Stillkuvat

Stillkuvat, in Finnish cinema terminology, refer to still photographs taken from a moving image, such as a film, television program, or video production. They capture single moments and are used as visual documentation, promotional material, and critical illustration.

Typical uses include press kits, posters, newspaper coverage, book and magazine illustrations, and online promotion. They also serve archival purposes to document production history, costumes, lighting, and performances.

Historically, stillkuvat were produced on set or during postproduction and distributed on film stock or prints to studios, press, and exhibitors. The digital era has replaced much of this workflow with high-resolution scans and online galleries.

Common categories include production stills (on-set photographs), premiere or event stills, and studio-promotional images created to publicize a title.

Rights and licensing: Still images are usually owned by the production company, studio, or photographer. Reuse outside licensed contexts requires permission, while journalists may use stills under applicable media law or licensing terms.

Preservation and access: Archives and libraries digitize stillkuvat, attach metadata (title, director, date, subjects), and house them in film and media collections for research and public reference.

In Finnish media and film studies, stillkuvat are valued as primary sources for analyzing cinematography, production design, and reception.