To stock or not to stock?
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.
May 5th, 2006 at 11:09 pm
I must say I have never used a stock photo in my life and I am very proud of it. If a piece needs a photo, I take the photo myself or we hire a pro photographer to take it. Personally, I always find stock photos have this essence of detachment from the project which is hard to shake. I can spot a stock photo on a website a mile away - and I bet you can too.
Nonetheless, I do agree that there are times where there is no other choice. I would always suggest paying for it from Getty or some other high end reseller as the quality is most likely going to be heads above any free stock photo you can get.
In a perfect world, stock photos wouldn’t exist. Unfortunately, it seems as though that is not the case.
May 6th, 2006 at 10:46 am
For me, stock photos are often the starting point for a website, good technique or not.
I don’t have the skills required to shoot the stock myself, and I certainly don’t have the money to pay to any site other than the new, low-cost ones.
For some of us, stock photos are a necessity, and things are getting increasingly difficult.
May 8th, 2006 at 12:21 am
I imagine the photographer has seen his/her photos been used in ways he/she doesn’t approve and if that’s the case the other stock sites wouldn’t be a solution since money isn’t the issue here.
So what do you do? Do you give up everytjing when you’re offering something for free?
I’m not accusing you. I’d be having the same thoughts if I were in your shoes. I’m just wondering.
May 8th, 2006 at 11:05 am
@ Maria: Let’s be realistic here, one cannot expect that a lemon zest photo will be used in any inappropriate way. Most web stock photos have generic themes.
Only problem I see is re-selling the free stock photos without permission. That must be avoided, yes. But being a web designer always rushing for deadlines, I don’t find “wait-at least-for-1-day” “free” photos useful. Not at all.
July 10th, 2006 at 4:52 pm
H3llo Zacharenia
you know, i want to know, but clearly if i can get free photos for comercial use !?
To make it more clear, i have visited in the past sxc.hu but after looking in the licence agreement of a photo that i want to take i find so many limitations that finally make me to dont even “touc” the photo, are these photos there really free? are free for commercial use?
I want to know, where i can get 100% FREE photos for commercial use ???
Please let me know , cause all this time i dont understand if exist or not 100$% free stock photos
Thanks in advance dear Sugar
..????????? & simply yours
July 11th, 2006 at 4:11 pm
@ ?????????: If the license agreement in sxc.hu states that there are no restrictions to its use, you can use the photo as you will. If it states that the author must first be contacted, you must do so.
I will redirect you to sxc.hu Legal Information, I bet they explain it better than I do.
February 5th, 2007 at 3:09 pm
The restrictions you speak of were put in place because some people believed it would aid in preventing their photos ending up in places that they dont like. The exact reason why the restrictions were implemented was because many female portraits were found on an … err… unsavoury website.
Of course, people use the restrictions to feed their ego, and they end up on every kind of photo imaginable. The debate on restrictions has flared up numerous times on SXC itself, with the vast majority of users deciding that they are against the “free” spirit of the site. Many of the photographers there are in full agreement with you.
Thats including myself
Stumbled across your blog whilst looking to see where my lime photo ended up 
I just thought Id fill you in on the story. Not that it makes restrictions right to use
Unfortunately, it looks like they are here to stay.
July 20th, 2007 at 2:35 pm
I have been stocking photos since i was a kid. It really helped me all these years .I think all must have an album so that some day when they are alone they can cherish the memories stored in it.