Photo studio is something which consists of several things and is all a real set of things which include all that is needed to bring up the real photo effect. The place would be just fine if it is in the studio itself where everything is all set earlier itself. Today, the changing trends have resulted in bringing up something new in the market known as the portable photo studio.
It consists of a box where everything is set inside. The product also looks something similar to a briefcase where it is possible for you to take it along wherever you go. One special feature which is outstanding in this studio is that, it does not involve any kind of lighting. The resulting photographs would look bright and perfect by reflecting the light emerging from the camera.
There are different types of portable studios which could be easily seen in the online markets as well at the nearest stores. Portable kits are being present where the price also varies according to the size of the kit. The latest portable photo studio was brought in line by Sharpics Inc and it was known as the D-Flector.
The most important factor which makes this product stand apart is the portability feature. An innovative and creative reflective material is placed on the background. This gets activated when the photography takes place with the help of either strobe or flash as the light source which is the primary one. With this you get a plain, white and pure background.
The portable photo studio is specially made for both earning as well as to save money. You loose a lot of money if you are to waste your time. With this you can take it along wherever you are and thus expand your business and your trade.
Sharpics is extending their line in producing more trendy products which could be useful for both the common people as well as the professionals. One among them was the portable photo studio for high quality and perfect picture. Another important advantage of the studio was the deep and detailed view of the picture. It is considered to be unique and detailed whatever the object is. It includes jewelry, collectibles, gem stones or anything minute and tiny.
The portable studio is simple easy to use as everything could be done just with the touch on a switch. Special and natural lighting effects could be easily created when you are ready for the take. With this you can take photos which could possibly be published in several newspapers, magazines, eBay, brochures, websites, catalogs and all those ventures where high quality pictures are asked for.
The box in which it is available is made up of wood and it has a completely build in lighting system. Some of the specialties of the studio are shadowless true white colour lighting along with some specially designed lighting options which are colored. They include blue, red and green LED spot lights. Portable photo studio is simply the best way to ride along the professional way for taking product photographs.
http://www.sharpics.com/
Wednesday
Sunday
How to Save Big Bucks in Purchasing High Quality Stock Photos
Pictures and graphics are one of the most important elements that a company uses to create brand awareness and communicate its message. Ever wonder where those images come from? The general term for these images is “stock photos” and the evolution of digital photography has caused a revolution within the stock photo industry. In our business of selling trade show displays and designing graphics for these displays we are constantly challenged with how to develop a graphical message that is suitable for trade show graphics. Trade show graphics are considered large format printing and it has its own set of challenges, especially when it comes to finding high resolution photos that when printed look presentable. Many of you have probably taken an old 35 mm picture and blown it up to a poster size graphic only to see the quality deteriorate that it only looks good when your fifteen feet away. Imagine taking that same picture and making it 7 feet tall by 10 feet wide. Yikes!
If you’re the likes or Nike or McDonalds it’s no big deal to arrange professional photographers to take high resolution digital photos for any type of ad campaign, brochure or billboard. If you’re the average small business in America then you have a bit of a challenge finding images that won’t break the bank account. For most of our clients this is where the “Sticker Shock” of buying stock images comes into play.
So how does one get high resolution images for displays? Before the turn of the century, that is the year 2000, the world of stock photography was dominated by a few industry giants like Getty Images and Corbis and still today these two companies can supply you with just about anything. For example, let’s say you want a high resolution picture of “Britain's two man bob sleigh team, competing at international sporting event, 1948, St. Moritz, Switzerland”. You’ll have to get this type of image from one of the major suppliers. In fact here’s the link for this image on Getty.
Britain’s two man bob sleigh team image
There are two types of images in the stock photography world. The bob sleigh image is “Rights Managed” which means you have to detail how, where and when you’ll be using this image for marketing or advertising purposes. For a trade show display this image would cost you anywhere from $975.00 - $1350.00 per year for one display. This is where the sticker shock happens! The other type of image is called “Royalty Free” which means you can use it for most things and only have to pay a flat fee. There are lots of variations in “Royalty Free” so make sure you understand the conditions of using the photograph. “Royalty Free” images are usually priced in the range of $180.00 - $350.00. Sounds pretty good until you realize that you may need 10 photos to achieve the design you want.
