Whose fault is this? The photographer? The models? The prop guy? We don't think these stock images really have any discernable use, but they still manage to exist anyway. If anyone needs a stock image for an angry doctors conference or a sexy pumpkin festival, we know where to send you. The world of stock images can be a weird one. Here are stories from people who found their stock photos being used in the strangest of places.
photography
One day someone asks if you mind being in a couple pictures, then the next day you find yourself in an ad for extra-small condoms. The stock photo game can be a weird one, and these people found out the hard way.
Okay, the eye-exploding was a hyperbole. But why would you want to look at these if you knew they would make your eyes literally explode? These pictures of skewed perspective will make your eyes do some acrobatics in order to understand what's actually going on. In case this isn't enough eye-confusing strangeness then here's some more.
The story goes like this: over 70 years ago a World War II soldier filled 31 rolls of film with pictures, and in 2014, The Rescued Film Project, recovered all 31 of those rolls. What follows, is a video showing what went into the development of these photos, and then as an audience, we even get to see some of them! Pretty neat.
Sophia Vogel is a German photographer who aims to reduce the shame and bashfulness we all feel when we are without our clothes.
"I want to point out that being naked should feel just as natural as being clothed," she said."If you think of it right, we are all naked underneath our clothes."
"The pressure of being a sexual being is omnipresent for every human being. We are observed and judged every day, and the fashion industry lavishes beauty ideals and criticism on us. We set high standards for ourselves. I want to speak up against these ridiculous standards."
"By presenting all kinds of different body shapes and natural postures I would love to show that everybody is beautiful in their own way. I love to present nudity in an aesthetic manner without any sexual context. Not every single nude photograph should be linked to sexuality."
H/T: Creators
Photographer Ricki Beason puts out an annual "Heartthrobs and Hound Dogs" calendar that features some of Texas' finest men and adoptable pups. It's pretty easy to see why the calendar is so popular.
"Sweet Charlie is this bride's beloved dog. He has a brain tumor and is on his last few days on this planet. He used up all of his energy before the wedding and didn't have the strength to make it back up the aisle - so the maid of honor scooped him up and carried him. She's 5'3". He's 80 pounds. There isn't enough mascara in the world for these moments." -JenDz
Via @mike.karas
Mike Karas saw the perfect sunset with two newlyweds in frame and captured it with his zoom lens, despite being several hundred yards away and definitely not the official wedding photographer.
"I was with some other hikers and saw them pop out on that ledge just as the sun was setting. It was surreal."
Great work Mike!
You can learn more about the WPY award and see past winners over on the Natural History Museum's website.
