How picture libraries work
The growth of digital technology
With the rapid spread of digital imaging and web use has come a huge
change in the way images are sourced through the Internet. Picture
researchers of vast experience and encyclopaedic knowledge have been
challenged by younger researchers who can undercut them on cost and whose
greatest strength is their ability is to find the right image quickly on the
web. It has also become more and more possible for the amateur – and that
includes many authors seeking pictures for their books – to get on the
Internet to track down and buy exactly what they need. As in so many other
areas, the web has opened up vast possibilities to everybody.
Picture Libraries
The picture agencies have responded accordingly, with huge online
databases of images and much improved search facilities to help you find
what you are looking for. For photographers, artists and designers, as well
as the picture libraries themselves, it has also raised many issues relating
to copyright and licensing. If you are looking for an image it's transformed
the whole business, bringing what you want just a few clicks away.
Where to go
The following is a list of some of the picture libraries and what they
offer. It is British-based and not exhaustive, so please
email us with a note of any others you’d
recommend.
Aliseipress
Italy-based photographers' collective specialising in topical
photojournalism , documentary and editorial photography.
AMA Sports Photo Agency
Contemporary collection of sporting images from around the world shot by
their of award winning photographers. Supplies shots of live sports events
to news-desks around the world. You need to register to browse and find what
you need.
Author Pictures at Lebrecht
Claims to have every author who ever published a book, which may be an
exaggeration, but it does have over a million author photos and they're
available as high-res downloads.
Aviation Pictures
50,000 colour photos and a black and white archive pictures covering
aviation, skyscapes and travel.
The British Association of Picture
Libraries
This is a good place to start. This helpful site has a useful page on
Using a Picture
Library, explaining the fee structure and how the system works. It
also has a brief summary of copyright and a key section for photographers
and artists on how to handle their work.
Alamy Images
This huge site has one million images, acting as a portal with content
from more than 2,600 worldwide photographers and agencies. It
specialises in royalty-free material, though not exclusively.
AirTeamImages
New website for the largest global aviation photo library. You can
purchase prints, posters and images online for delivery anywhere in the
world. A powerful search facility enables you to locate a specific
aeroplane, airline, location or operator. A plane-spotter's dream.
BBC Photo
Library
With over four million images, this offers to take you on a 'stroll down
memory lane' to find images from the BBC's archive, including its new online
Image
Gallery.
Useful American site set up by picture researchers frustrated by the
difficulty they experienced in finding good historical images. Low
flat fee for images, no licensing fees and an interesting range of material.
Fotolia
Huge library of well over one million stock images of all kinds from just
£1, with useful 'find similar' button to help browsers.
Fotosearch Stock Photography
More than 2.7 million images from 140 quality stock photography
publishers at one site, together with royalty-free clipart pictures,
illustrations, stock video clips, maps, and more. 10,000 images from the
National Geographic collection.
Getty
Images
Describes itself as 'the world's leading provider of images, film and
digital services'. Material available includes the Hulton Archive.
Illustrated London News Picture
Library
This draws on the magazine's historic visual archive, dating back to its
foundation as the world's first illustrated newspaper in 1842. In the
process of digitising its archive, it offers over 2 million images on social
history, transport, leisure, war royalty, film, politics, personalities,
disasters and much more.
This huge collection covers all aspects of twentieth century conflict.
You can now access over 3,000 highlights from the collection of photos,
works of art, audio extracts, aircraft and vehicle documents which relate to
the main catalogue of 160,000 items. A new facility offers direct
ordering access to images from the Photographic Archive.
Lebrecht Music and Arts Picture Library
Previously known as the Lebrecht Music Collection, this library has
recently launched a new website focusing on classical music. Through
its association with libraries in France and Germany it can offer 8 million
images in music and the arts.
The Marsden Archive
Featuring Simon Marsden's atmospheric photos, this is the place to go if
you want Sinister Villages and Decaying Cottages or Eerie Lakes and Cruel
Seas.
Mary Evans Picture Library
This well-regarded library has just celebrated its fortieth anniversary
and specialises, appropriately enough, in history. A family business, it
takes conservation of material seriously and has over 135,000 images -
perfect if you're writing history titles or biography.
Natural History Photographic Agency
This library represents more than 100 photographers specialising in
wildlife and nature, with 250,00 images available.
Photolibrary
This has a new Botanica range. It offers thousands of images from
all over the world and a free research service.
Fairly new UK picture agency which functions as photographers' community
and concentrates on everyday images. It already has over 25,000 live
images from over 1,400 photographers. The site's royalty-free images easily
available online and if you are a photographer you can upload you own images
to sell your work.
Offside Sports Photography
Specialist library covering sport, specialising in football, rugby, the
Olympics, cycling and tennis.
Rex Features
This big library has clocked up half a century in the business of
providing ‘quality stills with a certain edge’ and has over 1 million images
available online, with 1,000 being added every day - and a library of 15
Million photos.
RSPB Images
The place to go for thousands of pictures of birds.
Stockxpert
Royalty free site where photographers can also earn 50% from the fees for
their work.
Stock Xchng
Huge gallery over 200,000 stock photos by more than 15,000 photographers
which are free to use.
Writer Pictures
If you're looking for pictures of writers, this is the place to go.
