Pond5 Public Domain Project

Don't worry Jake,

Yours is FHD. That is it...

Chuckle Laughing ;)

Earlier today I was doing a search for some 4K footage, but Public Domain footage kept showing up in the results. Perplexed, I sent an email to P5 saying there must be a glitch in search because these files keep showing up even though I’ve restricted my search to 4K, and hey, everybody knows there’s no such thing as 4K Public Domain footage. It took an exchange of several emails for me to finally realize that, yes, these were really 4K files. I’m not aware of Public Domain footage scanned at this resolution being available anywhere else on the web. Well done Pond5!

So I guess letter box black borders are now ok?

The 4K stuff is scanned from old 35mm film so the aspect ratio is 4:3 rather then the HD/UHD ratio of 16:9. There’s nothing to be done about that. You’ve got two options: zoom in and crop off the top and bottom or pillarbox.

In the past footage submitted by artists were rejected if letter boxed. I do understand the ratio problem 16:9 just does not fit old film formats. In the past I zoomed in and cropped to get rid of the pillars. So I guess all of us that are uploading our old family vintage film can now letter box them for sale?

Jake,

You do have a problem when PD are 4K. ;)

I like how their PD disclaimer starts: "To the best of our knowledge, this Content is in the public domain..."

I think I may start using a phrase like that in my descriptions.

"To the best of my knowledge, I was standing on public property when shooting this scene."

"To the best of my knowledge, those people way back there in my shot were OK with me shooting in their general direction."

I like how Jonathon did a quick surgical strike and then disappeared...

I'll make sure to bring up the search issues with the team, thanks guys.

@ODesigns - Yeah, I understand how you feel. I reacted the same way when I heard that was what we were going to say. But it turns out that that language is copied directly from the Library of Congress. It's a legalese thing, we just have to say it that way. Rest assured, we are as sure about our public domain content as the Library of Congress of the United States is of theirs.

@MidWestStockFootage - Yeah, sorry about that. I was called on to serve Jury duty yesterday, so I was out. I was selected too (yay?) so here's to new life experiences. My judge apparently does not hear cases on Fridays though, so however long the case takes you guys can rest assured that I'll be sure to make appearances on Fridays. I'll try to be as present as I can, but I'll promise to review and respond to the forums every Friday at the very least. /pinkieswear