Creating a Shop Window for Your Photographic Business

If you’re thinking of, or you are already are earning some money with your camera then you really do need to create an online presence. Not necessarily a multi-paged website but maybe places where you can post some images or even sell them to the visitors. I’m not talking Microstock Libraries here; I’m talking about a shop window or online portfolio where you as the author of the image can have full control over the sales and prices etc.

There are many options available to you depending on exactly what you require and how much time and money you wish to dedicate to your enterprise. There is no need to spend a fortune in getting everything set up if you don’t want to. You can start with a few pounds or dollars and have you images for sale within a couple of hours. Let’s have a look at the easier option which is simply to register with a website that will display your images, take the buyers money and process the sales on your behalf.

When you first go to the site you need to create an account and fill in a simple form. This is the usual required information such as name, address, email etc. Once your account is set up simply login and you will be taken to your homepage. It is on this page that you can add a short bio about yourself. It’s certainly worth doing because the search engines will pick this up and help to create the online presence that we are trying to achieve.

To upload your images you first of all need to purchase some storage space on the site. Shutterpoint currently charges $12 for 50mb of storage which lasts for 6 months. This is the cheapest initial package, you can pay for a year or add more storage space as and when you need it. The more space you buy the cheaper per mb it gets.

Uploading to the site is fairly straightforward using their control panel. You can create your own albums and add keywords and titles etc. The most important thing is that you can set your own prices. They advise you on pricing but I suggest that you look at the files that are already online to see how much other photographers are charging.

The sales are all handled automatically and payments are process and sent to. The money you can make from this might not be life changing but it is possible to create an income from your hobby. On a personal basis I have sold images from this site, the highest price was $50 which adds up to a lot of downloads in Microstock.

My own personal opinion regarding this market is that you can create an online portfolio with the possibility of making some sales. I also think that by creating multiple sales opportunities for your images, the proceeds from all the opportunities will grow into a sizeable income. I am also certain that the initial cost of creating an online shop window of the benefits far outweigh the risk involved. How many other businesses can you start for $12. Click here for further details.

How Big Is The Market For Microstock Photography?

This is a question that I get asked frequently, mainly by the newcomer to the business. (The emphasis being on business and not a hobby). Well for a start ‘iStockphoto’ are paying out over 1.1 million dollars per week to their contributors, so if they are only paying out 25% commission then do the sums in terms of their sales per week. You can see it really is big business.

Then I get asked of how many photographs do I sell per week? Like all businesses you have highs and lows in term of sales. I have had images that have only sold once or twice in a year or more then have made ten or twenty sales in the same month. Other images that I have uploaded to the libraries sell week in and week out. Others images are being downloaded only a few times per month, but on a regular basis. What I will tell you is that within the next week, my total image downloads will have reached 10,000 (watch this space) through my GBPhotostock account.

What you have to remember is that you are selling stock. What you have to do is to aim your sock at the market. I had one photographer ask me why his images rarely sold. I discovered it was because the niche that he was photographing was too narrow. But he didn’t want to photograph anything else so his sales slumped almost to zero. What you have to do is to shoot images that will sell. I make a point at checking out the top 50 images that are selling each week. Note which images are in the top 50 week in and week out. I’m not saying copy them but to ask yourself why they are selling and meet the same criteria in you images.

Another question that I am frequently asked is how much traffic does the libraries get per day, week or year? I have taken the trouble to research the traffic volume and I was surprised to say the least. These are the top five Microstock libraries that I contribute to and their average number of visitors per day!

1 - istockphoto.com 2433628
2 - fotolia.com 918196
3 - dreamstime.com 775740
4 - shutterstock.com 716612
5 - bigstockphoto.com 68183

(figures taken from http://www.websiteoutlook.com/)

I must admit I was amazed that ‘Shutterstock’ down in fourth place as it has produced my greatest number of sales. What I have discovered is that subjects sell better with one library rather than another. Again only by uploading and recording your sales will you find the most suitable library.

Microstock and The Wedding Photographer

One of the best places to shoot saleable images for Microstock Photography Market is at a wedding. Most wedding images are always in great demand and because you are in a crowd of picture takers, you won’t be noticed so you can move in close and treated simply as a guest and not a photographer.

Over the years, some of the images that I have shot at Weddings have produced some of my best selling images in the World of Microstock Photography. Weddings are a popular subject both on and off line and because fashions change new updated and fresh images are always in demand. The trick is to shoot your pictures without the faces visible so they subjects cannot be recognised. This ensures that they will be available to a wider audience and I don’t have the bother of ‘Model Releases’ etc. What you have to think of whilst you are shooting the pictures is ‘How can I illustrate the subject without identifying anyone?’

