Mixcloud gives you room for an image to promote your mix - but where should you go to find good free images?
Digital DJ Tips reader Kaan writes: “I’ve recently made my first mixtape and uploaded it on Mixcloud. when I was doing so, Mixcloud said I can choose a picture to upload. However, I didn’t had a suitable image on my laptop so I uploaded it without an image for now.”
“That’s what me leads to my question: Where can I find images for my mixtapes without getting in trouble with copyright etc?”
Digital DJ Tips says:
Nice question. We use professional services to buy many of the pictures we use here on Digital DJ Tips, but there are a couple of tricks I know to find free images online, too.
If you go to Flickr you can specify in the advanced search to only use “Creative Commons” pictures…
If you go to Flickr you can specify in the advanced search to only use “Creative Commons” pictures, which are pictures that people don’t mind you using for free.
You’re meant to credit the photographers usually, and I’m not sure how you’d do that – maybe a quick picture credit in your mix description text. You can do a similar kind of search in Google Images.
But I’m sure our readers have more ideas, so I think this is a good point to throw it open.
So – over to you! We’d love to hear your tips about making your online music “look” good. Please share in the comments.
Now go to:
Why You Shouldn’t Post Your Mixes On SoundCloud
The Definitive Guide To Making a Mixtape – Part 1
5 Reasons Why DJs Should Make Mash-ups (Not Mixtapes) To Get Bookings
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I mentioned this yesterday! Guess I’m on the right track if the websites are talking about it as I think it. Also It was a discussion about how to attach photos to your music to use asa coverart. Got help from my Twitter supporters for that.
[ link ]Hi, nice question.
Recently I started to use deviantart.com. You can find some pretty cool images there. You can use an image, and then send a message or just post a comment to the author, saying that you are using his stock. Also you can post a link to his page on your mixtape. That way you are promoting his work, by using the image.
After all, I think there is no problem using any image you want as long as your mixtape is not for commercial use.
Here is a remix I made using an image from deviantart.com:
[ link ]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6tHvlYXk1c
or
http://soundcloud.com/dj-radoswave/rihanna-rude-boy-dnb-remix
You said:
“After all, I think there is no problem using any image you want as long as your mixtape is not for commercial use.”
WRONG!
This is a copyright myth. If you choose to go this route you will find just as much trouble as if you had lifted an image off Corbis or one of the other expensive stock agencies.
It does NOT matter whether your product is for commercial use or not. That is not an element a judge will use in deciding your penalties at trial. You will probably pay a fine based on how many downloads of your mix there were and the fact that you made NO MONEY from it will not matter. What is at stake is your use of someone else’s copyrighted work.
Call ANY copyright lawyer and s/he will verify this for you if you do not want to believe me.
Trust me, you are better off learning about Creative Commons licensing terms and sticking with those than snagging random images from the net.
dennis
[ link ]I guess you are right. But I dont think that somebody would sue you for just using their image if you dont make money out of it. There is so much people doing this and, at least in some european countries, nothing happens. But yeah, If they want to, I guess they could sue you…
[ link ]I totally agree with you that Creative Commons licensing is the best legal way
yeah, but is joe average going to care/find out if you use his cell phone picture of a cloud for your mix?
[ link ]deviantart.com would be a good option, it has creative commons art on there. If you want some photography, try 500px.com, though the HD copies are paid.
[ link ]When I was doing mixtape’s I used a company in the states to design the artwork for me. Mixtapes were a big thing and having great artwork helps. So you can approach graphic design companies, maybe you know someone who is handy with photoshop or someone in college or uni that is studying graphic design that may want to help you with it. If you find someone talented and you do regular mixtapes that could be regular work for the designer to get there work seen also.
[ link ]I use my own logo with every mixtape.
[ link ]I designed a pretty easy logo with cropping to letters together, and putting it in a circle. It looks quite nice actually. I use it on my facebook/twitter/mixcloud/soundcloud, so basically everywhere. When i upload mixtapes i only change the background color, and voila:
If you want to see it: http://www.mixcloud.com/Andre_Yenski/
Have you tried taking pictures with your cell phone? Any picture you take with your phone is yours, however there are some copyrighted items you won’t have rights to even of you take the image on your own.
[ link ]Have you tried taking pictures with your cell phone?
