Archives: September, 2005
News
Four new Jupiter collections with Adobe
Jupiter recently announced that Adobe Stock Photos has accepted four new collections from Jupiter Images to market through Adobe’s stock photo service. The new collections Creatas, Goodshoot, IT Stock, and Thinkstock will now be seen along with Comstock in the Adobe Bridge (a new photo browsing program included with Adobe’s Creative Suite 2). Distribution through Adobe will likely further strengthen Jupiter’s presence as a premiere source of Royalty Free images. It remains to be seen whether buyers will adopt the new Adobe Stock Photo service as a reliable first stop to find and license images.
Features
Che’s family seeks copyright protection of famed image
Recently reported by CNN.com the family of Che Guevara has
announced plans to file lawsuits against companies that they believe are
exploiting the famed image of Che Guevara. The famous picture was taken by Alberto Diaz a
Cuban photographer in 1960 and has since been used by advertisers and
merchandisers on anything from watches to women’s underwear. Precedent for
legal action has been set by a successful copyright lawsuit against Smirnoff
vodka in Britain in 2000, establishing ownership of the photographic image.
News
StockPhotoFinder opens StockPipeline
The creator of StockPhotoFinder
recently announced a new product called StockPipeline.
StockPipeline is a new service that will compete with Digital Railroad, Photo Shelter, IPNStock, and
others to provide the technology infrastructure to photographers and small
agents who want to offer images for online licensing. To get started there is a
set-up fee of $200 and a monthly fee of about $50 per 1000 images stored. With
each sale a transaction fee of $25 is added to the order (on top of the list
price) and the Photographers receive 100% of the licensing fees.
Click here for more info from http://www.stockpipeline.com
Also reported by:
Stock Asylum, PhotoTalk
News
OnRequest adds $8 Million to its piggy bank
OnRequest Images has just
received $8 million from investors (Frazier Technology Ventures and Maveron LLC.)
OnRequest Images has stated that it will use the dough to finance the expansion
of its sales and marketing efforts. In related news, OnRequest Images recently opened a new office in San Francisco and it seems likely that the new revenue will further fund OnRequest’s
efforts to expand.
Click here for a recent interview with David
Norris, CEO of Onrequest Images.
Canon Launches CMOS sensor website
Want to learn about the technology behind Canon’s successful
line of EOS digital cameras? Canon just launched a website promoting its CMOS
technology called The World of Canon CMOS Sensors. The site offers in-depth
info divided into four sections; Image capture, Technology, Full-frame appeal
and Shooting options. An interesting read if you shoot with or are considering
a Canon digital camera.
News
UpperCut Images offers you its protection
Miles Gerstein (founder and CEO of PunchStock) has recently
launched a new Rights-Protected stock agency called UpperCut Images. UpperCut claims to have a not-so-secret
weapon: great images by great photographers. (The image above is not from UpperCut). Many stock agencies make similar
claims to offer only the best images, but what makes UpperCut different is that
every image includes "spot rights protection" (see definition below). This means that every image licensed
through UpperCut will come with certain protections similar to an Industry-Exclusive license without any additional fees. In plain English…
If you plan to use the image for the Insurance industry, UpperCut will protect
you by restricting others in the insurance industry from using the image as specified below. Currently
UpperCut offers approximately 13,000 images and has stated a goal of
increasing that to 20,000 by the end of 2005.
Definition of Spot Rights Protection.
UpperCut Images guarantees to make commercially reasonable efforts
not to re-license the same image (or its similars), to any other customer for
the same use, in the same industry segment, in the same geographic region, and
during the same time period.
Here is a sample image from Uppercut Images. For more images like this check out www.uppercutimages.com.
This image was shot by Chase Jarvis.
Also reported by:
Stock Asylum
Press Release: BAPLA Picture Buyers Fair 2007 - Fastest selling show ever
London, September 2006BAPLA Picture Buyers’ Fair 2007 - Fastest selling show ever
Within two weeks of going on sale, over 50% of stands at the show, had been sold. “The show looks again to be the leading event for image trading in the world” said BAPLA CEO Linda Royles.
Calling overseas agents!
BAPLA is opening its doors to international members and agents looking for exporting and partnership opportunities in 2007. The two day fair, exclusive agents’ breakfast and evening reception create a marketing platform to discuss content exchange and collaboration. Furthermore, PBF is free to those that register and qualify; but closed to individual photographers selling their own work.
A recent BAPLA survey of members showed that 77% highlighted exporting as a high priority over the next five years. The UK has the largest concentration of image libraries in the world, so a trip to PBF, London in May will open up vast opportunities.
To meet image suppliers or to enquire about membership and exhibiting at PBF07, email .
Companies exhibiting in 2007 (booked as of 14th September 2006)
20/20 Software, Inc
4Corners Images
akg-images Ltd.
