Author Topic: Vector Imaging Getting Swamped? (Read 6108 times)

Leo Blanchette · « **on:** February 26, 2008, 14:42 »

I've been enjoying this business of stock photography and especially the vector imaging aspect of it.

A concern I've had since I started is this:

How long will it be before vector images are simply too plentiful, and sales are spread thin between too many contributors with too many images?

Has anyone seen this starting to happen?

nicemonkey · « **Reply #1 on:** February 26, 2008, 15:16 »

99% of the work I do is vector based and like you I had concerns about over supply but I have found as long as you keep uploading (especially on shutterstock) my month on month sales keep increasing (except for december!). The joy of illustration is the only thing that limits you is your mind.

michaeldb · « **Reply #2 on:** February 26, 2008, 22:44 »

Quote from: nicemonkey on February 26, 2008, 15:16

...The joy of illustration is the only thing that limits you is your mind.

So true!!!

Photographers take pictures, vectorists make pictures.

When photographers run out of things to take pictures of and every category is full, we imagists will be creating new concepts and objects out of our imaginations. Photographers can only make images of what they can see; but nothing limits us. The physical world is limited, the imagination is infinite.

helix7 · « **Reply #3 on:** February 26, 2008, 23:28 »

I think there are certain types of vectors that will be too plentiful and harder to get accepted. That is already starting to happen with some images. It would probably be hard to get a simple flat world map through review at most sites now.

But the saturation of vectors will never be as bad as it is with photos. Besides, right now vectors outsell photos individually by a wide margin, so even if things slow, vectors will still do as well or better per image than photos.

graficallyminded · « **Reply #4 on:** February 27, 2008, 09:27 »

Originality is what it all comes down to. Anyone can copy someone else, but if you can come up with something clever from your own initiative, you will have an awesome selling image (at least until someone else copies you...)

nicemonkey · « **Reply #5 on:** February 27, 2008, 09:54 »

Quote from: graficallyminded on February 27, 2008, 09:27

Originality is what it all comes down to. Anyone can copy someone else, but if you can come up with something clever from your own initiative, you will have an awesome selling image (at least until someone else copies you...)

Originality is all well and good but it is so hard to make every image you do "new" and "original". I think it is more about taking the ideas that sell and moving it to the next level or coming at it from a new direction. I have people that have copied me before and I am flattered, if they can sell more than me then fine...I will steal the idea back!!!

Gregor909 · « **Reply #6 on:** February 27, 2008, 10:40 »

Quote from: graficallyminded on February 27, 2008, 09:27

Anyone can copy someone else, ....

I don't think that's always true. They can try but they don't always succeed.
It takes skills to develop a special style. And not everyone has those skills.

Pixart · « **Reply #7 on:** February 27, 2008, 16:10 »

Can someone please answer my stupid question... who are vector artists? I always kindof assumed you are skilled graphic designers who have been to college for at least a couple years. Am I right about that, or are there Ordinary Joes out there with a copy of Illustrator (and presumably personal style)?

Whiz · « **Reply #8 on:** February 27, 2008, 16:33 »

Quote from: Pixart on February 27, 2008, 16:10

Can someone please answer my stupid question... who are vector artists? I always kindof assumed you are skilled graphic designers who have been to college for at least a couple years. Am I right about that, or are there Ordinary Joes out there with a copy of Illustrator (and presumably personal style)?

Could be either. I studied Illustrator in college after I learned Photoshop. Learning the pen tool is one of the more important steps to using Illustrator. After that, it's similar to Photoshop. So I don't think you would have to go to college for it.

Gregor909 · « **Reply #9 on:** February 27, 2008, 16:33 »

Quote from: Pixart on February 27, 2008, 16:10

Am I right about that, or are there Ordinary Joes out there with a copy of Illustrator (and presumably personal style)?

Yes, I'm one of them. But working with Illustrator has nothing to do with personal style. It's just a tool, you must do the drawing!
In a way, everybody has a personal style, even a three year old with pencil and paper!

Susan S. · « **Reply #10 on:** February 27, 2008, 21:32 »

Quote from: Pixart on February 27, 2008, 16:10

Can someone please answer my stupid question... who are vector artists? I always kindof assumed you are skilled graphic designers who have been to college for at least a couple years. Am I right about that, or are there Ordinary Joes out there with a copy of Illustrator (and presumably personal style)?

Given I've only got a small number of illustrations up on istock, I'm not sure that you could call me a vector artist. But I come into the "self taught" category. I've always drawn and sketched though - I could have gone to Art college, but I never took it up and went and did other stuff that was more likely to pay the rent (post graduate degree in Economics..). Stupid decision, but never mind. So being able to draw a bit seems to be enough. Illustrator is a beast of a program to get your head around I find, as it's so different from photoshop, which feels like home!

marcopolo · « **Reply #11 on:** February 28, 2008, 16:40 »

Quote

Am I right about that, or are there Ordinary Joes out there with a copy of Illustrator (and presumably personal style)?

I am an ordinary Joe with a copy of Illustrator, but I am still working on improving my skills with it.

Leo Blanchette · « **Reply #12 on:** February 28, 2008, 16:42 »

I'm from another planet, so that answers that question.

helix7 · « **Reply #13 on:** February 29, 2008, 11:36 »

I have a degree in Graphic Design, but honestly I didn't learn much illustration in college. The degree is more helpful in my day job as a designer.

Although i should say that being a graphic designer helps in coming up with stock illustration ideas. I'll be sitting at work thinking, "I could really use an image with [whatever]..." and then go home and make that image.

pauloresende · « **Reply #14 on:** February 29, 2008, 12:15 »

You can go to school for 100 years and not be good in anything! And you can born with a skill and be a genius!! Some of the greatest artist don´t have a degree and now they are case studies in school! Illustrator is just a tool like the camera is for photographers. You can give a camera to anyone, but this don´t make you a photographer!! You can give a pen or illustrator to a person.... you now.
By the way i´m not a photographer or artist like Leo Blanchette, I'm also from another planet.

Pixart · « **Reply #15 on:** February 29, 2008, 13:03 »

, I have Illustrator (with my Creative Suite) and a pen and 0 for natural talent... so nobody has to worry about me swamping the Vector category! On January 1st I said "I'll learn Illustrator this year!" Another new years resolution that lasted 5 minutes.

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Author Topic: Vector Imaging Getting Swamped? (Read 6108 times)

Leo Blanchette

nicemonkey

michaeldb

helix7

graficallyminded

nicemonkey

Gregor909

Pixart

Whiz

Gregor909

Susan S.

marcopolo

Leo Blanchette

helix7

pauloresende

Pixart

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