Obtaining Images

Covered:

Copyright Laws

Methods of obtaining images:

Free Images (or very cheap!):

On CD;
On the Internet;
Scanned Images and Cameras.

Stock (non-free) Images:

On CD;
On the Internet.

An alternative source is from public domain / shareware software libraries. Image discs are plentiful, although watch out for some of them - image quality can be variable, and of dubious legality. But many are very good ways to obtain a vast array of images, of various subjects, for some small fee.

Another way of obtaining images is to read computer magazines. Periodically, they will provide images on the cover CD from a stock image library. These are usually high-quality images intended as a sample of the library, but they still make an easy way to add to your image collection. You don't have any choice on the subject matter, but a few high quality images for the price of a magazine (which can make for a good read while Windows boots) is not bad.

One other way, is to have your photos developed and placed on a PhotoCD. (Or a photo floppy disk.) A PhotoCD is often expensive, but the quality is excellent. And, nothing beats using your own images.

Free Images on the Internet

(The 3D scanning ability is quite a feature these days. I believe all it means is that the scanhead isn't focused to a single point level with the glass. Strangely, even my old HP ScanJet IIcx can do 3D scans.)

For capturing real-world objects, a camera has to be the real way to go. Either a normal camera with scanned prints, or by using a digital camera and a direct link to the computer. Scanning your photos will usually yield a higher resolution than a digital camera (for the time being), but a digital camera will probably be sufficient for most non-commercial use. If your camera is non-digital, you can have photos developed and placed on PhotoCD - see Free Images on CD, above.

The only real problem with Stock CD images, is the file format may not be ideal for you. Corel CDs tend to be unusual - at least, on the sampler CD I have, the CD is a normal format, but the images are all supplied as PhotoCD images. This is good for the multiple resolutions of images it provides you with, but a pain if your software doesn't support PCD images. (Mine does.)

Stock Images on the Internet

And before anyone thinks of it, the preview images are usually watermarked with some hard-to-remove copyright message, so it isn't worth trying to filch them.