I Saw the Light!

Have you ever wondered what your favorite songs would like if someone tried to sum them up in a single photo? Well, if you hadn't before, you have now. It can actually be a fun game and a good exercise for finding the right stock image.

In this case, we'll use Hank Williams song titles and try to find the stock photo that best describes each song. Of course, we are talking about Hank Williams Sr. and his classic songs here. Imagine that you are creating an album cover for each song. Play along at home, if you like. Or find an image that fits one of your own personal favorite songs.

Here we go:

© Cultura. Image #17HAS0034RF.

I Saw the Light - A classic song. Plus, she is not only seeing the light, but holding it somehow.

© Imagebroker RF. Image #IBXNCA00110546.

Your Cheatin' Heart - Maybe a stretch, but that's what makes it fun.

© Smart Magna. Image #220102MB0438.

Hey Good Lookin' - Admittedly, this doesn't really work unless you know the next line of the song, which is " . . .what ya got cookin'".

© Tetra. Image #TI3600713.

Cold, Cold Heart - Too easy.

© Robert Harding. Image #252-8679.

A Mansion on the Hill - More like a castle, but there is still a valley to look up from.

Search this stock photography site and see if you can find more.

Celebrating Awkwardness

Stock photography, much like people, is sometimes just weird and awkward. You can be the judge on whether the awkwardness is intentional or not. Not to say that these pictures don't have value, they most definitely do. At some point, you will have a dire need for a weird image that has elegantly captured true awkwardness.

These stock photos can be funny, especially if you create a context which adds to the awkwardness. Let's take a look at a few images and revel in their awkwardness.

© Radius. Image #600-00954712.

Bananas in a suitcase. I guess chimpanzees pack light. Or maybe this is a conceptual image about the importance of potassium. If you only pack one thing, pack bananas.

© Tips RM. Image #561GAG00228.

 Ummm. Professional women's wrestling has gotten out of hand.

© EyeCandy Images. Image #EC123203.

Buying turtlenecks is risky business. There was clearly a slight miscalculation of neck length here. Or maybe this is just Green Man's girlfriend.

© Zefa RF. Image #42-17225681.

Wow! This guy sure loves slightly out-of-date technology.

© Superstock. Image #1150-1032.

If he is willing to wear a swimsuit like that, it's not surprising that he somehow got tangled up with a chair. There is no way that ended well . . .for either of them.

That's probably plenty of awkwardness to get us through the day. Feel free to comment and give your interpretations.  

Know Your Background

With ever increasing speeds and capabilities, web pages are more open to complex and creative design. Web designers no longer have to rely on solid, monochrome backgrounds. There has also been a trend towards making the background the main visual element.

The background sets the mood and the body delivers the message. So, the background can be a little more adventurous, while the content best remains simple and without too much visual distraction. Stock photography sites provide a plethora of backgrounds for web and graphic designers.

Below are some examples of stock backgrounds. Enjoy!

© Zefa RF. Image #42-17622892.

© InsideOutPix. Image #42-18839210.

© Corbis RF. Image #UTX063.

© Aflo Relax. Image #AFR-IJ-11905.

© Moodboard Premium. Image #15260011.

© Tips RM. Image #263LDG00935.

© Glowimages. Image #101-5699462.

Bodacious 80's Photos

This doesn't need a whole lot of explanation. Enjoy these "most non-heinous" (to quote Bill and Ted) stock images that pay homage to the raddest of decades, the 1980's.

© ImageZoo. Image #JRO0043.

© Corbis RF. Image #CB011929.

© Imagesource. Image #IE111-073.

© Superstock. Image #1195-301.

© Superstock. Image #200-1881B.

© Rubberball. Image #A03249.

© Radius. Image #600-00917105.

© Superstock. Image #172-6526C.

© Radius. Image #600-00917057.

© 81a. Image #81A-00003577-001.

Eyeing Over Poured Milk

Pour and splash shots are common stock photography images. They are exactly what the sound like. They are photos of a liquid being poured or splashed. It sounds simplistic, but it is a difficult moment to capture and the results are often intriguing and visually appealing. Photographing a liquid frozen in midair captures a moment that is normally so brief that our eyes barely process it.

These images can be almost hypnotizing to look at, especially the pour shot, smoother brother of the splash. In particular, the milk pour can be very appealing. Milk seems to have just the right consistency for the perfect pour. Below are stock photos of perfectly done milk pours. Get your cookies ready!

© Glowimages RF. Image #GWF108007.

© Radius. Image #600-01718151.

© Purestock. Image #1574R-011017.

© Imagebroker RF. Image #IBXKIM01170543.

© Stockfood. Image #683368.