Update 8/16/2007 I now have access to a Canon EOS 400D camera (Digital Rebel XTi for you Americans) which will replace my Canon Powershot A300. It means many new awesome things, like more than a tripled resolution (from 3 mpix to 10 mpix), some zoom to allow me to get closer to things (also got a macro lens in 2008), better image quality, and the ability to shoot indoors (and during dim outdoor conditions) much better. However I still have at least dozens of pictures taken with the Powershot that I haven't submitted yet, so I will be submitting pictures taken with both cameras for quite a while.

My stock photos consist of pictures I have taken over the last four years or so, not with the intention to take stock photos, but to capture moments, take artistic photographs, and whatever motives people have to take photos. They are not interesting or artistic enough that I'd submit them on my main account, but they're still high quality, usable pictures. I will also be uploading some seamless textures created with TexGen, some of which are also found in my main account, some also here.

This is not an ego-stroking account where I'd post hundreds of grainy, poorly-lit pictures of myself with a wrinkled bedsheet in the background. Most of my stock will consist of nature photos (especially mushrooms, animals and exotic plants), but there are also architecture, urban/industrial, macros and other kinds of photos (and the aforementioned textures). Many of them may not be very useful for photo manipulation, but unlike many people on DA think, there are many other purposes where stock can be used, eg. as reference, in layouts, literature previews and such. Textures can be used as backgrounds and in 3D work.

My stock can be used without permission anywhere on DA and elsewhere for non-commercial purposes, as long as you credit me (Maija Haavisto or diamondie). I'd appreciate it if you sent me a note (preferably to *diamondie, which I check much more often) or an email with a link to the finished work. Unlike many people, I won't favorite everything that uses my stock, but I'll do it if I really like the piece, and I may feature it here or under my main account. For other purposes as listed below, you need to ask for my permission first.

These purposes count as non-commercial for me and don't require a permission (but must credit, unless the picture is only used as a reference, or in a very minor role - eg. if you use 100 different photos in a flyer including one of mine, you don't have to credit)

photo manipulations, web layouts and 3D not for sale in any way

paintings, drawings and 3D using my stock as a reference, even if they are sold

anything on your personal non-commercial website, even if you make a small amount of money (ie. it's not your main source of income) through it eg. by Google ads, donations or by selling small amounts of artwork or crafts

school projects (eg. portfolios including manipulations with my stock, school papers) and educational material (eg. brochures) not promoting a particular product

zines, diskmags and such, even if they're sold (if it's something photocopied or printed with a home printer, or with less than 100 issues sold, it's a zine for me - if it's free of cost or for charity then you can print as many as you want of course)

flyers or posters for non-profit, charity or small "underground" events (eg. a school disco or an underground rave with a small entrance fee don't require a permission)

any other non-profit or charity projects

collections of stock photos or textures not for sale

templates, icons, brushes, tubes, clipart and dingbat fonts which are not for sale

These purposes count as commercial for me and require a prior permission

commercial websites, posters and other designs

magazines (and any CDs included with them), advertisements, CD covers and books

anything else you're going to sell, whether it's commissions, collections, prints or somethng else (unless the work is only used as a reference and/or it's purely for charity)

Now here comes the "my dad will sue you!1" part: I am a tech journalist myself and my father works as a patent attorney (which makes him an expert in intellectual property). I've seen many pictures from eg. DA being used in the advertisements or major companies without permission or credit. If you do rip something to make money with it, it's very likely I'll find out sooner or later, and that will result in legal action and loads of bad press for you. So be warned.

I don't take requests as such, but if you can think of something which you think I could photograph or might already have photos of, eg. places in Helsinki or particular parts of Finnish nature, you can note or email me and I'll see if it's doable.