Photo art conversions - allowed on any microstock sites?

[jeffclow]

I apologize if this has been asked before, but can anyone tell me if any of the microstock sites accept photo art conversions (original photos converted to pseudo artwork using software)....? 

Here's an example of what I'm inquiring about.

[Karimala]

Not usually.  The sites like to let the buyers make the decisions on how to convert the images.

[jeffclow]

I am not sure a buyer would know the technique to convert the shot to the pseudo artwork .... I've been experimenting with several different work flows to get the results.

Has anyone had something like this approved at any of the microstock sites?

[Magnum]

I promise u it�s been done before somehow. It looks like a simple Ps filter, even though it�s more complicated.   I�m sure it�s reviewers favorite rejection subjects.     Imagine all of us, doubling our portfolio with that technique.  Im kind of glad it�s not possible...

[weknow]

Hi Jeff,

If your original photo's are good, they might be much better sellers on microstock!

Maybe micro-agencys might take a few of these "translations" of an original photo. Some will not like them at all. Others might give a few a try. If your techniques don't blur or grain or uneven edges to much...etc. It will be judged on the technical merits of a photograph and in my experience most "changed" photo's have effects (look at them 100%) which will become explained as technical "not good" in the eyes of micro-judges. But even: when accepted, they probably will not be hot sellers on micro. You have to consider if the lots of work to use these techniques in a quality way are worth the pennies you get on microstock! In my opinion a good use of all kinds of unusual techniques can create real art: not because it's an imitation of a painting, but it gives you opportunities to use a different image-language! It's not the effect, but what an image communicates that matters!

There are sites (not micro) where this kind of converted photo's may sell on higher (macro, art) prices. You better should try to sell this kind of work with them!
Certainly when you have a portfolio with several images in a recognisable own style, there might be a public and costumers for on sites that look for illustration or more original work than micro. F.e. try Veer.

Hope my answer is relevant to you!
Regards

[jeffclow]

I appreciate the responses.......so far those who have seen these conversions fall into two camps:

1) I love it - can you do a photo of me...of my baby...of my dog....in that style?

2) I don't like it at all.

The reason that I'm asking is that the people who like it seem to REALLY like the pseudo artwork, and thus I thought there might be a market for them.

Thanks for the suggestions about Veer - any other sites for "artwork" that you'd recommend instead of microstock sites?

[Magnum]

Rule no1: If it�s easy to make,  it�s not going to be worth anything.    I guess it�s possible to record a Ps action, and make it with pushing one button.

You have beautiful originals there. But Ps filtering have such a bad reputation in this business..

Ps.  Don�t trust family and friends.  They always like your work

[Lcjtripod]

I have tried it before and gave up.

Chances are you will get an "over filtered, send the original image" rejection.

Actually, if the designer is worth being called a Designer he/she can do it with no problem. ..... and many do.

-Larry.

[sharply_done]

I appreciate the responses.......so far those who have seen these conversions fall into two camps: ...

That may very well be, but I'm guessing you're getting these comments on Flickr, which is not a commercial image agency, and the people making the requests are not commercial buyers. Although these might have artistic appeal, I don't think there's a lot of commercial value present.
Still, you'll never know for sure until you try. It won't take much time/effort to upload a few ... go for it!

[PeterChigmaroff]

I've tried a few and seems that rejection is the end result.

[jeffclow]

Thanks for feedback - and I concur that using feedback from family is never any good.  I actually was getting the feedback from strangers, but they aren't commercial buyers....and that's a point well taken.

I was thinking that this type of conversion might stand out in the crowded marketplace, but didn't want to waste the effort uploading if the agencies don't even consider this type of work - and it sounds like most don't.

I'm grateful for the perspective you've all shared.

[WarrenPrice]

Get the first-hand opinion, Jeff.  Submit a few ... to a few different places. 

Let us know what happens.

[jeffclow]

Thanks for the encouragement, Warren.....

I think all of us are hoping for an edge in the microstock world that would help us float to the top of the millions of shots out there.  That's why I started experimenting with the various filters to create this pseudo art.

The original images are okay - but when I've converted them and shown them to others online I was startled to have several people (not friends nor family) ask if they could buy a print....which got me to thinking.

Here's another one - not sure whether it is unique and unusual ... or simply a piece of crap.  That's why I started this thread - because I knew if it was crap, people would confirm it pretty quickly.

[Pixart]

SS does accept this style, but I think you owe it to the buyer to mark "photo illustration" in the description.  StockXpert used to, not sure if they would now as they have changed reviewing standards in the past few months. 

[dmark3]

I apologize if this has been asked before, but can anyone tell me if any of the microstock sites accept photo art conversions (original photos converted to pseudo artwork using software)....? 

Here's an example of what I'm inquiring about.

I've done it a number of times and have been somewhat successful on some sites (123rf and Dreamstime).  But, I have a large array of photo programs/software to do this with.  After 24 years in the US Air Force I've been able to manipulate a number of image!!

[Dreamframer]

Yes, most sites are accepting this. I know it because I have several images, on 10 sites and they sell. Even Crestock accepts them. I was just mentioning one of my images sold for $100 on Canstockphoto. I don't know about your photo, but mine look like real paintings, and there are printers that can print with oil on canvas.




This one is sold for $100:

[crazychristina]

You might sell these as prints on sites such as RedBubble. I think there are a few other similar sites (DeviantArt?, ImageKind?). They sell prints of various types, not the digital files. You can try that avenue as well as microstock - there's no conflict there.

[Dreamframer]

Thank you for the tip averil. Maybe I'll try it. I already have an account on DeviantArt.

[crazychristina]

RB sells a lot of greeting cards, Ts, and of course calendars at the end of the year. If you've got a dozen images in a similar style or theme then selling them as a calendar is not a bad idea.

[goldenangel]

Thanks for the tips averil. Another site I got recommendation for is zazzle.com. I just opened my account there today.

About photo art conversions, I also have some images like that in my portfolio. and they do sell.

[Karimala]

I used to be a reviewer, and it was policy to reject images like this at the agency where I worked.  I can't speak for the other sites.

I am not sure a buyer would know the technique to convert the shot to the pseudo artwork .... I've been experimenting with several different work flows to get the results.

Has anyone had something like this approved at any of the microstock sites?

[Dreamframer]

Yes Karimala,
Obviously everything is about policy. On the other site, buyers love this kind of images. Probably some policies should be changed. We want to satisfy our buyers, aren't we?

[jeffclow]

Thanks much for the additional non-microstock site suggestions - I'll definitely give them a try.

[RacePhoto]

I've tried a few and seems that rejection is the end result.

Late but this covers it. I tried at various sites and was rejected by all that had reviews. I put a few up on Red Bubble and have had no interest.

That doesn't mean they won't sell, because all buyers aren't able to make photos into something else, or may not have the original shot. But your opportunities for sales are much more limited. Mine are not made to look like paintings like Whitechild, they look more abstract.

Might as well shoot one out to SS and see what happens. I only did the first six sites, didn't attempt IS or SS.

[Milinz]

Thanks much for the additional non-microstock site suggestions - I'll definitely give them a try.

Just one more idea:

There are people who do this or that with their customers images...

So, why not try to make some kind of service (make your own site and use some safe payment methods as paypal) and try to work on other peoples images with giving them some sort of artistic style with charging some reasonable sums for that?