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Don't let stock photo sites do the brain storming for you

May 12, 2009 · by Jan Schultink
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Everyone now knows how to get their hands on beautiful images. The next challenge to make your presentation stand out is to pick the right ones. I prefer to do the chart concept brainstorming myself, rather than relying on a stock image search engine to do it for me. We completed the project. Typing in “success” for “finish” will give you a stream of highly predictable and often cheesy images. “Man in suit raising his arms in victorious joy”, “hiqh quality render of a character crossing the finish line”. You/the human brain can do better than that. Think of the concept you want to make, all the way to the end. Then, search a highly specific (stock) image that goes with it. Armstrong waiving his hand on the moon, a bunch of empty, used coffee cups on a desk.

And remember, the right visual concept does not always involve an image.

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2 comments

John Apps2009-05-12 07:20:00
How do you avoid copyright issues? Just look for the word copyright somewhere on the photo or download page?
Jan Schultink2009-05-12 07:30:00
At sites such as iStockPhoto you buy your license. Pick the one that is appropriate. On Flickr you can either search for Creative Common licenses, or purchase a commercial one.