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Messages - Brasilnut
Pages: 1 ... 59 60 61 62 63 [64] 65
1576
« on: November 30, 2016, 17:55 »
Thanks for the advice everyone, I've applied to stock at once but they're pretty exclusive. Check out Arcangel Images. Been submitting to them for a year now and really like their setup.
1577
« on: November 29, 2016, 10:02 »
Congrats!  Also helps that the US$ is bullish.
1578
« on: November 29, 2016, 08:07 »
This all sounds a bit depressing to read, especially from a financial point of view as it's clear that earnings have dropped significantly for quality work. I've been submitting to microstock sites for 3 years part-time . I do get frustrated, as from a business point of view, it doesn't make much sense that is unless you live in a country where $500 a month is a good salary. As for getting burnt out, I haven't yet because I love photography too much and I look at microstock as a means to an end which helps me to keep things in perspective. Im grateful for my time submitting to Microstock sites, since Ive received an education in the technical aspects of photograph simply by participating in that market. Its like having a Bachelors in Photography without going to school. The money, which isn't much for the time spent, is a bonus and pays back for all the equipment i've purchased and gives me some revenue to upgrade regularly. The photography industry is huge and Im constantly exploring other opportunities outside of Microstock, such as fine art where some of my work has gone on display and editorial / photojournalism. Thanks to the skills I picked up submitting to Microstock I've landed a few gigs photographing residential properties and events. This type of work isn't for everybody and I urge that photographers starting out manage their expectations and think about the reasons why you want to go into this business. If it's just for the money, don't do it. Brasilnut www.arotenberg.photoshelter.com
1579
« on: November 29, 2016, 07:09 »
In my opinion, these types of images are more suited to midstock agencies rather than microstock.
1580
« on: November 29, 2016, 07:03 »
I have 67 sales over the past two years adding up to only $25.00. Am I licensing my photos incorrectly or is it unusual to sell photos for more than $2.00 a piece? My catalog consists mostly of landscape photos. Sounds about right, although only 1 download (let's not call it sale since you are licensing) every 11 days isn't so much (over a two year period). You must have a small portfolio and need to upload more (at least 1,000 high quality marketable images). So far in November I've got 300 downloads and have earned $200, earning 66 cents average. It did help a lot that I got one enhanced for $22.50 and some singles adding up to $12 thus increasing the average. Keep uploading! Good luck Brasilnut www.arotenberg.photoshelter.com
1581
« on: November 27, 2016, 09:05 »
160 portfolio only and $10.78 in sales 
1582
« on: November 25, 2016, 08:42 »
I got out of this sinking ship long ago!
1583
« on: November 21, 2016, 19:32 »
In line with the Pareto Principle, I earn 80% of my revenue from 20% of my images. In other words, most of my images either are either rarely licensed or have never been licensed. However, one trend is clear, newer quality content drives the sale of older quality content, especially from the top 20% earners. As for new mediocre content, it may pull the occasionally sale but old mediocre content will get forever lost in the search engine pits. Keep in mind that earnings do fluctuate as sites experiment with different search engine algorithms. I wouldn't worry too much about sales until you have at least 1000 marketable images spread out in 2-3 high-tier stock sites. I now have 2400 images at Shutterstock and my sales only really took off after about 1200 images and a few editorial images I shot of some refugees at a train station in Budapest. Editors picked up on such images quickly and it continues to sell well until today. This is a tough business and in my opinion it should be a stepping stone to something else (financially). I've moved onto selling my fine art images at physical galleries. I'm also moving onto licensing RM images to more boutique stock agencies which don't pay 25 cents but more like $25+ an image. I started in Microstock because I wasnt aware of any other way to monetize my photography. I put in the time and effort to learn how to make an image stand out, both technically and commercially. Despite what I feel are mediocre earnings, Im grateful for my time submitting to Microstock sites, since Ive received an education in the technical aspects of photograph simply by participating in that market. Its like having a Bachelors in Photography without going to school. Best way to stay motivated is to keep learning from rejections and manage your expectations. Brasilnut www.arotenberg.photoshelter.com
1584
« on: November 21, 2016, 19:16 »
I got extremely frustrated with Alamy for a while, this was when I uploaded 800 images and had none licensed after a year. Suddenly I got images licensed on the same week, each for $34 and $32 respectively. This gave me some more motivations to upload and now I have a portfolio of 1250. In my opinion, it appears that Licensees are getting smarter. I'm getting a lot of looks one some images which then end up being licensed regularly on Shutterstock, Perhaps they they see the same image on both Alamy and Shutterstock, and will go license it off Shutterstock as it's probably cheaper. So, I'm also getting smarter and thinking to be more selective on which sites I choose to upload. Alamy appears to be more suited to RM editorial and higher-end stock (RM). Brasilnut www.arotenberg.photoshelter.com
1585
« on: November 03, 2016, 08:44 »
How many mcrostock sites/blogs currently pay freelancers? I don't know how many but I've been offered some freelance writing work for one of the major sites. How many wannabe microstockers will buy from your site? I don't know, as it depends on my marketing efforts and ultimately down to the quality of the guide. I may put it out there for as little as $5.
