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Author Topic: Hello all  (Read 2766 times)

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« on: June 10, 2012, 10:24 »
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I'm new here and new to microstock, I have a Dreamstime account (4 sales so far) and a bigstockphoto account (no sales) looking forward to getting some tips  :)


« Reply #1 on: June 10, 2012, 10:43 »
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I'm new here and new to microstock, I have a Dreamstime account (4 sales so far) and a bigstockphoto account (no sales) looking forward to getting some tips  :)

read! :D

« Reply #2 on: June 10, 2012, 10:59 »
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Welcome. I'd suggest that you get accepted to the rest of the top 4 sites if you're interested in making money selling your images.

BigStock used to be a smaller but reasonably reliable seller, but for new work, I think it's close to dead. I have been selling via microstock since 2004 and started with BigStock in 2005. I was "away" (exclusive with iStock) from 2008-11 and so uploaded as a "newbie" to BigStock last June. Sales have been just about non-existent, and I know my work sells as it does everywhere else it's uploaded to.

Another contributor said that only older files were selling for them at BigStock, so that may be the issue.

« Reply #3 on: June 10, 2012, 11:15 »
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I'm new here and new to microstock, I have a Dreamstime account (4 sales so far) and a bigstockphoto account (no sales) looking forward to getting some tips  :)

Get your stuff on Shutterstock and IS. That's where most of the money is.

« Reply #4 on: June 10, 2012, 11:48 »
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Thank you both :)
I have been refused from Shutterstock and iStock twice now, the pics that where refused are all on Dreamstime and Bigstock, I would appreciate an honest opinion on my portfolios, dont worry about being kind just because im a newbie I want to get good at this ;)

« Reply #5 on: June 10, 2012, 12:02 »
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SS is looking for commercial subjects and pretty, punchy, colorful images, so I could imagine that your animal-landscape images with very natural looking (i.e. somewhat muted) colors wouldn't appeal to them as much.

IS would probably give you lighting rejections on a number of your shots - what were the reasons your images were rejected? You can pick the day and time of day on landscapes, so shots like this one just won't fly with most of the agencies. If you're going to do isolated work, even if you isolate in post processing, you'll need to control the light in shots like this to avoid those hard-edged, dark shadows. Having a tri-grip reflector/scrim can make a world of difference, and requires no assistant.

The other big thing is picking subjects. If you like landscapes, make them of places people write about, visit or are aspirational or themed in some way. You can look at best selling images on the top 4 sites to get an idea of what sells. Most of your port so far is of low-selling subject matter - this isn't a reflection on your photography, just on its commercial appeal.

« Reply #6 on: June 10, 2012, 12:12 »
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Thanks Jo, I have been thinking I need more shots that are set up with stock in mind, time to dust of my studio kit (even if it is an eBay cheepie  :D )

« Reply #7 on: June 10, 2012, 12:58 »
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Thanks Jo, I have been thinking I need more shots that are set up with stock in mind, time to dust of my studio kit (even if it is an eBay cheepie  :D )

"Ebay cheepies" can actually prove to be horrifically expensive in wasted shoots and lost opportunities __ as I found to my own cost when I started. With decent lights what you are paying for is consistency of output and re-charge speed. Essential. One good stock shot can easily recover the entire cost of a good lighting kit inside of a year. There is absolutely no point in struggling with 'cheap' rubbish if you are in any way serious about microstock.

In 'stock photography' the actual photography is the easy bit for anyone who is technically competent. The difficult bit is understanding what sells and why and then developing your own style to fulfill niches. To be successful you need to find your own niche subject(s) and become good at shooting it.

« Reply #8 on: June 10, 2012, 18:55 »
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I'm new here and new to microstock, I have a Dreamstime account (4 sales so far) and a bigstockphoto account (no sales) looking forward to getting some tips  :)

read! :D
luissantos84's advice is invaluable at times  :-\

Every now and then I'll step in to "translate" his statements. What he is saying is that you should kindly take advantage of the search feature on this forum to read up on the basics of microstock.

Many questions can be answered by simply browsing the various sub forums. If you still have questions and cannot find an answer you are most welcome to post it here on the forum or send luissantos84 a PM to get a more detailed answer.

Thanks for becoming part of MSG  :)

« Reply #9 on: June 10, 2012, 19:09 »
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I'm new here and new to microstock, I have a Dreamstime account (4 sales so far) and a bigstockphoto account (no sales) looking forward to getting some tips  :)

read! :D
luissantos84's advice is invaluable at times  :-\

Every now and then I'll step in to "translate" his statements. What he is saying is that you should kindly take advantage of the search feature on this forum to read up on the basics of microstock.

Many questions can be answered by simply browsing the various sub forums. If you still have questions and cannot find an answer you are most welcome to post it here on the forum or send luissantos84 a PM to get a more detailed answer.

Thanks for becoming part of MSG  :)

ahahah sometimes I dont have time to explain that detailed, I always try to help out if I know, that said there are tons of other here that are way more gifted explaining ;D


 

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