This type of stock photography WON'T be replaced by AI

Can AI replace stock photographers? In this video, I discuss 4 ways that stock photographers and videographers can outperform AI. These types of images can't be replicated accurately by AI and will need to be produced by us humans.
My gear:
My camera - Canon 5D Mark IV: amzn.to/2LTFOwT
Canon 16-35mm lens (awesome wide angle): amzn.to/2Jsstx4
Canon 70-200 zoom lens (great for events): amzn.to/2Jms9A5
Sigma 150-600mm telephoto lens (my go-to for wildlife): amzn.to/3Su8yPM
Canon 85mm 1.2 (my FAVORITE portrait lens): amzn.to/2kEuV5I
Canon 85mm 1.8 (a cheaper alternative): amzn.to/2LQMAnk
Canon 50mm 1.4 (second favorite portrait lens): amzn.to/2sAuKvN
The drone I use: amzn.to/49nZanF
Find me on Instagram: / nicolesglass
#stockphotography #ai #aiphotography

[@FilmshooterOH]

You are spot on. I am focusing more on editorial video for my stock. I teaching filmmaking at the college level and I tell my students you have two choices: 1. Be so good they can't ignore you or 2. Be a plumber because everybody poops. AI is changing our field and I think will effect every area of our lives. There's no putting the genie back in the bottle. Hopefully, there can be some walls put up so it won't steal our work.

[@larryglatt2548]

Booo to them

[@Aslowfade]

I'm not worried about A.I I'm more annoyed about the stock footage company's ripping us off. Getting 5 cents for a photo download isn't worth the electricity it cost to upload in the first place.

[@SebastianDavidPB]

Remember it's passive income, you don't sell all rights you have royalties, so if you managed to find a good agency those images will produce revenue over time. I the other hand put my eggs in one basket and regret it deeply as I only make now 100$ per year with more than 1000 images in my portfolio after listening to the "experts"

[@elgatochismoso2790]

@@SebastianDavidPB 1000 imagenes no son suficientes para un buen ingreso, yo tengo mas de 7000 y sigo subiendo!!

[@straitjacketstudios]

I still think there needs to be a movement against the "copyright infringement" that AI is utilizing. AI can not work without accessing all of the copyrighted material it must reference to generate an image. What's the difference between a person copying an existing photo (which is illegal) and a computer doing the same?

[@lspeventmedia7836]

I agree but many stock contributors have sold their work for just one off fee of $5 per image to train AI. So, the stock agencies will make money from them forever...

[@straitjacketstudios]

@@lspeventmedia7836 True, but the millions of photogs that did not sell all rights will forever (unknowingly) be having their art accessed for copy by AI.

[@SebastianDavidPB]

What is strange is that if a person would make a composit like that, they would get banned from the site in a heartbeat

[@TheRaintree46]

they need stock sites that dont accept ai so people can find and use real content. there ARE stock customers complaining that its hard to find anything not trashy anymore on stock sites

[@broadwayphotovideo]

That’s like saying we can’t copy the theme and location of a photo shoot. AI takes bits and pieces of work that’s out there but it’s not recognizable at all. I’m a photographer so I’m not a fan of AI, but I’m not going to try to fight it when it has already been accepted and protected from legal issues for the most part

[@thomaslilly5834]

The best meme I've read about AI & creatives is this: "To replace creatives with AI, clients will need to accurately describe what they are looking for. We are safe."

[@NicoleGlass]

Nice quote! ☺️

[@MBDronePhoto]

Glad to see you back! Even real estate has become saturated. I think more and more of just pursuing black and white film, making prints, and trying to sell them. If I am going to become poor from photography, I might as well enjoy the journey.

[@sebastrianw.4673]

Thanks for the video. I starting in street photography but may be open to other areas of photography. I will be self taught. I enjoyed your video and I just subscribed to your channel. Thanks

[@TripHacksDC]

Every time I've tried to generate images of DC I get the same problems - buildings in the wrong locations, out of proportions, etc.

[@NicoleGlass]

I was laughing so hard at the AI images… for someone who’s never been to DC, they could be easily fooled, but for someone who lives here it’s quite funny

[@ecadphoto]

Late to watching this, but totally agree! I was very upset at first with AI, but realized that unless they change the ethics, editorial will still sell. I’ve even given in and created (and sold) some AI content. I remember when I first started stock and all of the older photographers were up in arms about digital cameras and micro stock! Next came cell phones and that was the new “problem.” AI is the newest thing that everyone loves to hate. I’m sure it won’t be the last thing to cause chaos! We just need to evolve with the changes. ❤

[@SebastianDavidPB]

That's exactly where I've shifted, real life events as they happen. However some agencies are so scummy that the review process takes more days than the event itself, so by the time they approve the images the event is long past due........

[@gordonbarbay750]

As someone who takes photos and generates AI images, I could not agree more! BTW, welcome back to the YT world! Good to see you producing content again!

