Deviation Actions
Literature Text
I like stock images. I like making them and I like using them. One important thing about using stock is having the right amount of rules. Too many and it becomes a pointless resource, too few and your work could be used for something you’d never want. In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to come up with your own rules and how to follow those of others. This tutorial is really meant for people who are new to the stock and manip world, but might still be helpful to those with only a little knowledge of it.
Part 1: Following the rules and avoiding pissing people off
Intro: You open your inbox one day to see a new comment on your first manip, from the creator of an image you used, and instantly you're filled with dread. They politely confront you, even complimenting your piece, about their stock. They kindly ask you to remove the stock, not take down whole image, but their photo due to a violation of their rules. Panicked, instead of just cropping out the small detail that is their stock, you take down the whole manip. This is every manip artists fear, but it is actually easily avoided.
Check to make sure its actually stock: I know this may seem stupid, but if you search stock without any category, you'll often get images that are not stock. Its best to search the stock category or look through stock groups. Its a good idea to get all of your stock from Deviantart. On a related note, just because a stock image isn't watermarked, doesn't mean its free to use.
Read all the rules: Don't skim, read them all. If its too restricted, just search more stock. The free stock usually has few restrictions. Remember, you are no more special than any other manip artist, and thus not an exception to any of the rules.
Post only on Deviantart: Most artists don't like their stock posted off-site, is easiest just to keep it on this site to avoid any drama.
Be wary when creating prints/commissions with stock: There are tons or artists who are fine with you making money off their stock, but even more that aren't. It should be very clearly stated if its allowed, but if it doesn't say not to, its best to use it only for personal work.
Credit everybody: Its common knowledge that you need to credit the artist who created the resource, but some do not realize that when using a premade background, you must credit the person who put it together and the stock they used. The stock used along with a link to each is usually acceptable.
Pieces should be visibly manipulated: If you do little to nothing to a stock image, its in a way art theft. You're taking credit for editing something when you did nothing, so at the very least play with the hue slider a bit.
Try using your own work, too: It's fun to combine the styles of others with that of your own, plus you never have to worry about how you use your own stock (I don't allow other people to use my stock for prints, but I'll do whatever the hell I want with it). Just make sure to add something like "All other resources are my own." to keep people from thinking you're not crediting.
Part 2: Creating your stock rules
Intro: Its understandable that you want to protect your stock, but when you become too over-protective, people are less likely to want to use your stock. And what's the point in that?
State everything clearly: If people don't see something there, the'll sometimes say that means they can do it. Make sure your rules are clear without obvious loopholes.
Pick which sites you want your stock used on: Many people will want their stock only used on Deviantart or judge off-site use on a case-by-case basis. This is perfectly fine and acceptable. You may also choose to let people use your stock wherever they want, but its a good idea not to allow it to be used on Instagram due to some sketchy policies they have.
Think about if you want your stock used for profit: You don't have to allow your stock to be used for prints or commissions. You can allow people to use all of it, some of it, or none of it for profit. You can even choose to allow them to only use it for point commissions if you want.
Do you want resources and redistribution?: Very few artists allow their stock to be posted on other sites, even if credit is given. As for resources, if you don't want people using your stock in premade backgrounds and tutorials, don't be afraid to say so.
Perhaps put a minimum on what editing has to be done for it to count as a manip: There are some people who will slightly crop some stock and call it a manip. Like I stated before in part 1, this is stealing in a way. Most people are decent enough not to do this, so you don't need to post it.
Don't go too power hungry: Most people will not allow their stock to be used in hate art, or mature content, that's perfectly fine. But when you add things like no macabre, no using it with stock you don't like, or no changing the appearance of the model in any way, your stock become less useful.
My other photo tutorials: Coming soon!
