Author Topic: Best Sites ? (Read 7320 times)

umdash9 · « **on:** July 04, 2016, 04:37 »

In October 2014 I lost my job as a designer in the shopfitting industry when the company I worked for went out of business, 20 months later it has become clear that at 58 I probably will not get another job. So time to take my stock photography a bit more seriously, as it is now my only income, I take a lot of travel pictures, editorial shots of events classic car shows, triathlons, regatta's, I also take backgrounds, some table top stuff, also photos of my own hand drawn illustrations and paintings.

I upload to six sites.

Shutterstock
780 files - by a mile my best site, $760 made over 3 years, although much of that is recent, $123 last month.

Istock
615 files - $200 made over 3 years, this is the site I love to hate, I find the upload process very time consuming and their editors do not like my captions, seeming to want a small novel attached ! also their policy on buildings is a bit of a problem.

Fotolia
316 files $56 made over 6 months, I have not been using this site very long and wish I had started with it earlier, only problem no editorial allowed so only half my portfolio.

Bigstock
750 files $62 over 21 months, can't figure this site out, it started to sell well for a few week, then just stops completely nothing for 10-12 days.

Dreamstime
816 files $118 over 3 years, I really like this Website, but their sales are very poor ( maybe my content is wrong for this site) adding more files does not seem to improve my sales.

Depositphotos
620 files $12.65 over 6 months really not much activity here.

I am thinking of not uploading any more photos to Dreamstime or Depositphotos and try two new sites, any suggestions ?

Link to my Shutterstock Portfolio

image

Stock Photos, Royalty-Free Images and Vectors - Shuttersto...
Search millions of royalty-free stock photos, illustrations, and vector...
View on www.shutterstock.com
Preview by Yahoo

Martin

ShadySue · « **Reply #1 on:** July 04, 2016, 05:41 »

Alamy might be worth a try, as you mostly shoot editorial; the downside being that at the moment* editorial photos can only be RM, and you can't upload RM to Alamy files which are elsewhere as RF or sisters/similars.
*'Soon' (whatever that means) they are going to introduce RF editorial, in which case you'd have nothing to lose.
Still, I had the same number of credit dls on iS as on Alamy last month (iS is dropping like a stone for me, for credit sales), but I still made more on iStock.

L

Quote from: umdash9 on July 04, 2016, 04:37

In October 2014 I lost my job as a designer in the shopfitting industry when the company I worked for went out of business, 20 months later it has become clear that at 58 I probably will not get another job. So time to take my stock photography a bit more seriously, as it is now my only income, I take a lot of travel pictures, editorial shots of events classic car shows, triathlons, regatta's, I also take backgrounds, some table top stuff, also photos of my own hand drawn illustrations and paintings.

I upload to six sites.

Shutterstock
780 files - by a mile my best site, $760 made over 3 years, although much of that is recent, $123 last month.

Istock
615 files - $200 made over 3 years, this is the site I love to hate, I find the upload process very time consuming and their editors do not like my captions, seeming to want a small novel attached ! also their policy on buildings is a bit of a problem.

Fotolia
316 files $56 made over 6 months, I have not been using this site very long and wish I had started with it earlier, only problem no editorial allowed so only half my portfolio.

Bigstock
750 files $62 over 21 months, can't figure this site out, it started to sell well for a few week, then just stops completely nothing for 10-12 days.

Dreamstime
816 files $118 over 3 years, I really like this Website, but their sales are very poor ( maybe my content is wrong for this site) adding more files does not seem to improve my sales.

Depositphotos
620 files $12.65 over 6 months really not much activity here.

I am thinking of not uploading any more photos to Dreamstime or Depositphotos and try two new sites, any suggestions ?

Link to my Shutterstock Portfolio

image

Stock Photos, Royalty-Free Images and Vectors - Shuttersto...
Search millions of royalty-free stock photos, illustrations, and vector...
View on www.shutterstock.com
Preview by Yahoo

Martin

Sean Locke Photography · « **Reply #2 on:** July 04, 2016, 08:01 »

Quote from: umdash9 on July 04, 2016, 04:37

... I take a lot of travel pictures, editorial shots of events classic car shows, triathlons, regatta's, I also take backgrounds, some table top stuff, also photos of my own hand drawn illustrations and paintings....

