iStockPhoto + Photoshop + Books

February 5, 2011 5:55 AM

Cover clones are examples of books using the same cover art or stock photos. See also: Copycat Covers, Reusable Cover Art, and The Dangers of Stock Photography. (via)
posted by blue_beetle (13 comments total)

Seems that first link should go to the second link?
posted by John Kenneth Fisher at 6:09 AM on February 5, 2011

There is nothing new under the sun

including this comment
posted by AndrewKemendo at 6:14 AM on February 5, 2011

So not only are there book cover duplicates, there are website duplicates about book cover duplicates.
posted by ardgedee at 6:53 AM on February 5, 2011 [7 favorites]

I love these links :-) I worked in stock photography and it's a fascinating little niche industry where those in it are constantly amused by all its cliches. It's more the perils of royalty free stock photography as with rights managed imagery, one can purchase exclusivity for a time or territory.

At an old job where I was the image buyer, we produced a rich HTML email for a client featuring The Everywhere Girl for a promo. So did a competitor! The very same week! It's interesting how out of the millions of stock photo images out there, designers hit on the same ones consistently. Stock houses do try to figure this out, as images often have a lifecycle - nothing dates a stock photo more than clothing, hairstyles or tech - but it's weirdly not very measurable at times.
posted by Calzephyr at 7:21 AM on February 5, 2011

Wait a minute, so not only are there book cover duplicates, there are website duplicates about book cover duplicates.
posted by Increase at 7:27 AM on February 5, 2011 [2 favorites]

It's a shame this isn't a double post with only a different title from the first.
posted by cmonkey at 8:04 AM on February 5, 2011 [1 favorite]

These two are among my favourites, both from the same publisher.
posted by Goblindegook at 8:08 AM on February 5, 2011

I saw that Wondermark link this morning and thought it was fascinating. I'm glad somebody brought it over here and fleshed it out.
posted by immlass at 10:48 AM on February 5, 2011

Hilarious!

Private Eye's been running a column like this for a few weeks, but these are better.
posted by DanCall at 10:55 AM on February 5, 2011

Like I needed another reason to despise popular literature.
posted by zzazazz at 11:44 AM on February 5, 2011 [1 favorite]

zzazazz, you just made my spleen burp. TOO SNOB
posted by sonic meat machine at 4:53 PM on February 5, 2011

Hold the phone, so not only are there book cover duplicates, there are website duplicates about book cover duplicates with duplicate comments on the duplicates.
posted by zephyr_words at 5:54 PM on February 5, 2011

While the covers are identical, we should be fair and note that the contents are only 90% similar.
posted by DU at 6:06 PM on February 6, 2011