For example a close-up of the bouquet in the hands of the bride is always a certain seller. You’re only showing the hands and the flowers but it is instantly related to a wedding. Hymn books in the Church or the Bride and Groom’s hands linked showing the rings. You can catch off moment close-ups of drinkers and smokers. Look for the wedding guest that is adjusting the flowers in their button hole or the holding of the Top Hat. Hands that are getting ready to throw the confetti or close-ups of the confetti with an out of focus Bride and Groom in the background.

Wedding cars are always in pristine condition and detailed shots of gleaming parts can add to your online portfolio. A sure seller if the Top Hat on the bonnet or the bride’s hand waving through an open window. Focus on the front grill with the Bride and Groom out of focus in the distance.

At the reception there’s the table settings which invariably are in tip top condition and excellently presented. Some of the guests will be leaning over the crowded bar and relaxing with a much deserved drink. Children will be running all over the place and maybe playing hide and seek.

All these subjects can be captured without showing any identification or recognisable features. You can shoot away at a wedding without looking conspicuous because most of the other guests will be taking pictures. There are photo opportunities all around you and you’ll never be stuck for the next wedding photography idea of what to shoot. That’s why one of the best opportunities for a Microstock Photographer is a good old fashioned wedding ceremony!

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Cleaning The Sensor of My Digital Camera Continued

Within couple of days of confirming my order for the 'Sensor Cleaning Kit' the Postman shoved a small ‘Jiffy Bag’ through the letterbox. Gingerly opening it I found five spatulas things with a fabric on the end, a small bottle of fluid and the instructions. Apparently the width of the fabric on the spatulas was exactly the same as the sensor on my 10D. I still wasn’t convinced after reading the very simple instructions at least three times. I then progressed to reading and re-read the instruction book that came with the 10D, subconsciously to delay the actual act of cleaning the sensor.

It did note that the instructions were very specific in emphasising that the battery in the camera should be fully charged so it would hold open the shutter and keep the mirror out of the way. As a preferred alternative you could, by using the mains adapter, power your camera from the mains. I carefully added the stated four drops of the cleaning fluid to the spatula and very gently dragged it across the sensor. I turned the spatula over and repeated the process. Looking into the camera I could see the solution evaporating rapidly. I turned the camera off and replaced the lens. Now was the time of truth!

I set the aperture to f22 a pointed the camera at the overcast sky and pressed the shutter. I took out the card and put it into my computer, opened up Photoshop at opened the file.

To my amazement the filth, or muck as we call it, had all but gone. There was an odd mark but far less than before. Even more to my amazement the sensor looked in perfect condition and I was delighted. I couldn’t see the gouges that would be left on the sensor if the stories that I had read were anything to go by. I must admit that because of my new found confidence I did repeat the cleaning and the marks have now disappeared completely.

As a result my images are not only cleaner but they appear sharper, crisper but that could be my imagination, I don’t know. But what I do know is that after years of reading and hearing about the horror stories of sensor cleaning, never again will I hesitate to clean it. Of course I also believe in prevention rather than cure so I will take the extra care not to let the dust in. No doubt my new found confidence will diminish when the time comes around again to cleaning the sensor of my digital cameras.

Cleaning a Sensor of a Digital SLR Camera

I can’t believe it but I’ve had to admit my worst fear – The sensor on my beloved Canon 10D is dirty! Well not exactly dirty but filthy.

I couldn’t believe how filthy the dam thing was until I tried to shoot some isolated Still Life shots against a clean white background using a light tent. Then when I viewed the results, there they are. Not just one but several of the dam things. Big black blobs on the images, I was devastated to say the least.

Until recently I have always used my 40D for still life shots, I don’t know why, but I decided to use my 10D. I’ve only rarely used it in the studio before. I like the chunky feel of it, so it usually goes out with me. Saving the 40D for special occasions such as portraits and weddings, but this time I was shooting for Microstock so I thought the 10D would suffice.

So I’ve searched the web, as you do, and have taken on board what I think is best according to the information overload I have received. I have made a decision – I am going to clean the sensor?

I have ordered a kit from eBay and I wait for the dreaded day when it arrives and I have to do the dirty deed. Or is it clean deed, who cares I am dreading it. After all you hear so many horror stories don’t you?

Well all I can say is that I’ll keep you posted and we’ll see how it goes. But if the worst happens I’ll be back on eBay

Selling a well used Canon 10D for spares or repair!