What if there was a way to reduce that pricing to $10.00 per image? Almost sounds to good to be true, but it isn’t. Digital cameras and the Internet have completely revolutionized the way high resolution images are being bought and sold and this new segment is called “Microstock”. Microstock photo websites are where individuals can buy and sell their high quality images. The average consumer can easily purchase a professional level digital camera and with a little training can create all kinds of unique images to sell, especially when you use your photography skills along with the power of some photo editing software like PhotoShop. The two best known Microstock photo websites are iStockPhoto and ShutterStock. Both of these sites offer hundreds of thousands of high quality photos for large format printing purposes. These images are still “Royalty Free”, but “Extended” licenses are available when you print large quantities of brochures or other marketing materials.
If you purchased “Royalty Free” photos from one of the major industry websites then the photos in the design could easily range from $1980.00 - $3850.00. If you purchased “Rights Managed” photos you would spend $10,750.00 - $14,850.00.
This cost savings has gotten the attention of the “big guys” to the extent that iStockPhoto was recently purchased by Getty Images for $50 million dollars.
So if you need high quality high resolution photos for Trade Show Displays, Exhibits or Booths or any other large format printing job make sure to check out all your options including the Microstock world.
Check the complete article at: http://www.smashhitdisplays.com/Trade-Show-Articles-News-Tips-Suggestions/2006/March/How-To-Save-Big-Bucks-When-Purchasing-High-Quality-Stock-Photos.htm
If you’re the likes or Nike or McDonalds it’s no big deal to arrange professional photographers to take high resolution digital photos for any type of ad campaign, brochure or billboard. If you’re the average small business in America then you have a bit of a challenge finding images that won’t break the bank account. For most of our clients this is where the “Sticker Shock” of buying stock images comes into play.
So how does one get high resolution images for displays? Before the turn of the century, that is the year 2000, the world of stock photography was dominated by a few industry giants like Getty Images and Corbis and still today these two companies can supply you with just about anything. For example, let’s say you want a high resolution picture of “Britain's two man bob sleigh team, competing at international sporting event, 1948, St. Moritz, Switzerland”. You’ll have to get this type of image from one of the major suppliers. In fact here’s the link for this image on Getty.
Britain’s two man bob sleigh team image
There are two types of images in the stock photography world. The bob sleigh image is “Rights Managed” which means you have to detail how, where and when you’ll be using this image for marketing or advertising purposes. For a trade show display this image would cost you anywhere from $975.00 - $1350.00 per year for one display. This is where the sticker shock happens! The other type of image is called “Royalty Free” which means you can use it for most things and only have to pay a flat fee. There are lots of variations in “Royalty Free” so make sure you understand the conditions of using the photograph. “Royalty Free” images are usually priced in the range of $180.00 - $350.00. Sounds pretty good until you realize that you may need 10 photos to achieve the design you want.
What if there was a way to reduce that pricing to $10.00 per image? Almost sounds to good to be true, but it isn’t. Digital cameras and the Internet have completely revolutionized the way high resolution images are being bought and sold and this new segment is called “Microstock”. Microstock photo websites are where individuals can buy and sell their high quality images. The average consumer can easily purchase a professional level digital camera and with a little training can create all kinds of unique images to sell, especially when you use your photography skills along with the power of some photo editing software like PhotoShop. The two best known Microstock photo websites are iStockPhoto and ShutterStock. Both of these sites offer hundreds of thousands of high quality photos for large format printing purposes. These images are still “Royalty Free”, but “Extended” licenses are available when you print large quantities of brochures or other marketing materials.
