I've been thinking about trying to make a few extra bucks by selling digital photos on a stock photo website.
I use stock photos on a fairly regular basis at work, so I was already familiar with the buyer experience. I did a little research to make sure I would retain my right to submitted photos and if they would accept images that were already posted elsewhere.
When I was confident I understood what I was getting into, I started the application process to become a photo contributor.
After spending a little time reading through all of the "training materials," I passed the contributor applicant test and was ready to submit my first three photos for review.
I knew that most of my work would be considered snapshots and not suitable for stock, so I carefully looked through my archives for high quality pictures that I thought could be used for commercial purposes.I uploaded the photos, added a brief description and hit the submit button. Oh boy!
I am a hobbyist and don't generally think of my work as commercial quality. Several co-workers (unqualified to critically evaluate photography) bolstered my confidence and there is really no risk at all, so why not? I found myself a little excited at the prospect of making money for my photos, even if it's just a few bucks.
I went to bed with thoughts of how impressed my friends would be when the world was finally able to discover my greatness and fantasies of swimming in a pool of money like Uncle Scrooge.
Then I got the response back.
After spending a little time reading through all of the "training materials," I passed the contributor applicant test and was ready to submit my first three photos for review.
I knew that most of my work would be considered snapshots and not suitable for stock, so I carefully looked through my archives for high quality pictures that I thought could be used for commercial purposes.I uploaded the photos, added a brief description and hit the submit button. Oh boy!
I am a hobbyist and don't generally think of my work as commercial quality. Several co-workers (unqualified to critically evaluate photography) bolstered my confidence and there is really no risk at all, so why not? I found myself a little excited at the prospect of making money for my photos, even if it's just a few bucks.
I went to bed with thoughts of how impressed my friends would be when the world was finally able to discover my greatness and fantasies of swimming in a pool of money like Uncle Scrooge.
Then I got the response back.
It basically said, "No. You suck. Your pictures are terrible and we're pretty sure you smell bad too. Please feel free to try again in three days."
Ok. That's not really what the email said, but that's what it sounded like in my head when I read it. Needless to say, it was a very deflating experience.
Ok. That's not really what the email said, but that's what it sounded like in my head when I read it. Needless to say, it was a very deflating experience.
So now I have two choices. I can consider this a failed experiment, abandon the idea of selling my photos and continue enjoying photography as a hobby, or I can read the links they sent me, attempt to create more acceptable photos, and try again in three days.
I doubt my life will be significantly different either way, so I might as well attempt to learn something.
The email provided some moderately useful feedback about composition and the nature of stock photography, but it did not provide any shot by shot detail of what was wrong with my submissions.
If there are stock photographers or designers out there who can provide insight into why the photos displayed at the bottom of this post were declined, please feel free to comment with tips or advice.
If there are stock photographers or designers out there who can provide insight into why the photos displayed at the bottom of this post were declined, please feel free to comment with tips or advice.
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| Blue Bow |
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| Barbed Wire |
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| 7.62mm Bullets |