The Continued Growth Microstock Photography In A Recession

I suppose the easiest and most graphic way to illustrate what’s happening in the World at the moment is to relate to a wildlife program. The large companies are the Wildebeest happily roaming the plains, grazing on the abundance of grass without a care in the world. Until a lion or other predator decides that he is hungry, he is the recession.

So which animal does the predator go for the fit fast thinking one or the slow lethargic unfit one at the back? Well that’s how a recession works. Although every company is at risk, the unhealthy ones are the most likely to fall or be attacked.

So what’s all this got to do with the Microstock Photography Market you’re wondering? Well in a buoyant financial climate the companies have money to spend and don’t look for cheaper alternatives. When it comes to marketing and advertising it’s a case of no expense spared.

But then along comes the recession a threat to all businesses. The unhealthy ones are attacked and fall by the wayside. They have no resources and run out of ideas when the recession bites. However, the healthy companies have the resources and on. They don’t stop marketing and advertising but market more aggressively and more cost effectively.

So where as before they would employ a photographer to shoot a simple illustrative photograph, they now look at stock images. Turning to the Microstock Photography Market they are able to satisfy there needs, yet saving thousands of dollars in costs. If the big companies do this think about all the small businesses who also have the ability to market both aggressively and cost effectively. They will be scouring the internet for images to compliment there marketing and advertising as you read this article.

The images they will come across will already be in the Microstock Libraries as they had already been marketing aggressively for the past few years and they are already established in the market place. So whilst many other markets are suffering from over indulgence in the past, the Microstock market is just starting to evolve. When companies and businesses have to market and advertise more aggressively yet cost-effectively and tighten their belts, the high quality yet low cost option of the Microstock Library is going to boom.

So it’s with this information in mind that I urge you to get your pictures uploaded to the libraries. 2009 may be a gigantic year for Microstock sales and you can be a part of it by uploading NOW! I know that some of you have been rejected and feeling downhearted. Don’t be! Don’t give up at the first hurdle. Take a look at your submission and weed out the weak shots and submit again and again if necessary!

Why not join me in meeting the growing demand for Photographic Images? Go to my website at www.gbphotostock.com for more info!

Photographic Business – Talent & Commitment?

I suppose it’s a dream of nearly all dedicated amateur photographers to start their own Photographic Business. To go out and take pictures for a living, earn your wages from doing something you love – taking pictures.

But what about the reality of a business where you earn money with your camera? You are maybe the greatest landscape photographer that the world has seen but how do you sell your work. Maybe portraits or glamour photography is your thing but again it’s getting yourself known. How about wedding photography, there’s a test for any man (or woman)? Do you really fancy being outside a church, whatever the weather every Saturday afternoon? The conditions don’t matter you have to deliver the goods. No reshoots or going back, take the shots that need to be of a very high standard in one take.

I suppose the burning question is do you really want to build a business around your hobby? That depends on you and you’re commitment to building a Photographic Business. Then you need to look at your photographic talents and ask yourself if the quality is good enough. It’s O.K. for your family and friends to say that your pictures are good enough to sell, but would anyone buy your images or pay you to take their picture.

One idea that could help you to decide, access the marketplace and judge the quality of your photographic images is to submit your digital images to a Microstock Photographic Library. Recently, due to the increased market and the number of contributors, the main libraries have got very particular in the images that they accept and I (and many other photographers) can tell you that if you can satisfy their needs then you are pretty dam good. It won’t cost you anything to contribute, but you will get an unbiased professional opinion of you digital images.

Another factor about Microstock is that you can upload your images as and when you want to. If you want to really go for it then you can. However, if you simply want to earn a bit of extra cash then you can. You are in control of what you shoot, when you shoot it and how much time and effort you want to dedicate to your business.

If you feel that would like to take the opportunity of trying out the Microstock Photographic market, which incidentally, is the biggest growth market for your photographs take a look at my website www.gbphotostock.com as it will give you an idea as to the subjects and quality of the images that are accepted. If you do choose to go ahead and build your own Photographic Business and earn from you hobby, I wish you all the success.

The Magic Of Microstock Photography - The Fastest Growing Market For Your Images

For nearly forty years I have been interested, or should I say obsessed with my camera and photography. For the past twenty five years I have been earning a small amount with my camera, shooting the odd wedding and portraits in my spare time. I have even sold my pictures to magazines. Now that was a confidence booster if you ever need one.

Then about three years ago I came across a website called iStockphoto. It was a Microstock Library. I thought then that it was called Microstock because of the poor payment for the use of your images. I didn’t take a lot of notice because there was no way that I was going to sell my photographs for twenty cents. I’d rather keep them on my hard drive, or so I thought.

