What sites do you use to find public domain images?

I'm thinking of participating in this round of the_lj_reboot. I wanted to do something non-fandom based but I'm a bit stymied at finding images. I searched first for "royalty free," which led me to Getty but that isn't the same as "fee free." Then I searched for "stock photos" and ended up at another one-time-fee site. I searched for public domain images, ended up at Wikipedia's list of public domain resources but the four links I tried seemed to spit me out onto other Google results pages when I tried to search them.

I've been assuming all along that stock icon makers are accessing images that are placed into the public domain since I kind of doubt that they're paying for all those images they're turning into icons. (That could be a very expensive habit!)

I've been violating copyright left and right in making icons but I'd really like to do this layout on the up and up. However, I'm not so determined to do a non-fandom layout that I'll pay for images I might or might not end up using. This is a personal exercise and I'll happily turn it into an exploration of Daniel's glasses or Janet's Hairstyles if need be. ;-)

The old Resources Credit Page was becoming miiighty long so I'm moving the screencap credits to their own page.

These are generally links to *.zip files stored on private servers. I have linked to some sites that offer caps in gallery format if they're an exceptional resource and worth the trouble -- or if what they offer isn't available in any other format (that I've found).

• BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER / ANGEL / BONES
  - Screencap Paradise: No *.zip files, sadly, but complete BtVS and Angel cap archive. Limited Bones screencaps


• BATTLESTAR GALACTICA:
  - phoenixothon in dj_capslock -- 9,000 big, beautiful caps of the BSG miniseries. Yup, 9,000 of 'em. Please note that you must join this community to access the posts. The caps can also be found via the Memories section of dj_capslock.
  - diken by awakencordy -- Big, pretty caps STILL online and on a private server
  - boofadil at bsg_creative
  - Dark Thoughts - high-res, quality scans of promo pics, lots of screen caps from the episodes
  - drewcypher has made excellent use of LJ's overly generous Scrapbook, warehousing astounding, HUGE, high-res promo pics here.


• STARGATE:
  - Dedicated to Stargate SG1 - Lots and lots of pretty screen caps from every episode (or darned near every, I haven't yet gone through the entirety of this comprehensive site...). Wonderful screen caps capturing virtually every moment of each episode. First stop when you have a scene in mind you want images from for your project.
  - hdtv_caps: Luscious, HD caps posted as *.zip files by ariane179254. She maintains her screencap blog here: SG-1 Caps and Atlantis Caps. Lots of SGA, not so much with the SG-1.
  - SGC - Picture Archive - high-res, quality scans of promo pics & a few images from episodes in seasons 8 & 9 of Stargate SG-1 and high-res, quality scans of promo pics & a few images from episodes in seasons 1-3 of Stargate Atlantis Site closed.
  - Gorgeous SGA Screencaps as *.zip files by dbw: (high quality) I've downloaded all of the caps she has kindly made available. Each episode is a selective bunch of very high quality caps and dbw wrote me a wonderful tutorial on how she gets such amazing caps.
  - Stargate Screencaps by _wwsd_: I downloaded 800+ Pegasus Project (SG-1, 10.3) caps as a *.zip file.
  - Stargate SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis Screencaptures =>SG-1
  - Into The Forest -- 279 luscious, huge screen caps from Rite of Passage
  - jackslashdaniel.com screen captures
  - episodes Beneath the Surface and Bloodlines as *.zip files: spiffy_themes
  - other episodes: stargatefan.com
  - The Serpent's Lair by nufaciel in stars_caps: 1,446 HUGE, lovely caps posted in a *.zip file on (her?) own server so it's fast and totally ad free.
  - Harlan, Nerus, and Urgo caps, geonncannon
  - Dr. Daniel Jackson, stephicozar at daniel_daily
  - Screen Caps at Atlantica: Comprehensive Collection of SGA caps
  - 7,310 Caps of Stargate (The Original Movie) in a series of *.zip files by jadeleopard in djcapslock: Please note that this community is f-locked.
  - Foothold (03x14) by moordrydcaps: 469 caps in a *.zip file!
  - rain harbour resources -- My newest discovery -- bless Google! -- *.zip files, kiddies! Just a handful of episodes, alas, but *.zip files! ~600 pretty caps per episode offered.
  - SG-1 Season 1: *.zip files uploaded to a private server by megacaps. Link is to announcement/DL links in dj_capslock.
  - evil_moopie kindly provided me with a wealth of gorgeous, huge caps of Sam and Janet as well as some luscious shots of Teryl Rothery in various non SG-1 roles.
  - oneill_icontest
  - lantis_lims
  - *.zip file of SGA Season 4, Episode 18: Kindred, Part I posted by nihil_est in dj_capslock
  - *.zip file of SGA 5x01 by mystic_aleisha


