August Stock Photography Side Challenge

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

07/21/2010 12:34:38 AM · #1

Hi guys,

I'm keen to explore the possibility of turning my hand (and camera) to stock photography.

I know VERY little about it and whenever I start reading the 'starting out in stock photography' threads, my eyes glaze over with the amount of knowledge I'd have to wade through to get started.

I want to toss out the idea of perhaps a side challenge in August for both people who want to start in Stock Photography and others who already do it - with the aim of the challenge to perhaps achieve 10 images over the month that could be used to apply to Stock Sites.

Any mentors jumping aboard would be GREATLY appreciated.

I think there is SO much wonderful supportive talent here at DPC and I think help in this area would be so incredible.

SO for anyone who's remotely interested in Starting out in In Stock, finding motivation to Add to your Stock Accounts or people who are Already Successful who are keen to give a hand up to those of us who aren't!

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

07/21/2010 01:01:14 AM · #2

I can probably help with advice on prepping files for submission, but maybe not so much as to what would be good pictures to submit.

You need to decide if you are going to try to focus on (pun intended) "macro-stock" (e.g. Alamy, Cornis, Getty ...) or "micro-stock" (e.g. Shutterstock, Fotolia ...) or both, as there are technical, esthetic, and financial advantages/disadvantages to each model.

My Shutterstock referrer link.
My Shutterstock gallery

Message edited by author 2010-07-21 01:03:28.

roz

OM System 90mm f/3.5 Macro IS PRO M.Zuiko Digital ED

07/21/2010 01:30:56 AM · #3

hey lisa .. i joined photographer's direct which is a macro stock site a year of two ago .. i never sold a thing .. !! .. also alamy and myLoupe .. nothing happened in those sites either .. i started out real keen and uploaded a heap of fotos into the sites and then when nothing happened lost interest ...
but the clients in photographers direct are asking for photographs all the time .. i think the photographers make the money when they shoot for a particular job, (altho there's usually a heap of competition) rather than just having your work in the site and expecting ppl to use your images .. from memory photographers Direct dont like you to be with a micro stock site if you're going to be with them tho ..
there are advantages and disadvantages of going with either macro or micro as paul pointed out .. it all seems very confusing at first but i'm sure you'd work it out with a bit'v research ..
i'm like you tho .. i glaze over with too much info ..
ask pat

patio127 i think she has had some success with the micro route ..
i wish i could be of more help ..
hope things are going well for you and your family in melbourne .. i'm really over this winter .. bit cold for me .. :)

roz

OM System 90mm f/3.5 Macro IS PRO M.Zuiko Digital ED

07/21/2010 01:36:12 AM · #4

PhotographersDirect .. its the page for New South Wales, Australia (so you can see me .. !!..:) .. but you can navigate from there .. :)
alamy
myloupe

Message edited by author 2010-07-21 01:38:42.

07/21/2010 02:10:43 AM · #5

Originally posted by GeneralE:

Thanks

GeneralE - I'm thinking of shooting for Macro Stock. But I think the side challenge should be available for people aiming at either market.

Roz - as always great to hear from you. I appreciate your experience in this and am mindful that I will not likely 'strike gold' in this endeavour - but some loose change over time might be nice to aim for - GRIN!

MinsoPhoto

Canon EOS-7D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

07/21/2010 07:18:22 AM · #6

I am not an expert and have nothing approved at any stock companies but if you get this thread going I would love to participate.

colorcarnival

Olympus 45mm f/1.8 M.Zuiko Digital

07/21/2010 08:49:14 AM · #7

we could treat this like the 1x.com reject thread. i have photos i need to get submitted but I just have not done it. we could post what either gets rejected or accepted. i like this, lisa. it may be the kick i need to get back to it.

07/21/2010 05:22:59 PM · #8

Originally posted by colorcarnival:

Michelle - that's a great idea.

I have ZERO idea about Stock Photography. So I'm all at sea to begin with. But yes, once I see what others have successfully gotten 'in' it would help me very much.

Glad to see you here.

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0L USM

07/27/2010 08:55:29 AM · #9

Bumping in case of any interest?

MinsoPhoto

Canon EOS-7D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

07/27/2010 09:30:04 AM · #10

I think we should make this happen. Could just be informal.

karmat

Apple iPhone 7

07/27/2010 10:02:42 AM · #11

I would like to try to get started at alamy, but can't seem to get my nerve up. :/

I would participate in a side challenge of this nature. If nothing else, hopefully it would help me get off my keister and shoot some stock.

SaraR

Sony Alpha a7R III

Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM

07/27/2010 10:25:03 AM · #12

I like the idea, but not sure how much time I will have to participate - but if I can come in on an ad hoc basis, I'm game.

I don't know that I even have the ability to shoot stock suitable photos - I have some with Alamy, but never sold any, and rather forgot about it all. What I would find useful would be to post potential shots, have you guys critique them, with a view to re-shooting to make the photo more stock worthy, if thta makes any sense at all!

cynthiann

Nikon D810

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8

07/27/2010 11:07:28 AM · #13

I have a whopping 3 photos at istock that have earned about $3.00/yr in the 2 years since they've been there. I wouldn't mind getting back into it. Perhaps I can double my money.... :P

Jedusi

07/27/2010 02:46:06 PM · #14

I'm at that great place where I am bored - but crazy busy . .

A side challenge might just do me good and like any photog I wonder about Stock work.

I would probably only be an occasional visitor (because of the busy part) but it would be fun to try.

colorcarnival

Olympus 45mm f/1.8 M.Zuiko Digital

07/28/2010 10:34:09 PM · #15

I am submitting two tonight - one of them is my first ever editorial (and I'm not really sure how that works). I'll post the results when something happens!

jasonlprice

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

07/31/2010 10:12:48 PM · #16

I would like to give this a try. I will be crazy busy in August, but really need some motivation to build my stock library. I haven't processed for stock in several months. I have 156 photos in shutterstock and 581 images in Alamy and just a couple in iStock. I'll try to participate as much as possible.

Kelli

Canon EOS-D60

07/31/2010 10:26:33 PM · #17

This is funny. I went the microstock route about 2 maybe even 3 years ago. I uploaded to fotolia, 123RF & another site which has since gone out of business. I only have about 30 images at one place & I think about 40 at the other. I haven't submitted a thing since the initial "hey, let me try this" phase. I've gotten payouts from fotolia three times (one just a week ago) and twice from 123RF. So I guess it was worth it. The funniest thing is I haven't submitted anything since I started using a dslr. All my stock shots are from my Fuji.

colorcarnival