Author Topic: Why bother with photos (Read 8852 times)

CofkoCof · « **on:** April 23, 2008, 07:28 »

I'm still pretty new in stock business so I'm trying a few different approaches. In the last two months I started learning how to use vector design programs. Even though I'm still a beginner I started getting fabolous results with vectors. I know that my pictures are far from the best but I didn't expect the vectors to sell so much better (well it depends on the site). Even simple ones. So now I'm wondering if I should even continue adding photos or rather just focus on vectors since the income is much greater.

How many of you submit both? How do the photo sales compare to the vector sales for you?

vonkara · « **Reply #1 on:** April 23, 2008, 09:05 »

I only sale photos, but to help you to make a choice, I would say:

Time to produce vector / to produce pics
Earning from vector / earning from pics
Money to invest in vector / invest in pics

and most important I think

The "enjoyment" you have to produce vector / "enjoyment" to produce pics

Maybe also, do you have vectors accepted more easily than pictures... I also think that vectors are highly in demand so I would not hesitate to try myself whit vectors, what I wonder to do when the time will be there

jeancliclac · « **Reply #2 on:** April 23, 2008, 09:40 »

I know nothing in vectors, but it came to my mind when reading your post that it might be possible to use your pictures to create vectors?
By the way can you tell how you learned to make vectors, is there any tutorial on the net somewhere?
Thanks in advance!
jean

lisafx · « **Reply #3 on:** April 23, 2008, 10:05 »

I only submit photos. Why? Because that's what I like doing. Simple as that. Finances have always been a secondary consideration in this business for me.

For those of you artists that prefer making vectors/illustrations? Then that is what you should be doing and more power to you

nativelight · « **Reply #4 on:** April 23, 2008, 10:11 »

I've been trying to learn Illustrator so I could start uploading vectors and I'm finding it very difficult so far. I enjoy it though because it's doing something creative. Photography will always be my biggest passion, but sometimes it's fun to do other creative things too.

CofkoCof · « **Reply #5 on:** April 23, 2008, 10:26 »

I'm comparing the earning/time (which is some sort of productivness) and it's much greater in the vector case. It might take longer to make them, but they sell so much more. I'm thinking why would I spend time editing some picture when I could gain more from doing vectors.

Also you can reuse them more (make some icons and put them on different buttons, use same swirly curves over and over again,...). You can do that with pictures also, but usually it takes more time (you have to do some isolations or masking,...). Both things don't cost me any money (ok equipment does cost, but I'd buy it and take pictures even if I wasn't selling to stock). Ok maybe some electricity. And about enjoying: I enjoy doing both.

Quote from: jeancliclac on April 23, 2008, 09:40

I know nothing in vectors, but it came to my mind when reading your post that it might be possible to use your pictures to create vectors?
By the way can you tell how you learned to make vectors, is there any tutorial on the net somewhere?
Thanks in advance!
jean

Just google it: vector tutorials, tudvid, web 2.0 buttons. You'll get tons of useful tutorials.

Quote from: nativelight on April 23, 2008, 10:11

I've been trying to learn Illustrator so I could start uploading vectors and I'm finding it very difficult so far. I enjoy it though because it's doing something creative. Photography will always be my biggest passion, but sometimes it's fun to do other creative things too.

I don't find it hard. Started two months ago an already making pretty decent money. I couldn't to some complex people illustrations (don't even plan to).

rjmiz · « **Reply #6 on:** April 23, 2008, 10:29 »

Me.... I make Frankenstein Images. I borrow 1 part of a photo and put it into another photo and change it from a photo to an image.
Then I take part of that image and perform photoshoptic surgery on it. When I'm done I stand back .... look at it .... and scream "It's ALIVE!"

The MIZ

CofkoCof · « **Reply #7 on:** April 23, 2008, 10:34 »

Quote from: rjmiz on April 23, 2008, 10:29

Me.... I make Frankenstein Images. I borrow 1 part of a photo and put it into another photo and change it from a photo to an image.
Then I take part of that image and perform photoshoptic surgery on it. When I'm done I stand back .... look at it .... and scream "It's ALIVE!"

The MIZ

Yeah I've seen your images. Transforming vectors like you transform images is a simple and quick process. Use and reuse.

helix7 · « **Reply #8 on:** April 23, 2008, 10:43 »

Quote from: CofkoCof on April 23, 2008, 10:26

I'm comparing the earning/time (which is some sort of productivness) and it's much greater in the vector case. It might take longer to make them, but they sell so much more...

You just need to consider how much longer and how much more.

I've tossed around numbers in forums before about vectors outselling photos by a margin of 7x-10x. One thing I've always neglected to figure out, though, is the margin of time it takes to produce those vectors compared to photos. And quite honestly, it could be 7x-10x as long to produce a single vector image as compared to a single photo. So really, I would guess that things pretty much even out.

No doubt vectors earn more per image, but the time needed to produce them increases at a similar rate as the income does.

michealo · « **Reply #9 on:** April 23, 2008, 11:03 »

If vectors make more , it could be a good use of scarce upload slots on iStock

Pixart · « **Reply #10 on:** April 23, 2008, 13:35 »

One note about the amount of time to create...

Vector: presumably you have an idea and sit down at a computer. Don't get me wrong, I'm not denying that a lot of time goes into a single file.

