"Authenticity has been a trend in stock photography for years and will remain so," the creative director of the Munich-based picture agency Westend61 - Martine Praessl - is certain. Nevertheless, many things will also change: The rapid advancement of AI tools increasingly enables the creation of artificial and yet realistic imagery. "At Westend61, we are watching this development with excitement and are trying out tools like Midjourney and Co ourselves. But we will continue to rely more than ever on high-quality and authentic images."
According to Westend61 , artificial intelligence is primarily a tool for immersing oneself in different mood worlds and exploring different visual languages. You can have fun creating previously unseen images. Because this view outside the box and the playful lightness are important sources of inspiration. "However, we don't necessarily need the fantasy worlds of AI to do this. Instead, we have developed our VISTA collection, which impresses with new perspectives and fresh ideas," explains Martine Praessl. These motifs stimulate our creativity and above all are beautiful to look at. The agency promotes it with the slogan: "Modern. Cool. Colourful."
The VISTA collection consists of the most creative streams of the Westend61 photography community. It is characterized by its non-conformity, which is why there are no conventional standard stock photo motifs to be found there. Instead, these images offer a new, unconventional and original look at everyday subjects. Similar to AI-generated images, the goal is to intrigue the viewer with new approaches and perspectives, and to provoke thought. "Since the launch of the VISTA collection two years ago, our female photographers have submitted over 9000 photos and videos, creating an ever-growing portfolio with a distinctive look," emphasizes the agency's creative director. "The diversity of our female photographers is reflected in this collection. And while we're open to new technical possibilities, we're convinced that no AI tool can match that diversity."
So if you're looking for fresh images or videos with new perspectives, you don't necessarily have to trust a machine - you can just take a look at the VISTA collection. If you're looking for new inspiration, you've come to the right place - a feast for the eyes and a box full of new ideas!
