The Journal
notes on licensing, sourcing and using free assets
Free AI B-Roll and Video Generators vs Free Stock Footage
Free AI b-roll generators vs free stock footage: we checked 10 tools' free tiers (Oct 2026) for clip length, watermarks and commercial use. See which wins.
Saijo George·17 min read
Free Stock Photo Sites That Shut Down and Where to Go Instead
Which free stock photo sites shut down? We checked 30+ in October 2026: what closed, what went paid, what redirects, and where to find photos instead.
AI Image Generators vs Free Stock Photos: When to Use Which
AI image generators vs stock photos: we compare free tiers (checked Oct 2026), copyright, trust data and disclosure rules, with a use-this-when table.
The Best Free Stock Footage Sites in 2026
We checked 17 free stock footage sites in October 2026. Compare licences, 4K, vertical 9:16 clips and attribution, and see which old favourites closed.
Best Free AI Upscalers and Background Removers for Stock Photos
We compared the free tiers of 11 AI upscalers and background removers: real limits, watermarks, and which clear the 4MP stock minimum. Updated Oct 2026.
Free Clips for Reels, TikTok and Edits: Where to Find Them and Use Them Safely
Most free clips online aren't licensed. Find safe sources for Reels and TikTok, learn what triggers copyright claims, and run our quick pre-post checklist.
How to Find Stock Photos That Aren't AI-Generated
Stock libraries are filling with AI images. Use our 7-step check (metadata, Content Credentials, reverse search) and see which photo sites ban AI outright.
How to Pick Free Stock Photos Without Legal Risk
"Free" covers several different licences. Here's how to tell them apart quickly, and the checks worth doing before an image ships to a client.