Farktographer response to a stock photo site

[manwiththegoldenhelmet]

Hi there, I work for a stock photography site (I won’t mention which, as I do not wish to advertise in such a place, nor do I have the authority).

I was wondering what your general response would be to selling your photography as stock photography. Do you see it as sacred art that cannot be commercialized, or would you like to make a decent amount for your work? I find the abundance of micro-payment ($1 per image) photo sites somewhat disrespectful to hard working photographers out there. I’ve seen great talent in these contests, and hope that you all continue taking such great shots!

If this isn’t a good place to post this, I preemptively apologize for it 🙂

Thanks!

[staplermofo]

As a lazy, untalented photographer in dire need of money with no commitments or further expectations I love the idea.

That and I’ve never made a dime from it… and I really like dimes.

[monkeybort]

i’m also fine with the idea. i actually keep meaning to submit some stuff to a few stock companies to see how i do, but i’ve been too busy lately.

obviously, there are some things i wouldn’t sell as stock, but most of it i wouldn’t have any problem with.

[staplermofo]

Come to think of it, I really like the idea.
I have the following questions:

1. What’s a good service that won’t screw me over (ie, not let me use my own images) and will give me lots of money?

2. What sells well? (blank background stuff, colorful stuff, everyday objects, crazy objects, etc)

3. What will land me in jail for trying to sell (other than child porn)?

4. Are there any risks or hassles I should know about before going for it?

5. Sucking as much as I do, should I even bother?

[schnee]

I’m always open to revenue-generating opportunities, as long as I get a fair share of the revenue.

[ch4r7ie]

sorry, i’m against it completely

i have photographs on my website which are deeply personal to me
that i never want to be availible to a stock company..

i know already of a website which is hotlinking one such photo, and one of the most painfull moments of my life is being used by a rightwing nut to foment a politcal view i abhore completly, yet i am reluctant to remove or rename the photo because members of my family also look at it…

this reminds me that once i say yes i lose all artistic control over my pictures

i’m concerned also with how you see the photographs, your perception is that the photographs here are all in one large clump

the rules set out at the beginning of the contest specifically point out that the photograph’s copyright belong to the photographer, yet you are looking for a way to make those photographs availible to your company, which you don’t want to name..

the enthusiasm of the contests would probably be dampened if folks were looking over their shoulders

maybe it would be better if you left an ad saying that you work for a stock comany and ask anyone interested to contact you, and leave farktography.net out of the loop

.

[monkeybort]

i think he was just asking for opinions, not recruiting. if he was recruiting, he could have just emailed the people whose work he was interested in and given them a proposition. no reputable stock site would just pirate images from a photo contest – it would open them up to all sorts of repurcussions.

[ch4r7ie]

If this isn’t a good place to post this, I preemptively apologize for it 🙂

Thanks!

he’s being polite enough, but his comments are very general and he is asking at large..

he is giving me the impression that he views all the photographs here as a viable heap of talent

.

[staplermofo]

he’s being polite enough, but his comments are very general and he is asking at large..

he is giving me the impression that he views all the photographs here as a viable heap of talent

Looked like a harmless and tentative opinion poll to me.

I’m pretty sure people that don’t have the authority to act as representatives of their companies aren’t the ones who’d go out of their way (or the rules of polite society) to help it.

It’s a good point about what the images are being used for though.
I’m not crazy about the likes of Fred Phelps or paper-clip supremacists using my images.

Do stock photo places let you say you don’t want your images used for political, religious, non-stapler-paper-binding, etc purposes?

[ch4r7ie]

[staplermofo]

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.

*breaks down in tears*

(25? will stop the crying)

[manwiththegoldenhelmet]

Thank you. By no means am I recruiting, I will not contact anyone here unless they beg me to. I’m not here to gather more photographers.

Well, the policy is somewhere along the lines of allowing the company to act as your agent for two years. You can still sell the photos as long as its not to a competitor. The photos sell for flat rates, and I believe the photographer takes away 70%. This might be the most controversial point, however lawyers seem to like strong language… I’ve always been posessive of my photography, personally, I would be ok selling some regular shots, so long as I got to keep the rights to them.

It seems what sells well, although we are just a startup at the moment, are the basic images like macro shots and extreme sports type photos. It is hard to predict what a designer will want. It seems that we have an over abundance of flowers and scenery, however.

There is also a liberal policy regarding content, there is stuff that has been approved that I might consider racy. I’m no prude, but who knows how the general public gets offended these days.

As for risks and hassels, I just don’t know. Knowing the company and the boss, litigation would probably never happen unless you are stealing another photographer’s work…

I’m really trying not to turn this into an advertisement. I’m just a curious party and thank you all so much for the responses.

[ch4r7ie]

classified ad section, your company pay some modest fee that goes to farktography.net and get to list your company’s website, money that comes here pays for name renewal, hosting fees, and since other companies can post an ad, you wouldn’t be percieved as an exclusive sponser -which is good for you

folks looking for a stock company would be happier talking to someone who at least indirectly supports the coolest amateur photography websit in history

you do know that this is the coolest amateur photography website in history don’t you…

.

[manwiththegoldenhelmet]

That’s what I’m pushing for. I don’t make the decisions unfortunately :).

[Elsinore]

I have no problem with it, though there are some of my photos I’d not be willing to sell. The micro-stock sites annoy me, so if it were a site that gave an honest cut to the photographer, I’d be willing to entertain the thought.

Edited to add: I would definitely be leery to give anyone exclusive rights to any of my photos for any period of time unless the money were seriously worth my while. And I’m with others that aren’t thrilled with the possibility of their work being used for political views out of line with their own…

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