If you purchased “Royalty Free” photos from one of the major industry websites then the photos in the design could easily range from $1980.00 - $3850.00. If you purchased “Rights Managed” photos you would spend $10,750.00 - $14,850.00.
This cost savings has gotten the attention of the “big guys” to the extent that iStockPhoto was recently purchased by Getty Images for $50 million dollars.
So if you need high quality high resolution photos for Trade Show Displays, Exhibits or Booths or any other large format printing job make sure to check out all your options including the Microstock world.
Check the complete article at: http://www.smashhitdisplays.com/Trade-Show-Articles-News-Tips-Suggestions/2006/March/How-To-Save-Big-Bucks-When-Purchasing-High-Quality-Stock-Photos.htm
Model Posing Tips from a Professional Photographer
Whether you are searching for a career in fashion modeling or glamour modeling, it is very important for you to realize that there is more to becoming a model than just standing there looking beautiful.
One very important factor in becoming a good model is posing, and in order for you to learn the different poses needed for the type of modeling career you are seeking it will take practice, practice, practice.
Make Your Posing Look Natural
When preparing for your photo shoot, there are numerous steps you can take to ensure you are comfortable while posing and your photos will look more natural.
Get Posing Ideas
Before you head to your photo shoot, pick at least ten poses you really like from fashion or glamour magazines, or poses you’ve learned from previous photo shoots. Take time to practice each pose in front of a mirror until you feel comfortable and have the confidence of knowing you look great doing these poses.
Hands and Facial Expression
Also, focus on what to do with your hands and pay attention to facial expressions. A pose is virtually dead and unimaginative without a “look”. You should be able to close your eyes, imagine a thought, open your eyes and sell that thought. Practice this technique and your photos will come alive.
Become an Idea Factory
Unless you are shooting for an advertising agency or some other type of special interest session many photographers recommend that you bring some of your own posing ideas to the shoot. In addition to your ideas, the photographer may have his or her own idea of how the session should go.
Rapport with Your Photographer
Always work with a photographer you feel you can trust. This will make communication between the two of you easier and give you the confidence to express your own ideas.
Always listen to what the photographer tells you. If you are really uncomfortable with the pose, let your photographer know how you feel, in a nice way. Remember, he is looking through the camera lens and might see something you don’t.
If the photographer says she wants something different in the pose, try looking away from the camera or giving a unique facial expression. This is where your practice in front of the mirror really pays.
Posture
When posing you should always keep good posture unless the photographer instructs you to do otherwise. Hold your stomach in to give your abdomen a more toned appearance. If you have gained a few pounds stick out your chin a little to avoid the appearance of a double chin in your photos.
Keep your fingers slightly apart and pointed away from the lens. Let your hands fall naturally into position whenever possible. Remember, you want to be yourself – on purpose.
Now that you have learned what to do, consider these things you should try to avoid while posing.
Things to Avoid when Posing for a Photographer
Misplaced Body Language
Body language and expressions come naturally but the language you are projecting might not be what your photographer wants in a particular pose. You need to conciously focus on ways to prevent these habits while posing.
Don’t hold your breath during a pose. Stay relaxed and your photos will look as if you just happened to be sitting this way when the photographer walked up.
In most pose situations you want your arms, legs, wrists, etc. slightly bent unless you are directed to do otherwise Most people don’t stand or sit with their arms and legs completely stiff. A good point to remember is, if it will bend, bend it.
Mona Lisa Smile?
Another posing tip to remember is that you don’t always have to smile. You should have a good variety of smiling and serious looks. But, sometimes you will want to give a large, open-mouthed laugh. If you are susposed to be happy, look the part!
Your Eyes are the Windows to Your Soul
Don’t always look straight into the camera. When you cut your eyes to the left or right, you create an air of mystery. When you look up and away, you are annoyed. Tilt your chin slightly down and look straight ahead for a sexy look.
About Blinking
Beware of the Blink! If you have to blink, try to blink between exposures. This is not always easy, especially if you are working in a photography studio. Some models get into a habit of anticipating the strobes and start to close their eyes when the picture is about to be snapped.
