Stock photography
Choose the stock photograph that belongs in the story
The strongest image is not always the most dramatic result in a search. It is the photograph that supports what the reader needs to understand.
Search for the subject, then examine the context
Begin with the place, activity or subject your project requires. Then read the caption. A photograph that suggests the right mood may show a different location, season or event from the one your text describes. For editorial work, that difference can matter more than a beautiful composition.
Save plausible choices to a lightbox rather than deciding from a small thumbnail. Compare the photographs at a useful size and keep their image IDs with your notes. If a caption does not answer an important question, ask before building the image into your final layout. Do not infer a date or identity simply because the photograph appears to fit.
Think about the finished layout
Check orientation and the space available for headlines or other design elements. A tightly framed portrait may lose an important detail in a wide banner. A landscape photograph may work as a full page but become difficult to read in a small column.
File dimensions also need to suit the output. A larger file gives more pixels to work with; it does not, by itself, grant wider permission to use the photograph. Keep the technical requirement and the licensing requirement as separate questions.
Describe the use before requesting a licence
On this site, standard editorial requests are project-specific. Commercial advertising, promotional campaigns and other custom uses are considered separately. An image marked with unverified release information should not be assumed to have clearance for an advertising use.
For a custom enquiry, include the image ID, where the photograph will appear, the intended audience or distribution, the territory and how long it will be used. That gives us a practical basis for discussing permission and a quote. A saved preview or a lightbox selection is a useful working tool, but it is not a licence to publish.
Text and photograph © Capt. Solomon D. Crowe. All rights reserved. Image licensing information.