In a world where intellectual property and copyright restrictions often dominate the realm of creative arts, photographer Aurel Manea has made a groundbreaking decision that sets him apart as a true maverick in the photography world. With unwavering generosity, he has released copyrights for all the photographs he has taken over two decades, a remarkable and exceedingly rare act that is bound to leave a lasting impression.
Aurel Manea’s portfolio comprises stunning 4,700 high-resolution photographs, primarily focused on landscapes, which he has chosen to set free. As he explains in an interview with PetaPixel, “They were gathering dust, so I thought why not make them available for free? That way a lot more people get to use them and print them. I never made any money with them, and chances were I never will.”
This decision is nothing short of extraordinary. In an age where many photographers seek to monetize their art through licensing, stock photography, or exclusive contracts, Manea has opted for an alternative route. He has bypassed the arduous process of uploading each photograph individually to stock photo websites, opting instead to make his entire archive readily accessible to anyone, for free.
Manea’s act of releasing his copyrights is not without bounds. While he encourages individuals to use his images in any way they see fit, he has a single demand: that they refrain from selling the images or using them in photographic contests. As he passionately states, “Everyone is free to use them as they see fit as long as they don’t sell them or participate in photo competitions.”
To explore Aurel Manea’s captivating body of work further, visit his website and social media channels, where he continues to share his photographic journeys.
aurelm.com | Facebook | X (Twitter) | Instagram | Pinterest
And you can download his entire archive of 4,700 high-definition photographs for free here.
Acknowledging the immense effort that goes into curating and maintaining such a vast collection, Manea has added a ‘Donate’ button alongside his archive. We encourage you, who find value in his work, to support him through donations or by becoming a patron on Patreon. This act of kindness ensures that Manea can continue to share his artistic vision with the world and inspire others to follow in his footsteps.