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This is a thread on ways to reduce the cost of getting and publishing academic images. It's based on my experience with the 182 images for my book. We're publishing more and being funded less, so I hope this is helpful for fellow authors #academicimages
1/ Use the website I put together of sources for free or nearly free academic images. You can search in the side bar for particular institutions or kinds of collections. Thanks to everyone who has contributed. academicimages.wordpress.com #academicimages
2/ Within this group, there are some places that are standout providers of easy to download high-res images. Try them first. It's amazing what lurks in their collections: @rijksmuseum @ngsdc @nypl @LACMA @YaleBritishArt @NGVMelbourne @ExploreWellcome
#academicimages
#academicimages
3/ If you're looking for a print or something that has many reproductions, cast your online search net wide and refuse the first offer from an institution that requires payment! Often a different version is elsewhere for free #academicimages
4/ Ask for a discount or free. Many institutions are kind to academic researchers and will give you things cheaper in correspondence than is stated on their website, or a discount for the underfunded. Image library workers are people too #academicimages
5/ It can help if you live outside the country of provision. As I currently reside in Australia, I was not eligible to pay VAT on UK images - hence an immediate 20% discount. If you're outside Australia you won't pay our 10% GST. Etc. #academicimages
6/ Buy the thing. I hear more and more stories from researchers who realise that buying the actual object they need an image of - usually a print - can cost significantly less than paying for an image of it. And then you have the thing. #academicimages
7/ Take a picture yourself. Of course, only with all due permissions given. I have an amazing image in my book from Hatfield House that's never been reproduced before, because they let me come in before they opened and shoot it. So generous #academicimages
8/ If you do photograph it yourself, use good equipment. I know a recent dress history book that was shot on an iPhone, but I prefer a camera. I also shoot RAW and JPG, and a few times for each pic so the designers have in-focus large files to play with #academicimages
9/ Then join the @ALCS_UK or equivalent organisation in your country. They now collect contributions for images authors contribute to their work so you will earn a little money for your photography because the copyright in your image is *yours* #academicimages
10/ Look for your images on a commercial provider. I've found lots of things on @Alamy, much cheaper than the holding institution. To make it even cheaper, don't join until you're ready to buy in bulk, then see if there's a joining discount for the first purchase #academicimages
11/ See if your publisher has a discount arrangement with a major image provider. I saved a lot of money with @BridgemanImages by going through my publisher's dedicated image manager, and it was quicker & more straightforward. #academicimages
12/ Speak to your fellow researchers and ask them for field-specific tips and tricks, or contacts they've found to be helpful. Insider knowledge can go a long way, and cut down long frustrating searches for owners of private collections. #academicimages
8a/ I hasten to add, the iPhone comment is not disparaging. Annie Leibowitz reckons the iPhone is the best point and shoot digital camera out there. I just like the control and low light settings of a camera. A publication-quality high-res image doesn't care how you create it.
@ngadc @NGSDC @Twitter 15/ I'm getting such great suggestions in the replies, and a good response to this from researchers, I've done a blog post about this, for easy linking and future reference. Indeed, I made a blog section on my site specially for it.
hilarydavidson.net/blog/tips-for-…
hilarydavidson.net/blog/tips-for-…
