Chances are you are reading this article because you love photography and you’ve often wondered if you were really any good at it. Perhaps your friends and family might be encouraging you to take your photography to the next level. But you don’t know where to start. So many people just stop there. But I have some easy tips to help you truly move to the next level easily and without any out of pocket expenses.
Stock photo websites are places where designers, web masters, and writers go to find images that will work with their projects. Books, magazine articles, billboards, websites, you name it. They need images, so they search the database and select photos. They choose your images and you get published.
There are a number of sites out there who will pay you for good images. And there is one that allows designers to download images for free. Before you dismiss this idea, there are reasons why you should seriously consider using such a site first.
1. The free site is less rigorous in terms of standards. If you are still learning, you will more likely get accepted as a contributor and begin getting good solid critique on your images.
2. Only the free site has built into the process the ability for you as the artist to control the use of your images. Depending on the level of restriction you designate for your images, you are more likely to be contacted and thanked for your image here than on sites where people are paying for it. This is great because this is the only way you will ever learn how your images are being used.
3. There is a great community on the free site. People comment on each others pictures and you learn by asking questions and participating on the forum. The paid site don’t have the same generous spirit and comments are few and far between.
I have hundreds of images on the free site and my images have been downloaded over 100,000 times. I get emails everyday from people all over the world wanting to use my images on the sides of trucks, in commercials, and advertisements. It is a great feeling to know you are helping someone out who doesn’t have a huge budget. Many churches use this site to help them put their flyers and bulletins together each week.
It is a great rush when you begin getting requests, comments and thanks for your images. It will give you confidence in your abilities as you listen and learn and begin to see your photos with a more critical eye.
So are you sold? Do you want to try it out? If you do here are some things you should know:
What makes a photo good enough to use as stock?
Your images should be very clearly focused in most cases. The color should be good and your subject should be clearly the focal point of the images. Don’t upload images with too many shadows, backgrounds that have too much to look at, or where the subject is too far away.
What subjects are stock photo websites looking for?
Most sites have enough sunsets, birds, flowers, eyes and feet. They need faces, smiling and captured candid moments where people are enjoying life. They need backgrounds and textures and pictures of everyday objects. They will require model releases for people but use your friends, and family. Your taking pictures of them anyway!
How soon can I expect my images to be used?
Once you submit your images it will take a few days for it to be accepted or not. If it is rejected, take heart and try to learn from the reviewers criticism and try again with another image. Don’t give up. If it is accepted, it should only be a matter of days before your image begins to be used.
Do I maintain copyright of my images if I upload them?
Yes. You still own the images you upload. There are guidelines put in place to protect the photographer as much as is possible. There are those out there who occasionally abuse the system, but for the most part you will be pleasantly surprised by the ethics of those using the site.
How do I begin?
You begin by going to www.sxc.hu and registering as a user. Upload an image or two. Assign as many keywords to the images as you can think of and then wait to see if its accepted. Begin reading the forum discussions, ask questions and being growing as an artist! Check out other photographer’s work and comment on their photos. More than likely, they will return the favor and begin commenting on yours as well. And most importantly, have fun with it.
