Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Happy International Kissing Day!

© Corbis RF. Image #42-18030247.
Please enjoy these kisses brought to you especially by stock photography. And have a happy, slobber-free International Kissing Day!
© Blend RM. Image #BLM001130.
© Cusp. Image #42-15240207.

© Blend RM. Image #BLM007166.
© Blend RM. Image #BLM005225.

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Then, Things Got Awkward

© Photoalto Budget. Image #PAA426000034. 
Ummm? Yeah . . . This happened.

Thanks, awkward family moments! You always seem to find a way to be captured on film.

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

I Came, I Re-jigsaw, I Re-jigconqured

Here's another jigsaw puzzle for your entertainment. This one is just a little bit harder. Click on the image.
© BE&W PHOTO. Image #1222626.

Friday, May 13, 2011

I Came, I Jigsaw, I Jigconquered

Here's an interesting use for stock photos that you may not have thought of. Stock photos converted to jigsaw puzzle. Try them out! They are moderately addictive. Click on each to give it a shot.
© Glowimages RM. Image #492285365.

© Westend61 RF. Image #FOF002892.

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

It's All in the Caption: Fails

Despite all of our flourishing successes and brilliant decision-making, failures will occasionally occur. But it's what you do after a failure that really matters. Will you examine what went wrong and what you could have done to make it go right? Of course, that's what logic-loving people do. But you can also take a moment to laugh at yourself. If nothing else, it is humbling and therapeutic.

Since we don't have photo evidence of our own failures to poke fun at, we have once again tapped into a stock photography resource. Enjoy our alternative "FAIL" captions!

© Glowimages RF. Image #GWW71160031.
 
  • Chest hair based seduction FAIL
  • Casual glance FAIL
  • Putting out the vibe FAIL
  • Awkward silence WIN!




© Vico Images. Image #041751.
  • And 1 FAIL
  • Like Mike FAIL
  • Vertical FAIL
  • Above the rim FAIL
  • Shoe endorsement deal FAIL
  • Legendary streetballer FAIL
  • Shorts FAIL
  • Jimmy Chipwood FAIL
  • White men can't jump WIN!



© Corbis RF. Image #42-18810436.

  • Literacy FAIL
  • Education FAIL
  • Letting students write assignments on blackboard FAIL
  • Play on words FAIL
  • Last day before summer vacation WIN!



Please feel free to add your own FAILs in the comments. We'll even accept, "Fail blog post FAIL."

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Top 5 Gross Food Photos

© Tips RM. Image #386FTS00156.
There is a fascination with disgusting foods, maybe because what is disgusting to one might be a delicacy to another. Since stock photography sites are a wealth of food imagery, we did some searching and found 5 foods that make us turn green (with nausea, not envy). More than just a way to gross ourselves out, this is an opportunity to face our culinary fears and venture into some uncharted territory.

Though we are a long way from trying these foods, getting familiar with them may help us get the hunger for experimentation. That doesn't guarantee that we won't just close our eyes and hold our breath when we finally try them. Baby steps, friends. Baby steps.

© Sofood. Image #077090.


  • Mealworms - Nothing that ends in "worms" can be good. Unless it begins with "gummi". In which case, it is awesome.
  • Cow tongue - Umm. It's a tongue. I would rather just make out with a cow.



    © Tips RM. Image #386FTS00112.
  • Fried crickets - Usually frying something makes it edible, but the thought of getting a cricket leg stuck between your teeth is enough to keep this gross.
  • © Stockfood. Image #199800.
    © Imagebroker RF. Image #IBXSGR00140738.
  • Pig's feet - Pigs have some good things to offer. Their feet is not one of them.
  • Balut - It's a duck egg with a nearly developed duck embryo that is boiled alive and eaten. The only word in that sentence that isn't disgusting is "egg". 
So maybe we are farther away from trying these than when we started, but it was a good start.

What is the grossest food you have ever tried or wanted to try?

    Friday, March 25, 2011

    What Were They Thinking Back Then?

    If you ever have looked through some old photo albums or books (or searched through a stock photo site) , you have certainly seen some things that make you wonder what the heck people were thinking back then.  Well, they had a lot of free time on their hands, for one. There was no TV, no Internet, no video games. And clearly, there were also different attitudes towards safety.

    Case in point:
    © F1online RF. Image #4391002.  
    I can only assume that the guy on top was severely mangled when this thing turned over. But with all this being said, you still have to wonder if they would think the same about us.

    Case in point:
    © Tips RM. Image #226PSC01871.
    Yikes!

    Thursday, March 17, 2011

    An Un-PC St. Patrick's Day Greeting

    Times have changed, even for St. Patrick's Day. I dare say, you will not see another card like the one below again. Politically incorrect? Perhaps. But still a worth a second look. If for nothing else, let us admire the design and artwork of this vintage St. Paddy's Day card.

    © ImageZoo. Image #CIR0214.

    Lesson to be learned here: Old greeting cards can become new stock photos, while at the same time, old stock photos can become new greeting cards. Deep stuff, right?

    See more like the image above here.

    Thursday, March 10, 2011

    It's All in the Caption: The Surly Years

    There's always that one person in the room that can't help but be a Debbie Downer. Malcontentedness is their mantra and pessimism is their passion. While we don't suggest publicly humiliating them, we do feel some retribution is called for. So, today's installment of "It's All in the Caption" gives us a chance for some friendly ribbing at the expense of the surlier ones among us. As always, we will be using stock photos so nobody gets hurt, but it should be a catharsis, nevertheless.