1586
« on: November 03, 2016, 06:11 »
I'm receiving very helpful feedback.
1587
« on: October 26, 2016, 07:11 »
Buyers don't read ebooks on how to make money selling microstock photography. That's true. What I mean by opportunities is that this book may act as a springboard to earn by writing freelance articles for microstock sites / blogs. Also, the book should drive traffic to my site.
1588
« on: October 26, 2016, 05:01 »
'I've been busy putting together a "Brutally Honest Guide of How to Make Money Selling Microstock Photography". '
Why? I think it's a great way to promote my talent which may lead to opportunities and help some newbies starting out.
1589
« on: October 25, 2016, 15:44 »
Hey all I need your help!  Other than shooting, I've been busy putting together a "Brutally Honest Guide of How to Make Money Selling Microstock Photography". The draft is now at a whopping 60 pages and I think it will likely end finish at roughly 75 pages (10,000 words and 100 images). So, would anybody be interested in receiving the latest draft? I'm looking for honest feedback (even if it hurts) including whether the text / pics flow, whether it's interesting/boring, what you like/don't like, suggestions etc. I trust the feedback will provide useful. Please PM me if you are interested in receiving a copy. Thanks in advance. Brasilnut www.arotenberg.photoshelter.com
1590
« on: October 04, 2016, 14:53 »
well spoken Yada3.
brasilnut, as i echo what yada advised,
prime lens are far superior to zooms and faster and lighter... and cheaper.
the pro top of the line cameras are fine if you're shooting 18 hours a day in studio,etc..
that's what you pay for the top of the line, it's for the rough wear and tear .
but if you're not doing that sort of heavy shooting, you'll save money with prime lenses
as it is the glass that counts, not the body.
many photogs over spend on the body , when really you could have used that money
to get your studio lighting, and a more superior zoom if need...
in exchange for a less expensive latest model issue body with all the bells and whistle. That's true. My first lens other than the kit lens was a 50mm f1.8 and loved it. Thereafter, I upgraded to my now all-time favourite (and bulky) 24-70 f2.8 and a 10-20mm wide angle (crop sensor) which I also love. I didn't have to upgrade a d800 but had some extra cash (not from stock earning). I also bought an sb-900 flash gun which I used quite a bit at indoor events.
1591
« on: October 02, 2016, 15:16 »
Yes he was one of a kind and had some great talents. I don't know if any of the tutorials work anymore.
I'd have all the equipment I use if I did Microstock or not. I didn't start to do this cheap sales, I already have the photos and equipment so I added Microstock for some small income and fun. That will get some hate mail, because some people think this isn't supposed to be fun. Make work into fun and you'll be much happier with life.
Good pdf Brazilnut. You could have saved much money by buying a good top prime lens and keeping the lower camera. Too late now. Your discovery is that good photos sell and common photos don't? Purpose, content and subject are much more important. You have nice work and compositin. That's what sells, not the expensive camera that you used.
