H. Armstrong Roberts (1883 – 1947) was a freelance photographer who founded one of the first major stock photography agencies in 1920. The agency continues to date under the name RobertStock but originally was called RetroFile. The term “stock photography” may have been coined by Roberts to mean a collection of images which can be traded – just like in the stock market. RetroFile brand name and trademark was acquired by Getty Images in 2005. Some of Roberts’ works not acquired by Getty Images are available at Classic Stock. Roberts was one of the best photographers of his time and his images have been used in many institutions. Roberts believed that photography allows people to conceptualize subjective experiences then turn them into objects that can be shared. His photographs are extremely elegant and reflect the color tones of the places he visited.
The images are currently much sought after and are highly priced by many leading private and corporate collectors. That’s why his prints, art and posters are found in numerous private and corporate collections. His work has been featured in several exhibitions. People often told him that his images made them happy. But Roberts didn’t think he was always the bubbly happy person they expected him to be. However, the act of taking photos brought him great joy. He liked to think of photography as a language that speaks to people. He’s noted for his use of emotion evoking, vibrant colors. The use of color was very personal for him, and he said colors brought him satisfaction and joy.