...any suggestions ?...

Thing is, aside from your own illustrations and paintings, those things are very easy to shoot and what lots of people walk around taking pictures of. Adding another site or two won't really change that. You'll need to change what you're shooting, not where you're uploading it.

Rose Tinted Glasses · « **Reply #3 on:** July 04, 2016, 09:13 »

Quote from: Sean Locke Photography on July 04, 2016, 08:01

Quote from: umdash9 on July 04, 2016, 04:37
... I take a lot of travel pictures, editorial shots of events classic car shows, triathlons, regatta's, I also take backgrounds, some table top stuff, also photos of my own hand drawn illustrations and paintings....

...any suggestions ?...

Thing is, aside from your own illustrations and paintings, those things are very easy to shoot and what lots of people walk around taking pictures of. Adding another site or two won't really change that. You'll need to change what you're shooting, not where you're uploading it.

Regattas are easy to shoot? Obviously you have never photographed one.

Sean Locke Photography · « **Reply #4 on:** July 04, 2016, 10:56 »

Quote from: Rose Tinted Glasses on July 04, 2016, 09:13

Quote from: Sean Locke Photography on July 04, 2016, 08:01
Quote from: umdash9 on July 04, 2016, 04:37
... I take a lot of travel pictures, editorial shots of events classic car shows, triathlons, regatta's, I also take backgrounds, some table top stuff, also photos of my own hand drawn illustrations and paintings....

...any suggestions ?...

Thing is, aside from your own illustrations and paintings, those things are very easy to shoot and what lots of people walk around taking pictures of. Adding another site or two won't really change that. You'll need to change what you're shooting, not where you're uploading it.

Regattas are easy to shoot? Obviously you have never photographed one.

www.shutterstock.com/cat.mhtml?searchterm=regatta

28,000 images . It's the kind of thing (like car shows and air shows, etc.) that anyone can go to and take photos.

Rose Tinted Glasses · « **Reply #5 on:** July 04, 2016, 11:39 »

Quote from: Sean Locke Photography on July 04, 2016, 10:56

Quote from: Rose Tinted Glasses on July 04, 2016, 09:13
Quote from: Sean Locke Photography on July 04, 2016, 08:01
Quote from: umdash9 on July 04, 2016, 04:37
... I take a lot of travel pictures, editorial shots of events classic car shows, triathlons, regatta's, I also take backgrounds, some table top stuff, also photos of my own hand drawn illustrations and paintings....

...any suggestions ?...

Thing is, aside from your own illustrations and paintings, those things are very easy to shoot and what lots of people walk around taking pictures of. Adding another site or two won't really change that. You'll need to change what you're shooting, not where you're uploading it.

Regattas are easy to shoot? Obviously you have never photographed one.

www.shutterstock.com/cat.mhtml?searchterm=regatta

28,000 images . It's the kind of thing (like car shows and air shows, etc.) that anyone can go to and take photos.

28,000 images that are mostly not regattas. The images that are regatta themed mostly are basic boat to boat style like you are suggesting anyone and everyone can do - which I will give you. I am talking shooting a regatta for real. Not just taking pretty pictures of lots of boats together. There is very little in the first several pages that would excite real sailors as there is no action to be seen, again just pretty pictures of lots of boats. If you even understood regattas/sailing, you would notice this right away. But yeah, they are easy to shoot, cause you said so.

umdash9 · « **Reply #6 on:** July 04, 2016, 13:24 »

Quote from: Sean Locke Photography on July 04, 2016, 08:01

Quote from: umdash9 on July 04, 2016, 04:37
... I take a lot of travel pictures, editorial shots of events classic car shows, triathlons, regatta's, I also take backgrounds, some table top stuff, also photos of my own hand drawn illustrations and paintings....

