DPChallenge: A Digital Photography Contest You are not logged in. (log in or register) 
 

DPChallenge Forums >> Photography Discussion >> Starting Stock
Pages:  
Showing posts 1 - 15 of 15, (reverse)
AuthorThread
 02/23/2006 03:39:12 PM · #1
Okay, with my current camera, Canon PowerShot SD200, with 3.2 megapixels, would it be possible to sell pictures to stock sites? I'm just starting up with photography, but I can take a focused, well lit shot. Also, what kinds of things are they looking for?

Any advice concerning stock photos would be great.
 02/23/2006 03:42:27 PM · #2
I suggest you look at this forum.

Message edited by author 2006-02-23 15:42:45.
 02/23/2006 04:09:54 PM · #3
I'm at four stocksites, three of which are doing well for me (for my small portfolio), and one is only just ticking along, but slowly picking up. Here are some links if you are interested (some of which will earn me referrals if you use them, but of course you don't have to if you don't want to :)

In order of profitability (for me):

Shutterstock
iStockPhoto
Dreamstime
CanStockPhoto

I have been at a couple of other stock sites but decided that - for a hobby - it wasn't worth my time.

There are a couple of discussion groups, too:

Microstockgroup - has a list of other microstock sites, too
Micropayment on Yahoo Groups

Good luck!

Message edited by author 2006-02-23 16:11:06.
 02/23/2006 05:19:10 PM · #4
Originally posted by cfischl:
I suggest you look at this forum.


I read that before I posted this, but it doesn't mention what equipment is required.
 02/23/2006 06:19:32 PM · #5
The minimum file size requirements vary from site to site. Most frown upon upsizing.

iStock minimum: 1200 x 1600 pixels
Dreamstime minimum: 3 MP
Shutterstock minimum: 2000 x 1400 pixels
CanStockPhoto minimum: 2000 x 1500 pixels

Hope that helps :)
 02/23/2006 06:22:25 PM · #6
Many if not all want clean images - no high iso noise and that can be tough with p&s type cameras.

you also need signed releases for people in the photos and often preoperty releases for buildings if they are in the shot. no logos or other corporate identity allowed.

Message edited by author 2006-02-23 18:23:10.
 02/23/2006 06:35:11 PM · #7
Originally posted by moniepenny:
Okay, with my current camera, Canon PowerShot SD200, with 3.2 megapixels, would it be possible to sell pictures to stock sites? I'm just starting up with photography, but I can take a focused, well lit shot. Also, what kinds of things are they looking for?

Any advice concerning stock photos would be great.


Try Big Stock first. They are not as strick as the others. This will get you a feel of what the stock sites are looking for. It will also give you some confidence to go to the others.

Pictures must be at least 600 pixels across or high, 72 dpi minimum

BigStock
 02/23/2006 08:53:25 PM · #8
All of my stock images except about 10 of them are from a 3 megapixel camera. Recently past $300 in stock sales :) Current 3 megapixel images are available at 11 different stock sites. Don't have many images up but the few are still making money.

Message edited by author 2006-02-23 21:03:38.
 02/23/2006 08:56:19 PM · #9
for micro stock you may be able to use small 3 mps, but for macro stock you could not sell images generally need 8mp or higher.
 02/23/2006 09:00:55 PM · #10
For all images uploaded and approved, Fotolia will pay out 0.20 credits per image. The last day is Feb 28. So 4 more days left.

Almost like having an instant sale plus whatever the image makes during the time you have it posted up on the site.


02/23/2006 09:07:34 PM · #11
Originally posted by faidoi:
For all images uploaded and approved, Fotolia will pay out 0.20 credits per image. The last day is Feb 28. So 4 more days left.

Almost like having an instant sale plus whatever the image makes during the time you have it posted up on the site.


4 days left until what?
 02/23/2006 09:10:07 PM · #12
Originally posted by moniepenny:
Originally posted by faidoi:
For all images uploaded and approved, Fotolia will pay out 0.20 credits per image. The last day is Feb 28. So 4 more days left.

Almost like having an instant sale plus whatever the image makes during the time you have it posted up on the site.


4 days left until what?


That you automatically get $0.20 for each image that is submitted and approve. Almost like an automatic sale when they are approved.
 02/23/2006 09:12:21 PM · #13
Remember to read the FAQs at each site that you sign up for before submitting. If you don't agree with the rules from a particular site don't submit. This is probably the most important thing to check out before you start with a particular stock site.
 02/23/2006 11:22:58 PM · #14
Originally posted by faidoi:
Remember to read the FAQs at each site that you sign up for before submitting. If you don't agree with the rules from a particular site don't submit. This is probably the most important thing to check out before you start with a particular stock site.

I take it you've found their terms at least as reasonable/agreeable as Shutterstock's?
 03/09/2006 01:19:15 AM · #15
I have submitted about 3 MP files and 8 MP files (two different cameras). I find that the smaller files do about as well as the larger files, it seems to all depend on the picture. So, I suggest you give it a try and see how you like it. If things work out and you start making money, you might be able to buy a new cmaera witht he money you have made :) Assuming you cna take a good, sharp, low noice picture, making money seems in many ways to be a numbers game. The more pictures, the more money you can make. Also, I am using multiple sites, so I maximize my picture processing, keywording, editing efforts. I am with the following sites (and my links to them):

ShutterStock
iStockPhoto
Dreamstime
Big Stock Photo
123 Royalty Free
Fotolia

I just barely got accepted by ShutterStock, but it is fast becoming my best seller. I highly recommend this site. You need to submit 10 files for approval. If they approve at least 7 of them, you are in. If you don't make it, you can try again, but you need to wait 3 months, so do the best you can the first time and hopefully everything will work out.

123 Royalty Free was started well for me but has dropped off a lot lately. They also require 6 MP files.

Fotolia is just getting started for me. Things are still pretty slow. I think it is an up and comer though. They have spent a lot of money growing their site and providing other promotions.

Dreamstime was slow for me at the start, but seems to be picking up a bit.

Big Stock Photo is slow and steady for me. I like how easy it is to work with them.

iStock is also slow and steady.

All of these have been good to work with for me. Each seems to have its pros and cons, but to say again in a different way, ShutterStock is doing better for me right now than all the others combined. The others will hopefully start picking up, but ShutterStock was amazing at how fast it picked up. I hope that helps a bit.
Pages:  
Current Server Time: 08/28/2025 09:15:00 PM

Please log in or register to post to the forums.


Home - Challenges - Community - League - Photos - Cameras - Lenses - Learn - Help - Terms of Use - Privacy - Top ^
DPChallenge, and website content and design, Copyright © 2001-2025 Challenging Technologies, LLC.
All digital photo copyrights belong to the photographers and may not be used without permission.
Current Server Time: 08/28/2025 09:15:00 PM EDT.