It's All in the Caption: Valentine Mishaps

With Valentine's Day just around the corner, it seems like the proper time to get everyone in the mood . . . in the mood of poking fun at Valentine's Day using a selection of stock images. In case you missed our previous installments, here's how it works. We take a few stock photos and rewrite their original captions for the sole purpose of making ourselves laugh.

© 81a. Image #81A-00003570-001.

Original caption: Singers wearing funny glasses.

Alternate Caption: A guy I'd like to punch.

Alternate Caption:  Guy failing in attempt to disarm the ladies with comical glasses. Note the genuine fear in her expression.

© Imagesource. Image #IS794-009.

Original Caption: Boy with an arrow through his head.

Alternate Caption: It turns out Cupid has horrible aim.

Alternate Caption: Luckily for him, prop comedy happens to be one of her "turn-ons". Weird.

© Gulfimages. Image #GI09053RF.

Original Caption: Portrait of a young man holding a heart-shaped object.

Alternate Caption: I made this for you. I hope you like things made of my own hair.

Alternate Caption: Man doing the best he can. At least, he dressed up.

The Battle of Offbeat Pets

Another way stock photography can be useful is by helping in your decision-making process. Sure, something can look good on paper, but accompanied by an image, your arguments carry more weight. A list of pros and cons are more powerful when looking a subject in the eye. As an example, we will use stock photos to help us choose a pet. Of course, this is hypothetical and we mean no disrespect to the animals involved.

Today's Matchup: Macaw vs Tarantula

+ = Pro      - = Con

© Glowimages RF. #GWT144064.

       + Can fly, which is pretty cool
        - Can fly directly into food as you prepare it
       + Can talk
        - Can talk LOUD
       + Can live up to 55 years or more
        - Can outlive you, which is depressing    
       + Can be fed some of the same food you eat, i.e. fruits and nuts, so you will never have to handle dead mice or anything gross
        - Bird poop. You've taken the grossest thing that gets on your car and gave it free range in your house


Now let's take a look at the pros and cons of tarantulas.

© 81a.Image #81A-00003292-001.

+ Very quiet
- I'm not sure I like that they are quiet. What if it escapes?
+ You will be the coolest kid on your street
- You will be the coolest kid on your street that regularly handles dead mice
+ Can live in small spaces
- That small space might be your shoe
+ Excellent way to conquer fear of all things creepy-crawly
- Excellent way to live in constant and legitimate fear of seeing a spider

Well, the cases have been presented and the stock photos help us better imagine the head to head competition. Just out of curiosity, which would you go with? Reply below or vote on the sidebar!

Vintage Appeal

For no particular reason, we feel the urge to pay homage to the original "It Girl", Clara Bow. While we could just search the stock photography archives of the woman herself, we thought it be more fun to try to find stock photos that show that same sexy, vibrant, retro, flapperish, wide-eyed spirit that she embodied.

The images we picked reflect a different time that give a sense of excitement, mainly due to the stylish era they came from. It is interesting to see that something or someone from 80 or 90 years ago can still be alluring today. This certainly adds to their draw. Enjoy!

For more, visit this lightbox.

© Old Visuals. Image #EV006432.

© Old Visuals. Image #EV007092.

© Old Visuals. Image #EV006003.

© Old Visuals. Image #EV006777.

© Old Visuals. Image #EV006957.

© Old Visuals. Image #EV006028.

Making Amends via Stock Photos

Stock images are a simple way to make your message clear and concise. And thanks to the diversity of available content on most stock photography sites, nearly any message you can think of can be illustrated. Today, we would like to bring former rivals together and unite them as friends using only the power of stock photos.

© Superstock. Image #252-295.

First up, the Frankenstein monster and fire. These age old rivals have had several run-ins over the years. It especially got heated when Frankenstein made the audacious claim that fire was not good, saying "Fire . . . BAD!!! Ahhhhh!".

His concerns do seem valid, as he mostly knows fire from the torches of angry mobs of villagers. But Frankenstein feels in his heart (or whoever's heart that in is there) that he may have misjudged fire. He had this to say, "Me think fire . . . eh, not so bad, once you get know him. Me think misunderstanding based on early childhood trauma and me project feelings onto fire. Also, Frankenstein Monster have daddy issues. Ahhh! Smash!"

© ImageZoo. Image #PGI0335.

He went on to express regret over the many s'mores he has missed out on. They aren't really the same with unroasted marshmallows. We are happy that we were finally able to bring these two together.

While this may not have been the most enlightening thing ever written, it does help us illustrate that stock photos can accommodate almost any concept. Consider that next time you get an idea that seems a little bizarre. There may be images out there that will help you get your message across.

Are there any other enemies that you would like to see make amends by way of stock photos? Vote over on the sidebar →.