Alamy Images
Alpine Club Photo Library
Anthony Blake Photo Library
Arcticphoto (B & C Alexander)
Ardea, wildlife, pets, environment
Art Archive, The
Auto Express Picture Library
Aviation-Images.com
bfi Stills Sales
British Library Images Online
British Museum Images
Camera Press Ltd.
Collections
Corbis
Creative Image Library
David Tipling Photo Library
DK Images
Ecoscene
Elizabeth Whiting & Associates
EMPICS
English Heritage Photo Library
Eye Ubiquitous / Hutchison
FLPA - Images of Nature
fotoLibra
Francis Frith Collection, The
GAP Photos Ltd
Garden Picture Library
Getty Images
Heather Angel/Natural Visions
Historic Scotland Images
Illustrated London News Picture Library
Image Quest Marine
Image Source Limited
Images of Empire
Imperial War Museum
Inmagine Limited
John Birdsall Social Issues Photo Library
John Warburton-Lee Photography
Jon Arnold Images
JUPITERIMAGES
LAT Photographic
Lebrecht Music and Arts Photo Library
Lonely Planet Images
Mary Evans Picture Library Ltd.
Masterfile UK Limited
Mother & Baby Picture Library
National Gallery Picture Library
National Portrait Gallery
NI Syndication
OnAsia
Oxford Scientific (OSF)
Photofusion Picture Library
Photolibrary
Photoshot
Pictures of Britain
PunchStock
Rail Images
Red Cover
Redferns Music Picture Library
Reuters
Rex Features Ltd.
Robert Harding World Imagery
Science & Society Picture Library
Science Photo Library Ltd.
STILL PICTURES The Whole Earth Photo Library
SuperStock
The Garden Collection
The Picture Library
TopFoto
Travel Ink Photo Library
V&A Images
VIEW Pictures Ltd
Wellcome Trust Medical Photographic Library
Werner Forman Archive Ltd.
ABOUT BAPLA
BAPLA is the British Association of Picture Libraries and Agencies.
BAPLA represents circa 80% of the UK's picture libraries and agencies.
BAPLA helps foster the community of image suppliers, image buyers, photographers and industry service suppliers.
The Picture Buyers' Fair is a trade show organised by BAPLA for BAPLA members and their image-buying clients.
The UK has the largest concentration of image libraries in the world.
For further information or images, contact:
Christina Berry
Communications and Membership Officer
BAPLA
18 Vine Hill
London
EC1R 5DZ
Email:
Tel +44 (0) 20 7713 1780
Press Release: iStockphoto Localizes Stock Image & Video Site in French, German and Spanish
Buyers Gain Full Access to Collection in Their Native Languages and Artists Reach More Customers
CALGARY, Alberta, Sept. 18, 2006—iStockphoto®, the world’s leading community-powered marketplace for stock photography, illustrations and videos, today launched localized versions of the site in French, German and Spanish and will offer search and keyword entry in 12 languages. These enhancements will create easier access for designers and business owners worldwide while giving talented global photographers, artists and videographers an opportunity to profit from their work.
Features
When stock photos attack
Recently a reader sent me a link pointing out one of the major perils associated with stock photo licensing. The photo you license today could also be used by Vagisil or anybody else who wants to license the image. This is a classic problem because the images licensed are not unique and can be used by any other company. With a Royalty Free (RF) image it is simply impossible to protect this from happening. With a Rights-Managed (RM) image the customer is also subject to the same possibility unless they negotiate an exclusive license with an additional fee.
Click here for original posting on sync2play.com
Thanks to Mike from Hacking NetFlix for sending the link
News
Reuters swallows up Action Images
Reuters has announced the acquisition of UK Sports agency Action Images. This appears to be a move to help Reuters compete (At least in the UK) with Getty images, Corbis, and others offering sports images to stock photo buyers. Monique Villa, Reuters Global Head of News and Pictures, and (the new) Chairman of Action Images, said, “Bringing together Reuters world class sports photography with Action Images position in the editorial and commercial market is a really powerful combination. It is an important part of the ongoing investment and expansion of our picture business, allowing us to reach new marketplaces and cement our position in existing ones.” Reuters has decided not to disclose the terms of the sales so it’s anybody's guess how much Reuters paid for this new acquisition.
Click here for the original Press Release
Also reported by:
PDN
Features
Straight from the horses mouth
I just came across a great survey posted on the Graphic Design USA website called The New Face of Stock. This survey was published in August 05 and offers great insight into how photo buyers perceive stock photography. I have listed some of the more interesting stats and comments from the survey below.
“The central finding of the survey is that 92% of creative professionals sometimes use stock photography in their work. This benchmark number is the highest ever in our survey, albeit just by a little, since the past three years have seen the proportion of stock users oscillate around the nine-in-ten mark.”
