MicrostockGroup
Microstock Footage Forum => General - Stock Video => Topic started by: PZF on January 28, 2016, 04:25
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Ok, sales of photos are fairly stagnant. Something needs to be done. I could upload to a squillion more dodgy/small sites to get a bit more action. Or there's footage which could be worth a try.
BUT...how to begin?!!! It seems a completely foreign and confusing world.
Any advice for real starter info on settings, (cheap) software, resolutions etc for stock?
I have an OMD EM5 which I gather does this:
1,920 x 1,080 (Full HD / 1080i), 1,280 x 720 (720p), and 640 x 480 (VGA) recording
AVCHD compression at Full HD and 720p resolutions, or MotionJPEG compression at 720p or below
MOV file format for AVCHD, AVI for MotionJPEG
I understand virtually nothing of this.
Is even my camera ok?
Help much appreciated.... Google has not been my friend to date on this!
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The shutterstock forum should have all the info you need, that's where I got most of mine from. Judging by the long review queues with Pond5 and SS, everyone else seems to of had the same idea. I think it will be much harder to sell footage this year, unless you can so something that buyers like that isn't oversupplied.
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Hmmm...have you tried finding anything useful on the SS forum lately?
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Wow, they ruined it. There was loads of good info there. There were some threads here as well, like this one
http://www.microstockgroup.com/equipment-and-software/most-saleable-video-settings-on-5d-mark-iii/ (http://www.microstockgroup.com/equipment-and-software/most-saleable-video-settings-on-5d-mark-iii/)
I use Adobe Premier Elements for editing, quite cheap.
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for stock, the equipment, settings and post processing learning curve is not too steep. a few online videos tutorials will do it.
but be prepared for LARGE files and LONG uploads unless you have HIGH SPEED upload bandwidth. most uploading will be running while you sleep at night.
it can be fun but unless you master smooth camera moves of unique content shot very well you will not earn much. it is not like photos where even mediocre stuff can sell.
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Thanks both. Really helpful. I'm not at all sure if it is for me, but I'm just considering options....
Nice point about the internet. Ours is really slow but I hear there is another provider now in our area with a better ie faster deal. I am seeing him tomorrow.
Did the spec of my camera sound good enough? If not,then that is a showstopper in any case and I won't waste any more time!
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I have a very positive experience with video sales
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Thanks both. Really helpful. I'm not at all sure if it is for me, but I'm just considering options....
Nice point about the internet. Ours is really slow but I hear there is another provider now in our area with a better ie faster deal. I am seeing him tomorrow.
Did the spec of my camera sound good enough? If not,then that is a showstopper in any case and I won't waste any more time!
From Olympus' website;
[MOV]
Full HD: 1920 and1080, 30p (29.97fps)* 20Mbps (fine) / 17Mbps (normal), Aspect ratio 16:9
HD: 1280×720, 30p (29.97fps)* 13Mbps (fine) / 10Mbps (normal), Aspect ratio 16:9
It is technically okay. But you will use 1080p 30p (or 29.97, same) and fine 20mbps settings. You can use it.
When shooting stock video, you need to make it in the first place. I mean composition, lighting, exposure... Editing without degrading the quality is almost impossible for a beginner.
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the camera itself will do just fine. I've gotten clips from Point and shoots, and cell phones accepted - and have them sell.
just imagine everything you used to shoot for stock photo, and now shoot that as video. a good place to start - i remember someone saying when i started with photos, is 'shoot what you know' which in most cases is going to be what you do for work, and then if you feel like you've shot that sufficiently, move on to shooting your hobbies - do you snowboard, mountain bike, surf, hike, sew, etc… and as it was mentioned already - its all about making it look good and smooth camera motions.
I've had a very positive experience with video and has certainly helped me ignore sometimes-dismal photo sales.
don't bother with spending your time on a million different small agencies. do what is worthwhile with the big ones.
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The OMD EM5 should be OK but if you want to get a second camera, the Panasonic G7 body is cheap, can use all the Olympus micro 4/3 lenses and has much better 1080 and 4k video.
