How The Internet Works Stock Photo

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How the Internet works: A stock photo about cloud computing, networking and cloud computing infrastructure.

Communications Technology Stock Photos

With the importance and ubiquitous nature of networks, cloud computing, and the Internet, it’s hard to go wrong when making stock photo images to create images dealing with communications technology. It was with that in mind that I created this image that shows, conceptually, the infrastructure of networking, cloud computing and the Internet.

Servers, Routers And Internet Technology

Servers, routers, and other equipment necessary for running the Internet, are visually represented in this stock photo with gears, sprockets and chains. This intricate set of gears illustrates the complexity of communications technology as well as the physical aspects of running the net.

Light Trails, Streaming Data And Online Connections

Multi-colored light trails, created with long-exposures of city lights at night and camera movement, provide a metaphor for streaming data, online connections, and networking. The light trails provide a sense of motion and add color to the image. The background is a gradation of blue to black. Blue is the color of business and both the blue and black areas provide copy space for headlines and text.

Big Data Collection, Management And Distribution

Another concept area that this image can illustrate is that of big data issues. The merging of the separate light trails into one as they go through the gears symbolizes the collection, management and distribution of data…and big data in particular. All manner of data ideas can actually be visually represented with this image of light trails and gears.

Internet Infrastructure, Speed And Bandwidth

One hallmark of a great selling stock image is in it’s versatility…it’s ability to represent numerous concepts and to be easy to use a lot of different ways. This image can represent Internet infrastructure, communications technology, network and complexity, not to mention speed and bandwidth issues. I was also careful in composing the image to allow for vertical, horizontal and square cropping.

Internet And CloudComputing Royalty Free Stock Photo

This Internet and cloud computing stock photo I have assigned to Getty as a Royalty Free image. I chose RF because I think the image will be easy to use and appropriates for so many different clients. RF gives more visibility than RM and I am hopeful that a high volume of sales will offset the lower fees. I’ll let you know in a year or so (which is often how long it takes me to really see how well a stock image is doing).

Sprinting Cheetah Photo Showing Fast Cloud Computing

A cheetah sprints through a cloudscape in a visual metaphor for fast cloud computing and networking connections.

Speed In The Cloud

Speed in the cloud, fast connections, and high bandwidth are all concepts illustrated by this Cheetah sprinting through a cloudscape. In fact, any aspect of cloud computing, networking and connections that are in need of speed can be effectively illustrated with this Cheetah stock photo. An earmark of a good stock image is it’s ability to illustrate a wide range of ideas…and the element of speed covers a lot of ground…quickly!

Cheetahs…The Symbol Of Speed

Cheetahs are THE iconic symbol of speed just as clouds are now a symbol of cloud computing. Put the two together and you have a quick-reading clear visual metaphor for speed in cloud computing, fast connections and high-bandwidth networks.

A Sense Of Movement

To help this image become a best seller I composed it to crop easily to any format and to have ample copy space for the needs of art directors, graphic designers and photo editors for headlines and body copy. I added just a bit of motion blur to the fast cat to add a sense of movement…something that often helps an image sell better.

Cheetah Sprint Through Cloudscape

Another plus for the image is in the fact that the image is not one we’ve seen before. I did a considerable number of searches, both in stock agencies and online…and did not find any other images of a cheetah sprinting through a cloudscape. Put that symbol of speed (the cheetah) into an unexpected environment and you really increase the chances of grabbing a viewer’s attention and creating a lasting memory of the image and message behind it.

A Getty Rights Managed Stock Photo

I uploaded the image to Getty as a Rights Managed image. I chose RM because the image is hard to duplicate (most photographers don’t have the cloud and cheetah raw materials) and I think is well suited to print campaigns. But my hope is to make a few large sales as opposed to a bunch of small ones. We shall see. Despite the fast subject matter it will probably be six months to a year until I find out if the image is successful. It still seems to take that long before most of my images hit their stride…so to speak.

