MicrostockGroup
Microstock Photography Forum - General => General Stock Discussion => Topic started by: Sion on January 21, 2012, 21:37
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I have been using a 10MP camera for years.
With everything equal e.g. subjects, lighting, composition etc. would I be able to make more money by upgrading to a 18MP camera?
One obvious disadvantage I see is slowing down uploading time with larger files.
A few of my friends are istock exclusive shooters using 21MP cameras. They told me they rarely sold files of such size in istock. But one of them said 21MP files give him better ranking in istock.
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so far this month:
81 sales at FT (15 XL)
38 sales at IS (13 L)
my stats donīt mean much and I actually donīt know if buyers would have gotten a bigger size but overall I think if you wanna keep doing stock and see some bigger sales I would say yes, for how long do you have the "old" camera? would it mean much comparing to your stock earnings?
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That's a question that is impossible to answer. Maybe some search engines promotes files according to size or even according to the camera used. I think the XXXL files have maybe become a little more popular at iS since other content got priced above them creating greater acceptance of the price-point... but then sales overall are way down over there.
Even subscription sites might (or might not) favour certain camera/file sizes.
There are probably benefits in helping you to meet the quality targets, however, if you process files as I do, going across the whole image area at "actual pixels" viewing size then it takes much longer to process. Larger images also make camera shake more of an issue so you need to take greater care when shooting.
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add downsizing to the advantages list.
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I think the advantage doesnt lie so much in the megapixels but in the resolution of the single pixels.
Downsizing can play a role.
But megapixels for megapixels sake, is not so important.
its more the quality of the pixels.
I have had a Nikon d 200 10,1 mpix since 2006.
Works fine.
Lately I upgraded and bought a new camera: Another Nikon d 200.
For stock it didnt seem to matter, if I had one of the new cameras, with a better performance. I shoot much of my stuff with strobes at iso 100 and the better high iso performance with new cameras (and so good is it not) is not so important.
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Fotolia gives me the XL price for my 12MP camera shots and XXL price for larger images that I've made using a scanner. I've been considering upgrading to a 16MP camera to get the higher return.
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If you are going to keep the sensor size the same, then I don't see the point of upgrading. But if you are going to upgrade to a full-frame sensor (24*36mm) then you are going to get noticeable better pixels.
I shoot at 21 mpix, but I often crop and downsize my images so they are usually in the 4 to 12 mpix range. Maybe 40% of my images are 21 mpix.
Sure, large files sell some times, but they also more often get rejected by noise (yes, even good cameras with correct exposure are noisy in some solid-color areas), downsizing helps this. Also some large-aperture shots may benefit from downsizing.
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If you are going to keep the sensor size the same, then I don't see the point of upgrading. But if you are going to upgrade to a full-frame sensor (24*36mm) then you are going to get noticeable better pixels.
I shoot at 21 mpix, but I often crop and downsize my images so they are usually in the 4 to 12 mpix range. Maybe 40% of my images are 21 mpix.
Sure, large files sell some times, but they also more often get rejected by noise (yes, even good cameras with correct exposure are noisy in some solid-color areas), downsizing helps this. Also some large-aperture shots may benefit from downsizing.
All of the above - for the full sized sensor.
Plus depending where you live and what you shoot, a better sensor will help if your natural light forces 400ISO for months of the year. Not an issue if you're doing studio work or live in sunnier climes. Plus I find that even a 400mm lens often isn't long enough (for small birds etc). I can often size city night shots right down and have both 1600 and 3200 ISO pics on iStock, at L or even M. Almost certainly couldn't do that with e.g. my 40D backup.
Larger size files sometimes have a benefit in iStock's best match; but best match changes so often, I wouldn't make that a main consideration, unless you're competing in heavily-populated themes. For a while now, being indie would negate that anyway. That, too, could change any minute.
IME, I sell relativelly few files at XL or above, but the 400ISO is such a benefit *to me* that that fact is disappointing, but doesn't matter so much.
Longer uploading time hardly matters unless you're on pay-per-minute dial-up. You're working on your next image while one is uploading. Or keeping up to date with the forums. Or having 'a nice cup of tea'/coffee/wine/whisky according to taste.
So, basically, it's more to do with what you like to shoot and the conditions you shoot in.
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I think the question is are you going to make more money with an 18MP camera on stock than a 10MP camera?
The answer is pretty simple, all else being equal, yes you are.
The larger file sizes are priced higher on enough agencies - DT, FT and IS amongst others - that it does make a difference. I doubt that there is currently any best match bonus given to large files on IS, but there are definitely some buyers who are looking for the largest file sizes and buying them.
The biggest jump in prices is to 12MP - because that's where a number of agencies stop, and because the volume of sales of XL images is higher than XXXL.
If you're exclusive on iStock and reasonably serious about it, then its really worth shooting at 21MP+ - really I wouldn't consider going below 18MP for my main camera. If you're non-exclusive then 12MP is pretty much the bottom resolution to consider.
