File Format
While it varies what additional formats various platforms accept, all do accept JPEG. The default settings of your camera might be JPEG and you may consider this quite convenient. While it is truly so, your files would have undergone some in-camera processing, and compression, thus destroying some details that will still require some additional tweeking such as correcting noise, exposure, white balance, etc. This many times causes pixel distortion or other damages, and excessive compression to the already processed JPEG file. Therefore it is better to select RAW format on your camera, then convert to JPG after you are done with your editing.
Not all cameras do carry RAW format option. In this case what should you do. Well I started out with a Nikon Coolpix camera. To-date photos taken with that camera are being licensed. Using Camera Raw to edit reduce damages to some extent, however, because of the tendency of damaged pixels be prepared for high rate of rejections. The ideal is the use of a DSLR camera that gives options of different file formats, including RAW. Therefore if you are really serious about photography investing in one of these would be best. My top three to chooses from are Soney, Nikon, and Canon.
Noise/Grain
Noise/grain cannot be avoided. They are visible as grey dots (luminant noise) and colored dots or streaks (chromatic noise).The higher your ISO the more noise/grains there will be. High ISO sometimes cannot be avoided. You will need that setting if taking photos in low lit areas. Under exposure also produce excessive luminant noise/grain, and chromatic noise. You can minimize noise by first utilizing correct exposure settings on your camera. In case of low lit subject (such as that indoors, or on a cloudy/rainy day) utilize exposure compensation, flash compensation, and artificial lighting. These tools you will need to learn how to use, and practice using them. Depending on the depth of field required, you may also need to reduce the aperture settings. Care need to be taken when selecting low (wide) aperture settings since you may end up with unwanted partial out-of-focus subject that cannot be corrected. Because of the non-destructive nature of camera raw, adjustments being stored in a separate file, it is recommended for all photo editing and is available as a plug-in filter on a few editors.
When To Remove Trademarks
Trademarks, and logos can be found almost everywhere - on clothing, shoes, products, buildings, billboards and so on. They come in forms of words, images, numbers, color-codes, shapes, and letters. While these are acceptable for editorial photography, their use in commercial photographs is libel to insight legal action. So what do you do when they get into your photo-frames? Remove them using a photo editor such as Photoshop. When removing same, try to make it as neat and smooth as possible, as if it was not there in the first place. Otherwise you will need written permission (property release) from the person or persons to whom the trademark or logo belong. Except for obtaining property release there are some subjects that are definitely not suitable for commercial photography. There are subject that their shapes are trademarked (example coco cola bottle, and some motor vehicle). To clean trademarks from photographs, in a photo editor you will need to zoom to above 100% so that you can see properly to make a clean removal.
Processing And Conversions
Producing varied and vibrant photographs are always desired. Many people, while doing so, go a little overboard. For stock photography, always focus on making your finished product as close to natural as possible. Therefore very little processing should take place. Your processing should only be for corrections; that is, to remove noise, color fringing, lens correction, correct white balance and correct contrast. Beyond that could cause your photo not to sell at all or reduce multiple sale potential.
Customers know what they want. Let's say you have a very beautiful landscape. Three customers see this image and decide to license it. However, one wants black and white the other wants vibrant, saturated and in extreme contrast. The third wants it as close to natural as possible. The customer that wants it natural will download your file and use it as is. The other two will also download your file and, each makes their desired adjustments both using photo-editors. Congratulation! You have three sales off the bat.
Let's say your image was already converted to black and white. That would be very convenient for the customer that wants it in black and white. No need to convert, the customer happily download and use as is, but then you lose two sales. Your black and white image cannot convert to colour. So you've lost two-color customers.
Let's say you did not convert the image to black and white, but add extra saturation and contrast. The looks of your final product are not exactly what the customer with the desire for saturated contrasting image wanted, and your product is of such the correction cannot be made without damaged pixels. Wow! you've lost three sales.
So there you have it, keep your photos as close to natural-looking as possible. Let customers decide what style or filter they want to add. Give them flexibility and collect from more sales.
