MicrostockGroup

I've only done stock illustrations, but my intention all along was to upload photos.  I would like to start submitting some to see if they are up to par.

Is there a list anywhere of the top 2 or 3 sites that it's the easiest to get into at first with photos?

I don't suck, but my camera isn't a DSLR, (it's a Canon Powershot SX1 IS) so I don't want to start out with SS or IS obviously - are there any sites that would even look at my stuff?  Oh - and unfortunately a lot of my subjects are nature - SO IT SHOULD BE EASY, RIGHT! 

I am willing to with models if I have to, but I do have lots of old architecture shots, and some cool macros as well.  Plus, I have a small home studio set up.

Is it okay to post a link to my flickr here, or not - to show you guys (mostly nature because I set it up to send tourists there for info on local nature attractions)

Alamy, Shutterstock, and Dreamstime.  If you don't mind the very low commission percentages, then Fotolia and iStockphoto too.

Do not base your decision based on who will accept you, but instead on who will sell your work.  If the large agencies will not accept you, then you aren't going to get sales anywhere no matter who accepts you, and you will need to raise your image quality.

I also suggest uploading to smaller sites (who probably will accept you) which have a fair commission percentage.  These are companies which we should be supporting.  Definitely GraphicLeftovers.  I don't have the time to upload to another site right now, but I would probably give Cutcaster a shot if I did have the time.

feel free to post a flickr link.

I agree with Dan.  I would try Dreamstime and Shutterstock.  If you can't get your images approved by Dreamstime or for example Fotolia you need to up your quality.  There is no sense wasting your time only submitting to the 'low earnings' because your images aren't accepted at the higher ranked agencies.  If that was the case, you would be better offer working overtime at your regular job to afford a better camera or spending more time learning photography.

The big 4 are the big four indeed. You need to submit to ALL of them to have a decent return, however difficult to get in.

The middle tiers are a nice addition, absolutely worth it.

The low earners may seem useless at present, but sales at some are improving and they are an insurance against risks coming from some of the big ones' behaviour. Lightburner makes it a bit easier to submit to them as well now.

So everything you do is useful in the long run.

Equipment makes your life easier but it's not the most important factor: I would suggest that you try to get the most you can from your p&s, and use your first earnings to buy a dSLR (and proper lenses).

I would say FT.. You can upload all you want without looking at approval ratio or other, upload hard

Anyone interested in giving me some critiques I welcome it - though I know it's not much to go on - plus some of that work was done with an even worse camera.

But, perhaps I should be asking for critiques in the Critique Forum?   

You have some great nature shots. A good eye for framing. On your initial uploads, pick the best at 100% with no artifacts or fringing. Also, on you initial uploads, I may hold off on the sepias and a couple of others that you may have adjusted to pale or BW. Good luck.

Hi all, I'm already approved on SS, and 7 other sites, but only with illustrations, not photos.  I have steady sales on SS, and just this month my images started selling on FT and 123RF in miniscule amounts - but my port is tiny - only 40 or so images, and under 10 at FT, and DT because of their constant rejections.  So yes, I'm a total noob.  I'm glad that a few of you that had a look at my flickr didn't think I'm off my rocker.

Before even considering stock as a possibility, I did months of research into stock photography and gathered lots of general info on how to get your stuff ready for stock.  I've been taking shots for 15 years now.  I did a menu shoot for a local bakery - big deal - and learned how NOT TO GET PAID - good first lesson in the photo business.  Also done several wedding shoots for friends - you know how it is, and only asked to get paid for the film - back in those days.  But, I know any experience is worth little in the stock business if you don't what sells, how to shoot it well, and how to prepare those images for stock.

Actually it was when I started to shoot wildlife that I realized how little I knew.  Trying to shoot birds especially has helped me to learn on my feet.  My endeavor now is to get the technical quality down and always to continue improving on composition, subject matter and finding that illusive perfect light.

When I started to realize how hard it is to meet SS's criteria for photos, I decided to go back to my previous love - drawing, and I started to upload illustrations instead, where I was able to control all the variables due to having good programs to work with and a little drawing talent.

I am not stupid though, I know that a nice shot is just that - doesn't mean that it will sell at all.  And obviously I'm come across the wise counsel that nature shots are way overdone and usually not welcome - hence my hesitation at uploading those to start with.  I think with DT I'm going to do 1 or 2 at a time because my approval ratio is like 15% there right now.

You have a great eye for composition. I'm not sure if a lot of your nature shots would sell on a lot of the agencies though.

This might work http://www.flickr.com/photos/windseed/3658073609/in/set-72157620230326416#/ the quality is good, except there is a vertical streak in the sky, I almost didn't notice it at first. This would work too, http://www.flickr.com/photos/windseed/3714972431/in/set-72157620230326416#/ but there is something wrong with the pixels. I'm no expert so I don't know what it is, maybe over sharpened. This may or may not be stocky  http://www.flickr.com/photos/windseed/5037793175/in/photostream/#/ but it is a clean pic. so worth sending.

Excellent work though and a pleasure looking through ur port. I've added u on flickr.

edit: one more, this is very stocky but the quality and focus is out. Right idea though. http://www.flickr.com/photos/windseed/5059317398/in/photostream/#/

I used the kit lenses on my Olympus dSLR for one year in the beginning - I think they are usable in good lighting conditions, although a bit softer than professional lenses; in difficult lighting, you will get some purple fringe and noise.

Cutcaster.com is friendly to new submitters!  We would love to see your work there!

I have 1100 wildlife images in my port; I sell a 200-400 microstock images a month so wildlife/nature does sell.  Birds sell less; my big and medium mammals outsell my birds 5:1 or better.

Cool.  We'll have to try to hook up some time.  (I hope you don't live by the Red this time of year.)  You have some really nice stuff in your Flickr gallery - and you took those with a point & shoot?  Wow!  I think our paths must have crossed at some point looking at your photo locations