Author Topic: do new stock photographers still have a chance to earn (Read 21912 times)

grsphoto · « **Reply #25 on:** April 27, 2013, 06:42 »

Quote from: Xanox on April 26, 2013, 14:47

we're just "collateral damage", they will never see us in person, they will never even know we pay the bills with stock, we don't exist, we're just numbers on a monitor.

Welcome to the world of business in the 21 century.... the world of outsourcing, globalization.

As someone who is just moving into stock I am thinking hard on planning my moves.
Do I shoot what I like ( and am good at) and hope that it sells, or do I change my style to get accepted at the agencies?

Glenn

ShadySue · « **Reply #26 on:** April 27, 2013, 07:01 »

Quote from: grsphoto on April 27, 2013, 06:42

As someone who is just moving into stock I am thinking hard on planning my moves.
Do I shoot what I like ( and am good at) and hope that it sells, or do I change my style to get accepted at the agencies?

If your normal style wouldn't get accepted, there's no choice.

If you want to change your style to 'what sells', be aware that 'what sells' is already oversupplied by a lot of very skillful people who have already built up followings at all the agencies. These are your competition, and they often spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars on shoots.

If the new style would bore, stifle or depress you, you need to ask how much you need the money, which might not be all that good anyway given the competition.

Check out the competition and ask what you have to offer which is commercially more viable.

lisafx · « **Reply #27 on:** April 27, 2013, 11:28 »

Quote from: Beppe Grillo on April 27, 2013, 05:33

A little note: I have got a -1 to one of my previous post.

I completely accept when somebody put a negative vote to my comments.
As we are different and we can have different or opposite points of view I think that is is normal, but I would be very more happy if these people will give the reasons why, and don't hide as cowards behind anonymity.

Thank you for understanding

(Now put all the minus that you want here )

FWIW, I did not give you that -1 and didn't disagree with you, but I do disagree that we should all make a post about why every time we hit the -1. That would just lead to more of these forum pi$$ing contests, and I think there are already an excess of those.

Some people just like to lurk and read, and use the +/- buttons to weigh in. I think it's unreasonable and pretty insulting to brand anyone who is anonymous, or who gives a rating without explaining it as "cowardly". Not everyone is equally outgoing or confrontational.

stockastic · « **Reply #28 on:** April 27, 2013, 15:15 »

IMHO, definitely do what you like, and what you're good at, and try to find a market for it. The microstocks are up to their eyeballs in sameness. There's no point in going into this today unless you have your own 'spin'.

leaf · « **Reply #29 on:** April 27, 2013, 15:27 »

Quote from: lisafx on April 27, 2013, 11:28

Quote from: Beppe Grillo on April 27, 2013, 05:33
A little note: I have got a -1 to one of my previous post.

I completely accept when somebody put a negative vote to my comments.
As we are different and we can have different or opposite points of view I think that is is normal, but I would be very more happy if these people will give the reasons why, and don't hide as cowards behind anonymity.

Thank you for understanding

(Now put all the minus that you want here )

FWIW, I did not give you that -1 and didn't disagree with you, but I do disagree that we should all make a post about why every time we hit the -1. That would just lead to more of these forum pi$$ing contests, and I think there are already an excess of those.

Some people just like to lurk and read, and use the +/- buttons to weigh in. I think it's unreasonable and pretty insulting to brand anyone who is anonymous, or who gives a rating without explaining it as "cowardly". Not everyone is equally outgoing or confrontational.

Ditto. I think I'll have to change the labels or how they are displayed. People take too much offense when they get a -1 or -2. It is simply someone saying they disagree and there is certainly not anything wrong with people disagreeing with something (whether they give reason for it or not)

dingles · « **Reply #30 on:** April 27, 2013, 19:54 »

I'm under the belief that you should do what you like. I create what I like and when I self edit I ask myself if I would use this in my work. I feel if you are doing what you like you will produce better work. It is hard work either way, but when you like what you are doing you tend not to mind the hard part so much.

And yes, I think there is plenty of room for someone new to earn money in stock. I don't think anyone has a road map as it continuously evolves. I feel quantity over quality is no longer the way to produce work of value and is nothing but a race to the bottom. I think we all struggle with finding something specific to make our work stand out and honestly that is part of the fun in it...at least for me.

shudderstok · « **Reply #31 on:** April 27, 2013, 21:16 »

^^^^^^^^ I feel quantity over quality is no longer the way to produce work of value and is nothing but a race to the bottom.

