5 Cool Spring Break Photos

 Design  No Responses »
Jan 232013
 

Hello again designers, bloggers, and image searchers!

If you live in the northern latitudes, it is probably pretty cold where you are right now. Coming soon to a beach not so far away, is a little thing called Spring Break. Whether we are referring to college students migrating south for a week of fun in the sun, or families hitting the beach during Easter vacation, it is big business for the travel industry.

So as you put together your articles and layouts, you will probably be in need of Spring Break Photos. That’s what we are looking at today. We’ve put together a list of 5 excellent royalty-free, high quality stock images focusing on the Spring Break phenomena that you can easily drop into your layouts.

All of these images are Fair Trade Images, which come from the Warmpicture Images project. Warmpicture is the only stock images agency founded by, and run by the artists themselves. Fair Trade refers to the artists receiving a minimum 50% commission each sale (iStockphoto gives their artists as little as 15%). Because Warmpicture does not have shareholders, and a large amount of company overhead, Warmpicture is able to offer images at significant discounts to large stock agencies.

Let’s get right to it. Here are our 5 favorite Spring Break Photos, ready for any article, advertisement, or graphic design layout dealing with warm weather vacations and Spring Break.

teens-on-beach

Teens on the Beach – by Mandy Godbehear. This image depicts two pretty, natural teens on a tropical beach enjoying the sun while listening to their mp3 players.

lone palm tree

The perfect tropical beach photo. This image by Katrina Brown shows a pristine beach, with clear blue waters, and a lone palm for impact and interest. The beach photo has plenty of copy space.

Child at Ocean

Here’s a fantastic beach vacation image! Luis Santos brings us this excellent photograph, depicting a boy with snorkeling gear getting ready to enter the beautiful blue waters of a tropical beach. Lots of copy space here to get your message across.

Sunrise Silhouette of Palm Trees

Here is an image which you can melt into. This photo captures the silhouette of a grove of palm trees against the setting sun over the ocean waters off Hawaii. This spring break photo will make you feel the warmth of the tropics.

surf boards on spring break

Surf’s Up! Steve Cukrov captured these colorful surf boards at the beach. The colors are very complimentary, and the blue background waters and puffy cumulus clouds tell a great story about the fun that awaits.

These are our personal favorites, but there are plenty more where that came from. The Warmpicture Images Project has an entire category’s worth of travel images. We recommend you also check out the Fun and Leisure category, or simply use the Search Box to zero in on exactly what you are looking for.

That’s all for today. Remember to support Fair Trade when searching for stock images. See you at the beach!

Artists Fight Back: D-Day for iStockphoto and Google?

 Stock Photography, Warmpicture Updates  No Responses »
Jan 212013
 

On February 2nd 2013, a large group of artists and photographers will be deactivating their photos and images at iStockphoto. The movement began on the Microstockgroup forums, in a message board thread which as of today has been read 12,000 times. There is also a call for many artists exclusive to iStockphoto to give up their exclusivity and become “free agents” on this day.

Boxer punch

Artists are Fighting Mad at Google and Getty. Photographer: Diego Cervo

The decision to deactivate images is the result of perceived transgressions by Getty owned iStockphoto toward its artists over the past three years.

In September 2010, iStockphoto announced it would begin paying its contributors as little as a 15% commission while keeping the rest for themselves. Even the most successful of photographers such as Yuri Arcurs would receive no more than a 20% commission on each image downloaded.

In December 2012, it became apparent that Getty and  iStockphoto had cut a deal with Google where some contributors’ photos were used to fund the Google Images stock library under Google Drive.

In this latest slight to artists’ rights, Google announced on its blog that it was offering 5000 free stock images for use in documents, presentations, and so on. However there was no mention of where the images had come from, nor to whom the rights belonged. It turned out the images had come from Getty and iStockphoto, with little or no compensation to the artists to whom the rights belonged.

Even in cases where it could be shown that the artist received compensation for one sale, the images are being marketed by Google for free use by anyone in unlimited projects. A microstock license typically states that only one user has the right to utilize an image per sale. It is conceivable that thousands of sales per image have been lost to each artist. Further, the move by Google and Getty significantly devalued the work of the artists by putting a $0 price tag on each item.

A firestorm of angry artists took to the iStockphoto message boards in response. The debate has since spread to independent message boards such as Microstockgroup, and to the popular media.

Anger Turns to Action

While Getty is digging in its heels and putting its lawyers at the forefront of the message board debate, many artists have simply had enough of the transgressions and are now planning to do something about it.

