pancakes

MicrostockGroup Sponsors


Author Topic: Style, where to focus  (Read 16838 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

« on: November 13, 2014, 17:13 »
0
I would like to have your opinion because you are more familiarized than me with stock websites.

I start doing photography since few years ago and of course not all my images are great but Ive been able to sell some images on Getty and almost every month I have some money from them. Until today I have 174 images there.

At 500px I've also been able to sell some pictures and because the percentage clear that they give me is higher, at the end I had more money from 500px than Getty.

I applied on ShutterStock 3 times and the 3 times they didnt accept me.

I read here that we have to know where to put our images, but the truth is that I honestly have no idea where is the best place for my style, maybe its a obvious question but I really dont know.

Here I leave you the link to my Flickr account https://www.flickr.com/photos/69687337@N08/ so you can see what I do and tell me or give me a clue of where I should focus to sell my pictures.

Sorry for my English is not very good. Thank you so much in advance.


« Reply #1 on: November 13, 2014, 17:33 »
+9
Looks to me like you might be a fit at Stocksy. You might consider applying there when the next call for artists takes place - likely in the fall.

Shelma1

  • stockcoalition.org
« Reply #2 on: November 13, 2014, 19:28 »
+4
Shutterstock said no??? How about trying Offset?

« Reply #3 on: November 13, 2014, 20:27 »
+2
I would say Stocksy too. You work is leaning toward fine art, so you can also consider Trevillion or Arcangel.

« Reply #4 on: November 13, 2014, 20:29 »
0
Looks to me like you might be a fit at Stocksy. You might consider applying there when the next call for artists takes place - likely in the fall.
I didn't know Stocksy, I just add my email to get notify when they will call for artist. Thank you so much!

« Reply #5 on: November 13, 2014, 20:31 »
0
Shutterstock said no??? How about trying Offset?
Yes, Shutterstock said not 3 times. I will visit Offset sure. Thank you!

« Reply #6 on: November 13, 2014, 20:33 »
0
I would say Stocksy too. You work is leaning toward fine art, so you can also consider Trevillion or Arcangel.
I will visit those too. Many websites, I would like to concentrate my effort in one or two stock websites. Thank you!

Snow

« Reply #7 on: November 14, 2014, 03:59 »
0
Gabriela, your work has Stocksy written all over it so I suggest you apply there if you only want to work with few agencies, which is a good thing btw. Offset seems to prefer more contrast with different styling and not the faded vintage look.
If you still want to get involved with microstock, good luck!  :-\

Beppe Grillo

« Reply #8 on: November 14, 2014, 06:49 »
0
Nice images, they fit to Stocksy style.

« Reply #9 on: November 14, 2014, 07:13 »
+1
Gabriela, your work has Stocksy written all over it

Has fantastic lifestyle stock written all over it. Any stock agency would be bonkers to reject this photographer.

« Reply #10 on: November 14, 2014, 07:42 »
+5
They'll be rejecting because of the narrow tonal range,  her black point is way off what they want, giving the misty effect which is the hallmark of her photos. 

« Reply #11 on: November 14, 2014, 08:49 »
+2
They'll be rejecting because of the narrow tonal range,  her black point is way off what they want, giving the misty effect which is the hallmark of her photos.

Would they not make exceptions to those old fashioned rules today - especially when the style is obviously well executed and appropriate to the type of images ? This is clearly solid and saleable work.

ShadySue

  • There is a crack in everything
« Reply #12 on: November 14, 2014, 09:01 »
+1
They'll be rejecting because of the narrow tonal range,  her black point is way off what they want, giving the misty effect which is the hallmark of her photos.

Would they not make exceptions to those old fashioned rules today - especially when the style is obviously well executed and appropriate to the type of images ? This is clearly solid and saleable work.

Apparently not as she's had three rejections.
I agree with the Stocksy suggestion, but she needs to know how to eat (hopefully not literally) until that happens.
« Last Edit: November 14, 2014, 09:34 by ShadySue »

« Reply #13 on: November 14, 2014, 09:27 »
0
Apparently not as she's had three rejections.