Get into the habit of not paying attention to the flash and concentrate wholy on the pose, your body language, hand position, etc. and your images will come out as you expect.
Be Bold!!
Never be afraid to try out some of your own poses in front of your photographer. Most photographers are glad to hear suggestions from you.
How do You See Yourself?
When you look at your final images don’t be critical of yourself. Find positive ways to improve your posing. Discover your strengths and weaknesses and shoot for the stars.
I am certain that Tyra Banks still works on her appearance and her posing artistry even though she has achieved a degree of stardom. Shouldn’t you?
--------------
About The Author
Bob Pardue is a professional model and fashion photographer. You can get free modeling tips by going to http://www.bobpardue.com/newsletter/subscribe/
One very important factor in becoming a good model is posing, and in order for you to learn the different poses needed for the type of modeling career you are seeking it will take practice, practice, practice.
Make Your Posing Look Natural
When preparing for your photo shoot, there are numerous steps you can take to ensure you are comfortable while posing and your photos will look more natural.
Get Posing Ideas
Before you head to your photo shoot, pick at least ten poses you really like from fashion or glamour magazines, or poses you’ve learned from previous photo shoots. Take time to practice each pose in front of a mirror until you feel comfortable and have the confidence of knowing you look great doing these poses.
Hands and Facial Expression
Also, focus on what to do with your hands and pay attention to facial expressions. A pose is virtually dead and unimaginative without a “look”. You should be able to close your eyes, imagine a thought, open your eyes and sell that thought. Practice this technique and your photos will come alive.
Become an Idea Factory
Unless you are shooting for an advertising agency or some other type of special interest session many photographers recommend that you bring some of your own posing ideas to the shoot. In addition to your ideas, the photographer may have his or her own idea of how the session should go.
Rapport with Your Photographer
Always work with a photographer you feel you can trust. This will make communication between the two of you easier and give you the confidence to express your own ideas.
Always listen to what the photographer tells you. If you are really uncomfortable with the pose, let your photographer know how you feel, in a nice way. Remember, he is looking through the camera lens and might see something you don’t.
If the photographer says she wants something different in the pose, try looking away from the camera or giving a unique facial expression. This is where your practice in front of the mirror really pays.
Posture
When posing you should always keep good posture unless the photographer instructs you to do otherwise. Hold your stomach in to give your abdomen a more toned appearance. If you have gained a few pounds stick out your chin a little to avoid the appearance of a double chin in your photos.
Keep your fingers slightly apart and pointed away from the lens. Let your hands fall naturally into position whenever possible. Remember, you want to be yourself – on purpose.
Now that you have learned what to do, consider these things you should try to avoid while posing.
Things to Avoid when Posing for a Photographer
Misplaced Body Language
Body language and expressions come naturally but the language you are projecting might not be what your photographer wants in a particular pose. You need to conciously focus on ways to prevent these habits while posing.
Don’t hold your breath during a pose. Stay relaxed and your photos will look as if you just happened to be sitting this way when the photographer walked up.
In most pose situations you want your arms, legs, wrists, etc. slightly bent unless you are directed to do otherwise Most people don’t stand or sit with their arms and legs completely stiff. A good point to remember is, if it will bend, bend it.
Mona Lisa Smile?
Another posing tip to remember is that you don’t always have to smile. You should have a good variety of smiling and serious looks. But, sometimes you will want to give a large, open-mouthed laugh. If you are susposed to be happy, look the part!
Your Eyes are the Windows to Your Soul
Don’t always look straight into the camera. When you cut your eyes to the left or right, you create an air of mystery. When you look up and away, you are annoyed. Tilt your chin slightly down and look straight ahead for a sexy look.
About Blinking
Beware of the Blink! If you have to blink, try to blink between exposures. This is not always easy, especially if you are working in a photography studio. Some models get into a habit of anticipating the strobes and start to close their eyes when the picture is about to be snapped.
