View source for 123RF

{{Short description|Stock photography agency founded in 2005}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox company
| name = 123RF
| logo =
| logo_alt = This is a logo of 123RF, an internet-based company that offer Stock Photos, Vectors and Royalty Free Images.
| logo_caption =
| type = Privately held company
| industry = [[Stock photography]], [[stock footage]], [[stock music]]
| fate = Active
| founded = {{Start date and age|df=y|2005|4|3}}
| founder = Andy Sitt, Stephanie Sitt
| hq_location_country = [[Selangor]], Malaysia
| num_employees = 350 (2015)
| num_employees_year = <!-- Year of num_employees data (if known) -->
| parent = Inmagine Group
| website = {{URL|123rf.com}}
}}
'''123RF''', a branch of '''Inmagine Group''', is a [[stock photos]] provider founded in 2005 which sells [[royalty-free]] images and [[stock photography]]. The company also has an expansive collection of [[vector graphics]], icons, fonts, [[stock footage|videos]], and audio files.
== History ==
In 2000, 123RF founder Andy Sitt left his job at a British company that sold stock images in CDs while showing customers printed catalogs. Andy launched his [[e-commerce]] business by setting up Inmagine, selling premium large-format photo prints. Working together with co-founder and current CEO Stephanie Sitt,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://vulcanpost.com/623351/123rf-stephanie-sitt-inmagine-group-startup/|title=5 Of The Most Common Startup Pain Points—Solved By This M'sian Startup Worth US$220 Mil|last=Tan|first=Tee May|date=11 October 2017|work=Vulcan Post|access-date=2017-11-19|language=en-US}}</ref> Inmagine Group is one of the few technology companies to have bootstrapped globally from Asia.{{Citation needed|date=April 2023}}
From the beginning, Inmagine produced proprietary content which required in-house photographers, graphic designers, professional models, makeup artists, and a sales team to cater to demand.{{Citation needed|date=April 2023}}
In 2005, Inmagine set up 123RF, which offers royalty-free stock images, videos, and audio clips. Unlike the previous business model, 123RF allows photographers around the world to sell their work on the platform under a crowdsourcing model.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.techinasia.com/malaysian-husband-wife-bootstrapped-worlds-top-stock-image-players|title=How Malaysian husband and wife bootstrapped one of the world's top stock image players|publisher= Tech in Asia}}</ref>
In 2011, Inmagine established a global presence with 44 regional offices worldwide.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Administrator |first=Systems |title=Inmagine – About |url=https://www.inmagine.com/about/ |access-date=2022-07-05 |website=Inmagine |language=en-US}}</ref> Offices were founded in North and Latin America, Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and [[Australasia]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Administrator |first=Systems |title=Inmagine – Contact |url=https://www.inmagine.com/contact/ |access-date=2022-07-05 |website=Inmagine |language=en-US}}</ref>
In 2019, Inmagine consolidated and streamlined its offerings into three main products: 123RF, Pixlr, and Designs.ai. The launching of Pixlr Market (now [[Stock by Pixlr]]) and [[Pixlr Editor]] commences.<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 November 2020 |title=This company makes content production easier with AI: Q&A with Designs.ai CEO Warren Leow |url=https://kr-asia.com/this-company-makes-content-production-easier-with-ai-qa-with-designs-ai-ceo-warren-leow |access-date=2022-07-05 |website=KrASIA |language=en}}</ref>
In 2020, the company launched its first [[artificial intelligence]] platform, Inmagine Brain.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Editorial |date=1 May 2022 |title=Inmagine Evolved From A Digital Stock Photo Library To A Complete Creative Ecosystem Driven By Creativity, Technology, And Entrepreneurship |url=https://www.techcompanynews.com/inmagine-evolved-from-a-digital-stock-photo-library-to-a-complete-creative-ecosystem-driven-by-creativity-technology-and-entrepreneurship/ |access-date=2022-07-05 |website=Tech Company News |language=en-US}}</ref> In November 2020, the company confirmed that it had been subject to a [[data breach]], with 8.3&nbsp;million customer records available for sale on the [[dark web]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Popular stock photo service hit by data breach, 8.3M records for sale|url=https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/popular-stock-photo-service-hit-by-data-breach-83m-records-for-sale/|access-date=2020-11-16|website=BleepingComputer|language=en-us}}</ref>
Through 123RF, Inmagine created a visual guide in 2021 to predict image search trends.<ref>{{Cite web |title=123RF's visual guide to image search trends and colours in 2021 |url=https://www.marketing-interactive.com/123rf-s-visual-guide-to-image-search-trends-and-colours-in-2021 |access-date=2022-07-05 |website=www.marketing-interactive.com |language=en-gb}}</ref>