What stock licensing methods have you used this year?
Royalty Free - 88%
Rights Managed - 58%
Flat Rate/Other - 27%
Recognizing that rights managed can be more costly than royalty free, on which do you spend more dollars?
Rights Managed - 40%
Royalty Free - 52%
Same - 8%
“There are better choices today than in the past, because of the
consolidation of many libraries under one umbrella portal, better
online searches, and more niche providers offering both specific
subject matter and varying styles of common subject matter.”
— Jeff Breitenstein, Amazon.com, Seattle WA
“Any criticism that stock lacks choice or diversity is unfair. What a crock! I've never had any trouble finding what I need.”
— Lisa Graves, Lisa Graves Design, Red Hook NY
Click here to see the entire survey from http://www.gdusa.com
EditorialsFeatures
Welcome to the planet!
Last night a miracle happened and Natalie Rose Phelps was born at 7:12 PM to loving parents Todd (my little bro) and Patty Phelps. Little Natalie is 4lbs 6oz and 18" long. Mother and Baby are doing well and hope to return home from the hospital shortly.
News
Dude, WireImage has gone “Commercial”
WireImage has gone “Commercial” with a recent move to begin offering a few commercial Royalty-Free (RF) collections to its customers. The images appear on the WireImage website under the “Creative” tab and so far buyers have access to the following collections: WireImageStock (in-house stock collection), BlendImages, Cut & Deal, DesignPics, Image Source, Purestock, and WincReps. It seems likely that WireImage will continue to expand its RF image offerings in order to serve its customers needs. WireImage is a MediaVast company and is well known as a trusted source for editorial photos related to celebrities and breaking news.
Also reported by:
PDN, StockPhotoTalk
EditorialsFeatures
Veer understands the creative mind
Over the past few years I have to say that I have been impressed with the marketing that I have seen from Veer. It seems that Veer understands the creative professional better than anybody else and has inspired an almost cult following. From the outside perspective this seems a bit odd but if you look a little closer you can see that Veer has consistently done one thing right. They use creative people to market their product without the intervention of some “suit” stepping in the way. This means that they can do interesting promotions and printed pieces that appeal to their customer. Consider the recent “Doodle with Veer” page put up on their site. Clearly this has nothing to do with selling images yet this is something that creative people love. Doodle with Veer has inspired many potential customers to spend minutes and hours on the Veer site. Another example is the merchandise store which on the surface seems to have little in common with selling photos and fonts. However, all of the merchandise here has been carefully selected to appeal to the kind of customer who would likely buy from Veer. I think we could all learn something from how Veer has gotten inside the heads of their customers with exciting promotions that enhance the user experience.
Want to see proof this works? Trying clicking on one of these links to
see how Veer has inspired the creative masses.
News
Masterfile is expanding with new offices in Europe
Masterfile has recently hired Thomas Speight (Former co-CEO for Zefa) to help launch Masterfile Europe, a wholly owned subsidiary headquartered in Düsseldorf with offices in London and Milan. Masterfile plans to hire sales staff in each of these locations and hopes to dramatically increase it’s market share in Europe. This expansion is meant to compensate for the loss of its primary European distribution channel after Zefa was acquired by Corbis.
In a related announcement sent to contributing artists on September 26th, Masterfile's President, Steve Pigeon, stated: "While these operations will be owned by Masterfile, they are separate companies and will be treated the same as independent agents, meaning there will be no change in the way royalties are calculated for our contributing artists." Plainly spoken; all sales from Europe will be split between the two Masterfile companies before royalties are paid to the artists. When asked to comment about whether this is an attempt to cut into royalties that should be paid to contributors, Geoff Cannon, Executive Vice-President for Masterfile, offered the following explanation. “There will be no "cut" in the photographer's royalty. The photographer will get the same percentage as before but, now Masterfile will own the "sub-agent". What is really changing is that Masterfile will now be in control of marketing, promotion and distribution in the respective countries with the goal of increasing Masterfile's market share dramatically. And that should benefit all of Masterfile's contributors.”
Also reported by:
Stock Asylum
Features
Jupiter is craving Banana
I heard an unconfirmed rumor (See definition below) that Jupiter Media is close to acquiring
n. A piece of
unverified information of uncertain origin usually spread by word of mouth.
Information credible enough to post on a site like this but not credible enough
to state as fact. If you hear an unconfirmed rumor you should not use this info
as a basis to buy or sell anything. If you are prone to extreme outbursts or
rash behavior you should immediately close this site and pet the nearest cuddly kitten until your emotions return to their previous state. About The Image
assumes no responsibility for misuse of such "unconfirmed rumors" so please do
not attempt to contact your lawyer in the event that the cuddly kitten does not
work and you experience a heart attack or feel an overwhelming need to set your
hair on fire.
