What Sells Images?
posted on 20th of january, 2009
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You've for sure heard it bandied about, here and in other places, the issue of what factors might best sell or stimulate high interest in images. The issue often arises as to whether it's key-words, or concepts, or good composition, low noise, some unique perspective, or some other combination of variables. It seems that contributors invariably obsess about some alchemy that will provide a simple answer to marketing their own images in the most favorable way.
Just do a search of the threads and you'll see that the issue routinely comes up. I'll venture to say that despite the volumes of words exchanged, nobody ever satisfactorily arrives at a list of the definitive factors that explain how to move one image quicker or better than another.
Having said that, I'll now suggest a rather antithetical yet fairly simple response: 'Shoot primarily those things you enjoy'. If you're a landscape sort of soul. . then shoot those. If you like to take pictures of people holding cell phones . . then do that. If fantastic, surrealistic photo manipulations float your boat, then by all means, do those. But for Heaven's sake, don't worry about what somebody else says is the magic bullet for success. Shoot what you love. If you do that, then its exponentially easier to accomplish the second half of that equation which I suggest is: 'Stick to the Fundamentals and pay Attention to Detail'.
If you're out in nature, or in a studio, or sitting in front of Photoshop, its much easier to incorporate the fundamentals of good photography. When inspired by what you are shooting, you are much more inclined to want to know more about effective composition of a scene, making proper exposures, using the most effective apertures and/or shutter speeds for the conditions, and lastly, in using your creative juices to render a unique perspective to a perhaps otherwise commonplace image.
So if you tend to be one who believes that any problem can be measured by reducing it to its base elements, think again. When it comes to the creative process (and creating stock images involves just that) you'll find that success is often a case of the whole being greater than the sum of its parts.
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Tags: factors inspiration muse sells success
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Comments (27)
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Comment by Freedomphotos
on October 13, 2009
Great, thanks for taking the time to help us out. The gut feeling, although we invariably dont seem to listen to it, I agree is our best judgement.
Cheers
Karen |
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Comment by Angelasharris
on April 02, 2009
Well spoken. Point well received. I enjoyed reading your article. I especially liked the use of imagery, as well as your inspirational, yet factual style. Now I shall apply it to my own photography! Thanks, Don from California. |
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Comment by Mikejrice
on March 23, 2009
Spoken from someone who obviously knows how to sell some images. Ill take this advice seriously. Thank you for taking the time to give your opinion. |
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Comment by Lightbrush701
on February 16, 2009
I very much agree with what you've said here. Try to go with your feelings and not to try to please others. |
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Comment by Zenotri
on February 13, 2009
Thank you for your thoughts. As someone who has very recently joined DT, I have been thinking about this a lot over the last couple of days. I'm not sure that what I enjoy shooting will typically sell, but I do know that it is more likely to be something I am proud of. That said, I would also like to use my membership here to help me go a little outside my comfort zone as well. Balance is the key I think.
Thanks, a great article.
Vickie |
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Comment by Lightart
on February 08, 2009
Hi Smis,
You might want to check out this page. It is a list of the most frequently asked questions regarding photo submission and participation here on the site: FAQs |
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Comment by Smis
on February 08, 2009
Hello,i have a problem with photography...how are most selled?Which words are right?Thank you for help |
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Comment by Irisangel
on February 07, 2009
Interesting perspective. I agree totally, shoot what you love, create that which you think is beautiful, make it pleasing to the eye, see the possibilities and pay attention to your keywords. That is sooooooo important. |
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Comment by Kbkgraphx
on February 04, 2009
What Sells Images? What Images Sell! |
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Comment by Lightart
on February 03, 2009
Cienpies, you are absolutely correct about keeping a balance between artistic expression and meeting market demands. I think what I really wanted to convey was my belief that inspiration should always come first and then the market considerations as a honing tool. Sort of lead with the heart . . then trim with the intellect. :)
And Amyemilia, I found what you experienced, was for me initially also true. Some of my more arty images didn't take right away. .but eventually began moving . . . and as they sold more, they seemed to generate more interest. |
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Comment by Cienpies
on February 03, 2009
Although I really share your explorative position of our own approaches to photography as an expressive form, I think it is important to seek a balance between our own internal research and what the market demand. Keeping this balance is the challenge if we want that Dreamstime´s incomes becomes as an important extra one.