A few months later I came across this site again. This time I was looking for inspiration in the form of picture ideas. What did surprise me was the number of photographers I thought were almost giving their images away. As I am a bit of a ‘Stat Master’ and like to keep a check on the figures etc, I bookmarked the site, going back and checking the stats everyday.

What really hit me was the number of images waiting to be reviewed. Then never went down, the total number of images that had been submitted increased each and everyday. I thought that it was time to have a closer look.

I browsed the photographs that were on file and thought to myself, I could take that or I have a better shot than that. Then it hit me.. In the past few months how many images could I have sold? If I had twenty files per week downloaded for the past six months at twenty cents each, I would have earned one hundred and four dollars. Not life changing but the money was for nothing. No fees, no costs and I already had some decent images sat gathering dust on my hard drive.

So I registered and submitted my images. As each image was accepted I couldn’t wait to upload more. It became my new obsession. Within a week my hard drive was empty of the images that I thought that were any good, or rather suitable to upload so I started to photograph anything and everything. If I went out for the day I would shoot images to upload. If I stayed in I would shoot images around the home to upload. I even took my camera to work with me.

So after three years of submitting to iStockphoto and over nine thousand downloads do you know which images sell month after month, year after year? Well it’s the photographs that I took in my own home. Forget the Yorkshire Dales or the Yorkshire Coastline, and as for my holiday in Florida, the photographs hardly sold. The images that I took in our home of the kitchen radiator, fire surround and our white w.c., outsell them all.

But that’s the magic of Microstock Photography. Almost any subject will sell if it’s different and the quality is O.K. The main subjects that sell will vary from one library to another so submit to them all. The secret is to make a start and submit some of you photographs providing they meet the specified guidelines. Then once you are accepted just keep submitting, shooting more images and keep submitting. You won’t generate a life changing income overnight. But over a period of time who knows?

To show you what I mean I’ve put the top six selling Microstock Photographic images on my website www.gbphotostock.com so you can take a look and see for yourself. And I guarantee that you’ll end up saying – I could do that or I have one of those.

The Tripod - Essential Equipment To Improve Your Photography

When I started out taking what I would call serious photographs I was told about a piece of equipment that would improve my picture taking enormously. This was back in the olden days of film, but it is still as true today as it was thirty odd years ago. This weapon in the photographer’s arsenal would not only improve the images that I produced but I would improve me as a photographer.

Today with the Microstock Photography market demanding the increased quality, this bit of equipment won’t guarantee success but it will cut down the rejections. So what is this amazing bit of technology and where can you get one? Well, the item that all photographers must have is a - Tripod. Yes that’s it, a tripod. Forget all the electronic gadgets and the digital meters etc. Buy yourself a tripod.

One of the hardest things to do when you are taking a picture is to hold the camera steady or rather rock solid. When I first started out on my journey into photography I was told to use a rule of thumb which went like this. The slowest shutter speed that you can use is equal to the lens size millimetres. So if I was to use a 50mm lens the slowest shutter speed that I should use is a 1/50th of a second or 1/60th on the shutter speed dial. If I used a 200mm lens I’d have to shoot at 1/250th of a second. Although this rule generally worked I still did get the odd image suffering with camera shake.

In the past days of film we could get away with a very small amount of camera shake. As lenses are far better nowadays and combined with the increased resolution and the digital technology available that enables the photographer to record every minute detail and at the same time highlighting the slightest flaw. You need to be shooting as close as possible to perfection therefore as digital photographers we need to take more care when shooting our pictures. By the way, I know that the 35mm film has effectively more pixels per square centimetre but digital images are recorded to increase the overall quality and clarity of the image. So whilst we have the equipment and technology to get better results all this is wasted by even the smallest amount of camera shake.

By fixing the camera to a tripod, and I mean a decent sturdy tripod, you will eliminate camera shake. Not only that but because you have taken the effort to use a tripod you tend to take more care and think about the subject. Landscapes for instance, when you are using a tripod you can evaluate the scene before pressing the shutter. This should improve your results as you can concentrate on the composition and forget about holding the camera.

Along with a tripod I like to use a shutter release. But if I’m shooting still-life I put the camera onto self-timer. This will ensure that there is absolutely no movement as the camera has ten seconds to stop moving after I have pressed the shutter.

I realise that you cannot use a tripod in all situations and for some subjects you need to move around freely. But on the occasions when you can use a tripod, use it! As I said earlier, if you want to submit your images to the Microstock Photography market the acceptable quality for digital photographic images has got even higher. The answer is to meet the demand with higher quality images and your trusty three legged friend will help you to do just that! After all, if a photograph is worth taking.. it’s worth taking right!

