You have to login first in order to be able to post messages.
Click here to login or register if you are a new user.
| I went out and got some new shots, what lenses do I need?? |
| Author |
Message |
Hatman12
185 posts
|
|
Message posted at 12/12/2007, 14:40:56 PM by Hatman12 |
 |
 |
"Loonie" is the affectionate name used by currency traders for the Canadian Dollar; every day all over the world there are currency traders shouting "buy me some loonies....." or "sell the loonie...."
If you get some quiter time over Christmas and New Year you might like to think about reviewing your keywords for all your uploaded images(!)
Yes, I know this sounds like madness, but look at it this way - you've got 160 or so pictures available for sale; if you could think of one or two really good and relevant extra keywords for every one of those images, it's like adding a further 160 pictures to your portfolio, or adding 160 extra chances for a sale.
I am discovering new keywords and 'keyword errors' all the time, and if we want our pictures to sell in good volume, we have to keep an eye on these words because they are the 'shop window' to our wares.
For instance for my new series of old movie tickets I only realised a day or two ago that although I had included the word 'theatre', in America of course that word is spelt 'theater'. So anyone searching for a 'theater ticket' would have missed my pictures. No choice but to go back through all the uploaded pictures and add that word, otherwise I'd be missing out on potential sales.
I keep a notebook and write down new and relevant words; then, about once a month I spend a day or two revising keywords to enhance the sales potential for as many pictures as possible (and removing any words that on reflection are perhaps not as relevant as I first thought).
It's a serious business...
Jung-Hee has arrived and is already fussing and nagging. The Asian wimmin have a saying that 'nagging' is an expression of love and keeps a man healthy. But then I suppose wimmin would say that, wouldn't they......
I take a little comfort from one of the sayings from the Priests at Tongdosa Buddhist Temple - "nagging woman gets smack bottom". |
|
|
Uploaded files: -4 | Total Sales: 1285
|
|
Noonie
300 posts
|
|
Message posted at 12/13/2007, 07:08:24 AM by Noonie |
|
|
I do think about the keywords at times and add a few as I go along. When I first put a picture on I just do what pops into my mind, then in time I research. I know we have to stay up on what's currently the IN thing, also. I'll get more time to do some stuff after the first of the year, I suppose.
Tell Jung-Hee to watch her bottom! I wouldn't want her to go back with any bruises.
Must go add some words now--I do as I'm told. |
|
Nikon D200, Olympus C5060
|
Uploaded files: 724 | Total Sales: 410
|
|
Hatman12
185 posts
|
|
Message posted at 12/19/2007, 01:56:56 AM by Hatman12 |
|
|
I just stopped by to send a Christmas and New Year wish to you and your loved ones, and I see a picture of you has appeared in your profile. Hmmm.... slim and attractive - that's the end of any more 'fat' jokes.
Over the last few months you've come from being 'new' to having 28 sales. I wonder how many you'll have in a year's time....
My own objective here at Dreamstime is to get to 500 sales per month by the end of next year, and to 1,000 per month by Christmas 2009. We'll see.
No rest for the wicked....... |
|
|
Uploaded files: -4 | Total Sales: 1285
|
|
Danp68
178 posts
|
|
Message posted at 12/19/2007, 02:13:23 AM by Danp68 |
|
|
500(!) Wow. I gather you are in the 100-200 sales/month range right now, judging from your total numbers and the fact that they are accelerating. That is quite an increase.
I'll tell you what. I average about 16 sales/month as of today. If you would be willing to work with and lend advice to a noob, I'd like to get up to 50 sales/month by the end of July 2008, and 75 sales/month by the end of December 2008.
Perhaps we could get a friendly competition going, and push each other along to see who gets to their goal first? Maybe Noonie would be interested too? :) |
|
Canon EOS 5-D and 30-D
Canon 24mm f/2.8
Canon 50mm f/1.8 I...
|
Uploaded files: 473 | Total Sales: 465
|
|
Hatman12
185 posts
|
|
Message posted at 12/19/2007, 03:57:51 AM by Hatman12 |
|
|
Hi Dan
Well it took a while for things to get going, and of course to build a reasonable starting portfolio. Your guess is a little low, but things vary from week to week of course. I don't think 500 a month is an unreasonable target (I secretly hope it will be higher).
Yes, of course it would be great to help each other.
Ummm..... talking of noobies Dan; I hope it doesn't show, but until January this year I hadn't taken a 'professional' photograph in my life; in fact I hadn't even used photoshop except to put some color frames around a few snaps. And as for studio lighting, it was a case of 'open the box and get on with it.....'
Hopefully my portfolio is starting to show what can be achieved with a little patience and a lot of hard work.
I've aged at least ten years in 2007. I hope 2008 will be a little kinder to my wrinkled old skin.
All the best for Christmas and the New Year.
David F |
|
|
Uploaded files: -4 | Total Sales: 1285
|
|
Danp68
178 posts
|
|
Message posted at 12/19/2007, 05:27:20 AM by Danp68 |
|
|
Sounds like fun. I hope Noonie will be on board too.
Your portfolio definitely shows the work you've put in. Lots of great color/popping images, and some intelligent concepts. |
|
Canon EOS 5-D and 30-D
Canon 24mm f/2.8
Canon 50mm f/1.8 I...
|
Uploaded files: 473 | Total Sales: 465
|
|
Noonie
300 posts
|
|
Message edited at 12/19/2007, 14:05:03 PM by Noonie |
|
|
Hey guys-- I love to play with the boys!! Best that I correct that statement, I'm a tomboy at heart and fit in well with the guys. That better, Mr. Admin???
Thanks for noticing, Hatman. My hiking friend, the cute one with the ponytail, took it cause she said I needed to update my image.
I would love to be as "gung ho" as you 2 are. I still have many problems with lighting and I haven't figured out Photoshop yet. I just got my camera the week I signed up at DT and got PS about a month ago. I see SO MANY beautiful things but they don't seem to work as stock. When I send in a mountain or lake scene that I think someone can use, I get the lack of composition remark. So, if I put a lot of stuff into the shot that means no space to add things---don't get it. Oh, maybe because Danp said it takes "intelligent" concepts and I go on gut instinct.
I'm still trying. I was doing the keyword work these past few days.
1,000 per month?? Who buys all those?? Do you have a lot of friends??
Sorry, that was sour grapes---
Y'all have a great Christmas and New Year! Kiss your families for me. Now go take some pictures and show me what sells.
|
|
Nikon D200, Olympus C5060
|
Uploaded files: 724 | Total Sales: 410
|
|
Danp68
178 posts
|
|
Message posted at 12/19/2007, 16:35:35 PM by Danp68 |
|
|
Noonie,
I'll let Hatman give his answer as to "what sells," because he is having a lot of success at DT and elsewhere.
My take on what sells, based on the 7 months I have been studying microstock, is that most everything sells. The trick is to do it really, really well. I often read "landscape and nature doesn't sell," but if you check the best seller lists at various sites you will see plenty of landscape and nature. However it is creatively shot, well composed, and popping off the page at you.
I think the same applies to most areas you will try to sell in. It's very competitive, but if you are real good, then you can shoot what you love and let the sales roll in. Not too many unserved niches out there. |
|
Canon EOS 5-D and 30-D
Canon 24mm f/2.8
Canon 50mm f/1.8 I...
|
Uploaded files: 473 | Total Sales: 465
|
|
Noonie
300 posts
|
|
Message posted at 12/20/2007, 07:33:32 AM by Noonie |
|
|
Oh man---I have a downer today--
The last couple of days I took some pictures of a neighbor and this morning I heard that he shot himself! I think he wanted me to get some good shots because he was depressed and was planning this.
Enough said-
I'll be back after I go for a LONG hike! |
|
Nikon D200, Olympus C5060
|
Uploaded files: 724 | Total Sales: 410
|
|
Hatman12
185 posts
|
|
Message posted at 12/20/2007, 16:26:05 PM by Hatman12 |
|
|
Perhaps he heard you'd got another four downloads and he couldn't cope with the excitement..........
Too many guns in America. Too easy. |
|
|
Uploaded files: -4 | Total Sales: 1285
|
|
Noonie
300 posts
|
|
Message posted at 12/20/2007, 17:04:36 PM by Noonie |
|
|
I can't cope with it!! I still get too many turned down. Maybe if I just sit tight for a while the sales will catch up. I hope that most everything sells, I just bounce around from thing to thing, as you can see.
P.S. Hatman,
Don't lecture me--I just irritate people to death!
|
|
Nikon D200, Olympus C5060
|
Uploaded files: 724 | Total Sales: 410
|
|
Danp68
178 posts
|
|
Message posted at 12/20/2007, 22:33:57 PM by Danp68 |
|
|
Sorry to hear about your neighbor. That is a real downer. I hope he didn't leave too many people behind.
Regarding rejections - they are part of the learning curve. I wish DT didn't make acceptance rate part of the search equation, as it cripples people (like me) who get off to a rough start.
I'm not exclusive, so I do a lot of uploading between 7 sites. I find the more sites I upload to, the more emotionally insulated I am from rejections. I have about a 55-60% acceptance rate across the board the last 2 months, which shows I am starting to improve. But out of that 55-60%, one site will reject 6 out of 7 in a submission, another will accept all 7, and the rest will accept 4 out of 7. It's like science - totally predictable. I just never know which ones are going to like my batch.
|
|
Canon EOS 5-D and 30-D
Canon 24mm f/2.8
Canon 50mm f/1.8 I...
|
Uploaded files: 473 | Total Sales: 465
|
|
Danp68
178 posts
|
|
Message posted at 12/20/2007, 22:39:12 PM by Danp68 |
|
|
I've got a long way to go Hatman. I'm having a slow month - 10 dl's through 20 days. Getting to 50 by July 31st is going to be a challenge. I better "up my game" in a hurry. |
|
Canon EOS 5-D and 30-D
Canon 24mm f/2.8
Canon 50mm f/1.8 I...
|
Uploaded files: 473 | Total Sales: 465
|
|
Hatman12
185 posts
|
|
Message posted at 12/21/2007, 00:34:21 AM by Hatman12 |
|
|
It needs patience and planning Dan.
I've had a look through your portfolio; the three shots I like the best (surprise, surprise) are the pile of books, the magazines, and the small pile of girl's school things.
Why do I like these? Because they all have potential and are in a subject area that sells very well. I have 'books and magazines' on my project list and I'll start shooting once I've got it clear in my mind what I want to achieve.
In the meantime, do a search for 'magazines' here at Dreamstime and sort the search by downloads - you'll see the potential of the subject.
Also do a search for 'books'; you'll get a clear idea of what can be achieved (there's a very simple 'open book' in the search that I like).
Remember that there are now more than 2 million images at Dreamstime; that means you cannot be content to just shoot a few magazines and be done with it. To succeed, you have to be methodical and plan to accumulate twenty, thirty or forty different images, all with a different angle and some with different keywords. As an example, have a look at my recent 'cinema tickets' (series is only half complete but it will give you an idea).
There are 40 million royalty free images sold every year (!), but the images are bought by an audience of designers all of whom have slightly different ideas and requirements - that's why it's important to a) identify the subjects that are in demand, and b) cover those subjects professionally and comprehensively.
40 million a year is over 3 million each month (and growing), so I don't think my target of 1,000 a month (or even 10,000) is unreasonable (drop in the ocean really).
The top RF photographer, Yuri Arcurs, sells 30,000 pictures a month..... |
|
|
Uploaded files: -4 | Total Sales: 1285
|
|
Danp68
178 posts
|
|
Message posted at 12/21/2007, 04:38:52 AM by Danp68 |
|
|
Thanks Hatman. That is something I have been considering the last several days - shooting a series rather than a picture or two. You confirmed what I have been thinking for some time. It seems to me there is a lot of luck involved with getting a picture to get noticed, if you shoot something like "magazines." You might shoot 10, and 1 or 2 happen to get a few downloads which pushes it up the search list, which leads to more downloads, and pretty soon you have a nice seller.
I was just about to suggest "amusement park tickets" as an alternative to the idea of movie tickets, but looking at your keywords it appears you already thought of it. I'll brainstorm some more ideas, but I think you've hit the vast majority. You might try "theme park" as it is just as common as "amusement park."
|
|
Canon EOS 5-D and 30-D
Canon 24mm f/2.8
Canon 50mm f/1.8 I...
|
Uploaded files: 473 | Total Sales: 465
|
|
Noonie
300 posts
|
|
Message posted at 12/21/2007, 07:47:35 AM by Noonie |
|
|
Good morning, or whatever, guys.
I've looked around at other sites and was accepted but since I'm exclusive here I haven't used any yet. I don't have the time to do more right now and I want to invest some money in a few things to help my quality, too. I realize they all want different things and maybe that's part of my problem.
I'll keep getting the kids when I can and get some other things going soon. The rejections bother me sometimes since I can't seem to fix some of them that I like.
The one thing I sold that I was glad of was my "Arrow in rock". It kinda spoke to me but I didn't know if it would get to anyone else.
