This practical professional guide covers the skills, procedure and techniques of picture research in its commercial context. Picture research is an integral part of the media and the publishing process. It requires a practical knowledge and experience of the procedures and techniques used. These are skills which have developed to a high degree of professionalism over the past decade as a consequence of changes and developments in the media and publishing industries. Today's picture researcher must have a knowledge of sophisticated storage and retrieval technologies, commissioning photography, selecting visual material and legal implications and requirements of copyright. The new book places emphasis on the practical aspects of picture research and makes full use of illustrations, lists and checkpoints. This book should be of interest to professional and would-be picture researchers in publishing and the media and those concerned with professional training courses in the media.