[LRflex] Re: a mildly interesting read on Stock Photo Market
- From: "David Young" <dsy@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: "George Lottermoser" <leicareflex@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 25 Jul 2011 11:48:18 -0700
In a message dated 25/07/2011, George Lottermoser said ...
> > I fear the stock photo market is in for a long, rough ride.
> Interesting analogy David.
> In both cases a discerning consumer is required for a healthy market;
> along with a photographer's ability to produce an image which is discernible
> from the literal GLUT of relatively decent images on the internet.
> Most especially as the market moves steadily away from "print quality"
> and towards "net quality" and "tablet quality" images.
Hi George!
I'm no great photographer, but I can lay claim to having taken some decent
images, over the years. Good enough to make me a few thousand
dollars a year, of supplemental income. But, I'd hate to have to eat on
that income!
Yet, I pick up a birding ID book (no names, please!) and I'm appalled at
the quality of images used to illustrate it. While the book is well
written, the publisher has obviously used the cheapest photos he can buy.
And the book looks like it! But, so long as "the great unwashed" will
buy the book, the publisher need do no more.
When I first started selling my images, I did fairly well through my
website. Not any more. A month, or so, ago I sold a $600 order to some
medics, who were very pleased with the prints. But, it was my first
sizeable web order in probably 2 years!
There are simply too many images on the web. No matter how good you are, it
is almost impossible to be seen through the clutter.
I do well at art fairs (especially 'Juried" fairs), where people can
examine my images, up close, and where, even in the biggest shows, there is
one or two other wildlife photographers in attendance. But I only do
those, 8 to 12 days a year. (I could do more, but I'm retarded.. er,
retired, remember?)
That works for me, but is a tough row to hoe, for professional photogs, who
must make a living out of it.
People like Dr. Ted were lucky to build their careers and reputations
through the boom years of photography, newspapers and Stock Photo agencies.
A time which is, I'm afraid, fading fast.
--
David Young - Photographer
Logan Lake, CANADA
Wildlife: www.furnfeather.net
Personal: www.main.furnfeather.net
A micro-lender through www.Kiva.org.
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