Best Places for Cover Images?

[Thriftypreneur]

Can anyone share any good spots for book cover images? Most of the stock image sites that I know of seem to specialize in web-ready images for blog posts and things like that. They don't really seem to have much that would lend itself to a good book cover (more artistic type images).

Edit: Also, do you guys always purchase an extended license? From the terms I've read on different stock image sites, extended license seems mandatory for images used as book covers.

 

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[nextgen]

I use a contractor from elance depending on what I want.

 

[Texan]

I've got a lady on Fiverr who does an excellent job. If you add some of her extra gigs, then it turns out even nicer. If you interested, I can post a link so you can see her stuff.

 

[Thriftypreneur]

I think you guys are missing what I'm asking.

Even when outsourcing your cover designs, you should know where the stock images are coming from and what kind of license your designers have.

For example: From depositphotos.com:

The Extended License allows use of the purchased File to create Items for Resale or Items for Free Distribution where the File plays a major role in the item and adds value to it.

The use of a purchased File according to the terms of the Extended License:

Digital use: templates of advertising banners; web templates; templates of documents; templates of presentations (PowerPoint, Flash, etc.); other templates; screen savers; wallpapers; software (for PC and mobile devices); e-cards or e-mails; e-books; movies or videos, etc.;

Almost all of the stock image sites I've seen have almost identical license wording.

If your designers are just grabbing images from Google Images, and/or not supplying you with copyright extended license information, aren't you opening yourself up to all kinds of fun potential lawsuits if one of your titles explodes?

I imagine a company could just browse Amazon all day and find never ending image copyright violations to exploit self-publishers. I know Getty Images was going ballistic on blogs a while back and they had a team of lawyers sending out violation notices and orchestrating settlements.

Are you guys really just releasing books with stock images and having no clue what your copyright license is to those images?

 

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[Kencan98]

I create my own using Paint.net.

If you want to pm me I won't have a problem showing you some examples if you want me to do it.

Fiverr isn't expensive but free is always good

 

[Michael Raphael]

You just need gimp if you want your own, get stock images or what not and learn how to blend using the eraser tool.

 

[DennisD]

You may have just found a need my dear friend. What's your book's genre?

 

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[joanna]

I think you guys are missing what I'm asking.

Even when outsourcing your cover designs, you should know where the stock images are coming from and what kind of license your designers have.

Are you guys really just releasing books with stock images and having no clue what your copyright license is to those images?

I use Thinkstockphotos.com When I downgraded from the extended licence to the regular one (didn't need merchandise rights any more) I had them confirm that the licence is still OK for books/ebooks. There is a limit on the number of copies - from the top of my head it was about 500k. But if your book sells that much you should be able to spend a few extra dollars to upgrade that pic to the extended licence.

 

[F430]

This is an interesting topic because Im in the process of publishing a 3rd eBook and Im in serious contemplation on what to do image wise.



Keep in mind that you don't need the perfect image- as long as you can use it for commercial purposes you can always get an image and have your graphic designer tweak things as need be. That's what I did too (see example of 2 of my eBooks above). Me and my designer agreed on the image, I pre-selected it and read the terms carefully before doing so.

Also, and this might be naive but should someone be making a complaint about you using an image, you can always contact that person and remove the image. Maybe it's my European way of thinking, but I find the scenario of a million dollar lawsuit unlikely for you using an image. Though there is copy right, if an image is to be found online people also know that these things can happen.

 

[joanna]

Also, and this might be naive but should someone be making a complaint about you using an image, you can always contact that person and remove the image. Maybe it's my European way of thinking, but I find the scenario of a million dollar lawsuit unlikely for you using an image. Though there is copy right, if an image is to be found online people also know that these things can happen.

Uhm, you'd be surprised. While I worked for a web agency (in the UK, mind you) we almost got fined several thousand GBP for using an unlicensed stock image (I can't remember the exact amount as it was a few years back). To make things more bizarre we had used a legit image from a completely unrelated stock site purchased by our client, that just happened to have enough similarities for the accusing company's algorithms to pick up. It was a butterfly if anyone wonders I can tell you there were plenty of accusations flying around and a lot of scrambling for receipts. In the end we were able to prove the difference and source, but it was tense.

Sure you can try your luck at not getting caught if you're willing to deal with the consequences. And given the fact that stock photos really aren't that expensive, I'd rather be safe than sorry.

 

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[Hurdlerwayne]

I have used Elance for many other projects, but what would be the best method here if you do not want to create your own cover and avoid getting into trouble w/ copyright laws. Should we ask the Elance designer for their licensing on the photos prior to the design being made?

 

[stranger]

take 3-4 pics and then create 1 pic - your book cover from them.

 

[FastNAwesome]

How about producing your very own, 100% original cover image found nowhere else?

Be it a home production or a photo studio, be it a professional model or just someone you know,
you have them sign the "model release" and that should cover you. I know that guys who
produce porn also have their models take a picture holding up their ID - in addition to model release.
This is to prove the age I believe.

