If you are planning to put your project up on Facebook or YouTube, it's a good idea to get your subjects/actors to sign a release. This is a good, basic one to start with.
Need more help? Try Linkedin Learning (formerly Lynda.com)! It has videos for hundreds of applications.
Need a tool to help you cite and link to Creative Commons photographers? Image Codr will generate HTML code for you to add to your website.
PicMonkey is a simple photo editor that works right in your browser (so you don't have to download anything). It's excellent for beginners who just want to make photos a little prettier or have a little fun. No account needed. You just drag and drop your photo, edit it, and then save it back onto your computer.
Pixlr Editor is a more advanced photo editor. It's also free and works right in your browser. It also has iOS and Android apps available.
You can find Creative Commons Licensed pictures on a number of sites.
The easiest is Wikimedia Commons. Everything there is licensed for others to use, but check to make sure you can alter it.
Flickr also lets you search by Creative Commons license. First do a search, then click on "Advanced Search." Scroll down to the bottom and you'll see options for searching only Creative Commons content.
If you're looking for some great art, the Getty Museum has made its images available.
Creative Commons is a type of copyright that gives creators a way to share their work for free while retaining ownership. They offer six different licenses, and all a creator needs to do is attach one to his or her work. CC licensed materials are great for music, photos, sound effects, and more. You must be sure to follow the rules of the CC licenses, but they also give a lot more freedom than traditional copyright and are much easier to understand.
Please give credit when using Creative Commons material. The creators are letting you use their material for free, so it's the least you could do.
Want to learn more about Creative Commons, how it works, or how to cite it? Check out this useful infographic.
ThingLink lets you annotate your pictures!