Mathew Street Festival, Liverpool

For the past seven years Every Bank Holiday in August has been spent at the Mathew Street Festival in Liverpool. Having living on the opposite side of the country, I must admit until 2002 I had never been to Liverpool.

The history and musical connections with the sixties groups such as The Beatles, Gerry and The Pacemakers, The Merseybeats, The Mojos, The Searchers, The Fourmost, Farons Flamingos, The Undertakers and The Dennisons but to name a few. Then there is the most famous club in the World, The Cavern, Mathew Street, Liverpool, where it all started back in the late fifties.

Although the original Cavern has was closed in 1973, the new Cavern is a replica of the original. I can remember walking down the stairs, the heat, sound and humidity increased with every step down. The atmosphere was electric. The bar was packed and trying to get served at the bar was an experience.

As my interest is photography I had to capture the moment. But as soon as I took my lens cap of the lens steamed up and I couldn’t see a thing. As the camera warmed up the lens cleared, I was able to take some descent shots of the acts belting out the sixties music.

As you climbed the stairs back out, all thirty two steps I believe, you could feel the air getting fresher and colder. Saying that, remember that this is a sunny day in August. It just appeared cold after an hour in The Cavern.

Then there are the Pubs. We like to visit as many of the back-street pubs as we can. Not just for the drink but maybe there’s a chance of a seat to take a well earned rest for ten minutes or so. The atmosphere in almost every pub is almost like a party.

Most of the weekend was spent at the various stages set around the city. It’s a party atmosphere that is hard to comprehend unless you have been there. On the Bank holiday Monday the streets are closed and the party really starts. By Monday evening you begin ache from the standing and walking. There’s very few places to sit, but there again you don’t want to - you want to see the acts.

Will we be going this year? Well now I’m getting on a bit now, in fact I’m the same age as the original Cavern. But will I be at this year’s Mathew Street Festival? – You bet I will!!

Setting Up Your Own Microstock Photography Web Site

Although Microstock Photography is without any doubt the biggest growth market for your photographic images many of you may be put off selling your photography through the libraries because of the small returns per sale.

The business model for the Microstock Photography market is ‘Royalty Free’ images at a very low price. You are looking at around a dollar per download from the library less the libraries fees of up to 80%. So this leaves you with as little as 20 cents per sale. It doesn’t sound good but when you consider multiple sales of all the photographic images you have submitted to various libraries, you can still create a regular income.

However, you have to get you image accepted by the libraries. With so many subscribing to the Microstock Market, the required quality of the images that are accepted has rocketed over the past year or so. So it’s getting even harder to get accepted with the Big Boy’s. What’s even worse is when you get a photograph reject for ‘No Commercial Value’. It’s happened to me on a number of occasions only to be a regular seller with another agency.

The obvious answer is to set up your own on-line photographic library where you can upload what you like, set the price and even enrol more photographers on your fully automated site. If you were to specialise in a niche you would be able to charge more per download. You can set up the website and sell prints, mugs and tee shirts etc. All automatically whilst you concentrate on your photography.

To bring you back down to earth with a bang I’ll let you into a little secret.. That’s the easy part of the business. The hard part of this and most other on-line businesses is the small overlooked fact of marketing. Getting your well stocked website into the marketplace takes time and money along with bags of commitment. Of course it can be done, as many photographers already have.

Apart from your photographic talent you need persistence. Persistence to see the whole project through, not just for the next few weeks but months or even years before you see the true value of your work. Of course, whilst you are building your photographic empire you can still submit to the Big Boys and continue giving away 80% of your income. But that 80% that they take is for administration, marketing and promotion.

If you do think that you could set up your own library selling your images whilst you keep 100% of the income then go for it! I can assure you that when you make your first sale through your website that was down to your marketing and promotion, you will feel totally fulfilled. You will need to be fully focussed on your goal throughout. You will need to invest in marketing your site. You may decide to enlist other photographers to submit their photographs to your site. But whatever you decide to do, Microstock Photography is a long term investment of your photography, time and money.

If you do decide to go for it I can recommend a website that will allow you to sell your images and automatically take the money, then allow the files to be downloaded, automatically sell other items such as prints, mouse-mats and tee shirts etc. Other photographers can upload their images for you to edit and accept to your site. You set their commission so you can make what money you want from the sales. This site is paid for on a monthly basis so there’s no massive financial outlay. To find out more about the website click here (At the moment they are offering the first month FREE!) or learn more about Microstock Photography – The biggest growing market for you photos - go to www.gbphotostock.com