Technology has greatly impacted the world of stock photography, both in terms of the creation and distribution of images. Here are some examples of how technology has influenced stock photography:
- Digital cameras: The rise of digital cameras has made it easier for photographers to create and sell stock photos. With digital cameras, photographers can take high-quality photos and easily upload them to stock photography websites.
- Mobile photography: The widespread availability of smartphones with high-resolution cameras has made things simpler for anyone to take and sell stock photos. Mobile photography has made it easier for people to capture images on the go and upload them to stock photography websites.
- Online marketplaces: The growth of online marketplaces like Shutterstock, Planet Stock Photo and Getty Images has made it easier for photographers to sell their images to a global audience. These marketplaces provide a platform for photographers to showcase and sell their work to businesses, publications, and individuals.
- Artificial intelligence: With the use of AI, stock photography websites are able to analyse user behaviour and recommend pictures that are most likely to be purchased. AI can also be used to tag and categorize images, making it easier for customers to find the images they need.
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Stock photography development
Over the past decades stock photography has gone through several stages of evolution. In the early days of stock photography, photographers would take pictures of various subjects and license them to publications, advertisers, and other clients. These photos were typically high-quality, but they were often expensive to license and had limited availability.
The advent of digital photography in the 1990s changed the stock photography industry. With the ability to quickly and easily distribute digital photos online, stock photography became more accessible to a wider audience. This led to the growth of companies like Getty Images and Shutterstock, which offered large collections of digital stock photos at affordable prices.
In the mid-2000s, microstock photography emerged as a new model for selling stock photos. Microstock agencies like iStock and Dreamstime allowed photographers to upload their own photos and sell them for much lower prices than traditional stock agencies. This made stock photography more accessible to smaller businesses and individuals who couldn’t afford to license high-priced photos.
In recent years, the stock photography industry has shifted its focus to include more diverse and authentic imagery. This has been driven in part by changing societal attitudes and the demand for more inclusive and representative imagery. Stock agencies have responded by offering more diverse content and encouraging photographers to capture images that reflect real-life experiences and diversity.
The latest example of how technology has impacted the world of stock photography can be seen in the rise of drone photography. With the development of high-quality drones and cameras, photographers are able to capture stunning aerial images that were once difficult or impossible to obtain. These photos are now in high demand and can be found on many stock photography websites.