[@wendybee9160]

I am glad you are back!!!!!

[@adriangwardiak2364]

Hi, great job on these stock videos man, I am learning from you appreciate a lot! I have two questions about stock that are boggling me and I can't find the proper answer anywhere: 1) If for example we submit some picture that is illegal to sell (for example some architecture that, sculpture, piece of art) that we didn't know we needed owner approval or even if it has an owned in the first place to sell it but one of the stock agencies still approves it, then in the end in case of some rights problem who is there to blame, a contributor or the stock agency? What happens for example if we already earned something from that picture and someone will sue us for the lack of release? 2) Does stock do some kind of clean ups? Or a picture that is approved but for example never sells in like 10 years will still be there? Do you know anything about this topic?

[@larryglatt2548]

Thank you for this. I was a D.C. area freelancer from 82-2010, during my earlier years I did lots of 'HILL' work. Today I have a quantity of transparencies that I have been digitizing slowly (sorrowfully my B&W negatives were destroyed during my retirement move). I am looking for an agency that might be a good home for them, your guidance , if possible, for this would be appreciated. You are spot on about the AI being inaccurate in many cases, but some viewers sadly aren't aware of what they are seeing. Continued success to you.

[@eldanno5970]

You are spot on 🤷

[@ML-ed7ln]

Is there a way to upload images in PNG format on Shutterstock? I am suffering a lot from this issue It accepts my jpg images and rejects the png 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@nothinbutarchives]

So far, I have been successful with my stock photography. My images have been downloading since 2 months ago. Everyday there's at least 5-6 downloads :). 70 downloads in 2 months with only 30 stock photos

[@NicoleGlass]

That’s quite good for 30 photos! What category of photography do you focus on? Whatever you’re doing is working so keep it up

[@charlieross-BRM]

Genre?

[@smalltalk.productions9977]

thank you for your efforts and sharing. i am an appreciative subscriber. in your opinion, do you think your insights about stock editorial work will need releases for faces within the frame?

[@heatherrose9559]

Great video Nicole. Could you do a video on how to prepare clips for stock. I’ve only ever submitted photos. Also I’m finding I’m still selling aerials, particularly abstract

[@lspeventmedia7836]

Hi Nicole, I agree with what you say. Stock photos are slowly being replaced with the AI generated images. I shoot a lot of editorial images and they seem be still in demand. Unfortunately, the RPD at some agencies has dropped drastically. I earned only $22 for 150 downloads with a well known agency over two years. I haven't received over $3 for several videos. These were shot with a cinema camera and were uploaded in ProRes. Although, in principle, i agree with video having more milage, unless you live in or near a large city, filming noteworthy events is not possible. Events date as well and quickly become yesterday's material. It seems to me that we are now working in a very restricted stock photography/video market.

[@bananaukra3235]

Hi . Thank you for your channel, it's one of the few I follow. Do you think it's bad right now to just upload AI images to Adobe Stock and photos taken by me to Shutterstock? I ask you this because Shuterstock has the option for editorial images and Adobe Stock doesn't have that option. This is one of the many questions I would like to ask you, but over time I will ask you the others. Continuation of your magnificent and videos. THANKS

[@terrybrooks395]

So stock is pretty much a dead donkey for most images then really, as for places, it'll be the same thing, the accuracy will improve, video AI will be along any minute, I'd guess it won't pay in the long term to invest time into stock at all unless it's editorial only which of course have a very short shelf life and no residual value.

[@consciouscoma85]

I have been on pond5 for over 2 years and have not sold a clip yet so I am not chasing that carrot .I have a friend that has sold a lot in the past . most of that was her dads shark footage or storm footage. From what I have seen its production company's with budgets that rent actors and locations. as a painter i believe AI will run it's course and anything done by a human hand will be treasured far more then something machine made like Soylent green images pooped out of a computer.

[@charlieross-BRM]

I have a big grin on my face right now, because I WAS going to upload to Pond5 some photos of gardens that people are approving with LIKEs on Facebook today, as soon as I finish watching Nicole.

[@TheRaintree46]

what is pond5

[@annerichard788]

Very pertinent. Thanks.

[@HaniSantosa]

You voice my thought very well

[@VIKRAMARKUDUFRONTJPG]

I have a doubt In the beginning without knowing difference between editorial and commercial i marked some pictures as editorial which can be used as commercial. Can we change them to commercial now?

[@Kyoshindo]

It should be pretty simple, goverments should make AI apps obliged to show all AI info embedded in the photo so that everyone knows whether it is genuine or AI created.

[@marcotalianidemarchio3359]

Interesting, thank you!

[@NicoleGlass]

Glad you liked it!

