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They’re wacky and wondrous, bizarre and tasteless, impossible to explain and somehow captivating. Ladies and gents, welcome to the wacky world of stock photography, where commercial photography meets “what on earth is going on there?” moments, making it one of the internet’s most beloved forms of memes.

And thanks to the Twitter page “Dark Stock Photos” that delivers exactly what it says, we have the most cringy collection to feast on, but with a messed up twist. The Grim Reaper shaking hands with a doctor next to a body laying motionless in a hospital bed? Check. A kid putting a salami tranche into a CD drive? Yep. And it’s pointless listing more, because the craziest thing you can think of—it’s there.

So get your popcorn ready for the sheer stock craziness below, and after you’re done, be sure to check our previous articles with hilariously bad stock photos here, here, and here.

#2

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Hans
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If I saw an article on domestic violence with this picture I would not know whether I would laugh or cry.

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#3

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Hans
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I did not know there were exxagerations of that meme!

Marcellus the Third
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Because it's less versatile. Because looking over the fence is normal human/animal behaviour, while this is just pure douchebaggery.

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TTorrest Author
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's kind of funny when you look through the entire photo shoot for this couple. They were so happy once not so long ago, drinking coffee, laughing with friends... and then his eye starts to wander... Pure entertainment.

Daniel Atkins
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This poor guy he poses for some stock photos now he is a "known" as a jerk can't imagine the glares he gets in public.

TTorrest Author
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He's the first hit when you put "disloyal man" in the search bar at stock photo sites. Poor guy LOL.

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Hugo Raible
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

https://www.ladbible.com/community/weird-extra-pictures-show-the-full-story-of-the-distracted-boyfriend-meme-20191003

Leigh C.
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Like, my ex used to notice outfits and tell me i would look hot in that outfit. He wouldn't care about the girl.

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iblowsheep
Community Member
3 years ago

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the whole point that it's BULLSHIT that looking is somehow wrong! goddamned feminist twats!

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Most of the stock photo gems look absolutely pointless. I mean, who’d need a shot of a woman pointing a baguette at a chef in a bakery robbery? Incredibly, stock imagery is basically a reflection of the demand for very, even if absurdly, specialized imagery.

When a stock bank user is browsing through the archive, they already have a more or less clear specific idea about what they’re looking for. But the whole challenge the commercial photographers face is being ahead of the demand and anticipating users' needs before they even type in the keywords in the search bar.

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Usually, it’s the contributing photographers who figure out what the subscribers will be looking for on stock collections like Shutterstock. Then, there are the website's top photographers, illustrators, and videographers who get direct orders from the content team.

With time, stock imagery has become its own aesthetic category that blends the hyperrealism and absurdity of everyday life. It’s exactly what makes them so appealing for an internet that’s inherently run by jokes, memes, and everything that doesn’t fit the definition.

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#11

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Hans
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Parenting while working when you cannot avoid a corona infection.

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#18

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Ember
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think he needs to give up cycling, he’s obviously not very good at it...lol

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#28

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Ember
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Look children...it’s the Easter bunny....run for your lives!

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#31

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Carmen Sandiego
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Umm... I think this one could be something fun but fatal. Similar to the quote- speed thrills but kills? It could be putting the fun in funeral but they are adding ERAL, right?

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#32

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Juliet Hadaway
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

she Poseidon the drinking fountains to pay for her fancy high school using the inheritance

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#41

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James016
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Since I spent all of our money on toilet roll, we have no food.

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#46

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Doctor Strange
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It started out with a kiss, how did I end up a fish? It was only a kiss

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