Getting into Stock Photography as a Hobby

10/04/2010 08:44:54 PM · #1

Let me start out by saying that I've been interested in photography as a hobby for several years now. Unfortunately, I have only had point and shoot cameras. I just recently purchased a Nikon D90 and now have the tools to take the hobby to the next level.

I'm looking to get into stock photography at the hobby level. I'm not looking to get rich, or quit my day job or anything, but it would be nice to make a little money with the camera. I've created accounts at istockphoto, dreamstime, shutterstock, and 123rf so far. I have my first round of photos pending at dreamstime. I already submitted 3 shots to istockphoto, but unfortunately was rejected. The reason they gave was " Try to avoid the average eye level push the button perspective of a common subject." Basically, the composition and subject matter was not really "stock photography." I understand their reasoning for the rejection. I've taken some more images that I think would work better. I'm hopeful that my photos will get accepted at dreamstime. I'm still waiting on their reply. I don't have 10 images worth submitting yet to apply to shutterstock or 123rf. So for the time being, I'm on hold until I get more images.

Does anyone have any feedback for someone new getting into photography as a hobby and stock photography. Back in high school (8ish years ago) I took a class in B&W film photography. So, I understand the basics of exposure, and balancing shutter, aperture, and ISO settings. I'm looking to learn and improve, and hopefully get to have some of my images downloaded and generate a little extra disposable income. Thanks.

10/04/2010 08:49:26 PM · #2

Posting some images here would help. Without seeing what you have we really can't add much of a critique or anything. If you just want business advice or tips on what kind of images to do for stock then i suggest searching the forums as there are many great threads on the subject.

Mike

Tamron SP 24-70mm f/2.8 Di VC USD Canon Mount

10/04/2010 08:56:51 PM · #3

im in the same boat, but im not sure of what my subject matter should be, is there a subject that is somewhat in demand, or one that isnt flooded?

10/04/2010 09:00:34 PM · #4

Originally posted by mike_311:

im in the same boat, but im not sure of what my subject matter should be, is there a subject that is somewhat in demand, or one that isnt flooded?

With the invention of the Internet and digital cameras there isn't much that's not saturated so search the style that is download much, you can do this at the stock sites, and try and do them better. People do really well but you need access to models who will sign a release.

Olympus 50mm f/1.8 MF Normal Zuiko

10/04/2010 10:26:31 PM · #5

I have a few images up on Flickr right now. My Flickr username is Markag6. Not all of them are stock quality. Rather they are just images that I took and liked. Some of them (Martini Glass, hand and lightbulb, wood grain) are images that are currently pending at Dreamstime. I'll upload more pictures as I get them. That's a start for now though. I'll try to get a few pics uploaded to this site as well to make things easier. Unfortunately, because I'm a new member, it won't let me post URLs just yet.

emorgan49

Olympus E-5

10/04/2010 10:30:43 PM · #6

Watch the news - I sold a lot of pig pictures during the swine flu scare.

10/04/2010 10:33:10 PM · #7

Originally posted by emorgan49:

Watch the news - I sold a lot of pig pictures during the swine flu scare.

That's a great suggestion. I had a good chuckle, but that is not a bad idea at all.

leaf

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

10/05/2010 03:23:44 AM · #8

The best solution is probably to continue shooting what you like and try and put a stock twist on it. There is never enough of the best.

You can also consider shooting things you have special knowledge in or access to. Do you work at a warehouse or factory, find a way to take pictures there. If you are an accountant, you can access to tons of business interiors.

Dazzermas

Canon EOS-650/T4i Rebel

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

10/05/2010 05:21:12 AM · #9

I have a few photos on shutterstock. I found that they were rejecting on the basis that my photos were out of focus. I got a bit paranoid about lenses and cameras and then I worked out that what they really meant was that I had over sharpened my pictures. Rule 1 - avoid unsharp mask if possible - there are other ways to make things look sharper that don't produce artifacts. Check your picture at 1:1 for artifacts as well. The oddest things get accepted even ones I had put through Topaz and thought I had over processed. As to what sells - textures and back grounds seem to do quite well, but I think these might be trawled in some kind of filter as a batch. I hope this helps a bit.

oboy

Canon EOS-500D Rebel T1i

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro

10/05/2010 11:56:15 AM · #10

Take a look at the link list "What type of images do sell?" at //stock.hlehnerer.com/Resources.html It is a collection of lists from the different agencies that show a little of what is selling. You can also use it for inspiration of what to shoot next.

Message edited by author 2010-10-05 11:56:52.

Mike

Tamron SP 24-70mm f/2.8 Di VC USD Canon Mount

10/05/2010 02:51:37 PM · #11

i took a look at istock and a lot of the images there look heavily processed and very "sterile" how do you go about getting that look?

will i need to spend that much time photoshopping or do interesting photos or various subjects do just as well?

oboy

Canon EOS-500D Rebel T1i

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro

10/05/2010 03:17:05 PM · #12

Start with subject that you feel compatible with. Make sure that your images are noise free and sharp. Look at your image at 100%. What particular images do you think are heavily processed (sterile)?

Message edited by author 2010-10-05 15:17:48.

