Even though I'm not a photographer, I use photographs to reference from to help create realism. Sometimes you have to use stock photographs, but if you are lucky and have the right resources, you can create your own reference stock to work from.
Why is this great? Well, it means you have less to worry about on the copyright infringement front, as well as being able to get the EXACT photo you need for your painting. However there are a few things you need to be aware of when taking photographs of places, objects and people, particularly if you want to use the photos for commercial use.
Here are some great articles on stock photography:
- Tutorial 9 have included a basic article on your rights as a photographer
- Digital Web has an article for designers A Designer's Guide to Making Your Own Stock Photography (for non-photographers)
- USA Today has an article on What and where you can photograph
- An interesting article on what can happen when the authorities get involved with your photography