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I think a major challenge these days for new comers is to muscle their way into a marketplace which is now home to millions of clips - and getting noticed. Shoot around topics you love and find fascinating and be prepared to put in at least 12 - 18 months of hard work before seeing any meaningful results sales wise.
At places like Pond5 (which is a big player for video) it usually takes a year before my clips start gaining traction and selling, why I have no idea but that's how it is for me. And anyone seriously starting out in video should be shooting in 4K.
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I agree with previous post regarding P5. I submitted my first large batches of videos in November. They are selling well on SS, VB, even got some sales on FT, but absolutely nothing on P5. Part of the problem is they only reviewed the content few weeks ago... hopefully they eventually produce some sales, or I'll stop believing that P5 is strong for video :D
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
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P5 is really slow on the review front. But seems like it's the best bet for videos.
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Don`t hope that Video is gonna save you. Sales have slowed down there as well. There are -just like in still images - many companies and contributors on the market which developed and adjusted for the market needs since many years. Beyond that, it takes usually a looooong time until sales kick in.
However, obviously, it all depends on your personal style, but prepare to have your patience tested.
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Video is now over supplied and not worth it. Concentrate on trying to find better niches in photography.
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Video is now over supplied and not worth it. Concentrate on trying to find better niches in photography.
Well, I suppose it depends on your expectations, but I have a very small video portfolio (about 200) of very basic clips and I've sold 4 on SS already this month.
Seems well worth it to me...
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Video is now over supplied and not worth it. Concentrate on trying to find better niches in photography.
Well, I suppose it depends on your expectations, but I have a very small video portfolio (about 200) of very basic clips and I've sold 4 on SS already this month.
Seems well worth it to me...
This is the reason video is becoming over-supplied, because people have to let everyone know their success stories. So it's nice that you can tell people your stats, but don't be surprised when new contributors act on this and become your direct comeptition
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Photos is still way easier to make money for me than footage
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Hi, this is my footage, please vote
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGV8eHLeNvk (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGV8eHLeNvk)
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Photos is still way easier to make money for me than footage
Oh yes, it is for me too - but I was responding to the OP - you have the equipment, you're out there anyway, why not shoot some clips and see how it goes - what's to lose?
I have some 200+ simple clips against some 3000+ images, and for 2015 I find the clips have made about 20% of my total income from stock. It won't last of course - as has been pointed out, the video market will become over supplied the same as the images one is; so best get in soonest!
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My problem is how to edit the clips in a quick and easy way. What is the light room equivalent for clips?
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I agree with previous post regarding P5. I submitted my first large batches of videos in November. They are selling well on SS, VB, even got some sales on FT, but absolutely nothing on P5. Part of the problem is they only reviewed the content few weeks ago... hopefully they eventually produce some sales, or I'll stop believing that P5 is strong for video :D
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Let's hope that new elitist recruit will save the sales and slow reviews on P5.
Career Fair is today, ONLY if you happen to study at Harvard (attachment) 8)
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Good to know that they are beginning to bring in awesome talent to grow the business
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Good to know that they are beginning to bring in awesome talent to grow the business
Agree...super curious to see how ivy league will fit with circus artists. ;-)
Times are definitely changing over there with removal of CEO. :)
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Thanks to everyone for their help and suggestions. Much appreciated! I doubt I will ever provide much sompetition, but another string to the bow may be helpful. If the camera is ok then I have little to lose. I'm thinking Adobe Premiere Elements for software. Sound sensible? Free trial and all that....!
PS Like the look of the DMC-G7 but no in camera stabilisation could be a pain as I have several Olympus lenses.... :(
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I'm sure we are all trying our best
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Hi, this is my footage, please vote
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGV8eHLeNvk (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGV8eHLeNvk)
hi i see your beautiful video on youtube can you explaid why microstock video accept design and brand on your video ? thank you. i am new on video but in photo i erase everything with photoshop.
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I don't know if anything gets any easier for editing video than FCPX - final cut pro X. only for macs though.
i like it better than paying to subscribe to the cloud. one time fee. everything you'll need - for stock anyways.
if you have a mac already, open iMovie, its like a higher powered version of that with better export options.