Earlier this morning Flickr and Getty Images announced the launch of their new joint stock photography offering called “The Flickr Collection.” “We are thrilled to provide our customers with this ground-breaking collection,” said Jonathan Klein, co-founder and chief executive officer of Getty Images. “We are impressed with the talent from the Flickr community, and are proud to once again lead our industry in this exciting new direction. We are eager to hear what our customers think, and look forward to their input in shaping this ever-expanding collection.” I haven’t had a good chance yet to try out the new service but thought I’d offer some of my thoughts on the service here. I just received an invitation from Getty Images to participate in the collection on 95 of my photos, but only yesterday, so I haven’t had a chance yet to either decide what to do or sign up for the service. - Thomas Hawk

I just replied to you on Twitter re: this. Sounds like an interesting collaborative idea and I like the idea of extending the value of existing on-line content. I think the service has different implications to someone like yourself that participates in professional photography than me, as a happy snapper. But I like the theory. Will investigate further. - Ed Richardson

Thomas, I'm not at all surprised to hear that you have been invited to participate. Congrats and well deserved. - Mike Doeff

Congratulations for being asked to participate! - Sandra

The more I learn about this partnership the more dumb I think it is. It completely misses the point and the value of a community site like Flickr. This is basically just Getty going through and hand picking photographers, which they could have done anyway and gives no real value added to either Flickr members or potential buyers. - Eric P

I tend to agree with EricP. This simply seems like a publicity stunt for Getty. They are getting a lot of press because they are 'teaming' with Flickr. If they had simply found and contacted individual photographers they liked on Flickr, there would have been little to no buzz. The net result for the photographer and photo buyer is the same either way. The Flickr community is not being embraced by Getty, they are just being used. - Jeff P. Henderson

Congrats Thomas! Have to agree with Eric & Jeff though. Being a designer, I've bought from Getty over the years, when it was first announced I thought it was nothing more than a publicity stunt, they didn't need to partner. Partnering buys them nothing except publicity as far as I can tell. - PXLated

I read that now when u join Flickr, u r automatically joined to Getty collection, unless u go turn the option off, which u can, so Flickr-ers read between the lines. - polou/indigo_bow

Getty bought a marketing channel from Flickr. that's all this is really. look for Flickr to ramp up marketing for services and products targeted at pro members in the future. - hobvias sudoneighm

Love it - The Real sofarsoShawn

I suppose it was only a matter of time before Flickr joined forces with a stock photo company. I imagine that this news will bring surge of new Flickr memebers. - Chris Marshall from twhirl