Photo: Have an idea, get a model, make arrangements or rent location, arrange travel for models, prepare shooting list, print up releases, arrange costumes and makeup, check batteries, check backup gear, (then double check everything) pack gear, gas up car, drive to location, setup, clean up clutter, measure light, shoot, change costumes, shoot, find witnesses, get signatures, pack up gear, scan releases, backup RAW files, edit, clone... from that point the procedures are the same except for the how to compensate the model part, by cd, print, or cash.

Sure a photographer gets more shots from one sitting, (hopefully dozens or hundreds) but it isn't as "simple" as it appears at first glance.

Unless all your shots are the unplanned type.

helix7 · « **Reply #11 on:** April 23, 2008, 14:00 »

Quote from: Pixart on April 23, 2008, 13:35

...Sure a photographer gets more shots from one sitting, (hopefully dozens or hundreds) but it isn't as "simple" as it appears at first glance...

No doubt, and I certainly do not envy the amount of time photogs spend planning and organizing shoots. But as you mention, a photo shoot generates dozens, if not hundreds of images. To generate 100 vectors, even if I was doing this full-time and spending 40-50 hours a week at it, I figure I could generate 4-5 new vectors a day, or 25 per week max. I'm guessing a photog can plan, organize, and do all of the things you mention, generate 100 usable photos, and do it all in under a month, the time it would take me to make an equal number of vectors.

CofkoCof · « **Reply #12 on:** April 23, 2008, 14:37 »

Well I think I can earn more from vectors than from pictures if I spend the same ammount of time on it. Today I passed 100dl/day on SS (and the day is not over yet) and it's mostly thanks to vectors(70-80% of sales). I think I wouldn't be able to reach those number with photos in a while since I have no people, isolation photos (and to be honest my photos aren't spectacular since I'm still a beginner).

rjmiz · « **Reply #13 on:** April 23, 2008, 15:07 »

Good luck Corfkocof.

This business is just a game where we see just how we can bend it and shape it to suit our creativity.
Find out what your good at and flaunt it!

The MIZ

araminta · « **Reply #14 on:** April 23, 2008, 15:24 »

I've started doing photo, then 3D now I'm also starting vectors.

As I enjoy all these techniques (for different reasons), I will continue doing all of them because I think that if quality is the most important quality for a portfolio (sic), diversity is the second one and quantity the third.

The advantage of 3D and vector is that "objects" you create are easily reusable: the bigger your library of objects is, the easier and faster you are able to produce new pictures.

Another advantage is that the only limitation with vectors and 3D is your imagination... and your skills.

As a conclusion, I would say that if you can produce photo and vectors, you should not limit yourself to only one technique as it is an advantage you have compared to most contributors who are either good at photo, vector or 3D.

Now, concerning your portfolio, I think that your photo are not very stock oriented (animals, landscape) while your vectors are (icons): this is also one of the reason you have far more success with your vectors IMHO.

CofkoCof · « **Reply #15 on:** April 23, 2008, 15:45 »

I'm already combining vectors with photos. Isolated laptop with a world map illustration on it's screen, doing a data flow between laptop and mobile phone atm. Can also use the background from that image as a standalone vector.

I think I came to a decision today. I will only upload the best photos. Till now I just wanted to expand my portfolio but some of the images that got accepted don't sell. And I can see why not. By not editing "acceptable but not sellable" images I will have more time for doing vectors.

michaeldb · « **Reply #16 on:** April 23, 2008, 18:04 »

Quote from: araminta on April 23, 2008, 15:24

The advantage of 3D and vector is that "objects" you create are easily reusable: the bigger your library of objects is, the easier and faster you are able to produce new pictures.

Another advantage is that the only limitation with vectors and 3D is your imagination... and your skills.

True, and yet another advantage is that the skills used to do vector drawing and 3D modeling are almost identical. If you have done 3D modeling, then learning to do vectors is very easy, and vice versa. Vectors and vertices, filled-areas and polygons are essentially the same things.

And, of course, ai10 files can be imported into Max, Carrara, and other 3D programs to make instant 3D objects, yielding yet another way to use and re-use your 'library of objects'.

rinderart · « **Reply #17 on:** April 24, 2008, 00:07 »

Do what makes you happy. Myself It's pure photography. I like using My eyes instead of a computer. But I assume it's all good in the long run.

nicemonkey · « **Reply #18 on:** April 24, 2008, 01:24 »

Quote from: rinderart on April 24, 2008, 00:07

Do what makes you happy. Myself It's pure photography. I like using My eyes instead of a computer. But I assume it's all good in the long run.

I second this, weather you are doing stock as a hobby or a job if you don't enjoy what you are doing you will never produce your best work.

leaf · « **Reply #19 on:** April 24, 2008, 03:03 »

Quote from: michealo on April 23, 2008, 11:03

If vectors make more , it could be a good use of scarce upload slots on iStock

they actually all count towards your 25/week or whatever limit you are at. (it does for me anyhow) Video however, is on a separate counter.

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Author Topic: Why bother with photos (Read 8852 times)

CofkoCof

vonkara

jeancliclac

lisafx

nativelight

CofkoCof

rjmiz

CofkoCof

helix7

michealo

Pixart

helix7

CofkoCof

rjmiz

araminta

CofkoCof

michaeldb

rinderart

nicemonkey

leaf

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