Alamy - The Challenge - DPChallenge Forums

11/05/2008 10:48:43 PM · #1501

Just sold a photo to National Geographic Society Magazine. With 12 million photos ya just have to have lots on line with them. I find it's not too difficult to sell a couple or more a month through Alamy. Sure glad Mavrik started this thread, have more than paid for a couple Canon 5D's since then ;)

Message edited by author 2008-11-05 22:50:29.

11/05/2008 11:09:14 PM · #1502

Well done on your sale!

I know that this has probably been answered a million times before, but I'm having trouble finding the answer. If I submit to Shutterstock, iStock, Fotolia and Dreamstime, can I still upload the same (upsized) phots to Alamy as Royalty-Free? I believe that for Rights-Managed they would need to be discontinued as RF elsewhere, with some sort of cooling-off period?

ETA another question... Anyone know what the wait time for initial QA is at the moment? CDrice's post indicates that it is within a day, but other internet forums have suggested it it really slow. Also, if you fail, it seems that there is no waiting period to try again - is that right?

Thanks in advance.

Message edited by author 2008-11-06 00:57:52.

leaf

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

11/06/2008 02:53:35 AM · #1503

If you have sold an image as RF you can not ever sell it as RM. It is locked as RF. The reason being, is when you sell RM the buyers should be able to know when and where the image has been used before - that is what they are paying for. If the image has sold as RF an old buyer could turn up and use the photo where someone else supposidly has purchased exclusive rights.

Canon EOS-5D Mark IV

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

11/06/2008 05:32:41 AM · #1504

Also, it is bad style to sell the same shots at alamy for hundreds, that can be purchased at the micros for cents. at least use different shots from the same series.

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LX100

11/06/2008 05:43:26 AM · #1505

Thanks guys for the clarification. I'm still really new to this, and my learning curve is steep.

spiritualspatula

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

11/07/2008 08:30:27 AM · #1506

I was just perusing the requirements they list for digital... do you guys all submit your photos totally unsharpened like they request, or am I misunderstanding their wording?
"The normal process of preparing an image for repro always includes sharpening. This is best done only once. If you apply sharpening to sharpening, unsightly artifacts can appear. So, please do not sharpen at any stage of your workflow."

one2one

Olympus E-5

Olympus 7-14mm f/4.0 Zuiko Digital Zoom

11/07/2008 09:40:51 AM · #1507

Originally posted by spiritualspatula:

Good question and one I look forward to read the answers to. I'm readying some shots of people I've been taking recently and I'm kind of lost as to what exactly Alamy wants as to unsharpened images.

ganders

Canon EOS-40D

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

11/07/2008 11:30:33 AM · #1508

No, you're not misunderstanding their wording - they don't want you applying any sharpening to your images.

(I'm curious - how else could you read their wording?!)

spiritualspatula

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LX100

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

11/07/2008 04:10:23 PM · #1509

Well, basically that's what I was getting at, but wanted to make sure that how I was judging the 100% examples was without ANY sharpening. Really just a matter of reference. I've also looked at some of the "results" when you search Alamy, and, honestly, I'm surprised at how many DPC people have been turned away, given the quality of some searches. That's why I ask... the zero sharpening thing combined with photographers I deem superior to my ability not passing... yet seeing sub par images... that's all. Didn't quite mesh, so I assumed I was missing something extremely obvious.
ETA: Thanks for the response to a dumb question. :)

Message edited by author 2008-11-07 16:11:00.

Kavey

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

Sigma 18-125mm f/3.5-5.6 DC for Canon

11/07/2008 04:50:10 PM · #1510

Spiritualspatula, what you must also remember is that Alamy QA USED to be a lot LESS technically demanding than it is now, from what I've been told by a lot of contributors that signed up in it's early days. I suspect, at that time, they needed to build their catalogue and build it fast.
Nowadays, they have a lot more contributors and can afford to be much fussier.
That said, I think they have got to the point where they turn away images on IQ grounds that buyers would be perfectly happy to buy/ use. Non-photographers are often not as critical on technical grounds as photographers and that holds true for some sectors of buyers.

Anyhow, the honest answer is that I've applied very minor sharpening to some of the images I have on Alamy, however not the normal kind of all-over sharpening. Instead I've performed spot sharpening just here and there, which is pretty time-intensive. That only applies to literally a handful of my images though. Most are completely unsharpened.

11/10/2008 04:24:18 PM · #1511

Woo Hoo! I passed QA! Now to decide which images to where, and under what licenses (tricky, tricky)

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

11/11/2008 12:22:17 AM · #1512

Do a mix of RF and L. Don't worry about how they are sold elsewhere as far as RF or L. I agree with selling at micro for a buck and Alamy more professionally is not nice. As far as RF or L at other sites... You are not selling exclusive so it doesn't matter. Every stock agency sells for different pricing so how you decide to license should be somewhat dependent of prices. Selling a photo as RF on one site for $250 and the same photo on another site as RM or L for $150 is just fine. Not sure why people say different. You will find that many high priced stock agencies may have hundreds of your photos and never sell anything and another site may sell a lot of them. I strongly do not suggest exclusive at any agencies. No law and no moral issues on how you price your photos. Have fun and help pay for your cameras. Selling photos is fun, if you really try it's easy to sell stock and pay for your camera gear. Heck even easier to sell stock video. In the last year I've paid for my Canon XH-A1 HD camera, computer, tripods and accessories several times over. Now that is fun, take photos and make money ;). If anyone wants to sell video just send me a message and I'll give ya'll an idea of how to get started.

