According to 2007 data from Corbis, eco-friendliness translated into billions in global revenues. And this is only the beginning, according to numerous sociologists, futurists, trend gurus and environmentalists.
Masterfile's Steve Pigeon recently made the comment, "The stock photo industry has been democratized to the extent where anyone can now be a contributing photographer, and anyone can afford to be a client. This is a good thing." The real problem is that few, if any, traditional sellers are developing systems to effectively take advantage of this trend.
Digital Railroad, a provider of online archiving and marketing services for photographers, laid off over 20 people this week. The company said that it is "reducing costs not directly related to growth of Marketplace," which it launched last April.
The colossal effect of the micro-payment model on traditional stock licensing is often described in political language. Jupitermedia CEO Alan Meckler favors the phrase, "microstock revolution." The revolution is maturing -- and so are the demands of its adherents.
The Industry Measure Business Optimism Index for ad agencies dropped by 10 points in six months, from last summer's 108.
According to JP Morgan analyst Imran Khan, U.S. newspaper ad revenue declined 8.6% in 2007, and he believes the decline will accelerate in 2008. In 2006, the decline was only 1.7% compared to 2005.
In the summer of 2003, I put together a list of leading companies in the industry, and I have tried to update it periodically. Here is a comprehensive list of the world's major picture libraries and portals that produce and license rights to still images.
With revenue growth stagnant, if not slightly declining, several portals and picture libraries are looking for ways to cut costs and make their sites more attractive to buyers. The unintended consequence: customers say they can't find the right image, while photographers lose revenue.
JAM'D, a new consumer-targeted Web site from Getty Images, launched during the holidays without so much as a press release. Conceptualized by Getty CEO Jonathan Klein, JAM'D intends to fulfill the general public's desire to see the latest snaps of their favorite celebs.
Dan Heller, a California-based photographer, industry analyst and author of several professional photography books, is critical of Creative Commons licensing practices. In a huge, 10,000-word series of entries to his popular photo-business blog -- Heller takes on the Creative Commons licensing platform, concluding that it does not fit into the photo world.
Founded by a wife-and-husband team in 1964, Mary Evans Picture Library embodies a passion for antiquarian books and prints. The London-based agency has now been chosen to represent, manage and house an important source of 19th- and 20th-century imagery: The Illustrated London News Picture Library.
Even if you handle copyright correctly, getting compensated once there is an infringement can be difficult.
Microstock sites seem ideal for book publishers -- until one looks closer at the license agreements. Repeat usage prices soar.
The National Press Photographers Association has opened The Best of Photojournalism 2008 for entries. This year, the contest runs with a new set of rules, designed to sharpen competition, highlight new stories and reflect the changing face of photojournalism.
According to the latest statistics from U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics, education and health are the two fastest-growing super-sectors of the American economy. Image use is likely to follow a similar pattern, with demand for white-collar, professional imagery rising and industrial images becoming less popular.
An increasing number of microstock images are considered of "better quality" than some RM imagery. Photographers seriously delude themselves when they believe that RM images are, by definition, of "better quality" than RF or microstock.
Corbis recently revealed the top 10 creative trends of 2007. The top three cultural phenomena affecting visual thinkers include the rise of environmental awareness, the spread of obesity and reconnecting generations of family members. These trends are taking place on a global, cross-cultural scale.
In August, Getty dramatically lowered the price for online use of any image in its collection to $49. The company expected this would attract a significant number of Web buyers. Image suppliers expected it would result in a significant decline in their revenue. Indications are neither occurred.