Maybe she has been dealing with some sort of automated process - or something which has been outsouced and is list based. Maybe there is a way to contact someone there who knows pictures.

mystock

« Reply #14 on: November 14, 2014, 10:04 »
+6
Gabriela, your photos are beautiful and would sell, on Shutterstock too.

But first you need to pass the test. So avoid using filters and try to obtain 10 perfectly lit, perfectly boring, ordinary stock pictures just for the test: that's what they want.

Then - once you're in - mantain your style. Half batches will still be rejected for lighting, but the half accepted will sell a lot.
« Last Edit: November 14, 2014, 10:07 by mystock »

Beppe Grillo

« Reply #15 on: November 14, 2014, 10:20 »
+4
Gabriela, maybe this is a good advice, maybe not
(Other forum's users will confirm or not)

When you apply for Shutterstock it is better to give them what they consider as "normal" images, I mean images with very standard exposure, very standard white balance, very standard tonality, very standard etc (and no noise at all) - Give them what they want

Seeing your photos it is understandable that you can produce good images as they want.

So, my advice is: let your style aside for the photos you will submit to the Shutterstock exam.
Then, once accepted (and you will be), they will probably accept your "styled" images without problem.
And, if you put a note to the inspector explaining that the photos are "effected" you will get an higher rate of acceptance I think - it works for me and other, so it should work for you too ;)

Edit: Oops, i just see now that mystock wrote a similar post to mine
« Last Edit: November 14, 2014, 10:25 by Beppe Grillo »

« Reply #16 on: November 14, 2014, 10:31 »
+9
Or maybe just stay away from microstock, where they will make you shoot in a style you don't want in order to fit their agenda (or you'll waste a ton of time uploading stuff just to have it rejected).   I think if you have your own style it's best not to compromise. Later on, you might not want people to judge you as a microstock shooter (we're not the most highly regarded photographers, you know) you might want to be classed as an art photographer.

« Reply #17 on: November 14, 2014, 11:55 »
+1
I don't have much to add to the above advice, but I wanted to say how lovely your images are.

I'm not at all surprised that SS turned you down (I think they're daft, but I don't set their photo editing guidelines), but I'm fairly sure that you could process a subset of your images slightly differently to get the cleaner look SS reviewers will want to see and get yourself accepted.

I also agree that applying at Stocksy - which, if you're accepted, means image exclusivity - is a good idea. You could then take an approach similar to Sean Locke's, where some of your work goes to Stocksy (I think all his new shoots, but perhaps he can comment) and the rest goes to a number of other micros - and Shutterstock is the big earner. In Sean's case he has several years of earlier stock work that is at SS and other agencies, as well as selling direct.

With a dual approach you won't tear your hair out trying to deal with getting SS to accept your lovelier work but you can process things you think will be a fit for them in a way that you know will have a high chance of passing inspection. Some photographers have said good things about Westend61 as a macro agency that might also be a fit for your work.

« Reply #18 on: November 14, 2014, 20:19 »
0
Gabriela, your work has Stocksy written all over it so I suggest you apply there if you only want to work with few agencies, which is a good thing btw. Offset seems to prefer more contrast with different styling and not the faded vintage look.
If you still want to get involved with microstock, good luck!  :-\

Thank you so for your time and advise!

« Reply #19 on: November 14, 2014, 20:21 »
0
Nice images, they fit to Stocksy style.

I will apply there sure, thank you!

« Reply #20 on: November 14, 2014, 20:27 »
0
Gabriela, your photos are beautiful and would sell, on Shutterstock too.

But first you need to pass the test. So avoid using filters and try to obtain 10 perfectly lit, perfectly boring, ordinary stock pictures just for the test: that's what they want.

Then - once you're in - mantain your style. Half batches will still be rejected for lighting, but the half accepted will sell a lot.


Thank you very much for your kind words about my photos! It is a good point to present them standard photos to see if they accept me that way. Thank you so much!

