Author Topic: Off the peg? (Read 4852 times)

Elenathewise · « **on:** April 12, 2011, 22:21 »

I've heard for some time people saying that only simple, boring, not artistic, unimaginative , "off-the-peg" images are available on microstock and if you want something more sophisticated you should look on macros. Just stumbled on this portfolio:
http://bit.ly/feFYCA
Wow.
Need to step up my game.

Phil · « **Reply #1 on:** April 12, 2011, 23:27 »

Yes, isnt it great. one of the few that I have their port bookmarked and look at from time to time (and usually then think about much further I have to go

). only around 250 images on istock though

Jo Ann Snover · « **Reply #2 on:** April 12, 2011, 23:58 »

Some really stunning work there!

leaf · « **Reply #3 on:** April 13, 2011, 02:09 »

impressive stuff. Very styled and interesting. It is nice to see someone who isn't using a cookie cutter to punch out their work.

BaldricksTrousers · « **Reply #4 on:** April 13, 2011, 02:26 »

yup, first class. Very glossy magazine.

Perry · « **Reply #5 on:** April 13, 2011, 03:26 »

I don't think this is good microstock. Very much effort to create images that aren't really that usable. Sure, they are nice to look at, but they don't quite fit in an ad or article. Looking at the sales figures confirms this, a lot of work for some average sales figures. And those that sell looks generally more "stocky" than the rest.

I don't think I am going this route in my microstock photography. RM perhaps, but not Micro.

BaldricksTrousers · « **Reply #6 on:** April 13, 2011, 03:40 »

Almost all 2,285 images seem to have been uploaded since Jan 23 this year, which doesn't give it long to sell and creates a lot of self-competition. Is this an iStock refugee? You're right that sales aren't likely to match the isolated-on-white type but there seems to be some room for this style - and why not shoot this way if you can and it pleases you? It's not JUST the money that makes us happy

Sean Locke Photography · « **Reply #7 on:** April 13, 2011, 04:42 »

Quote from: Perry on April 13, 2011, 03:26

I don't think this is good microstock. Very much effort to create images that aren't really that usable. Sure, they are nice to look at, but they don't quite fit in an ad or article. Looking at the sales figures confirms this, a lot of work for some average sales figures. And those that sell looks generally more "stocky" than the rest.

I don't think I am going this route in my microstock photography. RM perhaps, but not Micro.

I'd agree, at least initially, when sorting by popular. When you sort by age, you can see plenty of regular stuff on white, laughing girls, etc. The artist seems to be handy at compositing, reusing bits or whole images repeatedly.

Otherwise, yeah, the "fancy" stuff looks too high cost, in time and otherwise, and not enough in the series, to be worth doing it that way.

Overall, some nice work.

grp_photo · « **Reply #8 on:** April 13, 2011, 05:02 »

Way too artificial, way too much PS, way too overstyled. No doubt about his skills I respect his work. It is also a bad business decision to put work like this in microstock.

ShadySue · « **Reply #9 on:** April 13, 2011, 05:31 »

Quote from: grp_photo on April 13, 2011, 05:02

Way too artificial, way too much PS, way too overstyled. No doubt about his skills I respect his work. It is also a bad business decision to put work like this in microstock.

Can't help but agree, but maybe he's hoping it will bring him commissions. ICPS whether that will work.

visceralimage · « **Reply #10 on:** April 13, 2011, 06:59 »

Quote from: Elenathewise on April 12, 2011, 22:21

Wow.
Need to step up my game.

This is sweet stuff but I believe your game is just where you need it to be; producing the work the clients need and purchase. This is the fun stuff you do after you work an 8 hr day or your weekends, IMHO

I am doing a book of illustrated jokes; nice images but not stocky, done after I finish my regular stocky work.

ShadySue · « **Reply #11 on:** April 13, 2011, 07:05 »

There's also Olena Vizerskaya on iStock: she was promoted heavily when she started no doubt to 'encourage' her to become exclusive almost immediately:
http://www.istockphoto.com/user_view.php?id=5767540

Elenathewise · « **Reply #12 on:** April 13, 2011, 10:56 »

What's interesting to me is that this kind of work *is* available on micros; you can call it "bad business decision" or say it's not commercial enough, but it's there. And of course it's not just this one portfolio. The quality of images available on micros definitely rivals top images from fancy RM collections; if you're price-conscious buyer (and I haven't met a buyer yet who didn't care at all about the price) you can find some unique and impressive stuff for a fraction of a cost.
Does it make sense for a photographer? I don't know, it's their business; the internet is equalizing the world and there is nothing we can do about it; 1K a month here in Toronto barely covers rent, whereas 1K a month in, say, Belgrade, is a respectable monthly income. We in developed countries will become poorer and the rest of the world will become richer - it'll take years but it's happening.
I guess it's time to look for a cheaper place to live with less taxes... and warmer weather

luissantos84 · « **Reply #13 on:** April 13, 2011, 11:20 »

I found even more interesting you been stumbled at this portfolio (hell of a portfolio for sure, have seen it before, great work), but my point is regarding your "attitude", there is nothing bigger than being humble

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Author Topic: Off the peg? (Read 4852 times)

Elenathewise

Phil

Jo Ann Snover

leaf

BaldricksTrousers

Perry

BaldricksTrousers

Sean Locke Photography

grp_photo

ShadySue

visceralimage

ShadySue

Elenathewise

luissantos84

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