Interesting post indeed. I found this site looking for reference pictures to paint and draw. I am an artist in progress. I draw at queeky.com and it is a learning experience for me. I am disabled so unable to get out and take my own photographs of nature the way I would like to. I completely understand the views of some photographers when it comes to their wonderful photographs that they indeed took the time to go out and shoot. I would never sell or make any sort of profit from someone elses photo. As far as imagination, I have no memory to remember beautiful details of things I would like to draw or paint so I use reference photos. If I am interested in using someones photograph to paint I look for copyright information first and if I see the information posted I don't use someones work at all. If I do not see any copyright information I will email the photographer to ask for permission and also show them my previous drawings and paintings that are online.
This is a fabulous website for photographs and some very talented photographers here. I would be honored to draw or paint anything that was posted here if I indeed had the talent to do so. As an artist, I have always had an eye for beauty and the world around me but since it is so hard to get out and see it myself I treasure what I can find on the internet. Just my two cents. Thank you all for sharing your talent.
http://www.queeky.kutedymples.com is the site you can see my previous attempts at drawing online.