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07/27/2008 02:18:33 PM · #1 |
| I'm just starting out with stock photography but im' not sure i understand how it works. Also what is a good stock photo site to start with? |
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07/28/2008 03:03:52 PM · #2 |
I would suggest to start with micro stock, specially if you do stock photography not as full time job. You can find here a list of stock agencies where I submit images //photo.hlehnerer.com/Resources.html#StockPhotography
Start organizing your images in groups of five. Have a diversified images in each group. Then start with the agencies
- BigStockPhoto
- Dreamstime
- 123RF
Learn with them for a short time to understand what type of images are excepted. How to handle model and property releases. Learn the terms (RM, RF, EL, DL, ...) Understand the difference in licenses types. Learn from rejected images, but don't take the rejection personally - learn to accepted them. Then try with the agencies
- Shutterstock
- iStock
- Stockxpert
Keep trying to get accepted there, because theses are the bigger earners. Most likely that they will reject you the first few times. Then or better at the same time start with the other microstock agencies.
- Fotolia
- SnapVillage
- Mostphotos
- ...
- ...
Then start with the agencies like
- PhotoShelter
- Alamy
The camera is not the most impotent part in this. It is to shoot the right and needed themes in good quality (lighting, composition, post processing, ...) Remember the word Quality, Quantity, Diversity!
Hope this helps and my gives you a little of direction.
Message edited by author 2008-07-28 15:05:05.
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08/07/2008 07:39:40 AM · #3 |
to make money I would start with Shutterstock and Fotolia first!
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08/07/2008 07:44:56 AM · #4 |
| You'll get accepted easily at dreamstime, too, but fotolia and shutterstock are better moneymakers. |
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08/07/2008 05:07:26 PM · #5 |
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08/08/2008 03:06:25 PM · #6 |
I would say that iStock makes things the easiest as far as teaching you the basics on how to upload. Their standards are higher than most of the other sites, but I think that its a great place to start.
Nick
Make Your Photo Hobby Pay - Stock Hobby |
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08/09/2008 05:54:47 AM · #7 |
yeah that is I suppose true, and they do give good feedback on why an image is rejected - but it is tough to get images online there for beginners (which can be frustrating) and their upload process is very tedious.
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08/15/2008 10:42:29 AM · #8 |
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08/15/2008 01:12:48 PM · #9 |
Here is a good resource that I put together of different sites out there that will definitely be able to help you.
//cutcaster.blogspot.com/2008/08/photo-forums-blogs-and-other-resources.html
I would also love it if you checked out Cutcaster at www.cutcaster.com. I am John the founder and always happy to help out if you have any questions.
John |
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09/02/2008 05:49:36 PM · #10 |
| May be too late for this, but I will add one more help site to the list. SprintingTurtles contains some help articles for beginners as well as earnings statistics for the main sites. |
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09/02/2008 05:58:58 PM · #11 |
I've just started in the last month or so...hardest part is getting photos accepted.
I am assuming that quality is in the eye of the beholder, as one of my images from a challenge here was scored pretty low, but it has sold 5 times in under 2 weeks at shutterstock, that sometimes it is not how you are judged in a contest but instead on what a buyer wants or needs.
Here is my best seller: 
Message edited by author 2008-09-02 17:59:19.
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09/02/2008 06:01:38 PM · #12 |
Originally posted by Truegsht:
I've just started in the last month or so...hardest part is getting photos accepted.
I am assuming that quality is in the eye of the beholder, as one of my images from a challenge here was scored pretty low, but it has sold 5 times in under 2 weeks at shutterstock, that sometimes it is not how you are judged in a contest but instead on what a buyer wants or needs.
Here is my best seller: |
Different use I would say. Its "obvious" in a math challenge. Its useful for a lot of things though. Function over style for stock images I guess.
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09/02/2008 06:33:01 PM · #13 |
yeah, it is definitely function over form at the micrsotocks
A 'hot' image on shutterstock though will sell at least 5x a day (or more) in the first few days it is online then slow down to 1 or 2 times a day for the next few weeks (or months)
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09/02/2008 08:04:35 PM · #14 |
| How does that image get 'hot' in the first place? Do they temporarily give an image a boost in the search rankings when it is newly uploaded? |
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09/03/2008 03:50:01 AM · #15 |
Yeah, many buyers search by 'newest uploads' on shutterstock, so new images get a boost that way. Their 'most popular' search which is the default - is a simple ratio of downloads/days online so when an image is new and gets downloads because the people are searching by 'newest uploads' it also gets into the 'most popular'. If it is a good image, it stays there, if it is not, it sinks like a rock to the bottom :)
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09/03/2008 09:05:45 AM · #16 |
Thanks Leaf, that's very helpful.
