DPC User Started His Own Stock Photography Company

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro

08/08/2008 12:17:25 PM · #51

Just to catch up with everyone,

I am currently writing the emails for approval and declined so that should be fixed by mid after noon.

No you don't need to be approved before you login

and the typo is fixed ;)

Update from the programmers:
They are adding the "attach model release form option" and an area that will allow you to upload zipped groups of images. Also they will fix the thumbnails issue on the front page and are also working on a few new things for the site.

oboy

Canon EOS-500D Rebel T1i

08/08/2008 12:39:26 PM · #52

When they create the form for releases, make sure that they understand that there are two types of releases.

- Model Release
- Property Release

08/08/2008 02:14:49 PM · #53

Any suggestions for what to upload to the free area? I expect this could be something that may draw potential customers, but you certainly don't want to give away the best stuff.

08/08/2008 03:35:20 PM · #54

No I would say the way to look at it is

Free - Stuff that is so so, but might draw people to your gallery
Stock - Stuff you would like to sell
Exclusive - Your really stellar work that you think you could sell for more then the stock asking price

Members are limited to 1 free download a day and no more so they cant totally abuse the free part.
Its kinda like how Jupiter photo's has SXC (Free) StockXpert (cheap) Jupiter Photo (High Priced)

I would like to take this chance to thank everyone here for showing their support!
Thanks for joining!

It means a lot to me and I really appreciate all your help

08/08/2008 04:42:20 PM · #55

I haven't done any stock work before, so it'll be interesting to be part of this. I'll go through my stuff and find some appropriate photos. I'll try to upload a few images every week, but I don't want to post junk. (I'll leave my recent lawns entry out of it!)

I have some large textures and patterns that were not suitable as challenge entries, but make really nice backgrounds.

Another question: The difference between small, medium and large images. I assume these are different resolutions of the same image that has been posted? Or is it based on the the dimensions of the submitted image?

Message edited by author 2008-08-08 16:46:16.

08/08/2008 04:53:10 PM · #56

You submit a large photo and the site automatically brings down the image size
Basically Medium is half of large small is half of medium

08/08/2008 05:28:01 PM · #57

That makes sense then. So if someone wants a web sized image, they can just buy the small one for $1.67. If they want it for a poster, they'll need the $5 one.

08/08/2008 06:01:31 PM · #58

bingo :)

08/09/2008 01:16:37 PM · #59

My wife has previously worked in a small print shop and also for a small weekly newspaper. I have her looking at the site now. She is nothing if not opinionated. She actually has some good feedback on the site as well as the usability of some of the images we have already uploaded. I asked her to please type up her input, and I'll PM it to you.

08/10/2008 12:26:30 PM · #60

Feel free to send it over ether on Image Stocker or here at dp

Thanks
Justin H.

(I will be away tomorrow trying to get more photos for the site)

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro

08/11/2008 11:57:10 AM · #61

Needed input

The subject of price has been raised and I wanted to get your opinions on this subject.
Some one who has looked at the site from the out side in mentioned that they thought the price was a bit high.

What do you think our price should be for the large files

Thanks in advanced

oboy

Canon EOS-500D Rebel T1i

08/11/2008 12:45:06 PM · #62

Who are your direct competitors and what is their price range? Find the middle. Who are you trying to attract? Design the price to that specific market, but make it attractive to the contributers because what you need in the moment is images. You need a good quantity of high quality and diversify images.

Get up a referral program for buyers and contributers running, because many will wait to advertise for you until you have this in place.

Create a marketing plan and make part of it public. If I will write about ImageStocker anywhere else, the first questions will be:

- What is their marketing plan?
- Do they have a budged for marketing?
- What is separating them from the others?
- Do they have FTP?
- Do you have to categorize after the upload?
- How fast is the submitting process?
- Who are the trying to reach?
- What are the prices?
- Are there subscription sales?
- How high is the contributer commission?
- What is the minimum payout?
- What type of payment process?
- Have you had any sale?

They also will test is you accept crappy images.

To answer your question, I feel that the prices are ok.

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro

08/11/2008 02:27:54 PM · #63

I am working with my programmer to get an affiliate program going asap.
This does need to be custom programmed so not sure how long it will take.

oboy

Canon EOS-500D Rebel T1i

08/13/2008 09:43:13 PM · #64

The email notifications do have some text now, but there is no reference of which image is approved or rejected. Can you please include at least the title of the image as a reference?

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM

08/13/2008 10:16:11 PM · #65

I started getting the e-mails yesterday. I also noticed you improved the watermark. It's more obvious, but actually interferes less with seeing the image.

I don't object to letting them know where the question of price came from. I asked my wife to look at the site. She has worked for a small quick print shop. She stated that such a business would not pay $5 for a photo to use. I don't agree or disagree, this is all new to me. I just felt it was important to provide that feedback from someone that has the perspective of a potential customer. The quality of the wares certainly must match the asking price.

cpanaioti

Canon EOS-40D

08/14/2008 12:03:00 AM · #66

I'm noticing a lot of spelling errors, mostly on the FAQ page. Running it through a spell checker would be beneficial.

Tlemetry

Olympus E-300 EVOLT

Olympus 50mm f/2.0 Macro ED Zuiko Digital

08/14/2008 01:49:05 AM · #67

You could add texture and isolation sections for those looking just for overlay textures and isolated parts for collages.
I would think this would be a big area for sales.

Overall the site is looking really good!
Im very impressed.

Error issue:
Tried to sign up and It says the confirmation password matches but when I hit the submit button it gives me an error that the password does not match.
I tried several passwords with the same result.

Message edited by author 2008-08-14 01:53:48.

Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-120 f/4 S

08/14/2008 01:54:17 AM · #68

FAQ Fixed

I'll see if I can sneak that in there Tlemetry

And thanks for your comments they mean a lot.
I'm working hard trying to get it into full launch but want to get a few fixes
from the programmer before it goes 100% live.

ericwoo

Nikon Z7II

08/14/2008 06:15:29 AM · #69

A week into it, and there are not many images for sale up there. Are you getting many uploads?

08/14/2008 08:48:19 AM · #70

Originally posted by ericwoo:

A week into it, and there are not many images for sale up there. Are you getting many uploads?

I'm trying to upload a shot or two every day. I'm finding some stuff that was not suitable for challenges or even posting on Flickr, but I think makes for good stock. I'm taking my time on it though, I don't want to fill the site with my garbage shots.

08/14/2008 05:50:37 PM · #71

There have been close to 100 images approved so far this week.
I have only approached dpchallenge for photographers so far as I trusted that this community would be a great way to get advice.

I think 100 images for 1 post is not to bad.