The
Image Source team responsible for tracking trends in the premium stock photography industry is in the process of publishing a series of briefings following their recent research conducted to determine near-future patterns in the use of conceptual imagery. Intended to help premium stock photographers produce the imagery demanded by image buyers, their research will be published as a series of articles on the Image Source
photographer resource blog over the next couple of months.
Since the beginning of the year, Image Source has observed a rise in customers looking for distinctive imagery that can ‘cut through’ the visual clutter. Coupled with the fact that conceptual images can be keyworded very specifically and are ready to use to
communicate precise ideas, customers are increasingly opting for more abstract imagery that clearly conveys specific concepts and ideas.
In the first article of the series, Image Source explores the
rise in conceptual imagery, citing examples from a range of popular advertising and media sources. Also see the second article that deals with
handshakes.
Over the coming months Image Source will reveal more of their findings and discuss how ‘hard’ concepts have the most potential for satisfying the demands of image buyers. “Hard concepts are innovative, succinct, powerful (ways of expressing an idea. They can be stylised, they can be still lives or they can be pre-planned people shots. Whichever they are, the chances are that they will need to have been dreamt up long before the shoot and they will need to be prepped, propped and carefully created,” – Ashley Jouhar, Image Source Group Creative Director.
Anyone interested in finding out more about Image Source’s research should keep an eye on Image Source’s
concept trends page over the next couple of months as it will be updated as the articles are published. Photographers interested in shooting for Image Source should also
get in touch for access to instant trend briefs, promotions and dedicated art direction.