Stock photos as references

[SharpKatsudon]

Hi guys!

So the other day somebody warned me that using google sketch up when you had a patreon or were intending to make your art commercial you couldn’t use the free stuff because of copyright issues.

So I’m now trying to find everything that’s needed to be known about legal comic creations and I was wondering, whenever you go on google and find these stock photos in images, If you use it as a reference and then sell your art, can you have copyright issues as well? I’ve always thought that these were specifically made to be used without any required licence by now I just don’t know ?

Thanks for reading me !

[Lillumae]

I think it really depends on how you're using references. Are you looking at beetles to try to understand proportions, features, how to draw your own? Or are you wanting to copy the image or aspects of it?

Not all stock images have the same usage rights and many are licensed so that you can only sell x quantity of work produced with them. The same goes with font usage.

I would just search for "royalty free" stock images or under search tools, check the usage box dialog and then double check the website the images are hosted on. Sometimes the person who owns the image will require a link back or credit, other times you can purchase usage rights, or use them for free without credit. There's a lot if variation, so I'd just verify the usage perimeters on the actual website.

[NickRowler]

I think with using references, you are using them to guide yourself, not copy. A lot of people suggest having multiple reference images in order to avoid pulling too much from one.

If you are copying, tracing, or using the image in your work, you have to pay royalties. Some royalty free stuff may have some restrictions and it is good to read the site to see what the rules say.

[rajillustration]

Usually the exact copyright is on the same page you found the photo. Some are fair use, most require you to buy a particular license to use it for sale. Of course, that's more for graphic design where you make little changes to the photo. If you're using it as a drawing reference, you have to make sure that you are being inspired by it, but not completely copying it. So make sure that the pose is different, that the faces are different--that it's actually really hard to tell that it was your reference.

Reference is good to use, but if you're very concerned, it's always best to take your own reference with your phone or something. As for 3d models--you can also check where you downloaded the models to see if they are fair use. Many of them are, especially if it's chairs or interior pieces that were intended to be used for a comic.

[SharpKatsudon]

Thanks for the answers ! It’s mainly for backgrounds or poses references, I think I’ll start using the CSP 3D model for poses and will try to find a free use resource for objects and buildings ! I’m not earning any money for my comics, but I do own a patreon so I guess that counts as commercial use!

[lanonym]

They probably aren't going to have time to get around to suing you.

[33rdCenturyCaveman]

Oh hai Greg Land. Me did not know you was on Tapas.

[lanonym]

Everyone in capes does it (since the days of yore), he just happened to get got : (.

[unknown_user]

I think, your purpose here is just to make the result different from the original picture in that degree, which will make it impossible for copywriters to see their exact picture behind it. I think that if only some poses or face expressions in your picture will be similar to the photo in general aspects, but the faces and characters themselves and all other things will be different, they will barely be eligible to sue you...