What type of images have been uploaded and are they useful?
The important thing when looking for images online is to end up with the image you are actually looking for. After taking the time to search for images, we discovered that the quality varies a lot, as do the available sizes. A lot of it is scanned and is only available with poor quality in a single size, which is the size of the scan. One could argue that there are also pictures available with high definition and that at least those ones are useful. However, the picture would still need to be found. The search engine enables you to search for everything you want, but the result is almost never what you are looking for. In one instance the top result offered was a bar code and a yellow picture!. The pictures lack references and there is no metadata. Information about the picture in general is very thin. Finding the origin of the image is a real challenge.
What does it mean for picture resarchers ?
With the automated process involved and the numerous inaccuracies that can be discovered after minimal searching, professional picture researches must ask themselves to what certainty they can be sure of publishing accurate information and whether it would be more cost effective to license images from a trusted source
What does it mean for picture libraries?
Clients want to be able to find quickly the picture they’re looking for, not to have to worry about quality and be able to decide what size they want to use. Only professional services can keep up with those needs and maintain an offer that is both comprehensive and easy to use. Yes, there are some evolutions from time to time that need to be addressed. Yes, it is important to watch for future developments. However, no, this is dumpsing millions of unreferenced archive picture on the Internet is not the threat some people might think it is. Whatever the goal was and however big the amount of available pictures is, this has nothing to do with the professional qualitative offer that a professional picture library is in a position to offer
Véronique Martingay and John Balean
Véronique is Co-founder & Director of La Collection Agency in Paris and General secretary of SNAPIG.
John is International / Marketing at topfoto, executive Board Member of BAPLA.
Both are executive Committee Members of CEPIC
- Original BBC article may be found here
