Why Some Pictures Sell

posted on 28th of march, 2011

I wonder why some pics sell and why some don’t

For example compare the picture on the left and the one below.
The sale for the first one is nill while the one below has 8 downloads.
While the action depicted in both are same, the difference between them lies in the cap used.
So can we say that the use of a skull cap made the difference?

I think people select a picture based on what it stands for. Both the pictures show a man blowing a Shofar (which is usually done by the jews) and the addition of the skull cap enhances the identification of the person as a jew.

Now for a little exercise for the brain.

I am sure you can find six differences between the picture on the left and the one below (the title itself is the first difference)

That was easy wasn’t it.

Now for a little tougher one.

Find six differences between the one above and the one below.
A bit difficult?

Well I can help you out by prompting one.
The DT file ID for the above is 12230006 and the DT file ID for the one below is 12221888

Tags: differences difficult file id

Comments (10)

	Posted by Achilles on March 31, 2011 These are good examples for our discussion regarding similarity. The first two images stand for different markets. They don't dillute each other, although one is on the border of being refused. In such cases we still give it a chance (as long as this is not a method of multiplying portfolios). The last two pairs are plain similars and will dillute each other. They will sell for lower price for a much longer time interval. They will bring less revenue and less royalties to the photographer. You can't blame editors for such pairs, when users will submit them at different moments in time. Editors simply can't catch them unless they revisit each user's portfolio, search after the image under review, etc. A huge task, let me assure you.
	Posted by Julia161 on March 30, 2011 It's strange that these pictures passed "Too much of the same" filter.
	Posted by Joezachs on March 29, 2011 Thanks Adeliepenguin for giving an insight into how you actually came about shooting those particular pictures.
	Posted by Thanatonautii on March 29, 2011 There are a lot of similar pictures on DT that are sent by the same user! It`s sad that DT allows something like that!
	Posted by Adeliepenguin on March 29, 2011 Regarding the first images, I actually came upon this man while I was traveling (I was walking my dog at a park by the ocean:)). His wife was taking his photo as he practiced, and he allowed me to also take his photo. He helps to organize funerals by the ocean, and blows the shofar at the funerals (and other events when requested to do so). He told me that he found distinct markets for his services, and that his hat made a difference and was of great importance to certain people (military vs. nonmilitary), and recommended I use both photos, for different buyers (military background or not) . I decided to follow his lead, and post both, preferring the skullcap photo myself but understanding that there might be a buyer's need for a veteran's hat. The difference is beyond the hat itself, but the symbolism behind the hat.
	Posted by Rosedarc on March 29, 2011 There are a lot of doubles on the database, I think that some photographers upload through automated programmes and are unfortunately not necessarily aware of them. When it comes to the first two pictures mentioned, apart from the cap I think that the composition of photo number 2 is better, it breathes more, there's more space and the face of the man and his arm are also clearer. I'd choose this one if I were a buyer, although the 1st one is nice too.
	Posted by Joezachs on March 29, 2011 Agree with you on that Davulcu. Categories does not sell. Some may just use it to narrow down for further finetuning.
	Posted by Davulcu on March 29, 2011 Categories does not sell. I have never seen anybody who is searching an image with categories but keywords.
	Posted by Francy874 on March 29, 2011 These images confirm the new policy of DT: similary images will dillute sales!
	Posted by Homydesign on March 28, 2011 On the last example I noticed they have different categories and one of them is selling as extra large. Last example was uploaded twice? Is that permited?