• Asked by
• Soren P.
• |
• January 20, 2012
• |
• Nobody else has this question

What is stock photography?

I have a strong interest but am not a professional photographer and don't understand one term used in the Microstock industry.
I was hoping you could clarify what is meant by the term 'stock'. Do you mean product photography?

• Answered by
• Garon
• |
• March 12, 2012
• |
• No one likes this yet

Hey Soren

The term "stock" refers to the images being "in stock" meaning that the images are actually not shot with a specific project in mind but are shot prior to project being created.

Usually you would have an idea about some kind of project (and advertisement, a flyer or a poster) and you would have to create an image that suited your project. But with a lot of photographers shooting "stock images" you can simply pick the image that best suits your specific product without having to think about the actual production involved in creating the image.

Because images are shot and are pretty much just lying there waiting to be used, "stock photography" is often referred to as "library photography" as well.

Stock photography is usually divided into micro- and macrostock photography. The idea with microstock is that basically everyone would be able to sell their images

“Micro” has in the past often been referred to as a more amateurish industry, and “macro” often as the traditional industry. This is mainly due to the fact that "micro" was originally a concept emphasizing that everyone can contribute as long as they have a digital camera. The difference between the two industries are however continuously decreasing, as the two are merging more and more, and prices in both micro and macro have been dropping. The quality of micro has increased and micro is therefore in direct competition with macro.

I hope this clarified things a bit. :) If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask.

Best
Gary