« Reply #21 on: November 14, 2014, 20:34 »
0
Gabriela, maybe this is a good advice, maybe not
(Other forum's users will confirm or not)

When you apply for Shutterstock it is better to give them what they consider as "normal" images, I mean images with very standard exposure, very standard white balance, very standard tonality, very standard etc (and no noise at all) - Give them what they want

Seeing your photos it is understandable that you can produce good images as they want.

So, my advice is: let your style aside for the photos you will submit to the Shutterstock exam.
Then, once accepted (and you will be), they will probably accept your "styled" images without problem.
And, if you put a note to the inspector explaining that the photos are "effected" you will get an higher rate of acceptance I think - it works for me and other, so it should work for you too ;)

Edit: Oops, i just see now that mystock wrote a similar post to mine

Thank you so much for your advise! I'm conscious my photos are not suitable for everyone and less to all agencies. I have to present definitely standard images if I want to get accepted. I have a question for you, what means "effected" for them?

« Reply #22 on: November 14, 2014, 20:44 »
0
Or maybe just stay away from microstock, where they will make you shoot in a style you don't want in order to fit their agenda (or you'll waste a ton of time uploading stuff just to have it rejected).   I think if you have your own style it's best not to compromise. Later on, you might not want people to judge you as a microstock shooter (we're not the most highly regarded photographers, you know) you might want to be classed as an art photographer.

I would not feel good producing images which I do not feel happy to see them . But I also think that the more artistic images I can make it just for me or my website and other images without compromising my style could occur in the agencies.

I'm starting on this, I don't know what will happen, at this time I would really like to sell my work. Sorry for my english. Thank you so much for your advise!

« Reply #23 on: November 14, 2014, 20:49 »
0
I don't have much to add to the above advice, but I wanted to say how lovely your images are.

I'm not at all surprised that SS turned you down (I think they're daft, but I don't set their photo editing guidelines), but I'm fairly sure that you could process a subset of your images slightly differently to get the cleaner look SS reviewers will want to see and get yourself accepted.

I also agree that applying at Stocksy - which, if you're accepted, means image exclusivity - is a good idea. You could then take an approach similar to Sean Locke's, where some of your work goes to Stocksy (I think all his new shoots, but perhaps he can comment) and the rest goes to a number of other micros - and Shutterstock is the big earner. In Sean's case he has several years of earlier stock work that is at SS and other agencies, as well as selling direct.

With a dual approach you won't tear your hair out trying to deal with getting SS to accept your lovelier work but you can process things you think will be a fit for them in a way that you know will have a high chance of passing inspection. Some photographers have said good things about Westend61 as a macro agency that might also be a fit for your work.


Thank you so much for words about my photos Jo Ann! I didn't know the other agency, I will look at it. I will write below for everyone. Thank you for your advice!

« Reply #24 on: November 14, 2014, 21:15 »
+1
First of all, I want to thank everyone for your precious advices and your time.

Before last time I presented the images to Shutterstock, I took the time to look what kind of images they had in their stock. Then, I presented the most "standard" images I had, and they did not accept me, I think the images I chose were TOO much "standard" for them. It is not easy to know what to present that could be good for them.

What I understand after seeing your comments and also after reading some of the post in the forum is that I have to try to get into Shutterstock if I want to sell more. I'll also apply on Stocksy to see what happen.

I will try to focus in producing some standard but interesting images to present once again to Shutterstock and we will see what happen. I will let you know sure.

Thank you so much again, I really appreciated each comment!
(Sorry for my english)


 

Related Topics

  Subject / Started by Replies Last post
4 Replies
3558 Views
Last post November 26, 2006, 10:03
by Pichunter
My Style

Started by Will Dutt « 1 2 3  All » Photo Critique

71 Replies
23849 Views
Last post October 27, 2011, 22:17
by Susum
6 Replies
2927 Views
Last post October 18, 2012, 05:20
by ShadySue
4 Replies
4882 Views
Last post July 04, 2017, 07:06
by Artist
27 Replies
9190 Views
Last post October 21, 2017, 02:54
by Frogfish

Sponsors

Mega Bundle of 5,900+ Professional Lightroom Presets

Microstock Poll Results

Sponsors