Here's a template you can adjust for your needs:

Adult's model release | American Society of Media Photographers

(there are other forms and lots of useful info on that site as well)

You may have just found a need my dear friend.

I love this thinking. How would you guys - book authors - like if there was a service for producing 100% original and unique Cover Art for you? There's an idea for someone.

Disclaimer: not a lawyer, not giving professional advice. Everyone do your own due diligence.

 

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[Lauryn]

I like Veer.com. If you sign up, they give you free credits to use. I've had an account with them for a while now.

Also, try a general search online for images you like and see where it leads you when stock images come up. Veer is still my number one choice however.

 

[Thriftypreneur]

I use Thinkstockphotos.com When I downgraded from the extended licence to the regular one (didn't need merchandise rights any more) I had them confirm that the licence is still OK for books/ebooks. There is a limit on the number of copies - from the top of my head it was about 500k. But if your book sells that much you should be able to spend a few extra dollars to upgrade that pic to the extended licence.

Yeah. With the wording of most license agreements, I think getting confirmation is smart. Some sites don't require full license, some do.

Also, and this might be naive but should someone be making a complaint about you using an image, you can always contact that person and remove the image. Maybe it's my European way of thinking, but I find the scenario of a million dollar lawsuit unlikely for you using an image. Though there is copy right, if an image is to be found online people also know that these things can happen.

Sorry, but I just really think this is bad advice. If you're going to go through all the trouble of writing a book (a product) to sell to people, at least respect your own work enough to use properly licensed images and art work.

I love this thinking. How would you guys - book authors - like if there was a service for producing 100% original and unique Cover Art for you? There's an idea for someone.

Disclaimer: not a lawyer, not giving professional advice. Everyone do your own due diligence.

A niche market, to be sure, but definitely a need if the product delivers. I imagine most new, self-pub authors, who don't know jack about image copyrights, just hire someone on fiver who is grabbing all their stuff from Google images.

As for my cover, I've sorted it all out - thanks for the site recommendations, all.

I have used Elance for many other projects, but what would be the best method here if you do not want to create your own cover and avoid getting into trouble w/ copyright laws. Should we ask the Elance designer for their licensing on the photos prior to the design being made?

I would. Since you are the one using the images, legally, it doesn't matter that someone else designed them for you or not.

Any designer worth their salt knows about the legalities behind copyrighted images. They should be able to provide copies of licenses with no problem.

Truth be told though, depending on where you get your images from, it's pretty unlikely that you'll ever get anyone looking into something like that for one of your books. But, on the off chance one of your works pulls a 50-shades-of-gray, and people start showing your cover all over the web, it's nice to have your ducks in order to sidestep any problems.

 

[Gymjunkie]

I think you guys are missing what I'm asking.

Even when outsourcing your cover designs, you should know where the stock images are coming from and what kind of license your designers have.

For example: From depositphotos.com:



Almost all of the stock image sites I've seen have almost identical license wording.

If your designers are just grabbing images from Google Images, and/or not supplying you with copyright extended license information, aren't you opening yourself up to all kinds of fun potential lawsuits if one of your titles explodes?

I imagine a company could just browse Amazon all day and find never ending image copyright violations to exploit self-publishers. I know Getty Images was going ballistic on blogs a while back and they had a team of lawyers sending out violation notices and orchestrating settlements.

Are you guys really just releasing books with stock images and having no clue what your copyright license is to those images?

I think you're misinterpreting the License from DepositPhotos. I use them for covers I do all the time. Standard licence is enough, unless you are doing a book with lots of pictures that are main selling point. You can use stock photos for book or DVD covers etc, even for Print versions.

Another good site for stocks is Dreamstime.com

 

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[britnidanielle]

Sorry, I didn't see this before. I think I'm going to use Go On Write. The Pre-made Kindle / eBook Book Cover Depository. for my cover (I'm working on finishing & publishing by book by 9/30). According to the site, the images are licensed up to 250k sales.

Here's what he says in the FAQ:

Are the stock photo images licenced?
Of course - they are indeed. You can sell up to 250,000 books with the image without a problem.

 

[Gymjunkie]

Sorry, I didn't see this before. I think I'm going to use Go On Write. The Pre-made Kindle / eBook Book Cover Depository. for my cover (I'm working on finishing & publishing by book by 9/30). According to the site, the images are licensed up to 250k sales.

Here's what he says in the FAQ:

Are the stock photo images licenced?
Of course - they are indeed. You can sell up to 250,000 books with the image without a problem.

He could probably use other stock site with better terms, that do not limit possible sales. One less things to worry about.. ask him if he's gonna be doing custom cover art for you.

 

[britnidanielle]

He could probably use other stock site with better terms, that do not limit possible sales. One less things to worry about.. ask him if he's gonna be doing custom cover art for you.

Nope. I'm going to buy one of the pre-made covers & just have him apply the text. Custom covers start at $99 vs. buying a pre-made one for $35. Seeing as it's my first book, I'm keeping those expenses low...if my books starts to pick up, I'll invest more in the cover design.