It's never been about quantity and it's always been about quality. pretty much every microstock site takes in way too much mediocre to downright bad work. just cause you were there does not make it a great shot. great site xyz has zillions of images but it's mostly mediocre, that is a downward spiral and a race to the bottom.

Beppe Grillo · « **Reply #32 on:** April 28, 2013, 01:18 »

Quote from: lisafx on April 27, 2013, 11:28

FWIW, I did not give you that -1

Nobody told this as I know…

Quote from: lisafx on April 27, 2013, 11:28

and didn't disagree with you, but I do disagree that we should all make a post about why every time we hit the -1. That would just lead to more of these forum pi$$ing contests, and I think there are already an excess of those.

Some people just like to lurk and read, and use the +/- buttons to weigh in. I think it's unreasonable and pretty insulting to brand anyone who is anonymous, or who gives a rating without explaining it as "cowardly". Not everyone is equally outgoing or confrontational.

At me they call this "throw the stone and remove the hand"
And it is the (too much easy) behavior of politicians, provocateurs and cowards (that is almost the same)!
I don't want to offend nobody calling him/her coward. After all maybe they are only politicians……
But I don't accept to be freely offended/disapproved by people that has not the simple good education/politeness to express the own opinions clearly and directly without hide.
From my point of view if you have no arguments to explain your dissension it is better that you do nothing, nothing at all.

If you want to participate to a discussion do it.
But if you just want to lurk and read, just lurk and read, no more (not any kind of interference).
I think it's unreasonable and pretty insulting to put a negative note to a post without explain the reasons why.
If you have reasons explain it, if you have no reason just do nothing, but nothing at all.
A forum is not Facebook.

With this I close the argument because we are completely off topic.

shudderstok · « **Reply #33 on:** April 28, 2013, 04:00 »

whether I get a -1 or -100 or +1 or +100, it matters not to me. i also remain anonymous not out of being cowardly rather so that i can express my true view/opinion/perspective in full honesty and not have some person from one of my agencies or all of my agencies creep me and determine my future within that agency, it's pretty easy to do on computer algorithms, the can make or break you if they want, and you'd be a * fool to think they are not even going to read this post. one thing can be assured, you will always get my honest view/opinion/perspective whether you agree with it or not. so zap me with a minus or zap me with a big plus, i really don't care. but if you zap me with a minus i would appreciate a full report as to why...

marcnim · « **Reply #34 on:** April 29, 2013, 04:38 »

i see that i can't sell so much what I usually shoot in the way i usually shoot. But despite me having some sort of style that I sell to my clients, in the end, the client tells me what to do. I figure that what sells well at the moment is high end studio shots, both people and objects. For Objects, the isolated white single object is no bestseller. But for instance high level food shots can still earn good. But you need a full setting, middle- and background included. Beautiful light and a little extra.

So I personally have a vision on where to go and I advance to that position with every week in the studio and maybe I can sell some of the stuff I do on the road.

btw: thanks for all the posts. Good insights there!

Sean Locke Photography · « **Reply #35 on:** April 29, 2013, 07:29 »

Food photography is no gold mine. A tablecloth, a couple of white cards to bounce light, and a little styling is all it takes. There are a ton of food photographers

shudderstok · « **Reply #36 on:** April 29, 2013, 09:04 »

Quote from: sjlocke on April 29, 2013, 07:29

Food photography is no gold mine. A tablecloth, a couple of white cards to bounce light, and a little styling is all it takes. There are a ton of food photographers

so bitter. sounds like a fall from grace to me.

Sean Locke Photography · « **Reply #37 on:** April 29, 2013, 09:07 »

Quote from: shudderstok on April 29, 2013, 09:04

Quote from: sjlocke on April 29, 2013, 07:29
Food photography is no gold mine. A tablecloth, a couple of white cards to bounce light, and a little styling is all it takes. There are a ton of food photographers

so bitter. sounds like a fall from grace to me.

Uh, what? Look on IS at the recipe request threads. Everyone is a 'food photographer'. Heck, I do some occasionally.

