Stock Photographs Question - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM

05/03/2006 01:19:36 PM · #1

Okay, so I'm looking for a photograph to use on a website. I'm fairly picky, so I know I may not find exactly what I want, but I've found a few that'll do. It's a pretty basic picture, I'm just choosy about the layout of the item in the photo.
I'm looking on stock photography sites. My question - am I doing this the wrong way or something? All the ones I can find are pretty much $100+. Is that the norm? For a low res copy of a picture? I can't see paying in excess of $100 for an image that will be used as a piece of a graphic that I'm creating for this site...
Or am I just a cheapskate? :)

cpanaioti

Canon EOS-40D

05/03/2006 01:22:01 PM · #2

Did you check the micro-stock sites? shutterstock, istock, canstock, dreamstime are some to check

Look for ones that let you buy without a subscription. Should cost < $5.

Message edited by author 2006-05-03 13:23:13.

05/03/2006 01:23:06 PM · #3

Try the microstock sites

istockphoto.com, shutterstock.com are two of the biggest. I think you will like the prices better.

05/03/2006 01:26:46 PM · #4

Great.. much easier on the wallet. Thanks. :) I was considering just going out and buying the thing and taking pictures myself.. lots cheaper that way. But $5-$10 sounds nice to me. :)

Are the high-priced ones are generally used for selling high-quality prints or something?

05/03/2006 01:29:34 PM · #5

Originally posted by Cyndane:

Are the high-priced ones are generally used for selling high-quality prints or something?

Not really, your paying for the royalty rights on the other sites, which you would need if you were publishing for a magazine or major printing. The royalty-free microstock sites are a lot better alternative for obtaining photos for web sites.

Message edited by author 2006-05-03 13:30:23.

05/03/2006 01:38:42 PM · #6

Cool, thanks. :)

Spork99

Canon EOS M6 Mk II

Canon EF-M 22mm STM Lens

05/03/2006 02:05:28 PM · #7

Jst be warned that getting an image through a microstock site means that you may find the exact same image being used by someone else. You don't say if it's a commercial website or a personal one, but if it's commercial and you are designing it for a client, be careful.

It happened to 2 computer makers (Dell and Gateway, I think) who cheaped out and went to microstock for their images and both ran the same shot in their ads on the same week.

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

05/03/2006 02:08:33 PM · #8

Originally posted by Spazmo99:

Thanks, I'll keep that in mind. :) As it is, I can't find the photo I'm looking for.. so I'm not sure what to do. I guess I just need to take it myself...

Funny about the Dell/Gateway thing. :)

Count

Canon EOS-30D

05/03/2006 02:12:44 PM · #9

Originally posted by Cyndane:

Originally posted by Spazmo99:
Jst be warned that getting an image through a microstock site means that you may find the exact same image being used by someone else. You don't say if it's a commercial website or a personal one, but if it's commercial and you are designing it for a client, be careful.

It happened to 2 computer makers (Dell and Gateway, I think) who cheaped out and went to microstock for their images and both ran the same shot in their ads on the same week.

Thanks, I'll keep that in mind. :) As it is, I can't find the photo I'm looking for.. so I'm not sure what to do. I guess I just need to take it myself...

Funny about the Dell/Gateway thing. :)

What kind of image are you looking for? Someone here might have the right kind of image for you...

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

05/03/2006 02:15:40 PM · #10

Originally posted by Count:

What kind of image are you looking for? Someone here might have the right kind of image for you...

Was just thnking that.

Canon EOS-20D

05/03/2006 02:16:05 PM · #11

I've been buying shots from BigStockPhoto for the dinky little projects I do - flyers and stuff. I didn't pick them over the others for any particular reason but I've been satisfied.

(And if use them and are feeling especially nice, you can use my referrer link although I can't say I care much because I'm not likely to make it big off that.)

TroyMosley

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

05/03/2006 02:22:16 PM · #12

Originally posted by fotomann_forever:

Originally posted by Count:
What kind of image are you looking for? Someone here might have the right kind of image for you...

Was just thnking that.

me too, we are all pretty giving around here

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM

05/03/2006 02:31:22 PM · #13

Originally posted by Count:

What kind of image are you looking for? Someone here might have the right kind of image for you...

I'm looking for two dog leashes and a collar. They can be two pictures... One needs to just be somewhat straight, with the hook on the end. That one will stretch across the page. The other needs to be pooled at the end.
Basically, I want it to look a little like this:

Please don't laugh at my 10-second terrible drawing! :)

EDIT: If I can find a really good, clear shot of a leash and collar, that'll be great.. I can edit it and everything to get it laid out like I want it. :)

Message edited by author 2006-05-03 14:37:30.

cpanaioti

Canon EOS-40D

05/03/2006 02:38:41 PM · #14

What type of background? Or are you going to do a selection to extract the leashes and collar?

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

05/03/2006 02:41:35 PM · #15

Nope, don't have anything like that... and can see why you are having problems finding it. Probably gonna have to do a custom shoot.

Edit to add: probably would be a good microstock seller after it's shot.

Message edited by author 2006-05-03 14:42:36.

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

05/03/2006 02:44:26 PM · #16

It doesn't seem that complicated a setup -- you can probably lay them out on the floor on an evenly-colored contrasting background, and shoot down from high overhead. Why not do it yourself?