Lisa F. Young, better known to designers as LisaFX, is upset with the deal between Google and Getty.  One of microstock’s most successful image producers, Lisa’s images have been used in numerous national advertising campaigns and featured on Late Night with David Letterman and ABC World News Tonight.

“Getty has gone too far in using our images without permission or adequate compensation.  Contributors really need to work together to send a powerful message about protecting our copyrights.  I plan to deactivate at least 500 images from Istockphoto on Feb 2 D-Day.  That will be a first step.  If Getty does not respond satisfactorily to contributor concerns, many of us will have to reconsider whether it is worthwhile to continue any business relationship with them at all, ” says Lisa.

Arguably one of the most famous stock image producers in the world, Yuri Arcurs also took his concerns to the Microstockgroup forum discussion. “Any deal that Getty is getting money in their pocket for, made possible by my (and your images), but that we do not collect a royalty on, is a scandal and deserves attention,” wrote Yuri. Arcurs started his own website, PeopleImages to sell his images direct to the public rather than watch agencies continue to devalue his work.

Founder of the Microstockgroup forums, and one of the most respected voices in microstock, Tyler Olson is also participating in the deactivation at iStockphoto. To anyone who thinks the deactivation will not make a difference, he disagrees.

“It will make a BIG difference to me and my images.  My images will no longer be licensed through an agency who is willing to let my images be given away from free.  That is the big difference I’m trying to make.  Anything more is bonus.  Having everyone remove their images on the same day may or may not raise iStock’s proverbial eyebrow but no matter what, it will save my portfolio from being given away for free.”

What Can You Do?

While contributors raise the specter of a mass image deactivation on February 2nd, they continue to wait for a reasonable answer from Google and Getty for how they intend to compensate artists for lost wages.

But you can act now.

Many stock artists have formed their own websites to offer their images, and ensure they keep the earnings rather than giving the lion’s share to agencies. By choosing to download stock images direct from these artists, you will be directly supporting the efforts of artists while taking power from mega stock agencies. The same way many of us choose to purchase our food direct from area growers at a local farmer’s market, we are now able to do the same with stock images.

We have compiled a list of known websites which offer stock images direct to the public from the artists. Our own Warmpicture Images Collective incorporates images from many artists under one umbrella, the same way a farmer’s market comprises multiple growers. We encourage you to not only begin doing business directly with these artists, but also to spread the word to other users of stock images so that the balance of power shifts away from the agencies, to the artists.

Artist Direct Stock Image Sources

Warmpicture Images

LisaFX Stock Photography

My Stock Vectors

Real Stock Photos

People Images

Clip Art Candy

Jareso Stock Database

Vectorella

Denis Pepin Stock Images

Travelling Light

ElenaPhoto

About Photostock

Steve Cascoly

Rudersdalfoto

Sweetsham Illustrations

Pixels Away

Photostockit

Photogenic

Fotoroad

 

 

Architectural Photography: 7 Brilliant Images

 Photography, Stock Photography  No Responses »
Jan 092013
 

Architecture can be traced back to 10000 BC and the Neolithic Period. It has not been nearly so long that photographers have captured the wonders of architecture in their camera lenses.

Visionary photographer Frederick Evans is largely credited with influencing future architectural photography. His famous photograph The Sea of Steps utilized perspective and a strong sense of place.

Modern photographers have continued to push the envelope when it comes to architectural photography. Capturing the nuance of color in architecture, shape, pattern, and contrast has enhanced the art form and provided inspiration to the art community. Today, we look at 7 brilliant examples of architectural photography and credit the talented photographers who captured these images. All of these images are royalty-free, and would make fantastic wall art or graphic design elements.

wall-of-colors

A Wall of Colors – photographed by Shi Yali

brooklyn bridge

The Brooklyn Bridge, one of the world’s most famous bridges. Captured in monochrome to enhance its lines. By Ron Sumners.

Ceramic Tiles Architecture

Shape and Leading Lines are at work in this photograph of Ceramic Tiles architecture. Photo by Shi Yali.

Light Painting and Architectural Photography

A wild combination of light painting and architectural photography. This brilliant image of a parking garage at night utilizes time lapse and perfect exposure. Photo by Katrina Brown

Light at the End of the Tunnel

The proverbial “Light at the End of the Tunnel” has a subtle twist in this image, which utilizes a slight camera tilt to add drama to the leading lines. Silhouettes of a man and boy lend additional interest. By Shi Yali.

The Old Church

A good choice for architectural photography is an edifice with character. This old church standing in isolation is enhanced by the clear path leading toward it, and the sense of nothingness surrounding. By Laurin Rinder.

