You know it, I know it. Sometimes, there’s no other way than use a stock photo and brighten up a dull, ordinary page. Clients don’t offer too much content, clients offer strict deadlines, clients refuse to give money on stock photos.
So where does that lead us? Free Stock Photos, or FSP.
While browsing sxc.hu for a hard-to-find shot of oil pumps the other day (don’t ask), I happened to stumble upon one, well lighted, well executed, that was perfect for the job. Alas…the user decided that “written permission is necessary for the public use of this photo”. That, in sxc.hu terms, mean that you can only download the comp, contact the author, and wait at least one day before being able to fully download it (that is, if the author permitted).
This, in my opinion, and as far as FSP are concerned, blows.
sxc.hu most downloaded photo. Guess what? It’s free!
What’s the meaning behind that? If I was a stock photographer (and maybe I’d be if I wasn’t so busy actually putting the stock photos into use) I would either:
- Register to a free site and offer everyone the chance to use the photos, asking for a credit link back when applicable.
- Register to a great stock photo site like istockphoto.com or stockxpert.com and submit my photos for rights-managed (RM) use.
Why bothering putting that kind of restriction since you’re posting your stock photos in a free place anyway? That goes beyond me.
