Free photograph resources for mixed media artists and personal projects are only a mouse click away online, thanks to the dedication of other artists and collectors willing to share their finds. The range of subjects is broad, with images gleaned from forgotten family archives to public domain historic photos.
From colorized antique photos to Jazz Age beauties, the treasure trove of images made available for personal artistic use is impressive. Artists are requested to respect the rules of the individual sites or image holders, however, with regards to the use and credit of each image.
Most of the images are available in an easy format for downloading and printing, but other may need resizing before artists can incorporate them into small or medium-sized projects.
Free Antique Photos and Ephemera
Altered antique images, old-fashioned postcards, and unusual family photos from the past abound on Art-E-Zine. A British-based site, the images are listed by collection according to contributing artist or collector. The pages are easily navigated, revealing a vast collection of photographic images and art ephemera provided for personal craft use.
From 1920's glamour photos and colorized antique images to quaint Japanese Geisha postcards, the materials appeal to collage and mixed media artists with their old-fashioned charm and obviously vintage appearance. Elements of age and damage visible on some materials add to the charm of several of the photographs and postcards offered by collectors.
Art-E-Zine requests that regular patrons of their site consider making a yearly donation to help with upkeep and site maintenance; they also request that images not be bundled for resale.
Public Domain Historic Images
History buffs with an artistic bent will be inspired by the number of public domain historical photos made available for personal use or private display. A traditional haven for these photos is Wiki Commons, the image version of Wikipedia that boasts a range of topics, including antique photographs, illustrations, and postcards.
From photos of suffragettes marching for women's rights to photos of Irish grannies spinning yarn, artists can find both the famous and the obscure among public domain photos. Citation information or original sources are included for internet use.
While the photos and other images are listed as public domain in the U.S., they may still be guarded by copyright laws in other countries, something artists outside the U.S. should consider when utilizing this resource for their personal projects.
Using Vintage Photographs Responsibly
Free electronic photograph sources and vintage public domain image pools allow artists to use vintage and antique images without cutting apart or damaging the original copies. They also allow artists and collectors to share their resources with others in exchange for a little credit or a promise of not-for-profit use.
Obey the guidelines for image use posted on each site, in order to preserve the positive relationship between contributor and user. Respecting the rules of image sharers will ensure that vintage and antique photographs remain available resources for others to use in the future.
Sarah Briggs - For the last two years, I have designed primitive dolls and folk art sculptures (such as Edwin Drood and the Ghost of Marley) for Cordwood ...
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