Spooky castle

The combination of an eerie blue lighting and the presence of the moon emphasize the architectural details of this old castle. Photography by Clivia.

When capturing architecture in your photography, consider shapes and leading lines and how they lead the viewer’s eyes into the picture. Sometimes a slight tilt to the camera can emphasize the strength of patterns. Utilize side lighting, which best captures contrast, when emphasizing the strength and details of the architecture.

For a much larger selection of images, we invite you to browse our architectural photography category at Warmpicture.

Paul Simonon of The Clash – Redefining Music, Design, and Art

 Design, Guest Articles  1 Response »
Nov 072012
 

Early Years

Paul Simonon, best known as bass guitarist with punk band the Clash, was born in Croydon 15th December 1955 and grew up in Brixton, South London. He attended schools where his contemporaries were mainly African American and so developed a love of soul and Caribbean music. He also had a passion for art and showed talent as a painter winning a scholarship to the Byam Shaw School of Art.

Moving into Music

Paul Simonon

Paul Simonon of The Clash. Photo by Rama

Whilst still at art school Simonon became interested in music and decided to audition as a singer for local band London SS. He failed to get the position but struck up a friendship with the band’s guitarist Mick Jones who taught Simonon to play the guitar.

Paul was not a natural musician and initially struggled to learn the instrument prompting Jones to teach him bass guitar instead. The pair then recruited guitarist and singer Joe Strummer and formed the Clash, a name conjured up by Simonon after reading an article in a newspaper. Paul dropped out of Art school in his second year to pursue his music career.

The Clash

Unable to properly play Bass at the inception of the Clash, Simonon was mainly responsible for the artistic aspects of the bands efforts, the clothing, staging and promotional material.

The band’s image was an important part of their appeal and Simonon was to become punk’s pin-up boy. The group quickly developed a following on the growing punk scene with their distinctive sound underpinned by Simonon’s reggae influenced bass lines.

They were signed by Epic in 1977 finding immediate success with their first two albums, “The Clash” and “Give ‘Em Enough Rope”. The third album “London Calling” established the outfit as one of the world’s premier punk bands and the cover, featuring Simonon smashing his guitar, is one of the punk era’s most enduring images.

Rock The Casbah

The band released three further albums, “Sandanista!” “Combat Rock” and “Cut the Crap”, the latter after the departure of Mick Jones whose relationship with the other band members fell apart. Simonon played bass on the majority of the Clash’s tracks but notably not on “Rock the Casbah” one of the group’s most successful recordings. He was known for playing white Fender Precision basses and used his artistic talent to decorate these, but was once given a Black Rickenbacher by Patti Smith, which he also decorated but did not much like.

Demise of the Clash

The Clash parted company in 1986. Simonon went on to form the short lived Havana 3am before joining Damon Albarn’s project The Good, The Bad and The Queen. He collaborated with Albarn and Mick Jones on the Gorillaz album “Plastic Beach” and was the bass player on the live tour to promote the album.

Return to Art

Paul Simonon has now returned to his first love, Art and painting for a living. He admits to not having made a fortune with The Clash, “People think if you’ve got a number one single you’re loaded. But I have to make a living. This is not some sort of feet-up, chuck paint around thing”. He has designed album covers and has had several gallery exhibitions, with one of his works being bought by Lily Allen for £23,500.

Much of his work portrays his home city, London, and is painted outside from rooftops. He also produced a series of pieces inspired by bull fighting following a trip to Madrid. It is doubtful that he will return to music and has said “To be honest I’ve got to the stage now where I just want to paint – I’ve done my time with the music”.

Activist

In 2011 Paul joined a Greenpeace mission aboard the MV Esperanza. The mission was in protest at Cairn Oil’s drilling in the Arctic. He joined the ship’s crew undercover as an assistant cook and joined other activists in illegally boarding one of Cairn’s rigs. He was arrested and spent two weeks in prison. Only after this was his true identity revealed to the rest of the crew who declared him to be hard working and an excellent cook !

About the Author

Peterborough Music offer a great range of bass guitars  if you want to ‘rock the casbah!’

The Perfect Colors For Your Website

 Design, Guest Articles  No Responses »
Oct 082012
 

Success or failure of your website depends on a few factors. It is clear that the primary role belongs to the building of a website and its content. But what can be even more important – the colors used in the design of your site.
Designing a site is more about wise selection of colors, because they are the first thing that users respond to. Color has a strong psychological impact, subconsciously affects our choice, and in the case of the proper choice may cause the desire to return to the resource and use a suggested service or a product.