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It's about the work guys. Always has been and fortunately always will be. I personally know folks with 8/10 MP cameras that outsell the so called big Players. Because it's "ABOUT THE WORK" they don't post anywhere , They don't need to. Theres a whole bunch of Yuri's and Seans guys. trust me.
You guys are going right past It.
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It's about the work guys. Always has been and fortunately always will be. I personally know folks with 8/10 MP cameras that outsell the so called big Players. Because it's "ABOUT THE WORK" they don't post anywhere , They don't need to. Theres a whole bunch of Yuri's and Seans guys. trust me.
You guys are going right past It.
Very true indeed. Then again as a photographer called, Pete Turner, once said to me. Good equipment does help. Cameras come and go, its all about the optics, they do help. Apart from that its all about the eye. :)
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It's about the work guys. Always has been and fortunately always will be. I personally know folks with 8/10 MP cameras that outsell the so called big Players. Because it's "ABOUT THE WORK" they don't post anywhere , They don't need to. Theres a whole bunch of Yuri's and Seans guys. trust me.
You guys are going right past It.
Agree but I think you are going OT once again..
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It depends on the agency. At the micros, no, not really. If you submit to traditional agencies, some require 12mp images and the additional 6mp can come in handy if you are going to crop in on the frame for better composition.
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I'd Rather have 12 really good mega Pixels with the best glass over 24 with Coke bottle lenses. pretty soon Cellphones are gonna have 12MP. The apple 4S has 8 and a bunch of stuff was just accepted at SS using it. And what does "OT" stand for?? Sadly and something I said 2 years ago Our UBER cameras are going to be expensive doorstops Fairly soon.
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OffTopic
iphone pics on SS? I would love to see them, I am serious
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If you can afford it, do it.
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OffTopic
iphone pics on SS? I would love to see them, I am serious
Don't know about SS, but JJ has some on iS.
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OffTopic
iphone pics on SS? I would love to see them, I am serious
Don't know about SS, but JJ has some on iS.
looking at them :)
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http://submit.shutterstock.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=118033 (http://submit.shutterstock.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=118033)
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[url]http://submit.shutterstock.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=118033[/url] ([url]http://submit.shutterstock.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=118033[/url])
Loved the last one "iPhoneography" lecture. Oh please save me from yet another "i" something in the vernacular.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-UjkKbA1oxB0/TWd2yc5Z_kI/AAAAAAAAAJo/7xdysaIyDzk/s1024/a400-retired-web.jpg)
I unintentionally lied, about the retired part, I just took some photos with it last week. Still works, still takes nice pictures.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Jhl4dJ5BAu4/Tw707tKDluI/AAAAAAAABL4/JDHcb1tGnYY/w500-h374-k/blue-piggy-web.jpg)
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A must watch Video. iphoneography is huge and gonna get Much bigger for what we do. Watch this guys.
http://www.creativelive.com/courses/iphoneography-jack-hollingsworth (http://www.creativelive.com/courses/iphoneography-jack-hollingsworth)
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A must watch Video. iphoneography is huge and gonna get Much bigger for what we do. Watch this guys.
[url]http://www.creativelive.com/courses/iphoneography-jack-hollingsworth[/url] ([url]http://www.creativelive.com/courses/iphoneography-jack-hollingsworth[/url])
have seen it live like many other since CL started, very cool stuff CJ is doing
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A must watch Video. iphoneography is huge and gonna get Much bigger for what we do. Watch this guys.
[url]http://www.creativelive.com/courses/iphoneography-jack-hollingsworth[/url] ([url]http://www.creativelive.com/courses/iphoneography-jack-hollingsworth[/url])
If "what we do" is sell photography courses to consumers, then yeah its going to be huge! :)
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A must watch Video. iphoneography is huge and gonna get Much bigger for what we do. Watch this guys.
[url]http://www.creativelive.com/courses/iphoneography-jack-hollingsworth[/url] ([url]http://www.creativelive.com/courses/iphoneography-jack-hollingsworth[/url])
By the time he got to 'pearls before swine', he had said nothing of any import and I was bored out of my mind, so I missed the pearls he presumably came up with later.
Snuffleshufflehonkhonk
I guess before anything else, he might have explained how you keep your camera steady while holding it like the guy in the green background photo is holding his.
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A must watch Video. iphoneography is huge and gonna get Much bigger for what we do. Watch this guys.
[url]http://www.creativelive.com/courses/iphoneography-jack-hollingsworth[/url] ([url]http://www.creativelive.com/courses/iphoneography-jack-hollingsworth[/url])
If "what we do" is sell photography courses to consumers, then yeah its going to be huge! :)
DING!
Jack Hollingsworth is an award winning, 30-year career veteran in commercial photography.
He could probably take better photos than I do, with a broken folding Brownie 1A.
Wait, I have it. Lets do a school on how to be a NFL lineman, hosted by Antone Davis. See all you need to do is pay me some money and take the class...
(no this isn't the same as The Rinder School, or his books, where people are on equal footing and can learn and succeed.)
iPhoneography, Give Me A Break!
What kind of tr-ipod :D is that in the background?
