Success at Alamy - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

04/02/2006 11:23:12 AM · #1

I have two more questions about Alamy. Would it be proper to interpolate this way:

Take pictures in RAW format with the digital rebel xt. Then convert that RAW to TIFF and upsize using the Image Scale in Photoshop CS? At this point. I'm not sure whether they are sticklers about 8-bit or 16-bits. I'm just wondering if that process is alright.

As well, I would like to hear from anyone who's had success with Alamy and how much success have you had. If you don't mind posting figures, I would like to hear how much you have made.

As well, if you have other sites that also provide income to fund your hobby/extra income as well, I'd love to hear about it.

Thanks
Joe

leaf

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

04/02/2006 11:32:43 AM · #2

Microstock Group

I am currently making about $2.00 per image per year at alamy, and about $6.00 on the micro stock sites.

I have added a link to a micro stock forum that I manage.. you can find a fair bit of info there.

Otherwise, these are the sites that I submit to.
Shutterstock
Fotolia
Dreamstime
Can Stock Photo
Istock
Bigstock

As for upsizing I use photoshop. I am not sure what you mean by the Image Scale in photoshop, but if you mean, the regular edit|Image Size, then that is correct, that is how I do it.
And they want 8 bit images, in tiff format. You can LZW compress your images for submission as well, which saves quite a bit of room on the cd if you have a large submission.

hope that helps.

Message edited by author 2006-04-02 11:33:07.

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

04/02/2006 11:46:02 AM · #3

Thanks for the post

I do like macro stock sites more than micro ones, mainly because it has the possibility to make more money plus you don't really have to send in 3000 photos to get some sort of decent income flow. Am I right about that?

That being said, I have registered for Shutterstock and I am awaiting approval. Should happen tomorrow.

Anyone else have any experience with these sites?

jodiecoston

Canon EOS-450D Rebel XSi

04/02/2006 01:19:11 PM · #4

I'm having great success with Alamy and am exploring some other macro stock outlets. I have 2600+ images online right now and last month had $2800 in sales (just at Alamy), so am at well over $12/image/year at Alamy.

If you only plan on putting up a couple hundred pictures, you'll do better with the micro sites - you won't necessarily see regular sales at Alamy until you have about 1000 photos, unless you have a really spectacular collection. They have close to 5 million photos, so to make a dent in that you have to send in a lot of pictures. If you plan to build a large collection, Alamy is an excellent way to go.

Message edited by author 2006-04-02 13:21:04.

Litl

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

04/02/2006 01:34:45 PM · #5

I am the reverse of the earlier posters. I am on microstock sites and sending in my QC submission to Alamy on Monday. I am a bit nervous and hope I will be accepted. With microstock sites, I have been pleased. My goal is to have some photos on both micro and macro - just depends on the photo type. I am with the following sites (and my links to them):

ShutterStock
iStockPhoto
Dreamstime
Big Stock Photo
123 Royalty Free
Fotolia

I was accepted by ShutterStock just over a month ago, but it is fast becoming my best seller. I highly recommend this site for high volume. You don't make as much per picture, but you get a lot more downloads.

123 Royalty Free started well for me, slowed down for awhile, and is picking up again. Note: they 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. They also have databases of their photos in different languages, so you get more exposure.

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

Big Stock Photo is steady for me - not as good as ShutterStock, but I am happy with what is happening. I like how easy it is to work with them.

iStock is slow for me, but I have heard many say it is their top or second best seller - maybe for me it is just the type of pictures I shoot.

I hope that helps a bit.

jodiecoston

Canon EOS-450D Rebel XSi

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

04/02/2006 01:37:34 PM · #6

Originally posted by ichiro17:

Take pictures in RAW format with the digital rebel xt. Then convert that RAW to TIFF and upsize using the Image Scale in Photoshop CS? At this point. I'm not sure whether they are sticklers about 8-bit or 16-bits. I'm just wondering if that process is alright.

That process should work just fine. I send everything as 8-bit LZW tiffs. I uprez using the bicubic smoother option of CS2. It works perfect and is much quicker than Genuine Fractals, which is what I used to use.

ganders

Canon EOS-40D

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

04/02/2006 03:00:56 PM · #7

Originally posted by ichiro17:

At this point. I'm not sure whether they are sticklers about 8-bit or 16-bits.