The importance of a competent selection of color scheme for a website escapes the attention of a vast number of designers. Color scheme is one of the main components of a website and it is simply obliged to reflect the features of your brand. Colors may keep your visitors on the website as well as make them leave. There are a lot of websites with excellent design and perfectly chosen content, but even an average user immediately feels that something is wrong when he sees a site with the wrong color scheme.

That’s why a designer should always be very attentive to the color scheme. The first impression which your web site will create depends on it. If you feel that the color scheme is not entirely successful, you need to reconsider it as soon as possible. If you do not like it, so your visitors will not like it too. Different colors have different effects on our emotional and physical conditions. They can cause both positive and negative emotions.

It’s obvious that the final decision to buy a product or a service is made under the influence of the properly chosen color as well as of other site features. So every website development company should put its eyes to the implementation of design with understanding that color is a powerful marketing tool. A designer who can manage colors and understands how color affects the emotions and feelings of a person, is able to develop a truly successful website design, which will make the right impression on the user even in his first visit.

To help you correctly navigate in the world of colors, we want to recall the values and properties of the primary colors:

Red is the most eye-catching and attention attracting color. It is active, energetic and aggressive, associated with fire, passion, life and activity. It can be frustrating as well as exciting; it can give strength, but may cause concern. Everyone sees a different red. It is better to use the red color with cool shades (blue, green, etc.) in the website design.

Red color urges people to make a quick decision. So if you need quick results, it’s good to use red. This color will be great for male site.

design color example

Orange color helps to get rid of unpleasant emotions, helps in communication, and gives buoyancy. Orange has some properties of red and yellow as it is located between these two colors.

This color is usually used on websites for young people and teenagers. Orange also fueling the appetite of the person, so it is perfect for cooking resources or website that promotes a restaurant. Slout people do not like this color, so better don’t use it for portal about diets, weight-loss etc.

Yellow is the color of the sun, fun, ease and freedom. It improves mood, helps to generate new ideas. The site with the yellow color creates an ease and lightness in the visitor’s mood.

Yellow motivates to communicate, meet new people and journey. It is best to use on portals about dating. Married and pregnant women like this color so it will be great choice for female website.

Dark blue – is a calm and wise color. It creates the feeling of security and stability. It helps to focus and realize the ideas. Do not tire your eyes. In the site’s design it is recommended to combine the blue color with other colors and more neutral shades.

The blue color of any shade is perfect for informational, educational, financial and legal sites. Dark shades of it can be used in the sports and political projects.

Blue – is the color of sincerity and peace. It gives creativity and helps you to get used to the changes.

Light shades of blue will be the great choice for sites about health or leisure (as this color symbolizes the sky, air, water and cleanliness).

Green – is the color of nature. It embodies harmony, goodness and naturalness. It has a relaxing effect.

Green color is often associated with money and power. So, it is used on corporate sites and sites related to the financial sector.

Gray – is a neutral color. It causes no strong emotional reactions. It is respectable, cold and formal. Usually gray is used for information portals and social networks.

Black – is associated with some mystery and conservatism. It commands respect and gives you a feeling of dignity and authority.

If you decide to use in site design this rigorous, conservative color, it will emphasize the seriousness of this resource, which is recommended for the so-called business sites.

 

A few tips on color mixing:

The main requirement for a pair of colors for text and background is enough contrast between colors for comfortable, fatigue-free reading.

Usually colored web-pages can be divided into two groups: those with a dark text on a light background and a light text on the dark background. The latter is much more popular than the first (if we ignore the traditional black and white pages that have a significant majority).

An example of a typical solution is dark text on light background.


The second type of colors refers to the light text on a dark background. In this case, it will be advantageous to choose a bright and rich tone of the text, which, of course, requires a dark background. An example:

And a site that compiles both approaches at once:


Colors in web design is an extensive, multifaceted and even paradoxical theme. Any talented web designer has a distinctive, recognizable “color style”. It is shown up not in a commitment to certain tones, but in the relation to colors, individual manner of contrast and harmonization of similar colors. That is why it is very important to be ensured that website development company that is working on your site is highly professional and has a number of skilled designers.

Any website development company should take into account all the nuances to provide the visitors of their websites with the most magnificent, stunning and memorable design. Properly chosen color scheme will create a favorable atmosphere, encourage visitors to certain actions, or will create the necessary feeling and impression.

About the Author

Zfort Group is an exclusive software outsourcing company based in Ukraine, Eastern Europe. Zfort Group delivers premium IT outsourcing services for clients from all over the worlds since 2000. All kinds of web development, consulting and B2B solutions were implemented in numerous successfully developed projects. Zfort Group is an excellent IT outsourcing service provider for the businesses of any kind and size.

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