Yeah, baby I need the "Full Monty" so I can have the amazing experience. I'm getting an affinity for "the movement" - "teach a man to fish and he'll be out in a boat, drinking with his buddies, until all hours of the night. And on weekends..." No I'm not app crazy, I don't have an iPhone (that makes me one of the swine I'll admit) Now I need to get in the zone.
Hey, he's really right, shoot for fun. Don't lose that. But please use a camera. When my camera starts making phone calls, I'll have to consider Canonversations and maybe teach my friends about it.
Iphone smokes a DSLR? (no I don't hate an iphone) But be real. You mean my pocket camera, or DSLR can't be fun or creative? "This isn't about images this is about stories." Glad he included me for when I get the HTC with the led lighting.
Manifesto. Cute graphic slip. "I'm not selling anything..." Ho Ho well not phones, but come on Jack. Snow me some more. About to explode in 2012, reminds me of some other predictions which are conveniently forgotten when they pass. (Comets, the Millennium, dire hurricane predictions to name a few)
27% taken with mobile phones? That's all? I would have expected more like 57%. I mean people don't carry cameras (yeah we do...) But most people bring them someplace, don't have one with them all the time. Of course, phones are fantastic for a quick snap. I don't even take my DSLR unless I think in advance I'm going to be shooting. But I do have a pocket camera. Lets go back in time. How many photos were taken with a disk camera, Polaroid, Instamatic, or rangefinder vs 35mm SLR. WOW, an avalanche. I can't believe that the number 27% of all photos taken with mobile devices is so low.
Nice going Jack, you do good work and you speak well and I hope you succeed, But I'm not drinking the Cool-Aid quite yet. ;D
For anyone else, here's my newest camera.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-RK76JcoA3Ls/TxNc90wV7yI/AAAAAAAABzo/TCwDbvCobPI/s150/a1200-black.jpg)
Canon A1200 12MP (but really a six) built in flash, (not a pop-up!) does 720P HD video, (iPhone wins it's 1080p) uses SD cards and one of my primary reasons for getting this one AA batteries that are available anywhere, any time. No it doesn't connect to the internet. My Kindle does, my netbook does, my laptop does... No it doesn't make phone calls either. $84 delivered. How much is that iPhone which will be out of date in a year? How do you change the batteries in the iPhone if you are running them down shooting?
Pricing for the iPhone 4S starts at $199 for a 16-Gbyte version of the phone, rising to $299 for a 32-Gbyte phone and $399 for a 64-Gbyte device.
Pocket camera? Last one lasted 5-6 years of being in my pocket 24/7 and going everywhere with me. Still works, I just upgraded to something over 3.2MP in case I have something for Micro. That's the only reason. It takes nice photos and makes nice 4x6 prints. If the new one is anything like the last, that means in 2017 I'll be looking for a new pocket camera. How many $300 iPhones later is that?
All the fun aside, and Jack does do a great job of marketing and his class could probably help anyone with any camera, A phone is not a camera. All the cliches aside and happy feelings for snapshots from phones. It's not a camera, it's a phone. It makes pictures.
My Honda is not the same as the Honda that Indycar races, but hey, they are both Hondas? I can carry much more camping gear and go get groceries. So I suppose by the same logic as this iPhoneography thing, I'm in the same circle as a race driver, because I have a Honda and I drive a stick shift and my car has tires? Right?
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Great Post.
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on a side note I have been following Jack since Lee Torrens introduced him in Microstock Diaries, back in 2009 where he also posted his earnings around microagencies (kind of looking what would come out there) for sure Jack had tons of other stuff in other big agencies and pursuit other adventures, for sure a lot more interesting too, not only in terms of revenues
after that I have been following his twitter too and oh boy that gotta be one the most active twitter I have ever known or seen, he is everywhere and he knows everything, enjoy tons reading and following his tweets, articles, links, pics, advices etc very cool stuff
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http://www.cnn.com/2012/01/26/tech/mobile/smartphone-camera-evolution/index.html (http://www.cnn.com/2012/01/26/tech/mobile/smartphone-camera-evolution/index.html)
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on a side note I have been following Jack since Lee Torrens introduced him in Microstock Diaries, back in 2009 where he also posted his earnings around microagencies (kind of looking what would come out there) for sure Jack had tons of other stuff in other big agencies and pursuit other adventures, for sure a lot more interesting too, not only in terms of revenues
after that I have been following his twitter too and oh boy that gotta be one the most active twitter I have ever known or seen, he is everywhere and he knows everything, enjoy tons reading and following his tweets, articles, links, pics, advices etc very cool stuff
I think he can be very educational and help people. I bet any class of his would help and improve me.
What I'm making fun of is the sales pitch and iphonography the term, the promotion as if it's some kind of social movement, or new wave discovery. Hey it's photography. That's good enough? People having fun. I like that too. People learning about how to use their cameras and all that. Nice work Jack, go for it.
Anyone remember the disc camera or Advantix system. They were both new and revolutionary...
But come on people, how big is that pimple of a lens on the phone and some are actually made of glass! Whoo Yah! 8MP on a sensor the size of a bug bite.