[OT] Stock libraries?

Freeway
1

I’m particularly interested in thoughts from photographers and
illustrators who may be reading this; people who might (or might
not!) consider selling images/photos in stock or micro-stock
libraries.

What do you think of stock libraries?

  • Do you submit photos to any already?
  • Would you consider doing this?
  • Would you not touch them even with a 10-foot pole?

I’m asking because I’m writing up something about stock libraries
from the point of view of image and photo creators. I’d appreciate
any related feedback and thoughts!

And now, back to your regular show…

k

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On 7 Mar 2009, 8:30 pm, thatkeith wrote:

What do you think of stock libraries? …

Judging by the enormous(!) response so far, for many, not a lot. =:0

Well for my tuppence/two cents worth, they are a mixed blessing. They are good for creative devlopment and populating the less needy web sites with images at a low cost - especially since the development of penny libraries offering web quality images at tiny charges.

However, nothing surpasses the uniqueness of bespoke photography that can match both the client’s business need and the designer’s intentions. More expensive! you cry. Not always so. Really good library photos are not always royalty free, command extortionate fees up front and do not guarantee excusivity, while a well planned photo shoot could actually cost less (trips to exotic locations, however nice, excluded - unless you just happen to indulge in beautiful panoramas that transcend any cost!).

With libraries, there is also a time premium on searches and you may have to vet hundreds of images over several libraries to find the closest match to what you want. Good libraries will do much of the legwork for you, but you still end up with a degree of compromise.

I use libraries to advantage at times, but always prefer bespoke images, especially when I have a hand in direction the content and style. Luckily, while not a true professional, I have enough capability to shoot some of my own, so my comments are as both as an image maker and, to some extent, a photographer.

Clients often like libraries, because they are happy with generic images or haven’t time (or are too lazy) to set up the required ‘sets’ or supply the right products. A good designer crops and blends stock photos to add some individuality, so providing an eye is kept on overall costs, use of library shots can be a winner.

So the answer in short, to my mind, is to press for original photos if possible, but where not, use creative stock creatively, after diligent picture research.

Now where can I find a really expressive image of a gig on the other side of the pond? :wink:

Colin

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As a former photographer, I always feel guilty when I use one of these things. But some of my clients can’t afford the real custom photography that they ought to have, so off I go to buy another pack of “credits” at iStockPhoto or similar.

But every so often I find an opportunity to hire a real photographer, pay him or her tens of thousands of dollars for a couple days’ work, and so right the wrongs I’ve done.

As Colin noted, I often end up having to charge my customer for hours of my time spent digging through hundreds of pages of useless dreck to find an image. These search engines are never quite what you’d hope they’d be.

Walter

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Hi Keith,

I used to have work with two libraries up until recently, now just with a Spanish based library. One of the libraries I was with archived through Digital Railroad and and didn’t have a backup so lost all their own photographers work. I used to do ok by them as well.

Anyway, you asked if people should put work with libraries, yes most definitely. Though the whole scene has and is changing rapidly. Sales are way down, thanks in part to the camera digital revolution and more recently cost cutting measures. My suggestion is to specialise and stick with it, find a library that covers your interest and more to the point that hopefully will push the work it has.
Libraries need to work a lot harder these days and be pro active, gone are the days of sitting on their butt waiting for the phone to ring. Or for clients to do all the work by searching on their online library.

A small saving grace is that picture editors will stick with a library in the main, they know what they will get, service and images and also the financing paperwork is a lot easier. Finding an image on the net is all very well but you have to then negotiate a fee and arrange payment etc. That can all be a hassle.

The Spanish library I’m with though I don’t have a lot of work with them, they regularly send out specific requests for images and also will email their clients with information about locations their photographers might be working. Basically they’ve made the decision that to stay in the game they have to be proactive.
Other libraries, mainly the larger concerns are tackling the situation differently in that they are maintaining their profits by reducing the fee to photographers, good for them but a potential disaster for the photographer and I feel an erosion of the industry.

Sadly with the amount of images out there Professional photographers are having a hard time of it but then so are many others.
I know a lot of pro wildlife photographers in particular and they are being badly hit by the profusion of wildlife stock thats available now.
If I’m being particularly grumpy (bitter and twisted) I would point the finger at amateurs suppling work and those who have taken early retirement and wish to be ‘photographers’ muscling in on the local scene perhaps - think of the pro’s who might be losing out on a sale or a commission and the effect that has.

If you wish less grumpy specific thoughts, feel free to contact me off list.

regards,
seoras

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5

I had some uneful off-list replies to this query as well as the
couple of on-list ones. Thanks! The feedback was useful for the
feature I was writing - look to the next issue of MacUser if you want
to read it. :slight_smile:

k

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