[ link ]Get a professional logo made, get some professional photographs of you taken, learn to use picture editing software enough to be able to make some of your own designs.. it’s cheaper and easier than it sounds.
[ link ]I always take a picture by myself and insert some effects to create an abstract image. Work pretty good. You can check the results in my podcast: http://ingosabage.podomatic.com or http://mixcloud.com/ingosabage
[ link ]Hello!
It’s not so hard, and it’s a pretty foolproof way to avoid copyright problems and stuff. Also, I think drawing is enjoyable too 
You can use Photoshop to manipulate you drawings and voilà!
[ link ]Actually, I usually draw my own artworks
But if you don’t want to, then I suggest deviantart.com. Although some arts there are real crap, loads of them are decent, and many are free, too
If you want, you can also specify the artist and his/her dA page. I’m sure he/she will appreciate it!
Hi, Frostybiite. Thanks for the tips. I agree with you, it’s always good to give credit to whomever creates some free resource you may happen to use.
[ link ]Just make your Own – use software like Adobe Illusturator and Photoshop
[ link ]You say “just” Saieash, but some of us (ie me!) have no visual arts skills at all…
[ link ]I would personally either design a logo myself (if you are pretty competent with graphic design) or get a graphic designer (there’s plenty, you most likely know one) to design a logo/album cover for your mixes. It’s not too hard, it just has to be eye catching and effective.
[ link ]Yes, asking graphic designer friends is definitely a good idea. Many are more than happy to show their work off in “cool” places like on mixtapes.
[ link ]i use http://search.creativecommons.org to search for free editable images. most time i use pictures i shot myself using my iphone.
[ link ]Good tip re Creative Commons own site, Benjamin.
[ link ]Instagram
[ link ]Great idea, George – you can get some great original results this way.
[ link ]I think taking the time to create your own logo is is very important. I created my own logo using Gimp. I also download fonts from 1001freefonts.com, as well as searching for free vectors, or wallpapers on google. I also look at YouTube clips on how to do various effects on photoshop. You can find free styles and brushes for photoshop, as well as other tutorials online. If you are making mixtapes, you already have the creativity, it shouldn’t take long for you to start making decent artwork to accompany your mixes.
[ link ]Thanks for suggesting that fonts website!Sweet.
[ link ]In general I use Google images for bare material. If I find something that very clearly deserves credit I will link to the site or artist in the description of the mix.
But I also sometimes just grab my camera and make a picture of something that makes sense for the mix. Like http://d27ylsxkm6728c.cloudfront.net/w/300/h/300/q/85/upload/images/extaudio/8cba5b90-58bd-469b-86f3-6b0ba91475e3.jpg or http://d1lolb6yyp8wyu.cloudfront.net/w/300/h/300/q/85/upload/images/extaudio/832bb537-053a-4f88-afe5-932efaebc56a.jpg
[ link ]Well if you are releasing a mix frequently like every week, then I think its your best interest to simply your logo up. This way you are burning your brand into the memory of the people that are listening to your mixes. If its a special release that you will do only every couple of months, then yea its worth it to find a good graphics person to design a catchy cover with you logo displayed prominently. When I need royalty free images, I usually use Istockphoto.com You have to buy credits and then pay for your images using those credits. You can find lots of really good stuff on there.
[ link ]If you want good quality graphics for your mixtapes, get it done by a professional and pay for it. Pays off in time as it grabs peoples attention more often. Plus you won’t have to worry about copyright infringment that route.
[ link ]So what about the music in your mixtapes? You have the copyright owners permission for every track you use?
It seems kind of ridic to worry about a single picture. Seems very insignificant compared to 60+ min of audio in your average DJ mix. Or do you guys also make sure to only mix with creative-commons licensed tracks? :rolleyes:
[ link ]No but hang on there, if you’re uploading to a legal service like Mixcloud you’re doing nothing wrong by non-commercially sharing your work.
[ link ]If you are a private individual and not a business why pay someone to create your images unless you are lazy and have money to waste!
What I use is my own photographs, or photographs from people I know and have permission to use them, because they get Free Publicity. The same applies with the artwork I use too.
[ link ]Try Fiverr. com you can get logos videos flyers designed for 5 dollars like anything you have to look around and check credentials but I love it . The better more impressive the cover the more it will appeal to the eye and more people are likely to listen to it ……………Check me out http://www.mixcrate.com/dj88keyz
[ link ]