Many believe the concept of business ethics has become an oxymoron. Do a Google search and you’ll find reams and reams of explanations of what ethical business practices are, or should be. Every major corporation has a place on its web site that outlines the company’s ethical principles. Some companies test all employees annually to insure that they clearly understand the company’s ethical policies and procedures.
Often these principles seem to boil down to two over riding rules: (1) Maximize Shareholder and Manager Wealth and (2) Do What Is Legal.
John Fowler points out that his strategy for running a stock photography business isn't working, acknowledges that he needs to make changes and asks for ideas as to what those changes should be. I added some of my experiences and perspective and encourage readers to suggest positive ways forward.
A reader just forwarded to me a list of 50 sites with free photos. One
of the interesting things about some of these sites is that some of the photographers didn’t intend for their images
to be made available for free. By using PicScout’s ImageExchange I was able to determine
that a number of the best images on some of these sites seem to have
been grabbed from paid sites, particularly Dreamstime.
For almost two years I have been following the sales of 197 of iStockphoto’s top sellers.
The tendency has been to think of these people as photographers, but in
fact 98 of them, or almost 50%, list their job description as something
other than photographer.
Ron Chapple, one of the first traditional adopters of the micro-priced model into his larger stock business, says that chances of making a sale have decreased by 90% in recent years.
The Association of Stock Image Licensors and Thriving Archives have launched
the ACSIL Global Survey of Stock Footage Companies 2,
a comprehensive review of the stock footage business. The survey will
assess overall business conditions within the stock footage industry and
provide strategic, action-oriented information and insights to industry
leaders. Participants who complete the online survey will be eligible
to receive a complimentary summary report of the results and a 50%
discount on the purchase of the final report.
Crediting the success of feature films like “Avatar” for the growing
popularity of three-dimensional imagery, specialist provider StockFood
has launched a service that converts the stills in its delectable
collection into 3D format. The company says the trend is set to sweep
advertising and publishing industries.