Is Pond5 still worth using?

Is Pond5 still worth using?

The question: is Pond5 still worth using? Pond5 has been around since 2006 It started as a stock media company that mainly focused on video.

Since 2011 Pond5 still has stock media videos but added 3D models, music, after effects, with newly added stock photos and illustrations.

Have you watched a really good youtube video and realized maybe it was the music that kept you intrigued? Maybe you were searching for an inspiring blog and found yourself clicking the one with the clear crisp photo.

Welcome to Pond5

• The go to place for stock video with over 2.1 million stock video clips, the largest in the industry
• Over 9.2 million stock photos and illustrations thanks to important partnerships with 123rf and most recently they took over Pixmac
• Head office in New York, USA
• Started with stock video which is not the industry norm, but this strategic move has taken Pond5 to an incredible status in the microstock industry

Image Searching Tools

Pond5 has a simple search engine that lets buyers search using keywords, categories, featured media and media type. Buyers can conduct a search within a search to fine tune their media needs. Free Pond5 Downloads are available. They are one of the biggest Stock Footage marketplace in the world.

New features on the Pond5 website for buyers

One of the greatest challenges when looking for stock media and stock photos is searching through thousands of contributors submissions to find the exact photo, image, video or 3D image that matches your story or concept. Pond5 has added three unique features to enhance and quicken the search process.

Infinite scroll – no more page turning when searching through your results. Buyers can infinitely scroll through all their search results on one page.

Better previews – larger images and watermarked videos enable you to search through media faster and download tests to see if they will work in your designs or media before you buy.

Advanced search – Pond5 has created more granular search options so your image or media can be defined well and results are found faster.

Drag and drop – drag your selections into your cart for easy purchasing and no waiting. This feature makes the buying experience seamless and quick!

New features on Pond5 for contributors

The contributing experience is as rewarding as the buying experience on Pond5. With three new features to enhance the contributing experience in addition to the Pond5 contribution system, artists, filmmakers and photographers will find it easy and rewarding for their brand on Pond5.

1. Collections – Artists can now put their works into collections so buyers can review relevant material that an artist creates. This feature enables artists to share their media quickly and feature their work.
2. Personal profiles – it is important to highlight your brand as a contributor so buyers recognize your work and continue to search for your new media. Pond5 has added personal profiles for artists who wish to take advantage of this powerful selling tool.
3. Drag and drop – the drag and drop feature can be used in collections as well, so contributors can easily build personal collections of their work.

Pond5 has their media featured in many industries all over the world

It is not unusual to find Pond5 media in Hollywood studios, published books and magazines, television networks and more. Their goal is to be the fastest and most efficient media maker and seller so buyers and contributors have a pleasant and useful experience. These new features are sure to get them beyond this point in the media market world.

Pond5 Licensing Options

Licensing options – Royalty-free licenses only

Pond5 has opted to offer Royalty-free licenses only for all media. There are no other licensing options.

Pond5 Assets

Pond5 wants to empower media makers with their large selection of stock media content. Their strategic move to launch video first as their number one media product has paid off for their reputation. With stock photos and images added, Pond5 has been and still is a popular choice.

• Media Of The Moment
  Pond5 has a great category called Media of the Moment where buyers can see trending video. If you are looking for the latest and greatest trends in video, stop off here and have a look.
• Free stock video download
  Pond5 releases a weekly free video download for their registered users. Get an account, and benefit from this weekly give away.
• Adobe Premiere plug -in
  Finding and using media could not have been any easier. Pond5 has an Adobe Premiere plug-in to make creative projects move just that much faster.

If you’re a documentary filmmaker and looking for royalty free stock footage for your project, you may find what you’re looking for on the site. Buying a $50 clip of footage from the Andes Mountains is certainly a lot cheaper than traveling there yourself.

20% Off All Media on Your First Pond5 Purchase! Shop now and use code HELLO20

Buyer accounts – Normally artists have the convenience of personalized accounts but Pond5 has created a buyers account that has more than just a buying feature! Get messages, participate in their community by submitting a blog post, review your account and more! This simplifies and  organizes buyers’ assets and their account information.

Pond5 Highlights

• Interactive community of designers and creatives
• Largest stock video collection online
• Growing global stock media company

Is Pond5 Pro music worth it?

• Someone needing music for a TV show buys a license for a track on Pond5.
• The music is used in the show and all the paperwork gets submitted.
• PRO’s receive the cue sheet from the paperwork.
• The TV show then airs on NBC.
• NBC pays a blanket amount to the PRO’s regardless of where it came from.
• The PRO uses the cue sheet to distribute the money NBC paid to the musician.
• No additional fee to the Pond5 customer.

Having PRO registered music means having quality music.

Pond5 does not accept footage from consumer “flip-type” cameras, cell phones or other “simulated HD” sources. They only use high-end professional shots and there is an approval process before the clips are made available for sale.

There are all kinds of categories of footage available on the site. Everything from “abstract” to “news/documentary” to “technology”. In addition, they have music and special effects sections as well.

Highlights in Pond5’s Stock Footage Offer

Here’s all the must-know points in Pond5’s service:

• Over 5.5 Million of stock footage clips, including 2k, 4k and 4k+ (lower resolutions also available)
• Royalty Free license that grants you perpetual, multiple usage rights, for a one-time fee
• Wide-range pricing: contributors set their own prices, so there’s a lot of variety in price: from $10 to $500 or more (usually according to image resolution, clip length and other parameters).
• Buying options: on demand with credit packs that give bonus credits, or with a membership
• Payment options: credit cards or Paypal
• On demand credits are simple to understand and use: 1 credit =$1
• Monthly and annual memberships that grant a set number of downloads from a curated collection of footage clips and other assets, and apply a discount over other on demand purchases
• Intelligent search and visual analysis technology to find the best and most accurate clips for your needs
• Complementary media types: photos, music and sound files, etc.

So far, I certainly can highly recommend Pond5 for ease of use and a great selection of stock footage clips. If you decide to sell your footage, make sure to read their video requirements.

Pond5 Summary

Pond5 is moving fast. They just purchased Pixmac so they can increase their stock photo collection and become a top player in stock media and microstock. They are looking to empower, inspire and be the world’s largest stock media marketplace. Known for their stock video, it seems that Pond5 will expand that reputation to include all stock media, images, photos and illustrations included. Watch them, and see if their creative library becomes your one stop media outlet.

20% Off All Media on Your First Pond5 Purchase! Shop now and use code HELLO20

I use Pond5 and have been for quite some time. I wrote this because I still enjoy their ease and high performance level. Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

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