The Future of Stock Photography: Will AI Take Over?
Written on
The Evolution of Stock Photography
The stock photography industry saw rapid advancements during the 1980s and 1990s. Advertising agencies, along with publishing and marketing firms, relied heavily on stock catalogs, marking an era when digital photos were primarily delivered via CD-ROM.
As we entered the 2000s, the landscape transformed dramatically due to the internet, facilitating easier downloads from various websites. This shift led to the rise of platforms like Shutterstock and iStockphoto, which gained immense popularity during this time.
In recent years, royalty-free photography platforms such as Unsplash, Pexels, and Pixabay have gained traction by offering extensive collections of high-quality, user-contributed images at no cost. Unsplash, in particular, has become a staple for Medium articles, now being an integrated feature on the platform.
Despite the popularity of these free alternatives, leading stock photography websites still generate approximately $4 billion annually.
The Rise of Generative AI
If the emergence of user-submitted photo sites like Unsplash posed a challenge to the stock image industry, the introduction of generative AI technologies presents an even greater disruption.
In response to these developments, Getty Images, a major player in the stock imagery market, has taken a firm stance by prohibiting AI-generated images and filing a lawsuit against Stability AI for alleged copyright violations. Getty claims that the dataset utilized to train the Stable Diffusion model includes copyrighted material owned by them.
Conversely, Shutterstock has chosen to embrace generative AI, forming a partnership with OpenAI and incorporating DALL-E 2 into its platform, allowing users to create AI-generated images directly on their website.
The Future of Stock Photography Amidst AI
Shutterstock appears to recognize that traditional stock photography websites may struggle to compete with generative AI. As a result, they are actively integrating AI features into their offerings.
While this strategy shows promise, it also highlights the fact that many stock images have been criticized for their lack of quality, making them more susceptible to being overshadowed by generative AI.
With an increasing availability of AI-generated images through various software—like Photoshop plugins and Microsoft applications—the necessity for stock image websites could diminish. It’s likely that platforms featuring mediocre selections may either fade away or adapt by incorporating AI technologies.
This landscape also presents a unique opportunity for professional photographers to establish a marketplace focused on high-quality imagery, which could be in demand as AI-generated images flood the market with uniformity.
There may also be a growing appreciation for supporting artists, such as professional photographers, creating a niche marketplace despite the overwhelming presence of AI.
Final Thoughts
When DALL-E 2 was released last year, my initial instinct was that stock images were facing significant challenges. Less than a year later, the stock photography sector is experiencing considerable disruption.
It remains uncertain whether Shutterstock and other stock image platforms can withstand the generative AI wave. Nonetheless, I commend Shutterstock for their swift action in developing an AI strategy.
Adapting and evolving is essential for survival in an AI-dominated landscape.
If you enjoyed this article, feel free to show some Medium love—claps, comments, and don’t forget to follow!
Chapter 2: The Impact of AI on Stock Photography
This video discusses the potential consequences of generative AI on the stock photography industry and whether it signals the end of traditional stock photos.
In this video, the speaker shares insights and conclusions drawn from three years of observing stock photography's evolution in the age of AI.