Photo Credits and Sources

Real War Photos has obtained public domain, copyright cleared, or permission-released photos and negatives from the sources listed below. The vast majority of our collection consists of declassified war time photographs from the various branches of service (Army, Navy, AirForce, Marine and Coast Guard), plus the National Archives and Records Administration and Library of Congress. Many of our photos and negatives have been donated by veterans' from their private collections. 

The declassified photos taken by the signal corps, or service members, belong to the public domain. Proprietary rights on other images last for 70 years after the date of the author's death, or the date of first publication. Public domain means the images belong to (or are available to) the public as a whole, and therefore not subject to copyright.  To authors, researchers, publishers and others requiring proof, we make available the citations or copies of permission letters as needed and upon written request.  (Note: individuals or entities making claims to photos that are actually public domain, are attempting to obtain money under false pretenses.) 

At Real War Photos we provide several free services for veterans including the researching of veterans’ requests for their time in service and reproducing these war time photos from negatives for the best results. This requires time, money and effort as we travel with our camera equipment, lighting, anti-vibration stand and laptop DC and MD to the National Archives & Records Administration and Library of Congress to locate and make photos and document negatives of the highest resolution for the best possible reproduction. 

Back in Michigan, we process the negatives, touching-up scratches, artifacts and equalizing (poor) lighting, at no charge while other companies may charge substantial dollars for this service. We print on professional printers, with high-grade photographic paper (Glossy or Matte) and quality inks to produce long-lasting photos and also produce digital images for downloading.  We sell the photos at a 50% discount to veterans as one small way to say, "Thank you so much for your service."

SOURCES:

National Archives and Records Administration 

Library of Congress 

U.S. Department of Navy

U.S. Department of Army

U.S. Coast Guard

U.S. Marines

U.S. Air Force

U.S. Army Signal Corps

U.S. Army Center of Military History

Private Collections

Imperial War Museum-Japan

National Archives Museum-UK

San Diego Air Museum 

U.S. Reunions (all branches)

U.S. Navy National Museum of Naval Aviation

The National WWII Museum-New Orleans

Wikipedia