    © Westend61 RF. Image #CRF00856.
    Original caption: Boy rejecting banana

    Alternate caption: God. I hate you, banana.

    Alternate caption: Fruit is not nature's candy. Nice try, moms.

    Alternate caption: If you think I am feeding myself, you are sorely mistaken.


    © Corbis RF. Image #42-18218546.
    Original caption: Sore loser

    Alternate caption: Why do they call it Sorry? You don't seem sorry at all. Jerk.

    Alternate caption: And thus began Steve's plan for global domination . . . He'll show you! He'll show ALL of you.

    Alternate caption: Worst family game night ever.
      
    © Tetra. Image #TI3600675.
       Original caption: Baby covered in birthday cake

      Alternate caption: What made you think I could handle this!?
     
      Alternate caption: Not exactly the poster child for self control.

      Alternate caption: Frosting up the nose. Instant buzz-kill.


      Click here for more captioning fun.

    Thursday, March 3, 2011

    Top 10 Strange Nude Photos

    © Westend61 RM. Image #MD00002.
    Some of the strangest stock photos you'll see will use nudity to heighten the weirdness. Though the addition of naked body adds to oddness, these photos would generally be weird without. Nudity just adds that double-take effect. We searched for the visually weird without being disturbing. Here are 10 images that fit the weird bill.

    © Pixtal. Image #WE056415.
    © EyeCandyPro. Image #ECP001032.
    © es Collection. Image #IAAAEL000011.


    © Cusp. Image #42-15205178.
    © SodaStyle. Image #LAPA00284.
    © Tips RM. Image #235WZE05422.
    © Boost. Image #BLD021990.
    © Superstock. Image #172-8423.
    © Radius. Image #600-01694631.

    Thursday, February 24, 2011

    Terrible Greeting Cards

    Stock photography sites are an ideal resource when creating greeting cards. They tend to have every angle of every iconic holiday image covered. They also have archival and vintage collections that make for good cards. Most sites will have extensive floral and botanical collections. And what is the next best thing to getting flowers? Getting a card with a picture of flowers. . . or maybe getting candy.

    On the other hand, you can also find stock images for those not-so-friendly greeting cards. That topic will be more fun to visit, so that's what we'll cover today. Greeting cards for your enemies. Using road signs as a theme. Enjoy!

    © Imagebroker RM. Image #IBLWES01056879.


     Possible text: Just in case you need directions for where I think you should go . . .

    OR

    I have a feeling you could get there without this clearly marked sign. I'll see you there . . . from Heaven.


    © FogstockMIST. Image #006910.



    Possible text: Apparently, there is a physical place that accurately describes my feelings towards you.

    OR

    Directions to you: Take a right at COULDN'TCARELESS, go straight on APATHY for a while. Turn left on SHRUG. Continue on until you pass EHH and DON'TGIVEA$%&!. You are now at WHATEVER. It should look familiar. Or not. Whatever.

    Tuesday, February 15, 2011

    Monkey Suits

    Who doesn't enjoy a good chimp in a suit photo? Classic humor. On the comedic hierarchy, it falls somewhere above flatulence and slightly below cats falling off things. It hovers just above slipping on a banana peel and just below football to the groin.

    Keeping that in  mind, we will explore the diverse uses of stock photos. In this case, we will use photos of chimps in clothing to demonstrate the potential comedic value of stock images, as well as their ability to inspire imaginative back story. This can lead you to your next creative idea, whether it be an ad or a thousand page novel. Or a paragraph about a monkey in a suit.

    © Old Visuals. Image #EV004422.
    Sam "Banana Peels" Bonney. Career wise-guy with a propensity for danger. Monkey danger. 

    He often strolled about with a stern look upon his face and a cigarette dangling from the corner of his mouth, though he never smoked, mainly due to his inability to harness fire. Sam specialized in the smuggling of bootleg termite fishing sticks, making him a wanted man during Prohibition . . .Termite Prohibition.

    Despite his tough exterior and occasional incidents of flinging things, he had a heart of gold, which, coupled with his opposable thumbs, made him popular in the community. 

    Also, he wore shoes, which is pretty neat.

     See this image and more chimps in this gallery.

    A picture is worth a thousand words. But you don't need quite that many. Play along and respond below. 

    Wednesday, February 9, 2011

    Slow Cars and Moderately Paced Women

    Somewhere along the line, someone came up with idea of matching beautiful women with sleek cars. And like the union of peanut butter and jelly, it proved to be a  mutually beneficial success. The cars look cooler and the women appear sexier. Fast women and fast cars. Cliche? Yes. But does it work? Yes. Much better than slow cars and moderately paced women.

    © PicturePress. Image #02200450.
    Through the transitive property, using stock images that utilize this formula should add appeal to your website or product. Or perhaps, it will inspire you to come up with the next magical combo.

    For research purposes and for your own enjoyment, we have provided some of our favorite stock photos featuring women and automobiles. Or "chicks and cars", for the less refined.;) Visit this gallery to see these and more.
    © Superstock. Image #1150-577.
    © Flirt. Image #AX042504.
    © Rubberball. Image #A01006C.
    © Superstock. Image #1051-125B.Yeah. This just happened.

    © Flirt. Image #42-21868048.
    © Pixtal. Image #WE049425.