...any suggestions ?...

Thing is, aside from your own illustrations and paintings, those things are very easy to shoot and what lots of people walk around taking pictures of. Adding another site or two won't really change that. You'll need to change what you're shooting, not where you're uploading it.

I do OK with these subjects especially with classic cars on shutterstock (you have to know what you have just taken a photo of) just looking for better sites than Dreamstime and Depositphoto.
OK what really sells for you.

Stock Wife · « **Reply #7 on:** July 04, 2016, 13:52 »

You might try 123. They take editorial and commercial images and the upload process is much simpler than others (no categories). They are not fast sellers for us (and like BigStock, we have up and down streaks with them) but they are generally good earners. DT is the site with which I'm least impressed but I do get occasional sales that make it seem worth it. And their sub royalties are high relative to where newbies get started on other sites.

Mellimage · « **Reply #8 on:** July 04, 2016, 15:17 »

Quote from: Stock Wife on July 04, 2016, 13:52

You might try 123. They take editorial and commercial images and the upload process is much simpler than others (no categories).

I can't recommend them. Low returns on investment, and not always trustworthy partners.
So maybe Alamy might be worth a try. But I also like Sean's recommendation - change what you are shooting, not where you are uploading (I should print this as a reminder!!)

Sean Locke Photography · « **Reply #9 on:** July 04, 2016, 18:05 »

Quote from: Rose Tinted Glasses on July 04, 2016, 11:39

But yeah, they are easy to shoot, cause you said so.

I'm certainly not saying I'm an expert (or have ever shot) a regatta. But like those other public events, there's enough people who go to them and have cameras that there are plenty of available images, and it certainly isn't something in high demand. If the OP wants to make more money, adding another site will bring a couple of dollars here and there. Putting effort into what you are shooting will be more productive.

Rose Tinted Glasses · « **Reply #10 on:** July 04, 2016, 18:47 »

Quote from: Sean Locke Photography on July 04, 2016, 18:05

Quote from: Rose Tinted Glasses on July 04, 2016, 11:39
But yeah, they are easy to shoot, cause you said so.

I'm certainly not saying I'm an expert (or have ever shot) a regatta. But like those other public events, there's enough people who go to them and have cameras that there are plenty of available images, and it certainly isn't something in high demand. If the OP wants to make more money, adding another site will bring a couple of dollars here and there. Putting effort into what you are shooting will be more productive.

Not sure about those other public events, as I have never shot one of them. As far as regattas go and quality sailing shots, I've more than covered my fair share, and surprisingly there is a very high demand for quality sailing shots. That said, it helps if you have been assigned to shoot the regatta and have full access with a great captain who can run a rib boat and get you in nice and close and also out of trouble fast as needed to get the good shots.

Jo Ann Snover · « **Reply #11 on:** July 04, 2016, 19:37 »

I don't see a link to your portfolio in your original post, just the main site, so without any idea of what you shoot, here are a couple of suggestions - which are slight variation's on Sean's advice to think about what else you might shoot.

Assuming your technical skills (shooting and post processing) are where they need to be, think about some subjects you might consider shooting. Use Shutterstock for a site to research with because for the moment, for the microstock agencies, it's probably the best and largest collection. Search the site using some likely keywords for those subjects. How many results are there? What do you see in the first few hundred?

If there are 100 or 200 total results, you're probably looking at a low demand subject and unless you think something might change, there is probably not a lot of reason to try to add to the content. An exception to that? A few years back I got Bell's Palsy. I didn't see much in the way of images on Shutterstock so thought that might be worth shooting. It has been - not a mega seller, but based on seeing images of a skin condition sell well a few years before that, I concluded that when there's something you can't easily fake and various businesses who deal with that situation might need the images, it was a reasonable bet (and only cost my time versus any cash outlay).

Another exception: if you think there's a small demand, and none of the stuff already there is all that good, *and* you can add some content for no cost and very little time, then give it a try. You can build up a number of modest niches (especially if it's a subject that will age well - i.e. not anything dependent on technology or clothes/hair styles) that can keep the income growing.