Create variation by taking the same subject from different angles, and perspectives. That increases your ability to earn more from a single customer. When photographing an object you can get up to six images without one looking exactly like the other, with close and wide, up to ten.
Learn How To Take Beautiful Photographs
Stock photo platforms gives absolutely everyone owning a camera the opportunity to monetize their favourite photos. However this industry has become a competitive one, hence the quality of your file will determine the potential of sales. Most cameras, if not all have the potential to take stunning pictures. It depends largely on the one behind the view finder or display, depending on what is used to view the potential subject to be captured. There are a number of factors to be taken into consideration. First learn about your camera. The others are discussed above. Photographic skill have to be learnt and practiced. Thanks to e-commerce, many inexpensive resources can be found online in the form of eBooks, or courses. But why is it important to learn the skills for stock photos since most or all your photos are accepted for sale?
They are accepted, but sold for how much? Are you getting the maximum potential returns on each of your files uploaded, or are you really settling for less? There are a few platforms that curate images from the sea of files uploaded. These are placed in specific folders that are categorized and sold in specific markets that many times fetch higher price than average. Getting your image quality to that standard will enable you to earn more for each of your shots, other than the pennies that majority of images earn. In addition your photos will catch more eyes that will be willing to license them for their quality, hence being attracted to multiple and frequent sales. You will not reach this level except you first learn and practice the skills learnt.
You can make decent money from your photos. Some platforms that are exact on quality pays royalties in dollars, not cents. Others while paying royalties in cents do have specific photos that generate dollars. Why settle for lest than you can earn from your work? You can opt to purchase books - paperback or eBooks. On this page there are previews of a few books that you can choose from. Preview is free, and it is 10% of the writers work that can help you to decide which of the books you'd like. Purchase a book, study it and, practice what you learn. Then buy another and do the same. The cost of one of these books is lest than what you can earn from one of your photos with one or two license. There are other books on other pages, and a page dedicated to books for you to choose from.
You may select to signup with Amazon Kindle Unlimited that will allow you access to multiple books to read for Free from their library. Or you may select to signup for LinkedIn Premium where you will have access to LinkedIn Learn. Relying on free floating information will not guarantee getting full and accurate information, or enough to take you to your potential level. You've started on the journey. Might as well focus and follow the correct path. It will make your journey easier, and more enjoyable.
It is possible you meet all the above requirement, however, your submission is not accepted because the platform you submit to believes your photo will not sell. You may be told that your image is "not suitable for commercial use", lack "aesthetic or commercial appeal", or similar wording. In that case try another platform. Each platform has its own unique market. Therefore it is unlikely all will reject you file for non-commercial use reason.
Aesthetic Or Commercial Appeal
Images for the commercial stock is different from those for the art gallery. Each of your stock photos must tell a story about a specific subject that must be identifiable. Leave enough space around the subject(s) to allow for cropping since some users might not want to use your background or might not want a background at all. The photo must be as close to natural as possible to allow customers optional flexibility to convert or add whatever filter or style desired. The story about landscape must be specific and clear – the mountain, plain, farm, forest or any other subject associated with the chosen frame. Projects that might include stock photos are illustrations, branding, labels, education, and literature. To produce appealing images, you need to understand how to use your camera and its limitation.
Main Focus When Creating Stock Images
The need for flexibility of use is important. Therefore, your photos need to contain one or more complete subject within the frame. The subject must be clear and identifiable. Again leave the cropping up to customers.
Maximizing your image sales start with your capture. While the subject you choose is important, your ability to operate the camera is even more crucial. Your images should be completely sharp. Questions you ask yourself when creating still images include: “Can customers easily marquee or mask to crop and transfer subjects from their original to preferred background?” For this to happen edges must be sharp and details visible. How do you benefit from ease of this function? This will maximize the number of people using your images. While some people will be happy using the photograph in its original background, most might not. Also, there is no need to create composites for stock. The customers know best what they want and will customize composites to suit their needs. That might even mean multiple sales for you. Just upload sharp images of whatever creativity or subject model you snap.
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