Mike

Tamron SP 24-70mm f/2.8 Di VC USD Canon Mount

10/05/2010 04:13:58 PM · #13

Originally posted by oboy:

Start with subject that you feel compatible with. Make sure that your images are noise free and sharp. Look at your image at 100%. What particular images do you think are heavily processed (sterile)?

a lot of them. they look very polished, clean, no imperfections. Lots of bright whites. Some even have an hdr look to them.

maybe its just really, really, really good lighting.

Message edited by author 2010-10-05 16:16:09.

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro

10/05/2010 04:20:55 PM · #14

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I've been taking a lot of shots of things around me at home. Most of them aren't great, but a few are pretty good. With a little post processing I've been able to get some images that seem usable. I did set up a small lightbox with some foam board and posterboard for a backdrop. I can get decent object shots with that, but it is a little difficult to work with.

Unfortunately, I doubt I'll be able to get any pictures at work. I do work in a manufacturing environment, but they are picky about taking pictures. I'm not even going to try.

As far as editing goes, I'm very comfortable inside photoshop. I have a degree in computer graphics and have been using photoshop for a few years now. So I'm pretty comfortable in that environment. I would much prefer to get shots that require very little post processing, just because that tends to take a lot of time and effort.

I'll continue to shoot things that I'm interested in and things that catch my eye. I'm going to try and go into shoots thinking ahead of time what I want to accomplish the the photos. It seems like the intent of the photo is a major part that separates a stock photo from an artistic photo or snapshot. With the holidays coming up, I may have more photographic opportunities. My wife gets into holiday decorations and crafts. I might just have to take some photographs of her crafts when she finishes them.

oboy

Canon EOS-500D Rebel T1i

10/05/2010 05:34:12 PM · #15

Shooting object on white background isolates the object. This makes it easier for the editor later to use the image in an ad / project.

10/06/2010 04:23:19 PM · #16

On some microstock sites, I have the option if I want to enable extended rights. Is that something I want to do? What are the advantages and disadvantages of enabling the option for extended rights?

10/06/2010 11:44:43 PM · #17

I apologize for the double post.

I just wanted to update everyone that I was accepted at Can Stock Photo. The 3 images I submitted were my lightbulb image, martini glass, and light purple hydrangea that can be found on my flickr page (Markag6).

Now I just need to try again at iStock. I'm still waiting on Dreamstime. I need some more images for the sites that require 10 for the application.

10/07/2010 07:27:47 AM · #18

Originally posted by markag:

Congrats. I just got mine on Can Stock Photo as well. Rejected at shutterstock and am waiting on Dreamstime, Fotolia, Veer, Yay Micro and Big Stock Photo.

Best of luck to you.

leaf

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

10/07/2010 08:10:07 AM · #19

Extended licenses vary between the sites but generally they give the buyer permission to use the image in a larger print run, sell object with the image on it (like a mug, t-shirt, poster). Most people have extended licenses activated. You earn considerably more for an extended license sale.

10/07/2010 10:20:00 AM · #20

Thanks leaf. I'll have to look into the extended license option on the sites that I plan on using.

Also, I just saw that dreamstime accepted 2 of my photos so far. I've uploaded 7 to their site. They accepted 2, rejected 2, and 3 are still pending. The 2 photos they accepted so far were both rejected by istock in my application. The third photo that istock rejected, dreamstime also rejected.

I'll have to get around some new photos and re-apply at istock.

Thanks again for all the comments and suggestions!

10/07/2010 01:41:13 PM · #21

Will update when I hear from the other sites.

ShutterStock... Failed submission (only 3 passed)
CanStockPhoto... 10 of 10 accepted
BigStock Photo... 4 of 10 accepted (accepted 2 that shutter stock rejected and rejected 1 that shutterstock approved)
Dreamstime... waiting
Fotolia... Waiting
Veer... 10 of 10 accepted
Yay Micro... waiting

I also need to upload my ID so I can try at 123RF and iStock

Message edited by author 2010-10-08 14:53:59.

10/07/2010 04:28:21 PM · #22

Originally posted by jminso:

Will update when I hear from the other sites.

ShutterStock... Failed submission (only 3 passed)
CanStockPhoto... 10 of 10 accepted
BigStock Photo... 4 of 10 accepted (accepted 2 that shutter stock rejected and rejected 1 that shutterstock approved)
Dreamstime... waiting
Fotolia... Waiting
Veer... waiting
Yay Micro... waiting

I also need to upload my ID so I can try at 123RF and iStock

Did you send the same 10 images to all of them?

10/07/2010 05:23:27 PM · #23

Originally posted by markag:

Did you send the same 10 images to all of them?

Yeah. I plan on starting to shoot specifically for stock now so I should have more images that are better suited but it is a start.

10/08/2010 09:13:50 AM · #24

Originally posted by jminso:

Originally posted by markag:

Did you send the same 10 images to all of them?

Yeah. I plan on starting to shoot specifically for stock now so I should have more images that are better suited but it is a start.

I was just curious. I know it is normal, but it is interesting to see one agency reject photos and other agencies accept them.

Dreamstime finished reviewing my files. Of the 7 I uploaded, 4 were accepted. Of those that were rejected, I expected that one in particular would have been accepted, but it wasn't. They didn't like the shallow depth of field saying it was too shallow. Oh well. As I shoot more I'll keep learining and getting better.

leaf