If you see many thousands or tens of thousands of results, you have a possible candidate, but you have to look at whether you can do something better or different or local to carve out a niche for yourself. Perhaps you have a friend who hikes or climbs or builds boats or ... who might be able to give you some good shots. You can consider shots with a person in them (which need a model release) but show only their hands or just in the distance (i.e. not their face if there are concerns about having images of themselves for sale).

If you see hundreds of thousands (and your keyword isn't woman) then probably there's not much reason to try and add something as there's so much already there.

Good luck

SpaceStockFootage · « **Reply #12 on:** July 04, 2016, 20:45 »

I know little about regattas, but I know a little bit about media production and stock. There may not be a lot of images that will get sailors excited, but it's not always going to be sailors that are buying these images to stick on their wall.

There will be a lot of exceptions, but I'd say that in most cases it's going to be media people, graphic designers, video producers etc... who are going to search for regatta and then choose the pretty pictures or videos with lots of boats together. Sure, clients might not sign off on such an image if it doesn't accurately represent what they need it too, but accuracy isn't always sexy.

I'd search for regatta on a bunch of sites and then order by sales. If the proper regatta shots are selling well then it's worth the time and the effort. If pretty pictures of a bunch of boats are top of the list then try a bit of that. If it's less effort for more sales then why not give that a try? Work smart, not hard.

Make good stuff. Be unique. Find a niche. I mean, sure, everyone wants to make their own Godfather, Raging Bull, The Wrestler, The Deer Hunter (random examples of films that a lot of people consider classics)... but if the purpose of making stock is to get as many sales as possible, then there's nothing wrong with uploading a bit of Transformers, Twilight and the Fast and the Furious.

umdash9 · « **Reply #13 on:** July 05, 2016, 10:53 »

Quote from: Jo Ann Snover on July 04, 2016, 19:37

I don't see a link to your portfolio in your original post, just the main site, so without any idea of what you shoot, here are a couple of suggestions - which are slight variation's on Sean's advice to think about what else you might shoot.

Assuming your technical skills (shooting and post processing) are where they need to be, think about some subjects you might consider shooting. Use Shutterstock for a site to research with because for the moment, for the microstock agencies, it's probably the best and largest collection. Search the site using some likely keywords for those subjects. How many results are there? What do you see in the first few hundred?

If there are 100 or 200 total results, you're probably looking at a low demand subject and unless you think something might change, there is probably not a lot of reason to try to add to the content. An exception to that? A few years back I got Bell's Palsy. I didn't see much in the way of images on Shutterstock so thought that might be worth shooting. It has been - not a mega seller, but based on seeing images of a skin condition sell well a few years before that, I concluded that when there's something you can't easily fake and various businesses who deal with that situation might need the images, it was a reasonable bet (and only cost my time versus any cash outlay).

Another exception: if you think there's a small demand, and none of the stuff already there is all that good, *and* you can add some content for no cost and very little time, then give it a try. You can build up a number of modest niches (especially if it's a subject that will age well - i.e. not anything dependent on technology or clothes/hair styles) that can keep the income growing.

If you see many thousands or tens of thousands of results, you have a possible candidate, but you have to look at whether you can do something better or different or local to carve out a niche for yourself. Perhaps you have a friend who hikes or climbs or builds boats or ... who might be able to give you some good shots. You can consider shots with a person in them (which need a model release) but show only their hands or just in the distance (i.e. not their face if there are concerns about having images of themselves for sale).

If you see hundreds of thousands (and your keyword isn't woman) then probably there's not much reason to try and add something as there's so much already there.

Good luck

Thanks very much Martin

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Author Topic: Best Sites ? (Read 7320 times)

umdash9

ShadySue

Sean Locke Photography

Rose Tinted Glasses

Sean Locke Photography

Rose Tinted Glasses

umdash9

Stock Wife

Mellimage

Sean Locke Photography

Rose Tinted Glasses

Jo Ann Snover

SpaceStockFootage

umdash9

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