A couple of years ago it was suggested to me by a mate that I should try my luck by uploading to stock sites such as Dreamstime.
At first I felt rather sceptical about things as I wasn't really too sure what 'stock' actually meant. Not too sure if I do now... but that's beside the piont! So, it took me a while to put this idea to test.
Once I got over that I keyed in the address of the stock site suggested and did a thorough read-up and all the info they had available:
- What stock is all about
- what conditions are set
- who is actually eligable
- anyway -- etc etc etc!
I plugged up some courage and took the plunge. At first it wasn't easy - taking many a round until I finally got accepted as a contributor so I could start uploading images to my spanking new, and very empty, portfolio. And for a long time I just stuck to this one stock site, not really realising that there are hundreds more one could contribute too.
Slowly my portfolio began to build up and with renewed confidence I decided to search out other sites.... thus I found Dreamstime. Again it took me a while till I managed to get accepted as a contributor here but accepted I was! I now have a paltry 17 files in my portfolio, but hopefully and even if slowly, it will increase as I get used to the quality and types of images required.
What I have noticed, however, is that different stock sites have very different criteria as to what is acceptable in an image for inclusion on the site. I have files which were refused here accepted on other sites and vice versa - files accepted here refused on other sites.
All sites strive for high quality and professional work, that I understand well enough and I consider myself luck to have files accepted seeing as I am but a hobbyist photographer. Also, images are scrutinised by humans and each person perceives an image in a different way, but I get the impression that while not sacrificing quality there is still a big difference in what is given higher technical priority between the different sites.
I'm curious to hear any comments from others about this..
Cheers
