Stock Photography Challenge. - DPChallenge Forums

Sony 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 E-mount

02/25/2003 07:57:32 AM · #1

After reading some comments on my image, and looking at the work others submitted, I realized very few people here actually now what stock photography is.

As someone who worked for stock agencies (not as a photographer, but as part of the sr. management team) I can tell you there are exactly 14 images out 91, that are stock worthy.

Sharpness is not a major factor, it's the ability to use the image in conjaction with additional visual material that makes it stock.

Have fun,
Dimitrii

UberFish

Fujifilm FinePix S2 Pro

02/25/2003 08:22:43 AM · #2

I'd like to hear more about what *exactly* stock photography is. Ive always assumed its the stuff you see in marketing blurb:

Gender/race balanced IT professionals at work.

Assorted moody shots of generic objects.

As opposed to 'Photo Library' stuff, which would be landscape, natural history, famous buildings, branded objects (e.g. coke bottles), etc.

Digipixer

Canon Power Shot SX10 IS

02/25/2003 08:30:31 AM · #3

Sharpness ISN'T a major factor?

Jak

Fujifilm FinePix S602Z

02/25/2003 08:32:37 AM · #4

This year's Photographer's Market 2003 has a good section on stock photography.

jmsetzler

Sony Alpha a6000

02/25/2003 08:54:06 AM · #5

Originally posted by Digipixer:

Sharpness ISN'T a major factor?

I see tons of stock photography where noting in the image is sharp at all.. stock photos are often used to support an idea or a theme.. they are not the usually the focal point of the particular media in which they are used...

02/25/2003 09:20:25 AM · #6

Originally posted by jmsetzler:

Originally posted by Digipixer:
Sharpness ISN'T a major factor?

I see tons of stock photography where noting in the image is sharp at all.. stock photos are often used to support an idea or a theme.. they are not the usually the focal point of the particular media in which they are used...

Precisesly, the image here is in a SUPPORTING role, not the main atraction.

Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX Aspherical DF for Canon

02/25/2003 09:22:19 AM · #7

Originally posted by UberFish:

Both of your examples are right on target, and if you'd notice all of them leave space, or arrange contrast in such a way that it allows for more information (usually in the form of text or a logo) to be added.

Jak

Fujifilm FinePix S602Z

02/25/2003 10:26:38 AM · #8

I also wish that people would lay off the "decompression" comments on this challenge. Never would anyone sell a 640x480 72-dpi 150kb image to a stock agency. Try to imagine the images in their 9mb pure state.

jimmyn4

Canon EOS-7D

02/25/2003 11:09:44 AM · #9

I can understand your frustration Dimitrii. But hopefully the 77 photographers whom you feel don't know what stock photography will learn from this challenge what it really is. You can't really fault them entirely. I didn't know what stock photography was until this challenge. Maybe its the assumption of some that all members are professional photographers and we should know all of the techniques and terms of photography. I don't and I'm still learning. That's what the sites about right?

joanns

Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro

02/25/2003 11:34:11 AM · #10

Dimitrii, I hope you are not saying that there must be room for text on the photo in order for it to be "stock"? I have also used stock photos, one of the Eiffel Tower, one of a foggy mountain road, one of a car's headlights, one of apple pie, one of two children eating icecream, an antique truck,a big, beautiful daisy - none of them had room for text but each fit my needs at the moment.

02/25/2003 11:50:08 AM · #11

Originally posted by jimmyn4:

I agree, with you, and when I'll be commenting on particular image, more detailed advice/opinion will be given.

Canon EF 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 II USM

02/25/2003 11:53:47 AM · #12

Originally posted by joanns:

That is true as well, you can find cliche images in stock libraries, however from a prespective of a stock agency, images with space for text are considered more saleble. Also, they are sold with higher pricing, hence making them better stock. If you'd take the approcach of a customer than every image ever taken can be used as stock, however if you were to take a point of view of a stock agency, it would be the more commercially succesful images which would win.

bod

02/25/2003 11:54:22 AM · #13

Why wait till now to post this?

There was a discussion last week in which the conclusion seemed to be that this was an open challenge, but stay away from logos, etc.

Now I find out that we should have left room for text, and there's a difference between 'stock photography' and a 'photo library'. I would have appreciated being told before the deadline :-/

Malokata

Canon PowerShot G6

02/25/2003 11:59:02 AM · #14

I'd also thought that stock photographs are the type that hotels might buy to hang over beds, or people might buy to put in desk calendars, etc. Mine's taking a beating for not fitting the challenge, but I know it could easily work as either of those.

autool

Canon EOS-20D

02/25/2003 12:00:56 PM · #15

What I am reading into this thread is that 77 out of the 91 members that entered this challenge don't exactly know what stock photography really is. If that is true we won't be able to expect them to vote highly on the 14 pictures that really fit the challenge. I hope for the sake of the people that took great stock pictures that the rest of the membership know what they are doing.
Lets keep shootin' and have fun.
Autool

joanns

Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro

02/25/2003 12:03:38 PM · #16

Bod, I wouldn't worry about it too much. Most of us have a different definition of what is stock photography and will rate and critique based on that definition. I would be very disappointed in the members if they take off points for not including room for text.

bod

02/25/2003 12:15:22 PM · #17

Originally posted by joanns:

Yup, I'm not worrying. Just annoyed at the sudden late attempt to narrow the definition of the challenge, and I wanted to point out the thread many of us will have used as a reference when deciding what to submit.

I'm off to check that I haven't got my definition of an egg totally wrong ... ; )

clues63

Sony DSC-F707

02/25/2003 12:17:53 PM · #18

Dimitril, did you enter a photo for Stock Photography?
Will you point it out when the voting is finished?

autool

Canon EOS-20D

Canon EF 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 II USM

02/25/2003 12:24:11 PM · #19

Dimitri,
Could we get you to go back and comment on all 14 of the photos that you say meet the challenge, that way we will know if we hit the mark or not.
Thanks, Autool

xertion

Sony DSC-F717

02/25/2003 01:54:01 PM · #20

Originally posted by autool:

Dimitri,
Could we get you to go back and comment on all 14 of the photos that you say meet the challenge, that way we will know if we hit the mark or not.
Thanks, Autool

Yes, Dimitiri, that would be VERY helpful to all of us. Since it is only 14 and it's still early in the week. Thank you!

- E.J.

02/25/2003 01:56:38 PM · #21

Originally posted by clues63:

Dimitril, did you enter a photo for Stock Photography?
Will you point it out when the voting is finished?

Yes, I did sumbit and will gladly point it out afterwards, as well as provide samples of uses and posible clients.

02/25/2003 01:59:35 PM · #22

Originally posted by autool:

Dimitri,
Could we get you to go back and comment on all 14 of the photos that you say meet the challenge, that way we will know if we hit the mark or not.
Thanks, Autool

I will most definetly comment on those, as well as I will try to comment on all of them (time permiting).

Also, I would like to mention, that my point of view is not the holly grail of stock photography. I based my opinions of an expereince at one particular agency (which at this point has been bought by Mr. Gates, in other words Corbis).