So, you disagree, and feel food photography is a hidden gold mine?

shudderstok · « **Reply #38 on:** April 29, 2013, 09:19 »

Quote from: sjlocke on April 29, 2013, 09:07

Quote from: shudderstok on April 29, 2013, 09:04
Quote from: sjlocke on April 29, 2013, 07:29
Food photography is no gold mine. A tablecloth, a couple of white cards to bounce light, and a little styling is all it takes. There are a ton of food photographers

so bitter. sounds like a fall from grace to me.

Uh, what? Look on IS at the recipe request threads. Everyone is a 'food photographer'. Heck, I do some occasionally.

So, you disagree, and feel food photography is a hidden gold mine?

what i disagree with is your sudden desire to knock anybody who shoots anything other than what you shoot. do we all have to shoot predictable and boring set up scenes in the doctors office to find the gold?

Xanox · « **Reply #39 on:** April 29, 2013, 09:23 »

Quote from: leaf on April 27, 2013, 15:27

Ditto. I think I'll have to change the labels or how they are displayed. People take too much offense when they get a -1 or -2. It is simply someone saying they disagree and there is certainly not anything wrong with people disagreeing with something (whether they give reason for it or not)

these buttons are useless, it would make sense in a discussion with dozens or hundreds or readers and posters but how many are using these buttons ? i guess it's always the same 3-4 guys.

this is a forum, not facebook or twitter, can't see why modern forums are so cluttered with cr-ap.

Xanox · « **Reply #40 on:** April 29, 2013, 09:33 »

Quote from: grsphoto on April 27, 2013, 06:42

Welcome to the world of business in the 21 century.... the world of outsourcing, globalization.

As someone who is just moving into stock I am thinking hard on planning my moves.
Do I shoot what I like ( and am good at) and hope that it sells, or do I change my style to get accepted at the agencies?

Glenn

i would shoot what you're good for and based on that i would pick up the right agency for such images, could be a generic macro o micro, o a specialist or even merchandising or fine-art, up to you and your style.

how could you bring any added value shoting stuff you hate when there's no shortage of photographers doing the same subjects with passion, quantity, and quality ?

take Travel photography, anyone can go in holiday including photographers who dont do travel or lifestyle but they will be no match against those who covered the same niche since a long time and know the score.

i mean, you can get many lucky shots but that's all.
if you're seriously asking how to plan a solid foundation for your career the answer is to become specialized in one field that you like and that at least pays the bills.

if your favourite subject has absolutely no market value, sorry but for the moment it can only become an expensive hobby, in the future who knows, technology is changing quickly.

Sean Locke Photography · « **Reply #41 on:** April 29, 2013, 09:33 »

Quote from: shudderstok on April 29, 2013, 09:19

Quote from: sjlocke on April 29, 2013, 09:07
Quote from: shudderstok on April 29, 2013, 09:04
Quote from: sjlocke on April 29, 2013, 07:29
Food photography is no gold mine. A tablecloth, a couple of white cards to bounce light, and a little styling is all it takes. There are a ton of food photographers

so bitter. sounds like a fall from grace to me.

Uh, what? Look on IS at the recipe request threads. Everyone is a 'food photographer'. Heck, I do some occasionally.

So, you disagree, and feel food photography is a hidden gold mine?

what i disagree with is your sudden desire to knock anybody who shoots anything other than what you shoot. do we all have to shoot predictable and boring set up scenes in the doctors office to find the gold?

I don't care what you shoot. I'm just discussing whether 'high level food shots can still earn good'. I don't think so as there really is a lot out there. But you go ahead and type whatever cheers you up.

WarrenPrice · « **Reply #42 on:** April 29, 2013, 09:42 »

I don't make a lot of money on anything but, for what it's worth, food is the best selling category in my portfolio. That's based on sales tracking tools at SS.

Food sales are nearly double the next best seller -- nature and landscape.

Sean Locke Photography · « **Reply #43 on:** April 29, 2013, 09:46 »

Ok, we'll I guess experience and expectations are different based on what comprises the rest of your portfolio. I wouldn't take the time to upload a flower shot, but one flower sale a month might be awesome for someone.

WarrenPrice · « **Reply #44 on:** April 29, 2013, 09:58 »

Quote from: sjlocke on April 29, 2013, 09:46

Ok, we'll I guess experience and expectations are different based on what comprises the rest of your portfolio. I wouldn't take the time to upload a flower shot, but one flower sale a month might be awesome for someone.

