Paid stock photo/vector subscriptions

[gnubler]

I'm doing some research on subscribing to a stock photo/vector service. Primarily we will be needing vector artwork rather than stock photos. I'm already aware of a lot of the *free* sites out there, but we want to go legit and have a huge selection of art to choose from that can be downloaded instantly upon purchase.

What services do you use and what do you like or hate about them? Is paying a monthly fee more worth it than paying per image?

[Greg_Firestone]

How often do you find yourself in need of artwork? If it's on a weekly basis, then maybe you can justify the subscription, but otherwise it may not be cost effective.

I don't have any experience with them but there's http://www.iclipart.com/

I think higher caliber artwork may only be available per file since the artists want to get more $.

Greg
 

[DigiCorn]

Always been a big fan of http://www.dreamstime.com/

It's good quality raster and vector art done basically by freelancers. Lots and lots of different stuff, so you're not seeing the same-old-same-old. Plus, for royalty-free, it's dirt cheap.

[bubblegum]

Have been using iStock for years... cheaper to go by image, and they have tons of vector work as well.

[gnubler]

How often do you find yourself in need of artwork?

Likely not often. Bossman referred me to a stock site that some sales slime was pushing. It's $30/mo with a limit of 40 downloads. I was like "wait" because it sounds like a rip.

[DigitalCrapShoveler]

If I can't find it for free, I draw it myself. Monthly fees for art just seems like a waste of money. I understand your position, though.

[boosted29]

I wouldn't be opposed to finding a subscription service that was unlimited downloads. Because I would just pay for the first month, using that month downloading as many images as possible and throwing them on an external hard drive. And then just cancel the service. That would be worth it to me, even though it sounds like quite a time waster.

[gnubler]

If I can't find it for free, I draw it myself. Monthly fees for art just seems like a waste of money. I understand your position, though.

I can't draw for crap, otherwise I would.

We're not all as awesome as you.

[Ear]

If I can't find it for free, I draw it myself. Monthly fees for art just seems like a waste of money. I understand your position, though.

I can't draw for crap, otherwise I would.

We're not all as awesome as you.

Speak for yourself. 

[DigitalCrapShoveler]

If I can't find it for free, I draw it myself. Monthly fees for art just seems like a waste of money. I understand your position, though.

I can't draw for crap, otherwise I would.

We're not all as awesome as you.

Awesomeness? I don't have to impress anyone anymore... married remember? My sense of worth is that of a 14 year-old zit-faced teenage girl with too much junk in the trunk. :wink:

[gnubler]

I'm worth $650.

Is that bad?

[DigitalCrapShoveler]

I'm worth $650.

Is that bad?

Not bad at all. I'm worth literally 10s of one dollar bills. At least your trunk is bumpin'.