I was excited to hear the other day that I was accepted to istockphoto on my first application - just waiting to have my first batch approved, then work my way to the point that I'm confident in applying to Shutterstock. |
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09/04/2008 11:36:34 AM · #17 |
Just post some photo's in the Critique forum over at SS if it passes that you will make it....
Bob
Message edited by author 2008-09-04 11:46:20.
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09/07/2008 07:40:29 PM · #18 |
I just got my first rejection from Istockphoto. (Apparently they review submissions on the weekend)
One of the three was accepted, one was rejected for flaws I noticed after uploading it. (I many fix those and resubmit it), and the third was rejected for lack of a specific focal point that drew the eye. The two rejected ones were shots that had done ok here on DPC and either scored decently, or gotten a few faves. The accepted one was a "just for fun" shot.
Input is welcomed.
Rejected for stray areas being too feathered or too rough:
This is the one I will try to fix
Rejected for lack of focal point. (submission was landscape cropped, however)
Will submit a different one next time.
Accepted:
Should I submit this again for the second try, since I know they found it ok?
I could use suggestions for any of my shots that may be appropriate. Thanks.
Message edited by author 2008-09-07 19:40:43. |
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09/07/2008 07:46:42 PM · #19 |
congrats on getting in. my "math" photo posted above in this thread is still my best seller...sold 4 more on Friday and 2 more yesterday, up to about 14 sales for that 1 image alone now. I'm suprised, but I guess it is just something that is needed.
Message edited by author 2008-09-07 19:47:28.
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09/07/2008 08:00:14 PM · #20 |
Originally posted by Truegsht:
congrats on getting in. |
Actually, I'm not. These were my 3 submissions for them to decide if I am good enough for them.
Originally posted by Truegsht:
I'm suprised, but I guess it is just something that is needed. |
My impression is that it is more a matter of what is functional and suitable for peoples needs, rather than a "wow factor" that does well here. However, the rejection of the motivational poster did not surprise me for the reasons I had been aware of. I Think I can fix that one with 30 minutes of editing.
Message edited by author 2008-09-07 20:04:32. |
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09/07/2008 09:23:14 PM · #21 |
I'm sure you will get in..I submitted 10 to start with, only got 3 accepted of those...next round I submitted 100 or so.. I got 57 accepted. I have another 19 waiting review now. It was slow at first, but sales are slowly picking up. Someday I hope to make a payout amount at least twice per month...going to spend any and all profits on new equip. This is going to be my "play" fund if I can make it work out.
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09/08/2008 02:35:51 AM · #22 |
Originally posted by yospiff:
My impression is that it is more a matter of what is functional and suitable for peoples needs, rather than a "wow factor" that does well here. However, the rejection of the motivational poster did not surprise me for the reasons I had been aware of. I Think I can fix that one with 30 minutes of editing. |
yeah, i would agree with this.
Especially on istock, WOW factor isn't much of a factor. They like images that are less edited as apposed to 'more' edited as they want the designer to be able to have as much control as possible. Also this is stock, not fine art, so the more useful the image the better. An image can look very cool, but have very few uses, and a rather boring image can be very usefull. I think a great stock shot is conceptual, technically perfect, has a clear subject and a 'small' degree of wow to make the viewer look twice.
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09/08/2008 08:09:57 AM · #23 |
the best thing I can tell anyone is try and try again....and try to improve each time until you get in! Learn from your rejection as much as possible...after all even the best stock photographer out here get some rejections!
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09/08/2008 08:49:24 AM · #24 |
Originally posted by melking:
Learn from your rejection as much as possible...after all even the best stock photographer out here get some rejections! |
Not unlike DP Challenge, eh?
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09/09/2008 03:54:59 AM · #25 |
Originally posted by yospiff:
Originally posted by melking:
Learn from your rejection as much as possible...after all even the best stock photographer out here get some rejections! |
Not unlike DP Challenge, eh? |
exactly, and keep at it slow and steady. 2 images a week isn't too hard to manage but can add up over time.
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