I really liked your VINEYARDS pictures. Thanks for your words! |
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Comment by Amyemilia
on February 03, 2009
Well said, Don. I'll just add though that in my experience, often the images that generate the biggest emotional response for me are not accepted here at Dreamstime. Which only means they are not stock oriented - not that they are bad images. But I do have trouble telling the difference sometimes! |
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Comment by Johoden
on February 02, 2009
Enjoying your blog,and thanks for sharing advice(from mt point of view I really need as much as I can get)Thank you |
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Comment by Fulviovilla
on February 01, 2009
I agree with you. When you are about to take a photo, you must sense a feeling with your sunject. I think this is the first step in photography. |
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Comment by Deborah79
on January 30, 2009
good advice. thanks for your suggestion! |
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Comment by Maigi
on January 24, 2009
Well said! Everyone should read it. Thank you very much for posting! |
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Comment by Davemcaleavy
on January 23, 2009
Spot on |
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Comment by Murle
on January 20, 2009
Sometimes we forgot it! Thanks for the advice, I will keep searching good images...and the sales will come.At least, if it not ...I 'll enjoy my hobby!! |
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Comment by Conchasdiver
on January 20, 2009
Well said & as a new contributor, I need all the advice I can get from you guys that have been around awhile - thank you & very nice photos! |
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Comment by Irisangel
on January 20, 2009
Very good advice, Thanks. |
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Comment by Eclecticelegance
on January 20, 2009
Very true - life should not be about making money - we need to stop and enjoy the everyday joys. I love your photos - they are crisp and original! |
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Comment by Photostar73
on January 20, 2009
I like your article, and i ever thinked that everyone gives his/her best, when photographing something he/her likes very much.
Nobody knows so well the things that makes our own passions. I experienced this on the tracks when photographing cars and bikes: I was an ex kart pilot, and i ever knew at first sight where to put myself to get the best action images. |
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Comment by Shaileshnanal
on January 20, 2009
yES dON U have rightly put it. What u are saying that one needs to be true to self. I think that is the approach i have applied and it gels. I had taken lot of landscape and head to shoulder simplest portraits and anxiously waited, waited and then gave up and started following my own instinct and woW! Now the sale is picking up. U do the right and required Karma and some or the other buyer will lurk into your contribution of photograph and will pick it up. Ya for sure. |
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Comment by Fultonsphoto
on January 20, 2009
Hi Don, I totally agree with you, and although my images may not sell as well as other submitters, I have to feel very compromised should I decide to foresake my love of taking certain images with what I feel may sell. I believe all images will sell, if they are good enough, and would rather be out there doing what drew me to photography in the first place, passion and a love for nature/wildlife etc. That said, I once again agree totally with what you say about being inspired by the images you are shooting. Good blog, and some good shots, love the lake pic... |
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Comment by Martinedegraaf
on January 20, 2009
Very true! And I think it's important to remind people of it now and then ;o) Thanks! |
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Comment by Cmarshall717
on January 20, 2009
Great blog, and absolutely gorgeous images! |
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Comment by Reeddaigle
on January 20, 2009
Great! I enjoy your blog. |
Comments (27) |
This article has been read 2175 times. 7 readers have found this article useful.
Photo credits: Lightart, Lightart, Lightart, Lightart. |
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Lightart
confidential info
>Creation stands on its own. Any meaning or value is derived by each viewer solely from within the boundaries of the work itself. Photography, to me, is simply a wonderful method to express that primal desire to reflect and thus express truth or beauty (some say they are the same thing). It also may be simply the desire to convey a profoundly moving effect. To that end, the viewer either 'gets it' . . or is not moved.
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