Originally posted by Lonni:

Woo Hoo! I passed QA! Now to decide which images to where, and under what licenses (tricky, tricky)

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

11/11/2008 12:29:07 AM · #1513

Originally posted by PhantomEWO:

I agree with selling at micro for a buck and Alamy more professionally is not nice.

Not the same (or really similar) images, but I don't see a problem with selling elsewhere something which would never be accepted by Alamy ...

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

11/11/2008 01:17:20 AM · #1514

Just wondering Don how you decide whether to use L or RF on Alamy. Looking at your portfolio, you have 2 very similar images, one L and one RF. Why is this?

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

11/11/2008 01:49:01 AM · #1515

I'd think that would be to give someone looking for that "type" of image a choice of licensing schemes.

11/11/2008 02:06:49 AM · #1516

Oh, of course. I just kind thought they would always go for the cheapest option, but I guess some people want exclusivity too? Or are there some uses that RF doesn't cover?
Gee, I really don't understand this very well, do I?

11/11/2008 02:27:32 AM · #1517

RF or L or RM has absolutely nothing to do with exclusive rights. RF means they buy it once and use it for anything as often as they want. L or RM means they must explain how, where, and when the photo will be used. If they chose to use it again then they must pay for it again. Usually a RF will cost more than a L since it can be used multiple times. This is not always the case. This year I sold a web sized photo on Alamy for over $800. It was purchased as L which means they can only use it for the single use and time period that they specified in the purchase contract. This L or RM or RF does not offer any level of exclusive use rights. If a buyer wants exclusive it can be added to L or RF but the price may easily increase 10-20 times.

As far as similar photos, one being L and the other RF. As GeneralE stated it gives a buyer the option to own the rights to use it forever or probably pay a little less and only use it once. I usually don't have lots of similars, but a few to give the option. Once L or RF is selected by the submitter at Alamy it cannot be changed. This does not mean you can't sell it how ever you want somewhere else. At Alamy if you chose to change a photo from L to RF you will have to delete the photo and resubmit it and chose the other sales option.

You will be amazed at where buyer search for photos and videos. Believe me most do not search all of the low priced micro and the high priced sites. They usually have contracts and go to where the service is best. Alamy has a number of big buyers that automatically get a 20% discount from the set prices. As far as the National Geographic Magazine that was just purchased, NGS negotiated with Alamy but they also asked me directly for approval to use it. Usually at the micro sites this type of customer support is not available to the buyers or sellers.

Today another business bought a L photo from Alamy, for example they can use it for a specified date, specific page size, specific location in the book, and specified print number. If the print of this book extends beyond the dates or they publish more books than they stated they would have to purchase the photo again. If it were RF they can do anything they want short of selling it to someone else.

High priced stock is fun, much more thrilling selling one photo for several hundred dollars than several hundred photos for a dollar each.

Best of luck to everyone ... now go sell some photos ;)

Don

Originally posted by Lonni:

11/11/2008 03:46:47 AM · #1518

Oh, it's all becoming clear. I just associated RF with microstock, so assumed it would be cheaper. Your post puts Alamy in a whole new light for me. Thank you so much for your clear explanation Don, and everyone else for your help too.

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

11/14/2008 06:57:47 PM · #1519

Who else is selling to Alamy on a consistent basis? Three this month so far. Best month this year was 12. Let's hear some encouragement ;_

Tom

Canon EOS-5D

11/19/2008 06:51:09 PM · #1520

I was just accepted to Alamy!!! Woo-HOOOO!!!

11/19/2008 09:40:38 PM · #1521

Well done Tom!

And Don - so far I'd be happy with a zoom! :)
Well, with only 13 images on sale, I can't expect much :)

11/19/2008 11:39:59 PM · #1522

Keep uploading. With 14 million images ya need a lot to be consistent. If you can get 500 or so you'll start getting some sales. Indeed it does take time but will pay-off in the long run.. I thought my video sales would never pay either,. Monthly video sales now more than pays for a new "L" lens each month. Alamy has also been very nice this year. Very easy to pay for camera, gear and travel. Have fun and don't get discouraged.

Don

Originally posted by Lonni:

Well done Tom!

And Don - so far I'd be happy with a zoom! :)
Well, with only 13 images on sale, I can't expect much :)

11/20/2008 02:14:36 AM · #1523

I am having fun actually, and I've found that Alamy are far less strict about acceptances than the microstocks. I guess it's good that they are letting the buyers decide what they want (assuming acceptable quality of course).

With the microstocks I find that an image either takes off or it doesn't. If an image doesn't immediately sell, then I plan to take it down and sell if RF on Alamy. The majority of my shots I think I will choose the licensed model, but anything I have sold previously elsewhere I'll use RF.

What do you find sells well on Alamy? I know its hard to generalize, but do your travel shots, for example, sell more than others? I'm thinking about getting into food photography. I'm still terrible at the moment, but really keen to learn and improve.

Thanks for the encouragement Don.

11/29/2008 11:08:12 PM · #1524

Just wondering about submitting DPC challenge entries to Alamy. Does the fact that they are available online through DPC mean that they are only suitable to be sold as RF?

Thanks in advance.

AmeedEl-Ghoul