In today’s dynamic world, no one likes it black and white, be it a newspaper, project report, any blog and so on. All of us prefer attractive stuff, full of colorful content, pictures, videos, and graphs. We come across so many blogs and articles full of pictures which are both appealing and easy to understand.
Now, the question that arises here is that do the bloggers click those pictures for themselves or hire those high charging professional photographers for the purpose? Well, sometimes they do but most of the times, they do not. So from where do, they get what exactly they need? No, Google is not the answer this time.
Stock photos are high resolution, properly clicked, professional photographs of the most common landmarks, places, people, events or nature that can be used for both commercial as well as non-commercial purposes. The ownership lies with the photographer or the distributor, as the case maybe. Stock photography is one of the most cost efficient ways of yielding high quality photographs, one doesn’t require to spend that large sum of money which we usually pay to the professional photographers.
Here is a list of top 10 websites from where one can source stock photos:
1) Flickr Commons
If you are searching for free images having some set quality standards, then this is the site for you. The cherry on the cake is the Spokal attributes that it provides. Find the relevant image and apply Spokal, it will fix all the legal gibberish on your behalf which is simply awesome.
2) Negative Space
The limelight of this website is that it offers the photos without any copyright restrictions, implying you can use them as per your whims and fancies. It’s an ever growing collection of photos and just the right spot for you.
3) Pixabay
With a collection of around 42,000 images and counting, it is one of the top go to websites whenever you need stock photos. The image licenses are least confusing and therefore you can use the pictures without any hassle. The pictures are available for both commercial and personal use.
4) Stocksnap
Well, who would like to get into the complicated copyright agreements for using just a few photos? No one. This site not only offers the images without any copyright obligations but also keeps a tap on the most trending images that updates you about the most popular photos on this site. Also, it keeps a count of the number of views and downloads of every image.
5) Unsplash
This is the site that delivers what you need at your doorstep. You can subscribe to receive 10 new images every day which will be mailed directly to you. Although, we love to give the picture courtesy on social media but when it comes to work, we like to steal it and keep it to ourselves. This site lets you copy, download, alter and distribute the pictures without the need to give the credit.
6) Death to Stock
Ever been a part of a cool club at a minimal fee? No? Well, this is the site for you. It offers you membership, both normal and premium at reasonable rates. A new set of photos will be delivered straightaway to your mailbox every month if you become a part of this club.
7) Startup Stock Photos
Startups are common nowadays. With hundreds of startups beginning daily, they hit the right spot with a catchy name. This website offer a plenty of professional options irrespective of the industry the startup belongs to.
8) Snapwire Snaps
Who doesn’t like the free dessert along with the dinner? Snapwire not only offers the free dessert, here the dinner is only free. Not only does it deliver free images to your mailbox but also gives new offerings daily. The images are highly creative and are of every possible variety. No restrictions on the use is another plus point.
9) Pexels
With a constant addition of almost 10 new high resolution pictures on a daily basis, Pexels is rising up the ladder at a fast pace. Not only is their collection, highly customized because the team hand-picks almost every image that you see. And all this, without any restrictions on the usage.
10) Splitshire
Last, but definitely not the least, in this list is Splitshire that provides tons of amazing free images that you are allowed to use without any hassle or commercial restrictions. From some awesome portraits to amazingly sleek workstations, this site offers the perfect photo that you need without any trouble.