Gypsy Fortune Telling Cat Stock Photo And Greeting Card Image

Need to know the future? Where better to go than a Gypsy fortune teller cat and her trusty glowing crystal ball...a stock photo created for advertising and greeting card use.

Forecasting The Future And Gypsy Fortune Tellers

If there is anything that everyone wants to know it is the future. What does the future hold for us, and for our business? Knowing what the future holds is the ultimate advantage.  And what is the iconic symbol for the key to the future? The fortune teller of course, and her trusty crystal ball. In fact, a Gypsy fortune teller, hovering over a crystal ball, is an image we all ingrained in our collective consciousness.

Fortune Telling Cats

It stands to reason then that a well-crafted stock photo of a gypsy fortune teller, crystal ball and all, could find a hefty market…and help a stock photographer make at least a step towards their own fortune. With this in mind my partner Stephanie D. Roeser, set about to create not just any fortune teller stock photo, but an image of a feline fortune teller. Not an easy task when you think about the anatomical challenges of fitting a cat to a human pose…and the fact that cats don’t tend to wear earrings, nose rings, bracelets or other such adornments.

Cat Imagery And Crystal Balls

To actually create the prognosticator of the future Stephanie went to our archives for the cat imagery and crystal ball photo and background curtain. She set up the table, which we shot (using our trusty Canon 5D MKIV camera), as well as the various articles of jewelry and the vibrantly colored scarf or shawl.  

Funny Stock Photos And Cat Eyes

When putting these funny animal stock images together you never know what challenges are going to pop up. In this case none of the cat shots we had that worked the best for this pose included any good “eye” photos. Stephanie did find a different, not quite as good-looking cat, that had perfect eyes for this image. It even looked like the cat had eyeliner on! 

Hair, Fur And A Glowing Crystal Ball

It takes meticulous work to strip out hair and fur, but Stephanie did a stellar job…as you can see.  And for the eyes…talk about eye contact…there is a powerful connection between cat and viewer. Stephanie even managed to make the cat appear to be primarily lit by the glow from the crystal ball. The attention to detail is one of the things that sets Stephanie’s work apart.

Business Blue And Cropping Options

This funny cat photo was created as a stock image and as a humorous greeting card photo. The image was crafted, as such, to be easily cropped to square, vertical or horizontal formats with plenty of copy space for text, captions, etc.  BTW, blue is the color most associated with business, so adding the blue curtain in the background makes the image just a bit better for business uses to.

Fortune Tellers, Crystal Balls, And Profit

What Stephanie has created is an image that draws on the power of iconic symbols, gypsy fortune tellers and crystal balls, adds the impact of using a cat as the gypsy…a twist that further adds to the impact of the symbols, and appeals strongly to any cat lovers. I am predicting a profitable future for this stock image!

Cheetah Speed: When FAST isn't fast enough!

The ultimate speed stock photo...a rocket powered cheetah...when fast isn't fast enough!

A Stock Photo Illustrating Speed

The concept of speed is an important need in the world of stock photography and you can never have too many such images. Speed images are needed for advertising and promoting everything from fast networks and Internet connections to delivery and transportation services. For my latest effort at creating a stock image illustrating the idea of speed I decided to start with a cheetah and give it a bit of a boost.

Cheetahs: Iconic Symbols of Speed

I believe that one of the best ways to create successful stock imagery is to start with an iconic symbol and give it a new twist. When you are talking about speed the iconic symbol is that of a cheetah. Factoid: Cheetahs can hit 70 mph! That is fast! In this case I chose to add wheels and a rocket to make an already fast cat even faster.

Cheetahs, Starting Blocks, and Motorcycles

In the past I have created speed stock photos featuring a cheetah in the starting blocks, a cheetah sprinting through an office, and a cheetah riding a motorcycle. But really, a rocket-powered cheetah has to be faster than any of those…right?

