3 Reasons to Use Wikimedia for your Photo Needs

Sometimes, as a designer, we just plain need a photo of something and don't have the time to take it or money to buy it. This is especially true when mocking up a design for a client; why take the time or spend the money when you might be able to find something online that fits your purpose for free?

Check out Wikimedia Commons. You are probably already familiar with Wikipedia; Wikimedia is similar but based around media. Why use it? Why not just type something into Google Images? Why not just buy a quality Stock photo? Why not take your own photo? If you're like me, and you're a stubborn graphic designer, you probably already have a location you use for getting photos. So, I've prepared three reasons why you should start using Wikimedia Commons to try and sway you over to my side (the better than yours side).

Reason #1: It won't cost you anything!

There is no cost to using Wikimedia Commons, although you should consider donating to them. Even if you've got money to burn to go with stock photography; I urge you to always check Wikimedia Commons first. Don't get me wrong; chances are if it is on one of the premiere stock photo sites, it's a high quality picture and worth the money.. but why not use Wikimedia and have a chance at increasing your profit margin?

Entertain the idea of using Wikimedia photos to show your clients, especially for mockups and drafts.

Reason #2: You're legally allowed to do so!

While anyone can go to Google Images and search for the subject they're looking for, we can't be sure that we have the right as a designer to use just any photo. While that might not stop some of you, it is nice to have a source that has a decent supply of photos with many of them being public domain (okay for you to use freely).

Using a public domain photograph means a man in a suit will not be coming to your house and knocking your door down over copyright laws. You just never know what might happen if somebody recognizes their copyright photo in one of your designs.

I know what you're thinking. "I'll edit the shit out of it, and they'll never be able to tell!" While I'm sure you have the elite skills required to do so, I say it is better to not risk it. Using a public domain photo, one that you purchased, or even one that you took yourself will give you one less thing to worry about. Don't you think you have enough to worry about with all those songs and movie torrents you've been getting recently?

Reason #3: They've got an awesome library!

Wikimedia Commons has more than 8 million media files that anyone can contribute to or pull from. They have quite a few talented photographers that regularly contribute to the website, so it's always growing. There has only been a handful of times that I've visited Wikimedia Commons and not been able to find what I needed for a design, so I urge you to try it first before moving on to Google or wherever it is you go now for your photos.

What are you waiting for?

The site works just like Wikipedia or any other search-based site. Just type what you're looking for a picture of in the upper right corner and press enter. If you don't immediately see photos of your subject, make sure you pick "Multimedia" at the top.

Once you find a nice photo that you'd like to use, just be sure to check the licensing information before copying and pasting it into Photoshop. Wikimedia Commons makes this information easy to find. You'll have a host of public domain photos at your disposal as well as photos under various creative commons licenses. These latter licenses simply mean you have to give kudos to the photographer, and allow others to use your adaptation of the work as well.

So, next time you're in a pinch and need a photo of something, go to Wikimedia first. Chances are you'll find something you can use!