an emotional need as well as a technical one.
Infographics are quite complex and should be created by skilled graphic artists.
Stock Photography
Registration or membership required to download or purchase images many stock photography sites.
Royalty-free is Not Free
Be sure you understand the licence terms for any images you purchase.
Royalty-free, or RF, refers to the right to use copyrighted material or intellectual property without the need to pay royalties or license fees for each use or per volume sold, or some time period of use or sales.
— Wikipedia
Standard Stock Photo Sites
The stock photos on these sites require you to purchase a licence. Some may provide free images, but those are often for personal use only.
- Adobe Stock includes content previously on Fotolia.
- Can Stock Photo has affordable royalty-free stock photography.
- Dreamstime provides a wide range of stock photography and high quality digital images at affordable prices.
- Fotosearch royalty free and rights managed stock photography, illustrations, maps, video, and audio.
- GoGraph inexpensive royalty-free stock photography, illustrations and footage.
Free Stock Photography
Be sure to read the conditions of use for the images on these sites. Unless specifically stated, images cannot be used on commercial sites or projects. Some require a link back to the site hosting the image.
- Freeimages.
- Pexels.
- Pixabay.
- Public Domain Pictures.
- Unsplash free stock photos.
Boycott Getty Images
I do NOT recommend using Getty Images. They are not only extremely expensive, but have engaged in practices that are unethical if not illegal.
Upon information and belief, Getty has been carelessly and recklessly acquiring content, not doing due diligence and not taking adequate measures to prevent infringement as well as falsifying/removing proper copyright management information. In fact, its aggressive acquisition schedule is possible only at the expense of others' rights.
— Richard Liebowitz.
Photographer Billed for Her Own Images
After sending Carol Highsmith a letter demanding payment for the use of her own images which she'd donated to the public domain, Getty claimed to have the right to charge for images on the same basis as publishers of public domain books.
Getty licensed the images from a Chinese company that purchased Corbis, founded and owned by Bill Gates, which was charging $110 (for internal use only) to $1,735 for TV and Internet for images that could be downloaded for free from the Library of Congress.
Their actions are clearly contrary to the conditions under which the photographer released them to the public domain and contrary to the spirit of public domain, if not illegal.
Publishers of public domain materials may be able to charge for their products, but they don't have the right to sue others for using or selling those same materials.
Getty may charge for public domain images, but those images should be clearly marked as public domain (like public domain books indicate on their copyright page).
Billing the original author shows total disregard for the kindness of that gift and ignorance of the what public domain means.
Colour and Backgrounds
Be careful when using backgrounds and colour schemes while developing your site.
- Color schemes: How to choose your aesthetic color palette.
- Colour Meaning — what various colours signify.
Some colours may have unexpected emotional or cultural impacts as well as creating issues for those that have various forms of colour-blindness.
- Color Vision 1 in 12 people have some sort of color deficiency.
- Color Meaning, Symbolism and Psychology: What do different colors mean?
- Colour Symbolism.
Software
- Lunacy is a free Windows app for graphical design with full support for .sketch files.
Other Resources
- Apps, Tools, and Resources — for everything they never taught you in art school.
- Mighty Deals offers time-limited specials, including royalty-free images at a discount for use on commercial projects.
