According to TrendWatch, Design and production professionals in the U.S. will use an estimated 5.6 million stock images this year--more than half from CD collections. Less than a quarter will be traditional negotiated-use images. In the stock image market, the Gettys and Corbises of the world are going belly to belly (B2B) trying to provide as many images to as many markets as they can. But while all that sumo wrestling is going on, the huge demand for images, coupled with the independent-minded nature of many creative pros, means there could be room for smaller, nimbler stock companies to stake their claim to well-defined niches and serve those pros who prefer to deal with smaller players. Ever had a 300-lb. giant sit on you? Enough said, we think.