• MICHAEL SHANKS (non-SG-1)
  - Pics of Michael Shanks
  - whisper99: Lovely, lovely caps of Michael Shanks without his clothes are here.
  - Burn Notice Guest Spots: 2.06 by kokamino in kokamino_icons


• OTHER STARGATE ACTORS (as themselves or in other roles)
  - Terylicious: Encyclopedic collection of all things Teryl
  - evil_moopie kindly provided me with a wealth of gorgeous, huge caps of Sam and Janet as well as some luscious shots of Teryl Rothery in various non SG-1 roles.
  - Pics of Torri Higginson
  - Pics of Alec Zahara
  - Pics of Richard Dean Anderson
  - Pics of Amanda Tapping
  - Abydos Gate: Lots of con photos of the actors, including an absolutely smoking picture of CJ by Peter Fallon


• QUEER AS FOLK:
  - teary_eyed2, suzvoy, prettygood, and kajungirl81
  - sinfultragedies in dj_capslock: 1500 caps of the 2 hour pilot


• PRIDE AND PREJUDICE:
  - desert_sky - more than 2,500 caps from the 1995 BBC masterpiece


• GODZILLA:
  - Monster Zero Gallery


• GALE HAROLD (non-QaF):
  - The Unit -- nufaciel in stars_caps


• DARK ANGEL:
  - Index of uploaded episodes in distractiions by abernathi: Big, pretty, high quality caps in *.zip files on private server
  - Pilot (Episode 1.01) by adolwyn -- 613 screen caps
  - manticore.transgenic-asylum.org by transgenics -- Most of S1 and part of S2 available in easily downloaded *.zip files. Caps are large and the color is excellent.
  - kaleidoscopeday in vicissitudin0us -- Eventually, all episodes. Thus far, Season 1.
  - rablade.com by teh_indy -- Big, high-resolution scans of promo pics and studio stills
  - Episodes 1.21, 2.03, & 2.11 by gforgina: Available as both galleries for individual download and as zip files
  - Episodes 2.06 & 2.08 by spiffydaze -- NOTE: spiffydaze used to publish graphics in spiffy_themes but now has a community, pixation


• HOUSE:
  - Episodes 1x06, 1x10, 1x11, 2x01 in pixation by spiffydaze (see also the Pixation Index of Screencaps, generally available for download from Craftymonkie Screencaps)


• VANISHED:
  - The Gale Harold episodes in dj_capslock by dj43: Please note that you must join this community to access the posts. The caps can also be found via the Memories section of dj_capslock.


• NCIS:
  - Season 1 by bunny_icons
  - Index of uploaded episodes in distractiions by abernathi
  - dj43 in dj_capslock: Please note that you must join this community to access the posts. The caps can also be found via the Memories section of dj_capslock. dj43 is very active, very generous, and posts *.zip files to a private server. This means quick downloads of shows/movies you wanted without wading through layers of ads.


• WITCHBLADE:
  - Screencaps by Mike - Some of the episodes are available in *.zip file format; all episodes have a gallery.


• RETURN OF THE JEDI:
  - jadeleopard in dj_capslock: Please note that you must join this community to access the posts. The caps can also be found via the Memories section of dj_capslock.