 

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[Gymjunkie]

Nope. I'm going to buy one of the pre-made covers & just have him apply the text. Custom covers start at $99 vs. buying a pre-made one for $35. Seeing as it's my first book, I'm keeping those expenses low...if my books starts to pick up, I'll invest more in the cover design.

Yeah, they are pretty good option for first book. Good luck with sales!

 

[COSenior]

Nope. I'm going to buy one of the pre-made covers & just have him apply the text. Custom covers start at $99 vs. buying a pre-made one for $35. Seeing as it's my first book, I'm keeping those expenses low...if my books starts to pick up, I'll invest more in the cover design.

Even $35 per cover is steep for me, considering I'm publishing something new every couple of weeks. Maybe I'm trading time I shouldn't trade for 'free' art, but I'm using Google's advanced image search to find images I can use under Creative Commons licenses for free to use and modify, even for commercial use. So far I've only cropped the images, because most of the functionality of graphics software just confuses me. But I'm hoping to teach myself enough about Gimp to be able to do stuff that combines images without spending all day doing it. I always credit the owner of the image, including the specific license type and a link to the original image, in the copyright page of the ebook.

OK, I'm watching this thread, so anyone who wants to tell me I'm crazy, and why, go for it!

 

[Gymjunkie]

Even $35 per cover is steep for me, considering I'm publishing something new every couple of weeks. Maybe I'm trading time I shouldn't trade for 'free' art, but I'm using Google's advanced image search to find images I can use under Creative Commons licenses for free to use and modify, even for commercial use. So far I've only cropped the images, because most of the functionality of graphics software just confuses me. But I'm hoping to teach myself enough about Gimp to be able to do stuff that combines images without spending all day doing it. I always credit the owner of the image, including the specific license type and a link to the original image, in the copyright page of the ebook.

OK, I'm watching this thread, so anyone who wants to tell me I'm crazy, and why, go for it!

If 35 bucks is too much you're in the wrong business. Book cover is an advertising for your book. I understand not affording custom cover designs at first, even tho other find a way. But not buying a premade is just bad stuff. Esp. for fiction. If you're launching a lot of books fast, you will start earning money faster then someone who releases 2 novels a year. Thus investment in cover will come back sooner. If you can write so fast and write good, you could do freelance writing and earn money for covers and book editing services. That will get you some budget for them.

 

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[Breaking Free]

Even $35 per cover is steep for me, considering I'm publishing something new every couple of weeks. Maybe I'm trading time I shouldn't trade for 'free' art, but I'm using Google's advanced image search to find images I can use under Creative Commons licenses for free to use and modify, even for commercial use. So far I've only cropped the images, because most of the functionality of graphics software just confuses me. But I'm hoping to teach myself enough about Gimp to be able to do stuff that combines images without spending all day doing it. I always credit the owner of the image, including the specific license type and a link to the original image, in the copyright page of the ebook.

OK, I'm watching this thread, so anyone who wants to tell me I'm crazy, and why, go for it!

Think of it this way. The first thing people see about your book is the cover. Catch their attention with quality and they're more likely to click on your cover and give your book a chance.

 

[britnidanielle]

Breaking Free & GymJunkie said it best. A GREAT cover can catch someone's eye and make them take your book seriously...therefore owning you more money.

I'm willing to pay $35 for my book, even if it flops, at least I know I put my best foot forward.

I paid $225 to get my FREE ebook, Read Break Out of Your Box: 5 Steps to Following Your Dreams | Britni Danielle - Be More Awesome, professionally designed and formatted. Best decision ever.

 

[Lauryn]

I've largely designed my own covers. I'm going to school for Media Design and have an Internet Marketing degree, so I am largely DIY. Like I said, I use Veer for images... and I tweak covers often.

 

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[Rawr]

I liked Veer, thanks for recommendation.

 

[COSenior]

If you can write so fast and write good, you could do freelance writing and earn money for covers and book editing services. That will get you some budget for them.

I do have an editing gig through oDesk, hadn't thought to go back and look for more work there. Thanks. Sometimes I have a one-track mind.

 

[Gymjunkie]

I do have an editing gig through oDesk, hadn't thought to go back and look for more work there. Thanks. Sometimes I have a one-track mind.

Good stuff. Def. do it. Good writers are always needed for websites because good content is very important. Maybe do that too.

 

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[COSenior]

Good writers are always needed for websites because good content is very important.

Unfortunately, that doesn't pay very well. I can make at least twice as much editing. If I'm going to do something SlowLane, I prefer to be paid what I'm worth, or at least as close as I can get given the market.

 

[Gymjunkie]

Unfortunately, that doesn't pay very well. I can make at least twice as much editing. If I'm going to do something SlowLane, I prefer to be paid what I'm worth, or at least as close as I can get given the market.

That depends on the niche. I was looking into hiring writers for guestposting service I wanted to start, and would be willing to pay 30-50 bucks an article for good quality. Because for businesses coming to the internet good content is needed a lot. Good luck finding trustworthy writers who won't disappear and write well.