We started this business because of Photography. The word "stock" had been
added just because it is the correct term for the availability of the internet
to provide a means for others to buy image licenses.
Stock photography. Is that a bad word?
We have been online for one year, and we have heard a lot of very interesting
opinions. In summarizing them, we would like to highlight some misunderstood
concepts.
- Stock photo is a 20 cent photo
Big and successful micro payment Mega-distributors payouts may be not so much
per download, but they can provide a reasonable income because they sell a lot.
Why not? We (at FeaturePics.com) are offering a different model. Photographers
are setting their own prices and getting generous returns (50%). We are not a
micro payment site, and if your images are competitive, better, unique – feel
free to set a price that is not even close to 20 cents.
- Stock photos are "Handshake of Synergy" /"Business woman on the phone" type
of photos
This is wrong. Stock photography consists of existing photographs – no less, no
more. The beauty of stock photography is that a photograph can be used and
reused multiple times. This photograph can be about family, business,
agriculture, nature, traveling, you name it.
- Stock photography is killing professional photography
Wait a minute. Professional photographers have the powerful benefits of 24/7
e-commerce capability. The point being is to find a good match with an agency
or agencies. Some of our FeaturePics.com Authors prefer to set a higher price
for their professional images, and distribute the images less frequently. For
the higher price they believe that it is worth their time and expense for
equipment, models, studios, etc, and therefore a better product.
- The Photographer is losing the image control
There is always a chance... A client may use an image after the license has
expired, beyond the license parameters, or an image can be transferred to
someone else who has no right at all to use the image. The reality is, that our
buyers ask several times in what way they can use an image. Why? Because they
are usually extremely careful and do not want to be sued.
A few times we faced situations when "Authors" uploaded photographs that did
not belong to them. The stock photography world is very big, but it is a "small
world" from the inside. FeaturePics.com has the privilege (due to not being
oversized) to know the majority of our Authors by communicating with them
through electronic means, phone, and sometimes meeting them personally.
A quick reminder to our Authors – please include a copyright notice in your
image. You make a client sleep better and protect your image in a better way.
- Stock photography is just for the money
We have a lot of examples of when Authors were very happy to see their free
images (with credits) published in articles, or on big sites. Recognition is
very important. A possibility to discuss photography subjects with other
Photographers is very important. We believe it is "A Basic Need" to present
your point of view and your artistry through photography.
- If you license your images through agencies – there is no need to do
something by yourself
I would disagree. First of all it is fun to create your own site, to show your
images the way you want, to write articles, and run discussion groups. The
second – it helps a lot to promote your own images. When you see 1,000,000
photos, 1,500,000 photos in stock – it is easy to be lost in this world.
- I just take a picture. People will find it because it is good.
.
Just type "stock photos" on Google. What do you see? 71,100,000 results. I
think "image description" should be a subject for our next talk.
Yes, we were talking about technologies that can "recognizes and describes
images in words"
It will take a little time to build a real technology that can describe your
image correctly. In the mean- time we take very seriously, this job on
ourselves.
No, it is not the end of our observations. We are learning and analyzing
working in this wonderful world of stock photography.
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