Crediting on HP: a Reminder/Refresher

Now that our post-Valentine's grab bags event is over (and I promise I'll start awarding them after writing this!!), it's time to swing things to a more serious topic (and everyone's favourite...-cough-)...CREDITING!

First, let's review what the actual rule is, as it pertains to crediting images/graphics: Every resource used in making a photo manipulation must be credited with the full URL of the artist.

We also know that all images/photos used on HP must be stock images, you must have purchased them, have permission from the original creator/photographer to use them, or have taken them yourself.

Now let's flesh that crediting rule out into different scenarios...

-You make a basic graphic with a horse on a nice nature background. What needs to be credited? The horse's photographer, and the nature background's photographer.

- You make a graphic inspired by your favourite song/artist with a dog on a background and include some of the lyrics. What needs to be credited? The dog photographer, the background photographer, and the music artist/song.

- You make a super elaborate graphic with a beautiful unicorn created from a horse photo with part of a narwhal horn, and combine 4 different nature scenes into the background, with part of a poem in text. What needs to be credited? The horse photographer, the narwhal horn photographer, all 4 nature photographers, and the writer of the poem/name of the poem.

- You hand-draw (or digitally draw) a dog based off a photo. Who do you credit? The dog photographer whose photo inspired your drawing.

- You use a photo you took of your dog as an image. Who do you credit? Yourself!

Now let's look at where and how to credit...

- All credits for images must be in FULL URL FORMAT crediting the photographer AND the website in which the image was found. Examples: deviantart.com/blitz or unsplash.com/@blitz . 

- All credits must be visible and legible. 

Now let's look at the weird exceptions...

Brushes and Fonts

- Fonts do not need to be credited unless the creator requires it.

- Brushes where you can tell what it is (ie. they're stamped so you can tell it's a tree as opposed to something smudged) on the image need to be credited. Brushes used for things like drawing tails do not need to be credited unless the brush creator requires it.

Layouts

- Background patterns from sites like Colourlovers do not need to be credited on the pattern, otherwise that would defeat the purpose of a pattern background. These types of credits can be in html format somewhere on the layout page. You can also make them functioning clickable links to the users or the pattern itself instead of typing it all out in URL format on your page.

- Layout images (nature-type backgrounds, graphics created for layouts, etc.) must be credited ON the actual image. They CANNOT be in the html or be there as clickable links. 

- When making layout images and adding credits, please also be aware of the fact that many different players and staff have different screen sizes and resolutions, and put the credits in a place likely to be visible by everyone. 

Purchased items

- If you have purchased a photo, a brush pack, etc. and by doing so the artist doesn't require you to credit, we still require you to credit. Why? Because otherwise how would we know where it came from and that you've purchased it without reading your mind?

Forum avatars/signatures or anything posted on the forums for a game/event purpose (eg. Find Me a Pic of)

- Do not require credits!

Wondering if you're doing it right? How to credit for a specific site or situation? Check out our handy dandy Crediting Help page! Looked on that page but didn't find your answer? You can message any mod or admin or reply to this forum thread asking about your specific situation and we will help you out!

Thanks and happy playing!

-Blitz

-bump-

Thank you Blitz! :D