I do quite a bit of 3D modeling in
Blender, which requires constructing diffuse texture maps that can be applied to the model mesh. At present there are only a handful of sources for images that have a CC license. I typically use two of them:
Wikimedia Commons and
OpenGameArt. There's a couple of other sources I use, but they are more specialized. Some very sophisticated software is available, such as Substance Painter, for making your own textures. But that requires an expensive subscription license.
The images aren't always in a form that is useful for mapping, being captured at an angle or with unsuitable lighting. But when I find the right the right image, it can make all the difference. Object models typically require shots from multiple angles under similar lighting, and with a minimal amount of shadows or obstructions. For example, face-on images from all six sides would provide a full suite for constructing a realistic model of a simple packing container.
Images can also be useful for 3D models when they are readily converted into seamless textures -- that is, the edges blend into each other when applied as a tile. Sometimes it is possible to convert a texture into seamless using a GIMP plug-in, but at other times it has to be done by hand. The texture doesn't need to be something fancy; sometimes an image as simple as an forest floor, tree bark, or a brick wall, can be very useful.
Anyway, if you have an interest in this sort of thing, I'm just mentioning that there is a need for these sort of photographs in the hobbyist's world of 3D Modeling.
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