• CASABLANCA:
  - dj43 in dj_capslock: Please note that this is a f-locked community. It's well worth joining, in my opinion, as it's very active and has a stunning array of caps. dj43 is very active, very generous, and posts *.zip files to a private server. This means quick downloads of shows/movies you wanted without wading through layers of ads.


• I DREAM OF JEANNIE:
  - snowflakie06


• SUPERNATURAL:
  - Lovely Supernatural - Gallery by improperlydone
  - oxoniensis
  - Supernatural Media: Hi-Res Scans of Promotional Photos


• TORCHWOOD:
  - by me -- my caps sucked and I found a much better source, below
  - edele in dj_capslock -- Gorgeous, hi-def, crystal clear caps. Please note that this is a f-locked community. It's well worth joining, in my opinion, as it's very active and has a stunning array of caps.
  - teresadivicenzo posts LOTS and LOTS of gorgeous pics of the incomparable John Barrowman. I've plundered her LJ, which provides a wealth of high-quality, sexy pics.
  - bigtitch also posts many caps of John Barrowman.
  - spaceygal64 posted lots of older pics of John Barrowman in barrowmanfans
  - hdtv_caps: Luscious, HD caps of Torchwood posted by ariane179254


• HEROES:
  - dj43 in dj_capslock: Big, beautiful, HD caps. Lucious! Please note that this is a f-locked community. It's well worth joining, in my opinion, as it's very active and has a stunning array of caps. dj43 is very active, very generous, and posts *.zip files to a private server. This means quick downloads of shows/movies you wanted without wading through layers of ads.
  - blimey_icons
  - dekolette has some awesome cast photos
  - just_katarin


• DOCTOR WHO:
  - dbw
  - onetimeoffer: Ninth Doctor Caps in a gallery. Gallery software allows you to custom make a *.zip file for DL.
  - nightcomes in inadream_caps: *.zip files! :)
  - pixation
  - drewcypher has made excellent use of his LJ Scrapbook, warehousing astounding, HUGE, high-res promo pics here.


• SPORTS NIGHT:
  - oxoniensis : See also her website, Oxoniensis Art


• DRESDEN FILES:
  - onetimeoffer: Dresden Caps in a gallery. Gallery software allows you to custom make a *.zip file for DL.
  


• STOCK PHOTOS:
  - stock.xchng
  - Veer
  - High Dynamic Range Technique Photos
  - MorgueFile
  - Free Public Domain Photography: This is one guy's personal website where he makes his photos available. He lives in Southern California so many of his photos center on that region but he has photos from his travels, food, events, etc.


• EUREKA:
  - VisitEureka.net


• STAR TREK
  - phoenxiothon in dj_capslock: Voyager caps in *.zip file format
  - Galleries of Screencaps various Star Trek series by ariane179254: Some are HD format. No *.zips.
  - Trek Core: Galleries of all the series, this is a major hub for ST fans. no *.zip files.


• ANDROMEDA
  - [andromeda-web.com]


• INDIANA JONES
  - crazychick83 in hdtv_caps: 200 caps in a *.zip file of Kingdom of the Crystal Skull trailer in bee-yoo-tiful HD


• WHITE COLLAR
  - killmotion in inadream_caps
  - potthead in rawr_caps

dj_capslock is my favorite place to hunt caps. They're often HD, often on private servers for easy DL without tons of ads, and the people are friendly. It is a friends-locked community so if for some reason that annoys you, you'll want to get your caps elsewhere. The community memories are public so you can check whether the community has what you want prior to joining.

Click here for the Credits for Photoshop Resources I've Downloaded.


Updated on 29 July 2009

This resources list is now an archive. Future updates will be here at my new resources post.

Journal Style = Transmogrified by absolut
Calvin and Hobbes Mood Theme by absolut, color added by smileystickman

( Long list of credits behind the cut )
~~**~~

Screen Caps and Promotional Scans:
Screencap Credits Moved to this entry.

If you think that I should add a credit for you, please let me know.

Last updated 28 October 2008