Cheetahs, Rockets and Skateboards

I started with a standing cheetah image, a desert shot (photographed at burning man…everyone should go once), a sky shot, a road photographed near my Marin County home and a skateboard and rope photographed in my studio.  A piece of ducting, painted red, also shot in my studio, became the raw material for the rocket. And finally, a burst of flame, from a lighter held in front of a can of spray paint (I am NOT recommending such reckless behavior), provided the flames for the above-mentioned rocket.

Enhancing The Impression of Speed

It was a relatively simple matter to strip out and combine the various elements in Photoshop. I added forward lean to the cheetah to make the image feel a little more dynamic…and added blur to the foreground to enhance the impression of speed. The image was composed to allow for vertical and square cropping as well as the native horizontal format…and to provide ample copy space for headlines and text. I also added just a touch of a smile to the cheetah…smiles are contagious and I want the viewer to leave with one! One other detail…I have the front wheels of the skateboard just lifting off the ground…that cat is literally taking off!

A Rocket Powered Cheetah

The finished image of a rocket-powered cheetah is a blend between comic book and photorealism. When I finished it and sat back to ponder it the words “When fast isn’t fast enough…” came to mind…a perfect headline for a humorous stock photo illustrating the concept of speed! 

Cheetah Speed...A Rights Managed Image

Choosing whether to put this image into a Rights Managed or Royalty Free pricing model was not easy. Ultimately I feel that with the amount of photography and post work going into the image it should be Rights Managed...and so it is. This image definitely leaves me with a smile…and I am hoping it leaves you with one as well!

Two Elephants Riding A Motorcycle

This funny elephant stock photo is sure to capture a viewer's attention...the primary task of any stock image!

Great Elephant Stock Photos

The very first thing a great stock photo has to do is grab a viewer’s attention. This image of two elephants riding a motorcycle certainly does that! The artist vision and attention to detail that Stephanie D. Roeser put into this image results in a realism that almost has one thinking OMG…were there really two elephants on a motorcycle?  Throw in the right headline and you are sure to get your message across to the intended audience.

Anthropomorphic Elephants

In our collection we have over 100 anthropomorphic elephant stock photos ranging from an elephant on a bathroom scale to elephants perfecting the flying trapeze!  If you are looking for a funny elephant picture to hang on your wall, to advertise your product or service, or for any number of other reasons, check out what we have to offer.

Elephants As Symbols

Elephants make great stock images because of many of reasons. First, people love elephants and have an emotional reaction to them. We think of them as noble, emotional, strong, and, of course, with great memories. They are great a symbolizing the large and powerful. They also, of course, have a strong political symbology here in the United States.

Elephant Assignments

If you don’t see the elephant image you want in our collection just shoot us an email (john at johnlund dot com)…we create elephant images on assignment as well. If you can dream it up the odds are that we can turn it into a photographic reality!

Evil eyes in computer circuitry: A stock photo about the dangers of Artificial Intelligence, hackers, and malware.

Evil eyes in computer circuitry...a humorous stock photo about the dark side of artificial intelligence and online threats such as hackers, cybercriminals and malware.

Artificial Intelligence, Hackers and Malware

Artificial intelligence run amok, spyware, malware and hackers are all ideas that are creatively shown in this stock photo of a pair of evil looking eyes staring at us from within a complex network of computer circuitry. This one image can address so many dangers and threats that exist in cloud computing, the Internet, and networks on a global basis, and do so with compelling humor. Pretty cool!

Computer Circuitry And Evil Eyes

The computer circuitry is an iconic indicator of all things computer including computers, servers, networks and the Internet.  The eyes in this image have the inverted arch of a severe from or an evil intent…a graphic that has only been intensified in all of us through cartoons that we have all experienced throughout our lives.