If you aren't on Fotolia you should be. I agree it should be fun and I generally enjoy myself taking shots (not so much the keywording). I need it as a therapy since my other day job isn't creative. Thanks! I'm in the painstakingly slow process of putting together a 10,000 word comprehensive guide with 100 pic examples on how to get started with microstock, so stay tuned! Will check out Fotolia
1592
« on: September 29, 2016, 05:54 »
Another handy guide Brasilnut
By the way "Rejection reason No. 1: Poor Lighting: Image has exposure issues, unfavorable lighting conditions,
and/or incorrect white balance."
can also include blown pixels and clipped shadows (at least with Shutterstock)
even a single blown pixel will get you this rejection.
It doesn't seem to be a problem with other agencies. Since Shutterstock reviewers are only paid 5 cents per image they inspect, to make UK minimum wage which is equivalent to $8.70, they would need to review 174 images an hour (almost 3 images a minute) There's a huge margin of error, especially after taking into account fatigue after hours of doing this repetitive work. Perhaps they also have a quota of rejections they must meet (i'm speculating now).
1593
« on: September 29, 2016, 05:46 »
"This isn't a zero sum game" h'mmmmm I'm getting myself a drone soon, this will open up a new world of possibilities...until I get arrested
1594
« on: September 28, 2016, 12:32 »
But most on this site are your competitors. If you are looking for buyers, wouldnt your writings be geared more towards buyers, and posted on forums where buyers hang out? That's a good question. I'm also posting on Linkedin, although less about technical stuff and more about the business side. My first article about how much i've earned over 3-4 years is generating a nice discussion with most photographers calling me naive and ego-driven to submit my images RF for pennies. As for competitors, I don't see them that way. I think we should all be here to help each other and when I was starting out I would often post my images for review and got great feedback. This isn't a zero sum game.
1595
« on: September 28, 2016, 11:17 »
I did not click your link, but in all fairness, even though you are giving away the info, you are driving people to your photoshelter site, where I would assume you ARE selling images. Correct? If so, you do have an underlying motive and your information is not totally altruistic. That said, your writings might help some regardless. You are correct. My aim is to run a profitable business and I have reasonable costs that need covering. Therefore, I think it's fair that I'll give stuff away for free (which took me 2 hours to put together) and hope to drive traffic to my site where opportunities may arise (I don't sell via Photoshelter). For example, a curator may propose to exhibit my work at a gallery, or simply a buyer is interested in purchasing one of my prints. More "free" stuff to come soon
1596
« on: September 28, 2016, 07:18 »
The wording from the second poster reminded me of an advert response. Like ones where they say I use to spend hours chopping onions but with my onion pro 2000 I now have tonnes of time to relax. Thanks so much mr onion pro you're a lifesaver.
Didn't mean to offend No worries, didn't offend. I think this business is making everybody, including me, so cynical as it's cut-throat. I rather give stuff like this away for free than try to sell. This way I'm setting myself up for a bigger reward in the long run.
1597
« on: September 28, 2016, 06:36 »
100% crop
1598
« on: September 28, 2016, 06:35 »
I forgot to include this in the guide as I think it's relevant.
This image has never been accepted into my collection for a focus rejection and I've must have re-submitted it 5 times and always rejected. It's a pity because I really like it and was a special moment. It's frustrating having to walk away for an image that perhaps isn't technically excellent but has good commercial value, it's too bad reviewers won't see it that way.
Here i've also included the 100% crop.
Brasilnut
1599
« on: September 28, 2016, 06:11 »
Which leads you to a link, which leads you to Brasilnut's portfolio page on which I cannot find any article? It's in the attachment to the thread "* Guide of Five Most Common Stock Photography Rejections and how to fix them using Lightroom.pdf (456.41 kB - downloaded 19 times.)"
1600
« on: September 28, 2016, 06:06 »
Wow, thank for the guide. These happen to be my common rejection reasons too. Thanks for providing before and after fix comparison. Hopefully, we can automate some of the fixes with AxonGuru soon.
You're welcome! I didn't include other common rejections such as Trademark, keywording, dust spots, Chromatic aberration as the article would be too long but they are still stuff we have to be careful with when submitting. I'll include them in the larger guide, just need a bit more time + energy to draft away. Good luck, Brasilnlut
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