Comments on: The Microstock Photography Debate http://dptnt.com/2009/08/the-microstock-photography-debate/ All about digital photography - DPTnT Wed, 17 Mar 2010 21:16:03 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Microstockinsider http://dptnt.com/2009/08/the-microstock-photography-debate/#comment-880 Microstockinsider Mon, 24 Aug 2009 00:35:56 +0000 http://dptnt.com/?p=2689#comment-880 Am I the only one who thinks that it's completely fitting that Time choose microstock to source a cover photo for a lead story entitled 'the new frugality'? Considering the subject it's kind of ironic to hear photographers argue the price should have been higher! Am I the only one who thinks that it’s completely fitting that Time choose microstock to source a cover photo for a lead story entitled ‘the new frugality’? Considering the subject it’s kind of ironic to hear photographers argue the price should have been higher!

]]> By: LaRoach http://dptnt.com/2009/08/the-microstock-photography-debate/#comment-879 LaRoach Sun, 23 Aug 2009 19:57:07 +0000 http://dptnt.com/?p=2689#comment-879 So here's my two cents on the debate. Many years ago I was a pro with a studio, RB 6x7 portrait camera, medium format cameras for weddings, tacky props for high school seniors, high overhead and thousands of paper proofs that cost a lot of money to produce. I enjoyed being a photographer but hated all the "stuff" I had to deal with. I left the studio behind, became a marketing professional and once again enjoying my day job. But I still wanted an outlet to show and sell photography. Not to pay the bills - but to feel the same enjoyment I had thirty years ago as a young photographer when someone wanted to pay for my images. Microstock is ideal - all electronic with no fuss or muss, I can work as little or as much as I want, plus I see some spending money coming in from "passive income". I love the idea of putting my images out there on a global stage with someone else selling the work, plus having the ability to develop my own market through social media. This was never even a possibility when I was a professional photographer. So yes - the world has moved on. And it's your choice to embrace microstock - or not. So here’s my two cents on the debate. Many years ago I was a pro with a studio, RB 6×7 portrait camera, medium format cameras for weddings, tacky props for high school seniors, high overhead and thousands of paper proofs that cost a lot of money to produce. I enjoyed being a photographer but hated all the “stuff” I had to deal with.

I left the studio behind, became a marketing professional and once again enjoying my day job. But I still wanted an outlet to show and sell photography. Not to pay the bills – but to feel the same enjoyment I had thirty years ago as a young photographer when someone wanted to pay for my images. Microstock is ideal – all electronic with no fuss or muss, I can work as little or as much as I want, plus I see some spending money coming in from “passive income”.

I love the idea of putting my images out there on a global stage with someone else selling the work, plus having the ability to develop my own market through social media. This was never even a possibility when I was a professional photographer.

So yes – the world has moved on. And it’s your choice to embrace microstock – or not.

]]> By: Peter Dinella http://dptnt.com/2009/08/the-microstock-photography-debate/#comment-878 Peter Dinella Sun, 23 Aug 2009 12:59:15 +0000 http://dptnt.com/?p=2689#comment-878 The true price of anything you want to sell is what people are willing to buy it for. Ever run a tag/garage sale? You get introduced into the world of "real-world pricing" when you do. The above review is right on target. The key point is that "technology has reduced the barrier for taking good quality photos." Millions of people are out these taking digital images and just imagine if only 1% of them turned out to be very good. Do the math. When camera phones take 10MP images, it will be all over except for the true professional. Be happy with your $30; you may only get $5 for it in a few years. The true price of anything you want to sell is what people are willing to buy it for. Ever run a tag/garage sale? You get introduced into the world of “real-world pricing” when you do.

The above review is right on target. The key point is that “technology has reduced the barrier for taking good quality photos.” Millions of people are out these taking digital images and just imagine if only 1% of them turned out to be very good. Do the math.

When camera phones take 10MP images, it will be all over except for the true professional. Be happy with your $30; you may only get $5 for it in a few years.

]]> By: Orson http://dptnt.com/2009/08/the-microstock-photography-debate/#comment-876 Orson Sat, 22 Aug 2009 22:26:16 +0000 http://dptnt.com/?p=2689#comment-876 Hi! Finally some good answers to all those articles, that accused microstock of underselling the photographers work. I can only agree with you. My opinion is that microstock is good opportunity and if it would be so bad, why is there so many amateur (but also profi) photographers?? Hi!
Finally some good answers to all those articles, that accused microstock of underselling the photographers work. I can only agree with you. My opinion is that microstock is good opportunity and if it would be so bad, why is there so many amateur (but also profi) photographers??

]]>