I think that's the point. My flowers sell okay too.

shudderstok · « **Reply #45 on:** April 29, 2013, 10:07 »

Quote from: sjlocke on April 29, 2013, 09:33

Quote from: shudderstok on April 29, 2013, 09:19
Quote from: sjlocke on April 29, 2013, 09:07
Quote from: shudderstok on April 29, 2013, 09:04
Quote from: sjlocke on April 29, 2013, 07:29
Food photography is no gold mine. A tablecloth, a couple of white cards to bounce light, and a little styling is all it takes. There are a ton of food photographers

so bitter. sounds like a fall from grace to me.

Uh, what? Look on IS at the recipe request threads. Everyone is a 'food photographer'. Heck, I do some occasionally.

So, you disagree, and feel food photography is a hidden gold mine?

what i disagree with is your sudden desire to knock anybody who shoots anything other than what you shoot. do we all have to shoot predictable and boring set up scenes in the doctors office to find the gold?

I don't care what you shoot. I'm just discussing whether 'high level food shots can still earn good'. I don't think so as there really is a lot out there. But you go ahead and type whatever cheers you up.

i really have no desire to turn this into a pissing contest. your original post regarding food photography was not a discussion at all, rather it was seemingly unilaterally conclusive there is no possibility of success by shooting food as anyone can do it with a few bounce cards and a tablecloth. it was somewhat condescending to those who shoot food. good photos always have the potential to sell.

Sean Locke Photography · « **Reply #46 on:** April 29, 2013, 10:26 »

"i really have no desire to turn this into a pissing contest. "

Too late. You're the one who started discussing posts instead of the topic, as Warren did. Take a lesson.

grsphoto · « **Reply #47 on:** April 29, 2013, 10:57 »

Quote from: Xanox on April 29, 2013, 09:33

Quote from: grsphoto on April 27, 2013, 06:42
Welcome to the world of business in the 21 century.... the world of outsourcing, globalization.

As someone who is just moving into stock I am thinking hard on planning my moves.
Do I shoot what I like ( and am good at) and hope that it sells, or do I change my style to get accepted at the agencies?

Glenn

i would shoot what you're good for and based on that i would pick up the right agency for such images, could be a generic macro o micro, o a specialist or even merchandising or fine-art, up to you and your style.

how could you bring any added value shoting stuff you hate when there's no shortage of photographers doing the same subjects with passion, quantity, and quality ?

take Travel photography, anyone can go in holiday including photographers who dont do travel or lifestyle but they will be no match against those who covered the same niche since a long time and know the score.

i mean, you can get many lucky shots but that's all.
if you're seriously asking how to plan a solid foundation for your career the answer is to become specialized in one field that you like and that at least pays the bills.

if your favourite subject has absolutely no market value, sorry but for the moment it can only become an expensive hobby, in the future who knows, technology is changing quickly.

My favourite thing to photograph was wildlife. Never really got good at it.
When I decided to go pro, I went for the boudoir market since pretty girls have always been a subject I liked.
I taught myself how to shot in this market.... and became really bored with seeing naked ladies all day ( who woulda thunk it...

.)

Now that I have located south of the equator I am shooting travel and wildlife again. My best selling images, so far, are wildlife ( snow monkey) I photographed a few years ago.

I am looking forward to continuing this interesting ride.

Glenn

marcnim · « **Reply #48 on:** April 30, 2013, 02:37 »

to glen:

I love your humor. Would you share how much you have earned with the snowmonkey? I have looked up your website. Would you share how much you earn in percentage vis-a-vis agencies?

cheers

marc

www.fischka.com

marcnim · « **Reply #49 on:** April 30, 2013, 04:00 »

an addition to the discussion about the originality of food photography. It's a dogma that one is always advised to be original. To browse existing material and then find an understocked niche. This can be quite frustrating since like most of the photographic continents have already been discovered. Niches get smaller.

I hear, in China it is an honorable thing to be a good copy cat. Maybe the niche can be to copy and just try to become as good as it gets. (Usually originality will come out anyway with professionalism)

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Author Topic: do new stock photographers still have a chance to earn (Read 21912 times)

grsphoto

ShadySue

lisafx

stockastic

leaf

dingles

shudderstok

Beppe Grillo

shudderstok

marcnim

Sean Locke Photography

shudderstok

Sean Locke Photography

shudderstok

Xanox

Xanox

Sean Locke Photography

WarrenPrice

Sean Locke Photography

WarrenPrice

shudderstok

Sean Locke Photography

grsphoto

marcnim

marcnim

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