[@johnniewelbornjr.8940]

Great commentary and thoughts. I have been amused when playing with the AI in Photoshop, for that is what I use for my post to this day (it's a familiar tool). I'm not fond of AI content in the least but cats don't generally return to bags willingly. I, too, played with creating depictions of various places around the country and had similar results to your DC replicas. I love modern tech as much as the next person but there are times when I feel we've all been cast in an episode of the Outer Limits or Twilight Zone... lol

[@SpeedTravelTH]

As I am both a stock photographer and an AI artist, I totally agreed. The photos of events that require 'facts' can not be generated by AI as they will not be the 'facts' anymore.

[@NicoleGlass]

I’m curious, as someone who does both, what sells better for you - AI photos or real photos?

[@SpeedTravelTH]

@@NicoleGlass For me, personally, real photos still sells better. But AI images are catching up pretty fast. Real photos still have more realistic details, especially for portrait or other photos with real people (nails, fingers, hair, etc.). AIs do the skin texture pretty well, but not with the hands, feet, or something like that.

[@prabhdeepsingh5642]

But the fact is that your decisions to shoot specific types of images an videos are in fact governed by the profileration of AI. So, a photographer who actually wants to shoot clouds and trees just have to give up?

[@danielle4392]

Hi Nicole, you're so right about AI. it will change things but for the moment it has some limitations. Q :could you do a video on ''how to make great & short videos'' ? Thanks :)

[@tonyzuvela5559]

What about Adobe Stock photography contributors? Is Adobe spying on their computers for AI training as well? Cheers!

[@jiml8594]

What video editing program do you use?

[@NicoleGlass]

Premiere Pro, but thinking about learning/switching to Da Vinci at some point

[@jiml8594]

Thanks.

[@rhiannonstudios]

My photos are selling better than ever since AI came along, but what I photograph is so convoluted AI just makes a total mess of it, let’s hope that doesn’t change.

[@wewanderlens]

Agree with you. AI cannot capture real time and it will never compete real world. Maybe it is only now because it is a trend but I am sure will not last long.

[@joaomarveloso1049]

Nicole at which FPS do you shoot video ?

[@NicoleGlass]

Generally 24 fps, unless I plan to slow the footage down, then I’ll do 60 fps

[@joaomarveloso1049]

thank you, I forgot to mention that I meant which is the best for stock photography@@NicoleGlass

[@tristancamargo4108]

Shutterstock is using the less than perfect or otherwise rejected content we are submitted for an AI database. They call it data licensing

[@tdunster2011]

You don't have to release the images for data licensing. In your Shutterstock account you can opt out of data licensing.

[@markwilliams4731]

Well put Nicole

[@NicoleGlass]

Thank you!

[@uteatro9052]

So, we photographers who work on lifestyle are done. A.I. took the 1st place?

[@NicoleGlass]

Maybe not, I’m open to different opinions - it’s something I think about a lot these days. But it does blow my mind how good AI is at creating images of people.

[@robertruffo2134]

No stock photos or videos will be replaced by AI. It's so easy to just search for what you want on an old school site (and not expensive), why would you instead pay even more for some weird creepy AI thing?

[@FSCHW]

Does it make sense to add “real life” as a key word to stock files? Tagging AI photos as such should be a requirement if there is an agency for standards or regulations. AI is not always much different than Photoshop. Look at all the photoshopped photos of NJs governor Christies at the beach.

[@NicoleGlass]

I don’t think those keywords are necessary. Stock sites require you to tag AI photos. If you run a quick search on Adobe Stock you’ll see - you can search for AI photos, exclude AI photos or search for all.

[@FSCHW]

@@NicoleGlass thank you.

[@bobbullethalf]

A.I. will get better folks and that will have a definite impact on all photography and videos. I will be selling all my gear in the next few years.

[@jay10242]

you’re right. It’s getting better and the content has been free of charge.

[@TheRaintree46]

ai makes shutterstock look trashier than redbubble!! holy cow i just looked for the first time

[@flight714]

Some good points but.....editorials and newsworthy you are competing with Reuters, AP, AFP, Getty editorial etc. etc. And videos...Shutterstock is starting to sell them for.......1 DOLLAR! Crap crap industry.

[@JeffJensen55]

Sadly, those AI generated images of Washington, D.C. (and similar) would look fine to many people now these days.

[@NicoleGlass]

I guess if you've never been to a city, you might not know that it's inaccurate. I probably wouldn't be able to point out the flaws in an AI generated image of Houston, Texas, for example.

[@JeffJensen55]

@@NicoleGlass Part of what I enjoyed so much about photography (I was a part-time pro many, many years ago 😊) was being able to bring to people the “experience” of seeing something they may never see in person. Any more, it seems, you cannot be sure if what you are seeing is, in fact, a true representation of reality. And people often accept whatever they see as reality. 🤷🏼‍♂️ I just shoot for myself these days - and I know that those prints on my wall are real! 😊 ❤️

[@gerardferry3958]

Ai killed kennedy

[@Airbender131090]

From Photographer to political content / no thank you. But shure. ONLY editorial real reportage. All the rest - just forget about it. With SORA video is also dead now.