In June 2022, the company launched its free images section where audiences can download images for free, but with only a limited amount of daily downloads.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Free Stock Photos and Images – Download free images for free! |url=https://www.123rf.com/free-images |access-date=2022-07-05 |website=123RF Stock Photos}}</ref>
== Artificial Intelligence (AI): AI-Powered Tools ==
In 2023, 123RF launched its AI-powered Search for more precise and intuitive searching.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Going Big on AI, 123RF Launches Artificial Intelligence Powered Search and Image Generation Simultaneously |url=https://www.marketwatch.com/press-release/going-big-on-ai-123rf-launches-artificial-intelligence-powered-search-and-image-generation-simultaneously-2023-06-12 |access-date=2023-06-12 |website=Market Watch |language=en-US}}</ref> AI Image Variations, a feature that uses [[machine learning]] to generate multiple unique variations of a single image<ref>{{Cite web|title=Revolutionizing Visuals: 123RF Unveils AI-Driven Image Variation with One Click|url=https://www.einnews.com/pr_news/644437482/revolutionizing-visuals-123rf-unveils-ai-driven-image-variation-with-one-click |access-date=2023-07-17 |website=Newswire |language=en-US}}</ref> and AI Image Generator,<ref>{{Cite web
| title = 123RF – AI Image Generator
| date = 25 May 2023
| url = https://www.123rf.com/ai-image-generator/
}}</ref> a tool that [[text-to-image model|generates custom images based on users' specific prompts]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Midjourney API for AI-Powered images generation |url=https://www.apiframe.pro |access-date=2024-10-31 |website=APIFRAME |language=en}}</ref>
The platform now offers a range of AI tools. These include [[Generative artificial intelligence|Generative Fill]]<ref>{{Cite web
| title = 123RF – AI Generative Fill
| url = https://www.123rf.com/ai-generative-fill/
}}</ref>
for removing and replacing unwanted content or objects within images, Image Extender <ref>{{Cite web
| title = 123RF – AI Image Extender
| url = https://www.123rf.com/ai-image-extender/
}}</ref>
for expanding image size, Image Upscaler <ref>{{Cite web
| title = 123RF – AI Image Upscaler
| url = https://www.123rf.com/ai-image-upscaler/
}}</ref> for increasing image resolution and improving image quality, Background Remix <ref>{{Cite web
| title = 123RF – AI Background Remix
| url = https://www.123rf.com/ai-background-remix/
}}</ref> for modifying and generating image backgrounds, Background Remover <ref>{{Cite web
| title = 123RF – AI Background Remover
| url = https://www.123rf.com/ai-background-remover/
}}</ref> for isolating subjects, Sketch to Image <ref>{{Cite web
| title = 123RF – AI Sketch to Image
| url = https://www.123rf.com/ai-sketch/
}}</ref> for transforming sketches into photorealistic images, Writer <ref>{{Cite web
| title = 123RF – AI Writer
| url = https://www.123rf.com/ai-writer/
}}</ref> for generating and optimizing text content, Background Blur <ref>{{Cite web
| title = 123RF – AI Background Blur
| url = https://www.123rf.com/ai-background-blur/
}}</ref> for creating a bokeh effect, and Faceswap <ref>{{Cite web
| title = 123RF – AI Faceswap
| url = https://www.123rf.com/ai-faceswap/
}}</ref> for effortless face replacement. These tools leverage machine learning to enhance image editing, creation, and search capabilities, providing users with more efficient and creative workflows.
== Acquisitions ==
In March 2017, 123RF acquired TheHungryJPEG, a UK-registered font and graphics marketplace and its sister company Craftbundles for an undisclosed sum.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://e27.co/malaysian-stock-photo-startup-123rf-acquires-thehungry-jpeg-grow-design-resources-globally-20170309/ |title=Malaysian stock photo startup 123RF acquires TheHungry.JPEG to grow design resources globally |publisher= e27 }}.</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dealstreetasia.com/stories/malaysia-inmagine-acquires-online-design-marketplace-thehungryjpeg-67053/|title=123RF acquires design marketplace TheHungryJPEG|website=www.dealstreetasia.com|access-date=2017-08-03}}</ref>
In April 2017, 123RF acquired [[Pixlr]], an online web-based image editor from [[Autodesk]] for an undisclosed sum.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://e27.co/123rf-acquires-pixlr-looking-secure-50m-monthly-active-users-20170425/ | title= 123RF acquires Pixlr, looking towards securing 50M monthly active users |publisher= e27 }}</ref>
In November 2017, 123RF acquired Vectr, a web-based vector editor and Story & Heart, a video education platform.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dealstreetasia.com/stories/malaysia-inmagine-buys-us-companies-86336/|title=Malaysia: Digital stock media firm Inmagine Group buys two US companies|website=www.dealstreetasia.com|access-date=2017-11-19}}</ref>
== References ==
{{reflist}}
==External links==
*{{official website|123rf.com}}
{{Authority control}}
[[Category:Technology companies established in 2005]]
[[Category:Malaysian companies established in 2005]]
[[Category:Companies based in Selangor]]
[[Category:2017 mergers and acquisitions]]
[[Category:Stock photography]]
[[Category:Photography companies of Malaysia]]