Resources for using photos as BGs?

[MondayMagic]

Hello everyone,

If I can't find a background artist for a project I'm working on, I'm either going to have to draw the backgrounds myself or use photos and doctor them up with filters and effects.

I'm looking for western European styled scenery, with cobblestone streets and sort of a rustic feel to them--nothing too high tech. Most of the story will also take place in a large academy/boarding school with dorm rooms.

I could easily just rip pictures I see offline, but I also don't want to run into any trouble :/ I intend for this game to be free, so I wouldn't be using any images for commercial purposes.

Any advice? Thanks guys!

[Green Glasses Girl]

As a general rule, you should never use an image you find online unless you have the permission of the artist/photographer/creator, even if your work is non-commercial. There are plenty of resources that you can use for free, like Wikimedia Commons, but read their guide on reusing their images (as there are some exceptions.)

[MondayMagic]

Thanks! I didn't even think about Wikipedia.

I know not to use random images, but some are so close to my original mental image it's awfully tempting, haha.

[Green Glasses Girl]

Thanks! I didn't even think about Wikipedia.

You cannot take images from Wikipedia as those are usually credited in the footnotes of those pages/entries. Wikimedia is the free image database. Don't get the two confused!

[MondayMagic]

Haha, thanks again!! I used the link you originally posted. Much appreciated : )

[Artcadia]

Another Alternative is 3D model software these have the advantage of being able to set angles of the camera in your own created set. You will still have to be careful as to the licensing of the models used though. Sometimes I use Sweethome3D http://www.sweethome3d.com/ to create basic ideas for drawing's background it's easy to create 3D layouts with although default files are mostly used for interior designs,although it is possible to import obj. files into it such as 3d models of European style architecture etc.

[Lesleigh63]

You could try stock resource photo material on deviant art.

[trooper6]

Depending on where you live, you could also take photos yourself. Head down to your local college, if you have one, and take some photos.

[dragondatingsim]

http://www.morguefile.com/ is an excellent resource for stock photos that are free for use for any purpose.

[Laluune]

Flickr is really good for finding free use images as well, make sure to set your license preference.

https://www.flickr.com/commons

[Alte]

There's a Europe category in Cepolina.
Photos can be downloaded for personal or commercial use, under three conditions.
- credit http://www.cepolina.com on your website
- do not use the images to clone this stock photo website
- do not link directly to the images of the website

Cepolina is an international site where you can browse photos by categories, translated into eighteen languages.