Get into the habit of not paying attention to the flash and concentrate wholy on the pose, your body language, hand position, etc. and your images will come out as you expect.
Be Bold!!
Never be afraid to try out some of your own poses in front of your photographer. Most photographers are glad to hear suggestions from you.
How do You See Yourself?
When you look at your final images don’t be critical of yourself. Find positive ways to improve your posing. Discover your strengths and weaknesses and shoot for the stars.
I am certain that Tyra Banks still works on her appearance and her posing artistry even though she has achieved a degree of stardom. Shouldn’t you?
--------------
About The Author
Bob Pardue is a professional model and fashion photographer. You can get free modeling tips by going to http://www.bobpardue.com/newsletter/subscribe/
Capture Perfect Digital Sports and Action Shots - Digital Photography Tips Complementary Guide
What gets you all excited about your favourite sport? ... the thrill of the chase in horse racing or maybe the atmosphere and tension of a ball game, maybe your favourite player? ... Well if you were to capture some of these scenes how would you do it best? For some digital photography tips, let’s take a look at a few ideas right now to capture that realism ...
Get Familiar
It’s worth getting familiar with the sport before you start shooting, for example, how points are scored, what causes penalties etc, as this will give you an advantage over others … you will learn to expect where the best action is likely to be, and you can then capture those glorious moments.
Another great tip, as well as aiming to catch the action, capture the ‘emotion’ too. Be ready to shoot players’ faces on triumph of a goal, or any other emotive action in the game and you will bring your photos alive!
Be Prepared
Cold and bad weather conditions can quickly rob the life of your digital camera’s battery, so it’s important to always carry an extra charged battery especially for outdoor sports.
Action Techniques
Stop Action … you’ll very quickly be able to shoot an action shot and ‘freeze’ your subject practically in mid air. Imagine the wheels of a drag car on a dirt road, bouncing off the many bumps … for those few seconds while the car is in mid air, snap away to capture the action.
Lighting is not too much of an issue if you’re outside on a sunny or partially sunny day say at a car race, dog track, or horse race etc, but you’ll maybe need to make adjustments if you’re inside a gymnasium shooting a basketball game, for example. If the lighting is bright, then you’ll probably be okay, but depending on the type of lighting, you may need to activate your fill flash if you shoot players in action and you find your photo colorisation shifting to ‘yellow’.
Also bear in mind the distance, as your flash will not carry too far … it might be worth sitting near the basket hoop to catch the action!
Blurred Action … a couple of ideas behind blurred action is, firstly … if you look back at your photos you have taken using Stop Action, you may find one or two shots that did not freeze the action, which means your camera did not catch the action at the right moment … so you end up with an interestingly blurry effect to your subject.
Secondly, if you’re shooting a ball game, for example, you may get blurring if your player moves just as you click your shutter. If you did not intend for this to happen, you might be pleasantly surprised with the effect!
Panned Action … the most difficult to accomplish, but probably the most effective shooting technique, once mastered. The advantage using your digital camera is that you can delete unwanted frames and start again, so here’s how panning basically works...
Using your digital camera in automatic mode press the shutter half way down to focus on your subject, moving your camera sideways following the action, then pressing the shutter fully while still moving your camera. The effect created is the front of your subject should remain in fairly strong focus, while the back of your subject should start to blur, and as it blurs a long trail should appear, giving a feeling of movement like no other effect could possibly achieve.
Experiment
By knowing what your digital camera can do, experiment with different methods to get the best shots. You could try shooting in continuous mode, then try panning the camera along with your subject, whilst he/she or it is in motion.
I hope these digital photography tips are helpful. If you can get to grips with panning, as I have described above, you’re on a winner!
----------------
Author: Yvonne Grubb owns http://www.www.digital-photo-tutorial.com which offers people information on digital photography tips
Get Familiar
It’s worth getting familiar with the sport before you start shooting, for example, how points are scored, what causes penalties etc, as this will give you an advantage over others … you will learn to expect where the best action is likely to be, and you can then capture those glorious moments.
