Education the DMLA Way

DMLA (Digital Media Licensing Association) has traditionally been seen as a trade organization for picture agencies and distributors. Important to note that for a few years now, their programming and offerings are becoming more and more inclusive of the entire visual communications community. Their annual conference in the fall (October 22–24) has expanded programming that …


Your new retoucher…Siri?

Fear of automation is not new; ever since Czech author Karel Čapek first coined the word “robot” in 1920, nearly a century ago, in his play ”R.U.R.,” we have both marveled and feared about the advent of mechanical inventions that could take over our basic motor and cognitive functions, and replace us in the workplace. After …


THE “WOW” 2016

Given the prevalence of photography, it might actually seem a little weird to put together a “best of” list of 2016 photographs; given that that’s almost like asking a whale to select which “best of billions of krill” it is going to sift through its baleens:- in short, there is an awful lot of stuff …


The New Optics of Aging: Healthy, Wealthy and Fashion Forward

As demographics change along with an aging population, some wonderful style icons and trends are emerging and taking hold. Guest writer Brooke Hodess takes a look at some of them. In 2005 The Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art premiered “Rara Avis: Selections from the Iris Barrel Apfel Collection.” The exhibit, curated by …


Mobile Photography Blurs the Line

Our correspondent from across the pond, Julian Jackson, has been thinking about mobile phone photography. Serendipitous in view of the upcoming Panel session on all things Social Media at Visual Connections Chicago! Mobile photography has taken off. This year Shutterstock has had a 40% increase in submissions of images taken with phones or tablets. iPhonography …


An Agency for All Seasons

by Sheridan Stancliff In May, CulinArts Holding Group launched seasons.agency, adding another niche market to their impressive collections including StockFood and Living4Media. While at first glance, one might think this collection is similar to other model-centric themes, a closer look reveals a high caliber of European fashion and beauty talent that has previously been attainable …


A Little Summertime Reading

Taking a gander around the interwebs to see what there may be going on in the photography world during long hot days. A few items of interest: Everyone is talking about the Sundance darling film shot ALL on an iPhone: http://www.pdnonline.com/features/techniques/video/Sundance-Favorite-Tangerine-is-a-Feature-Film-Shot-on-iPhones-14018.shtml. The reviews agree that is is well worth the time. Shot on a 5s …


What do all these pictures mean, anyway? And whose are they?

In a world where we now upload 1.8 Billion photos a day, maybe it’s time to take stock of all things ”photographic” and what those little image suckers – both professional, amateur and press – might actually mean in the scheme of things; as our high art, media and pop culture changes; both aesthetically and …


Blazing a New Trail

By Simon Herbert Where confusion and opportunities arise, pioneers step in first to make sense from the haze; and Stock Pot Images is a new start-up that steps into that medicinal marijuana haze, the first stock photo agency to specialize exclusively in cannabis-related imagery. At a time when the Feds and the States vie over the application of …


Stock Photography and Sexism in STEM Imagery

By Brooke Hodess This year’s spate of Super Bowl Sunday advertisements had its fair share of feminist-leaning spots, including the favored “Like a Girl” from feminine products company Always, the Mindy Kaling-featured “Invisible” for Nationwide insurance, and the anti-domestic violence PSA courtesy of the No More campaign and the National Football League. While some in …