What is royalty-free stock?
Basically, royalty-free stock is footage that's available for end-use in commercial or non-commercial projects. Once licensed, the clips may freely be used in most any project. Actual terms-of-use may vary from clip to clip; details may be found here (via Pond5.com).

How much do clips cost?
Pricing varies depending on the clip's resolution and complexity. Each clip's price is clearly marked on the clip's file details page.

Where are clips licensed?
All clips shown on this website link to the Pond5.com stock footage agency. You may license the clips there. If Pond5.com is not your agency of choice, many of the same clips are also available on ShutterStock.

Do I "own" the clips once purchased?
Technically, you do not "own" any purchased clips. What you do own is a license to use the clips in a way as they were intended. This is defined by the terms-of-use contract you agree to when you make a purchase. For more information, please refer to the terms-of-use policy, detailed here (via Pond5.com).

What formats are available?
All of these clips are in the Quicktime file format. They are compressed with either the PhotoJPEG or MotionJPEG codecs. Both codecs are the industry-standard and widely compatible with all non-linear edit workstations.

What was used in creating these clips?
All of the video clips were shot in high-definition using professional high-quality cameras like a Panasonic GH3/GH4, Canon EOS T2i/T3i and Nikon D90 DSLR, Panasonic HPX-170, and a Canon XH-A1 HDV camera. The effects clips and motion backgrounds were created in HD resolution in Adobe After Effects.

Are other cities available?
Yes. EstablishingShots.net is proud to be affiliated with a small group of stock footage producers from other parts of the country who are devoted to supplying footage clips of other major cities or areas of the United States.

Click here to browse more cities.

What are "Editorial Clips"?
Clips that are marked as "editorial" on the file details page are intended for use in a newsworthy manner or in a documentary project. They cannot be used commercially, such as in an advertisement or to imply the clip is endorsing or otherwise representing a commercial entity. Generally, editorial clips do not have the proper release on-file for the identifiable people and/or property in the clip that would permit commercial useage. Not all agencies license editorial clips, and usage requirements for those that do are detailed at the agency from where you're licensing the clip. Please review the requirements before using any editorial clip in your project(s).

Who is behind all these clips?
James Orlowski, the creator and owner of these clips, is an accomplished producer with over 15 years of in-the-field production experience. He graduated from Penn State University in 1992 with a BA in Communications, and obtained a Master's Degree in Multimedia from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA in 2000.

He also has a wide variety of other non-establishing shot stock footage clips available. For more information, visit OrlowskiDesigns.com.

Is there somewhere I can learn more about producing stock myself?
Lucky you, yes there is! I wrote a book about how to begin selling video in the stock footage industry. It covers topics like equipment needed, what to shoot, and the basics of how to prepare your clips for agencies like iStock, ShutterStock, Revostock, Pond5, Fotolia, and ClipCanvas. It's a great reference guide for the stock footage beginner, or those producers that may be struggling on creating clips that are technically correct for submission.

This e-book is available for the Kindle and Nook, and on many other popular devices like the iPad, iPhone, and Android devices. Choose your e-reader type below: