Stock Photography Gains Ground Among Graphic Designers

By Sarah Clark
Sarah.clark@graphicdesignschoolreview.com
Graphic Design School Review Columnist

Graphic designers no longer view stock photography as a poor alternative to custom photo shoots. The new school of thought among graphic design professionals is that stock photography is a hip, convenient, and practical way to execute many commercial art projects.

Visit any Web site and you'll find stock photography. Often it consists of images of people looking smart, competent, stylish, and confident. The use of such images is up, according to a survey conducted by Graphic Design USA, and the reason for the increase is the broad recognition among graphic designers and art directors that the quality of stock photography has increased in recent years.

Graphic Designers Rely on Stock Photos

Another reason for the continued growth and reliance upon stock photography cited by GDUSA is its ease of use and affordability. Stock photography can be quickly incorporated into a production. The increased variety and accessibility of stock visuals makes it easy for graphic designers to quickly identify an image that complements their design. Given this and the fact that stock is far more affordable than putting together a custom photo shoot, it seems reasonable that stock visuals have become important to designers today.

Graphic Design School

You'll learn about techniques such as the use of stock visuals during graphic design school. Courses are available to teach you how to choose stock photos and incorporate them into commercial art. Classes on Photoshop will give you the opportunity to learn how to manipulate photographs, adjusting their color, texture, and size to suit your design scheme.

These are just a few of the skills you'll be able to hone during your time in graphic design school. Before you know it, you'll be a graphic design guru, turning out commercial art with ease and confidence.

About the Author

Sarah Clark is a freelance writer based in Arlington, Virginia.