Threats And Imagination

The “monster” like aspect of these eyes are enhanced by the fact that some of the computer traces that overlapped the whites of the eyes are red…as if the eyes had the red veins that are a further indicator that all is not well. The eyes are all we see within the circuits leaving our imagination to flesh out the details of the threat that is eyeing us. Depending on the headline and text that accompany this image that threat could be Artificial Intelligence turned against mankind, spyware, malware, or the hackers and cybercriminals themselves.

Square, Vertical And Horizontal Formats

Like most good stock photos the image has been carefully crafted to allow for cropping to square, vertical or horizontal formats…and in this case the image also is easy to crop for banner ads as well. It is a quick read even at thumbnail sizes with a clear message of evil intent.

Stock Photos Easy To Use

Because the image can be used so often in so many ways, from online ads to newsletters to print advertising to social media and blogs, I made it an RF image and placed with Getty Images.  How an image is distributed is perhaps more important than the image itself…if nobody sees it nobody licenses it!

Dangers, Challenges And Rewards Of Networks And AI

As we grow ever more dependent on computers, networks, and artificial intelligence, the need for visuals (read stock photograph) that deal with such developments, will increase exponentially. I don’t think you can go wrong at this point in creating stock that addresses the dangers, problems, challenges, and rewards of both networks and artificial intelligence.

Funny Elephant Floating From A Yellow Balloon Stock Photo

A funny elephant hanging from a yellow balloon is a popular and effective stock photo...see below to find out why!

Improbable and Unexpected Elephants

One of the earliest of our improbable and unexpected elephant photos is this stock image of a happy elephant hanging on to a yellow balloon with his trunk as he floats serenely through a summer sky. A number of factors work together to make this a successful stock photo.

The Unexpected

If you want to create a stock image that sells a good place to start is with the unexpected. In a time where we are bombarded with images to an almost unbelievable degree the unexpected can still stop us and have us take that all-important second look. An elephant…floating in the sky? That is unexpected.

Having Fun And A Positive State of Mind

People enjoy seeing other people having fun (or at least most of us do). It has been well established that positive images outsell negative ones. In this case the elephant is wearing a happy smile…and the viewer can’t help but feel a bit happier seeing that smile…though the whole process happens subconsciously. Too, yellow of the balloon is a happy color…and the sky reminds us of a carefree summer day. The entire image works together to put us in a positive state of mind.

Sympathetic Subjects

The choice of the elephant itself as the subject is also important. People naturally gravitate to elephants and elephants are known for a number of positive traits. They are seen as loyal, noble, with excellent memories and strong emotional bonds to their fellow elephants. We are all in awe of their size, power and strength. On the whole, elephants are one of the most positively viewed of all animals.

Contrasts

Another quality that can help produce a top selling stock photo is that of contrast. In this case the contrast is between the lightness of a balloon and the size and weight of the elephant.  That is a contrast that is both fun to view and useful for a lot of advertising and editorial messages.

Copy Space And Cropping Options

This elephant stock shot has been crafted to facilitate easy cropping to square, vertical or horizontal formats and always with ample copy space for the addition of headlines and text. Making the image easy to use for art directors, photo editors and graphic designers is always an important consideration.

Hard To Duplicate Images

Finally, to end up with a truly worthwhile stock image it never hurts to create an image that is both unique and hard to duplicate. To duplicate this image requires some appropriate, and hard to get, elephant photography. We photographed this elephant with soft directional light (using a huge silk to flag the sun) in order to facilitate the considerable Photoshop work needed to achieve the appropriate look and body position. The Photoshop work itself also makes the image more difficult to copy as not many people are willing to put an entire day into creating one image for the speculative venture of stock photography! To create this image, with the quality we achieved, requires and elephant shoot, an appropriate sky, a balloon shoot, and hours and hours of Photoshop work. Not a task for everyone.

Advertisements, Editorials and Greeting Cards

This funny elephant stock photo has been used for greeting cards, advertisements, and editorials and has certainly been well worth the effort in producing it. Perhaps even more importantly, it has brought a smile to thousands of people…and who can put a price on that!