Another great tip, as well as aiming to catch the action, capture the ‘emotion’ too. Be ready to shoot players’ faces on triumph of a goal, or any other emotive action in the game and you will bring your photos alive!
Be Prepared
Cold and bad weather conditions can quickly rob the life of your digital camera’s battery, so it’s important to always carry an extra charged battery especially for outdoor sports.
Action Techniques
Stop Action … you’ll very quickly be able to shoot an action shot and ‘freeze’ your subject practically in mid air. Imagine the wheels of a drag car on a dirt road, bouncing off the many bumps … for those few seconds while the car is in mid air, snap away to capture the action.
Lighting is not too much of an issue if you’re outside on a sunny or partially sunny day say at a car race, dog track, or horse race etc, but you’ll maybe need to make adjustments if you’re inside a gymnasium shooting a basketball game, for example. If the lighting is bright, then you’ll probably be okay, but depending on the type of lighting, you may need to activate your fill flash if you shoot players in action and you find your photo colorisation shifting to ‘yellow’.
Also bear in mind the distance, as your flash will not carry too far … it might be worth sitting near the basket hoop to catch the action!
Blurred Action … a couple of ideas behind blurred action is, firstly … if you look back at your photos you have taken using Stop Action, you may find one or two shots that did not freeze the action, which means your camera did not catch the action at the right moment … so you end up with an interestingly blurry effect to your subject.
Secondly, if you’re shooting a ball game, for example, you may get blurring if your player moves just as you click your shutter. If you did not intend for this to happen, you might be pleasantly surprised with the effect!
Panned Action … the most difficult to accomplish, but probably the most effective shooting technique, once mastered. The advantage using your digital camera is that you can delete unwanted frames and start again, so here’s how panning basically works...
Using your digital camera in automatic mode press the shutter half way down to focus on your subject, moving your camera sideways following the action, then pressing the shutter fully while still moving your camera. The effect created is the front of your subject should remain in fairly strong focus, while the back of your subject should start to blur, and as it blurs a long trail should appear, giving a feeling of movement like no other effect could possibly achieve.
Experiment
By knowing what your digital camera can do, experiment with different methods to get the best shots. You could try shooting in continuous mode, then try panning the camera along with your subject, whilst he/she or it is in motion.
I hope these digital photography tips are helpful. If you can get to grips with panning, as I have described above, you’re on a winner!
----------------
Author: Yvonne Grubb owns http://www.www.digital-photo-tutorial.com which offers people information on digital photography tips
Custom versus Stock Photos
In the 1990’s, the photography industry went through a revolution. Now it’s common to discuss imagery in terms of pixels per inch, jpegs, and tiffs. No longer do we discuss photography just in terms of film specifications. Digital images—both custom and stock photography—and software such as Adobe® Photoshop® are commonly used. As a result, we all need to be careful. As consumers, there are many options and legal implications to be aware of when buying and using graphic images.
Rights to photos: custom and stock
A question to ask early on in a project is, “Who has the rights?” Copyright law protects images as property of the photographer, with specific rights as defined by contract. These usually relate to time frame, types of use, and use in photographer’s promotional materials.
“For example, if you’re shooting an ad campaign, you may want to purchase rights for a year. If you extend the campaign, however, you need to renegotiate your purchase agreement with the photographer,” notes Kim Cobb, team leader at The AVS Group. “Any models, professional or not, used in pictures, should also sign releases, and you should be aware of any time or usage restriction that may be included in the release.”
“At AVS, you have rights to use images we shoot for you for as long as you want, in any type of media. There is no additional charge for these rights,” says Cobb. On the other hand, rights for stock images vary depending on the purchase agreement. Usually stock image firms allow the user free use of an image to present a concept or rough. If the user wants to use the image in a project, though, the image must be purchased.