Patience and planning thats the mantra---ohmmmmm |
|
Nikon D200, Olympus C5060
|
Uploaded files: 724 | Total Sales: 410
|
|
Hatman12
185 posts
|
|
Message posted at 12/22/2007, 17:05:09 PM by Hatman12 |
|
|
Out of respect for Achilles and the sterling work he has done in building Dreamstime from scratch, I think it would be appropriate not to mention 'other agencies' in these message forums. Yes, of course everyone knows that other agencies exist, but I think our comments here should be confined to DT and what can be achieved here (and certainly not to make comparisons with elsewhere).
My rough calculations suggest that Dreamstime is selling about 3 million images a year; let's hope that will continue to increase.
Of course the library will also increase; if it grows from 2 million to 3 million in 2008, that will be an increase of 50%; it means that a photographer will have to increase his/her own portfolio by MORE THAN 50% if progress is going to be made relative to the overall library. OR, Dreamstime will have to increase the buying customer base by an equal amount (a tall order, but achievable).
All one can do is try to continue to produce good quality, highly commercial images. I think my occasional visits to the temple to have a talk with Buddha help a little too...... |
|
|
Uploaded files: -4 | Total Sales: 1285
|
|
Noonie
300 posts
|
|
Message posted at 12/23/2007, 07:39:32 AM by Noonie |
|
|
No harm meant in my remarks!!
I think competition is a good thing, of course, I would, it makes you strive harder and get better.
I also want to know what keywords other people use so looking around is a good thing there, isn't it?
In my business I have to watch what others do and know who's out there-if then I'm told that I'm the BEST, it really means something!
DT is telling me that I may have a chance at this, if I can keep getting better and I chose them because they were "kinda" new but looked really professional plus they would help me. ( I may be a slow learner-but I'm cute)
I'm catching up Hatman, up to 29! Maybe next month I can get the other 800+.
Oops, just looked into my workshop---it may take me a little longer.
Put a good word in for me at the temple--maybe I should cover all my bases there.
Here's a question about one of my pictures: One of the first I got accepted is one I call "Purple weed". It's a Passion Flower and I put passion in the keywords. It's getting a lot of hits and that may be why. Should I change the title to Passion Flower to clear it up or just leave it as it is?
|
|
Nikon D200, Olympus C5060
|
Uploaded files: 724 | Total Sales: 410
|
|
Hatman12
185 posts
|
|
Message posted at 12/23/2007, 15:39:24 PM by Hatman12 |
|
|
Sorry to say that the passion flower picture won't sell anyway - it's got too much confusing out of focus stuff on the right hand side. Impossible to tell which of the keywords is attracting the views, but as you know lots of views and no sales spells 'problem'.
You can remove the confusion a little. Firstly its either a weed or a passion flower (probably not both); also, you might add the latin name for those buyers who search specifically for certain flowers (latin names are available at Wikipedia). Note that the Dreamstime search engine uses the titale and description (in addition to the keywords) so you might want to change those.
If its 'passion' that's attracting the views, that's probably buyers looking for Easter images (religious stuff is very popular at Easter, particularly from American buyers).
I'll say a few words to Buddha for you, and perhaps he'll wave his magic wand. Unfortunately he seems to prefer people who are prepared to give all their riches to the poor and spend their lives searching for enlightenment, which is probably why he ignores me. He also seems to prefer people with strangely shaped ears....
Yeah - 29 sales; you've done very well. Us oldies can show the youngsters a thing or two........(!) |
|
|
Uploaded files: -4 | Total Sales: 1285
|
|
Noonie
300 posts
|
|
Message posted at 12/25/2007, 07:51:34 AM by Noonie |
|
|
I think Santa left all of my presents at your house by mistake, so if you'll be so kind as to forward them pronto it would be muchly appreciated.
Just checking the weather and such before I hit the road to visit family, so thought I'd email some friends, too.
Hope you had lots of goodies!
Tell Buddha that my kids seem to want all of my worldly goods so there isn't much left and I'm open for enlightenment, if it will get me a new bicycle!
Yeah, I know the flower had the out of focus stuff on the right, when I enlarged it I did a little cropping but I kinda liked the small vine that had wound itself onto the flower on the left. When they come back this summer I'll try for some more shots. This one withered right after I took that picture.
Cheers-old man----------------- |
|
Nikon D200, Olympus C5060
|
Uploaded files: 724 | Total Sales: 410
|
|
|