They don't care what bit-depth you're working in (I automatically work in 16-bit) as long as you remember to convert down to 8-bit before you send it to them.

emorgan49

Olympus E-5

Olympus 50mm f/1.8 MF Normal Zuiko

04/02/2006 03:14:57 PM · #8

How is Alamy pronounced? As in salami?

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

04/02/2006 03:20:51 PM · #9

Originally posted by emorgan49:

How is Alamy pronounced? As in salami?

I thought the stress was on the first syllable, but don't know for sure.

04/02/2006 03:28:18 PM · #10

Sounds great. I would like to build a large collection as the more pictures you have the better it is in terms of potential revenue.

I don't think it will take too long to build up a 1000 photograph portfolio, especially since its the summer and I would like to make some money to help pay for my law schooling (I'm 21 years old and will be applying to law school in October)

Jodie, how long did it take you to get to the level you are at now?

Would it be possible to see constant sales within 3 months or so? I know that the QC process may take a while, so lets say 3 months after you finish the QC process.

04/02/2006 03:31:46 PM · #11

One other thing as well. I used to have a piece-of-wood 1.3 MP camera and I have tons of pictures from that that I've taken. I'm assuming that its not possible to upsize any of those (all were taken at the finest quality - which isn't saying much) and have any of those pictures pass at Shutterstock.

Thanks
Joseph

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

04/02/2006 03:57:54 PM · #12

Originally posted by ichiro17:

Shutterstock limits upsizing to 5% -- and most of the other micro sites want a 1.92MP (1600x1200) image with no upsizing.

04/02/2006 04:00:08 PM · #13

I guess then that means no upsizing for me for those pictures.

Shame too, I have so many.

If anyone else has any good or bad stories regarding these sites, I'd love to hear about it. These responses have been great. I really appreciate all your time.

If anyone wishes to add me to MSN, my MSN is j.gareri@hotmail.com

Thanks again

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

04/02/2006 04:13:02 PM · #14

Originally posted by ichiro17:

If anyone else has any good or bad stories regarding these sites, I'd love to hear about it. These responses have been great. I really appreciate all your time.

I suggest you join the previously-linked Microstock Group -- sounds like just what you want.

04/02/2006 04:31:24 PM · #15

Problem is that there are not a lot of people logging in and out and membership is low at Microstock Group.

I have joined there anyways.

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

04/02/2006 04:56:43 PM · #16

Originally posted by ichiro17:

Problem is that there are not a lot of people logging in and out and membership is low at Microstock Group.

I have joined there anyways.

I know what you mean ... I mostly hang out here too.

leaf

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

04/02/2006 05:42:53 PM · #17

well there is definatly more conversation here that is very true.. but it has to start somewhere :)

GinaRothfels

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III

Olympus 8mm f/1.8 M.Zuiko Digital ED Fisheye PRO Lens

04/02/2006 06:04:31 PM · #18

Originally posted by ichiro17:

It's possible you could use them at Bigstock without upsizing them if the quality is good enough. The size would certainly limit their sales potential, however.

04/02/2006 06:33:49 PM · #19

How do you sign up at Big Stock, I signed up but I can never get to a point where I can upload anything or seem to make progress

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6G

04/02/2006 08:14:01 PM · #20

Nevermind about Big Stock, I figured it out.

sarrobi

Nikon D300

04/03/2006 02:32:18 AM · #21

Does anyone know if the same images can be sold at all the stock agencies, or do they get exclusive rights to an image after it is submitted?

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

04/03/2006 02:36:29 AM · #22

Originally posted by sarrobi:

Does anyone know if the same images can be sold at all the stock agencies, or do they get exclusive rights to an image after it is submitted?

Most of them are non-exclusive -- some (like iStock) offer the choice to go exclusive, but it doesn't seem to make much sense to me in this market.

What you really can't do is give an exclusive license to someone else once you've placed it (anywhere) as RF stock.

faidoi

Pentax K10D

Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF

04/03/2006 02:39:17 AM · #23

Originally posted by sarrobi:

Does anyone know if the same images can be sold at all the stock agencies, or do they get exclusive rights to an image after it is submitted?

Many of my images are sold at various stock sites. Unfortunately some make it throught the review gauntlet at some sites and not others :(