MorgueFile.com - Free Digital Stock Photography

The MorgueFile is essentially a photography stockpile open to everyone. Photographers can contribute their work after registering and agreeing to the terms of service; photos can be uploaded the ftp way allowing for easy drag and drop loading, or you can also opt to load up to five photos in one shot. Once your pics are up and ready, all you've got to do is add some details—keywords, captions, anything to make the photo searchable. In order to facilitate finding photos, users can create a personal lightbox and store their favorite pics inside; lightboxes may also be shared and emailed to friends and family. Photos are filtered by type, however search by contributor is also possible. Each registered Morgue member is given profile space which details their stats and provides links to any websites they might have. The Morguefile has also got a discussion forum, a job board, event calendars, a wiki, a photography classroom, and an iPhone wallpaper. All photos can be used free of charge for commercial projects, art projects, or anything else.

"A place to keep post production materials for use of reference, an inactive job file. This morgue file contains free high resolution digital stock photography for either corporate or public use.

The term "morgue file" is popular in the newspaper business to describe the file that holds past issues flats. Although the term has been used by illustrators, comic book artist, designers and teachers as well. The purpose of this site is to provide free image reference material for use in all creative pursuits. This is the world wide web's morguefile."

Although it has a somewhat grim name, the MorgueFile is filled with lots of useful stuff. Particularly nice additions are the classroom tutorials, job board, and lightboxes. This looks like it could be a fantastic source for web designers, art students, commercial project managers, anyone really.

What's the business model? How's it going to keep going without charging any fees or offering premium memberships?