How to buy some licensed prints for personal use??

[dealmaker]

Guys,

I'm going to a concert soon and will be meeting the band in person - now I want to get some photos signed (of one of the key band members) and wanted to take along a couple of decent prints I could get him to sign.

How do I go about buying a couple of decent high-res images on line that I can then order prints from??

I looked at Getty Images - but unless I was doing it wrong - it seemed like they wanted £270 for each image - ad clearly I don't want to be paying that amount.

Anywhere else I can try?? again its only for personal/home use - its not like I will be selling these or anything.

Thanks!

[XG332]

dealmaker said:

Anywhere else I can try?? again its only for personal/home use - its not like I will be selling these or anything.

Then i would just search google or flickr for some and print them off.

[AndWhyNot]

OP- is it an image of the band you want? Try online poster shops, or the band's official merchandise.

MKR said:

Unless you are going to sell them on (then perhaps more thought), I wouldn't worry about the copyright side of things.

Next time you're at the shops, help yourself without paying - so long as you're not selling it on no-one will mind. Or maybe let's say you're a plumber and you fix my bog. I don't let coach parties in for a crap so presumably I can just ignore your invoice?

[AndWhyNot]

MKR said:

...then clearly it's ok and the owner of the copyright is happy for them to be saved.

Or, the copyright owner is a visual artist stuck between a rock and a hard place in needing to market their work without jeopardising future sales.

MKR said:

If you take them and use them for commercial use then perhaps that is a moral issue,

Nope, it's a legal issue...

MKR said:

but if you are using them for your own purposes then I don't see the problem.

...as is this. You seem to be confusing your own conscience with legality.

MKR said:

It's more like putting a cd on ya i-pod than letting a coach load in your stter and not paying the plumber for his work - ridiculous comments!!

It's more like putting illegal downloads on your iPod. Sure, it's common practise and sure, you're unlikely to get caught. Doesn't make it right, as witnessed by record companies'/ film studios' pursuit of copyright theft.

[Gemm]

If above fails, there must be shops selling postcards or prints of bands. You can also approach their record company (if they are signed). The band themselves may carry some promotional photos as well.

[jr502]

I would look on flickr or something similar, if you find one you like, send the owner a message, explaining what you want to do. For your own use, chances are they will let you use it either free, or for a small fee depending on the person. Many people would just be flattered you wanted to use their image (unless they are pro).

[GetCarter]

MKR said:

Don't be a dick - there is no need.

If images are available on the web for people to save and they are free of any copyright symbol etc, plus they haven't taken the time to deactivate the 'right click' features, then clearly it's ok and the owner of the copyright is happy for them to be saved.

If you take them and use them for commercial use then perhaps that is a moral issue, but if you are using them for your own purposes then I don't see the problem.

It's more like putting a cd on ya i-pod than letting a coach load in your stter and not paying the plumber for his work - ridiculous comments!!

SO wrong in SO many ways. Ignore this advice.