A newsletter for picture editors and researchers
Specialized collections provide services not found at large stock photo agencies
Collection knowledge provides difficult to categorize images
In an online stock photography discussion list, a recent thread focused on the difficulty of applying keywords to certain types of images—and the fact that even among audiences that speak the same languages, some terms may be applied differently in different parts of the world.
My contribution to this discussion was to point out that, many types of image searches cannot easily be categorized by a few words and instead have to rely on someone with knowledge of a collection.
Large stock photo collections offer vast numbers of images, but …
Large stock photo collections may offer you millions of images. They may be able to provide you images of hundreds of thousands of different subjects. Yet, there will be many types of requests that these largely automated collections will have great difficulty filling.
The problem at these collections is that they are far past the point where anyone can actually know the contents of the collection or provide subject knowledge to back up the content of particular images.
If you know exactly what you want, the collection's automated search tools will likely tell you whether the collection has an image from a particular location or of a particular type of event.
Concepts, subject knowledge, and the challenge of vague requests
What happens, however, if you are trying to illustrate a concept or aren't quite sure what type of image would work in a particular context? Here the large collections run into trouble.
I've been able to respond to requests as varied as
These examples come from my specialty of coverage of railroads. But, I've also fielded similar requests relating to a activities and sites in North Carolina, Virginia, and Austria—three of my major geographic specialties. Even had I spent much time keywording and cataloging the images that I produce, many of these requests could not have been answered by simply going to a catalog.
Tying together ideas through images from different places and times
Whether you're trying to illustrate transportation equipment, infrastructure, or business trends, I can often find you photos taken at different times and locations (sometimes years and thousands of miles apart) that tie together ideas and common aspects.
No, unlike the biggest stock photo collections, I do not have images of all possible subjects. But, I do have thorough coverage of within my chosen specialties.
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Photo project depicts old industrial buildings which have found new uses
At one time, tobacco—particularly the production of cigarettes—was the predominant industry in central North Carolina. Though tobacco is still grown in the state, the industry has diminished in importance and largely moved elsewhere. That left behind much solidly built infrastructure dating from the early 20th century, built in an era when it was assumed that tobacco would always be.
In Durham, my hometown, old cigarette factories and tobacco warehouses (as well as other industrial structures from the same era) have been converted to shopping centers, apartments, and office space. The conversions began years ago, but have gained additional momentum in the past year.
By far the largest of these projects is the American Tobacco Co. project that is seeing $200 million invested in the conversion of a huge block of downtown Durham into modern office and other business space. A variety of nationally known corporations have committed to moving into parts of this space later this year.
In the spring, I photographed three typical sites: Brightleaf Square (one of the first conversion projects, turning two tobacco warehouses into shops, restaurants, and small office space), West Village (a trendy apartment complex located in a former cigarette factory), and the work still in progress on the former American Tobacco Co. complex.
Photos range from over-all shots showing the size of these projects to close-ups of ornamental brickwork and other details. Examples from these shoots are available on my site on the "Recent images" page. Follow the link by that name on the menu on my home page. I'll be making additional photos, particularly as work on the first phase of the American Tobacco project is completed.
I also have substantial background information for supporting text pieces.
Other recent and future projects
I'm continuing to document right of way upgrades and other railroad improvements in central North Carolina.
Work will begin later this year on rail-based transit systems in both Charlotte and the Research Triangle (Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill) areas of North Carolina. I'll be photographing this work as it gets underway. I already have some photos relating to both projects.
And, of course, I'll continue to update my coverage of North Carolina historic and travel destinations.
Recent major publication credits
Pearson Prentice Hall used one of my photos of the Hatteras Lighthouse on the cover of a science book intended for distribution in North Carolina.
Both Trains and Railfan & Railroad have illustrated features by me scheduled for publication this fall.
In June, I shot a major pro-bono project for Operation Lifesaver, a transportation safety group focusing on preventing railroad grade crossing and trespasser accidents. The elaborate setups had both a railroad and trucking company providing equipment for this shoot. Other images included a school bus. Intended for a safety poster, images from this shoot are available as stock to illustrate safety issues.
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