Purchased images generally come in two types: traditional and royalty-free. The traditional license purchase is based on a full gamut of contract specifics and should be carefully reviewed. The second type, royalty free, typically allows the buyer to use the image with very few restrictions. Usually they are purchased for a one-time flat fee and altered to create new, unique works by the graphic designer.
What rights do consumers have for stock images?
“We’re often asked to provide the stock images that have been used in the creative execution of client’s project, but that is usually expressly prohibited in the license,” says Cobb.
As a rule, licenses state that the images may not be sublicensed, resold, or otherwise redistributed. Nor can they be detached from a product or Web page. Clients can receive the digital media as part of the product, but not separately.
Can consumers use their own images?
Yes. Having a disk of useable imagery at your fingertips is convenient, plus you can always add more.
“You might want to consider having commonly used images of your products or services compiled on a CD in formats you can use,” notes Cobb.
Some variables to consider would include how you plan to use the images (PowerPoint® presentations, Web use, printing, etc.) and color format (CMYK for print and RGB for electronic delivery).
Always read the fine print!
It is important to understand that the information in this article is intended to highlight general issues and is not legal advice or a solution to individual problems. If you do have further questions or problems, seek competent legal counsel before relying on this or any information. It is your responsibility to ensure that you comply with all laws regarding your use of an image. The penalties can be severe.
Author:
The AVS Group is a marketing, training, and communications company. AVS is in La Crosse, Wisconsin. AVS helps clients communicate and market effectively. AVS can be found online at http://www.avsgroup.com.
Rights to photos: custom and stock
A question to ask early on in a project is, “Who has the rights?” Copyright law protects images as property of the photographer, with specific rights as defined by contract. These usually relate to time frame, types of use, and use in photographer’s promotional materials.
“For example, if you’re shooting an ad campaign, you may want to purchase rights for a year. If you extend the campaign, however, you need to renegotiate your purchase agreement with the photographer,” notes Kim Cobb, team leader at The AVS Group. “Any models, professional or not, used in pictures, should also sign releases, and you should be aware of any time or usage restriction that may be included in the release.”
“At AVS, you have rights to use images we shoot for you for as long as you want, in any type of media. There is no additional charge for these rights,” says Cobb. On the other hand, rights for stock images vary depending on the purchase agreement. Usually stock image firms allow the user free use of an image to present a concept or rough. If the user wants to use the image in a project, though, the image must be purchased.
Purchased images generally come in two types: traditional and royalty-free. The traditional license purchase is based on a full gamut of contract specifics and should be carefully reviewed. The second type, royalty free, typically allows the buyer to use the image with very few restrictions. Usually they are purchased for a one-time flat fee and altered to create new, unique works by the graphic designer.
What rights do consumers have for stock images?
“We’re often asked to provide the stock images that have been used in the creative execution of client’s project, but that is usually expressly prohibited in the license,” says Cobb.
As a rule, licenses state that the images may not be sublicensed, resold, or otherwise redistributed. Nor can they be detached from a product or Web page. Clients can receive the digital media as part of the product, but not separately.
Can consumers use their own images?
Yes. Having a disk of useable imagery at your fingertips is convenient, plus you can always add more.
“You might want to consider having commonly used images of your products or services compiled on a CD in formats you can use,” notes Cobb.
Some variables to consider would include how you plan to use the images (PowerPoint® presentations, Web use, printing, etc.) and color format (CMYK for print and RGB for electronic delivery).
Always read the fine print!
It is important to understand that the information in this article is intended to highlight general issues and is not legal advice or a solution to individual problems. If you do have further questions or problems, seek competent legal counsel before relying on this or any information. It is your responsibility to ensure that you comply with all laws regarding your use of an image. The penalties can be severe.
Author:
The AVS Group is a marketing, training, and communications company. AVS is in La Crosse, Wisconsin. AVS helps clients communicate and market effectively. AVS can be found online at http://www.avsgroup.com.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
