My Portfolio is now untenable

[Spark]

I don't think it's a problem with the images themselves but that too many are likely to have limited appeal and that to specialists who would be searching on specific keywords you may not even know (the exact terminology for the ropes and rigging for example).  It is definitely worth researching the correct keywords for your images.  Yes, you've got some similars - it's so tempting to really work the scene and then upload a good number of shots - but it's a good way to drive your CTR down until you have the volume of views to absorb major hits from non specific keyword searches (don't talk to me about Camellias!).  

 

As others have said the other problem is you don't really have enough images for the length of time you've been on Alamy.  I'd add to that that you don't have enough subjects.  I had to do a little exercise the other day to produce a list of different subjects in my own portfolio.  Because I have a standardised file naming convention it was easy enough to work out - and it surprised me a little when I realised that I had nearly 1900 different subjects from a portfolio of only 3300 images.  They're mostly within a specialist area - botanical and gardens - but, because of the breadth of coverage and reasonable number of unique to Alamy images I'm enjoying regular sales.  72 so far this year.  And that's really boosted my ranking, so much so that my non specialist shots are being seen by buyers, being zoomed and are now being sold.

 

Hope this helps

 

John

John

 

Good morning

 

Thanks for the advice.  The advice to add more subjects really helps.

[Spark]

Seems to me you've got some very well-seen, thoughtfully-taken and (most importantly) saleable work.

 

From a random page of your portfolio, I would have said that all of these have potential markets (especially the first two - I love the first one ).

 

DXTWNX

 

 

DXTWP7

 

DWK36N

 

DXTWTC

 

But your issue seems to getting actual views, no?  And of course, without views you won't get any zooms.  Which would seem to be a keyword/ranking issue, rather than anything to do with either the standard or content of your imagery.

 

Your keywording seems to be sparse - which I actually think is not necessarily a bad thing - some people here thrive on that.  I've been guilty of doing exactly the opposite: not deliberately spamming, but just pumping all the words I could think of into an image, because (initially) that's what I thought you had to do!  I now know better, (I know that this has hurt me - 2015 was a wasted year here for me) but I'm still useless at it - and unfortunately, also incredibly lazy at actually getting round to revisiting all the files/keywords I have dragging me down.

 

I would think that you might try moving some files into a new psuedo (which will give you a median rank) without any changes and waiting a month or two just to see how they perform against your other images/psuedo(s).  If it's a success (i.e. they get more views/zooms/sales), then perhaps move other images (your most likely sellers?) into the new psuedo.  If previous lack of action has dragged you down so that you're hardly seen at all, then you have nothing to lose, and this might help.  If it fails, you've lost nothing.  You'll have to experiment.

 

Good luck - and remember: I'm the tiniest of fishes here, so I may well be talking absolute nonsense!

Good Morning

 

In some cases my keyboarding is too sparse.  In fact they are incomplete, so that is something I can work on straight away.

[Spark]

Alkmaar is a lovely place. And I realise that many shots are details. But there have been 13 searches for Alkmaar in the past year. Of which 7 were of the cheese market. That's searches not sales. There have been more searches of cranes in that time.

 

Further I have noticed those who make sales have images people (or boats) front side looking towards the camera. Many of those who complain about a lack of sales have images of people (or boats) from the rear.

 

You may want to look at your cadre'ing. I am not sure that that is a word, and it is something I should keep in mind more, but if you want something/one in the image, make sure it is in the image, not 9/10ths.

 

It is possible to pick yourself out of the depths of the ranks. Mine was awful a year or two ago. I went for the less is more approach and a change in subject matter. The collapse in sales I experianced now seems to be arrested. My ranking is back up. That's not to say that it would work for everyone.

Good Morning

If I have understood you correctly you are referring to poor cropping, the difference between. and 

 where the top of the tower is cropped.

[M.Chapman]

 

Your images look reasonable. Although, to my eyes, some look too jumbled, and others could do with a bit more punch (increase vibrance). In some cases the "jumbled" problem is down to composition, in others (e.g. CBDWC2) using a longer focal length and or wider aperture to reduce the depth of field might help to isolate the subject from it's background.

 

I didn't look at your key-wording. The low number of views suggests either

 

1) Low Alamy ranking and/or

2) Poor keywording and/or

3) Your subjects just aren't being searched for.

 

These are all somewhat inter-related. Might be worth trying the "BHZ" game to get an insight into your ranking (search the forum for BHZ).

Mr Chapman

 

Thank you for taking the time.  However the example you used is not my image  CBDWC2

 

 

Oops, my cut and paste failure. CBDWC2 is one of my own images!

 

Please accept my apologies. The image I meant to refer to is this one GGRF5J.

 

 

I've corrected my original posting.

[Phil Robinson]

Quality of images will have an effect on sales and zooms but not on views. Keywords are what get you the views.

I found a lot of Dutch keywords in your images, and the first one I clicked on only had one keyword 'alkmaar'.

I'd agree that some of you pictures are lacking a little in contrast and you have quite a few similars, but to get you images seen you need more English keywords. (but don't overdo it!)

A lot of your photos are of the Netherlands but I can't see that as a keyword on any of them - Holland, yes, but that's not quite the same. 

(and several of the captions havve 'Hollannd' with 2 'n's)

[M.Chapman]

Quality of images will have an effect on sales and zooms but not on views. Keywords are what get you the views.

 

 

But sales and CTR% affect Alamy rank which also affects views.  It's not just keywords.

 

Suggest getting an insight into ranking with BHZ.

[wiskerke]

 

Quality of images will have an effect on sales and zooms but not on views. Keywords are what get you the views.

 

 

But sales and CTR% affect Alamy rank which also affects views.  It's not just keywords.

 

Suggest getting an insight into ranking with BHZ.

 

 

Yes but someone with low rank can defeat that with good images of obscure subjects. Like Alkmaar ;-)

 

Btw Spark, your AA BHZ motorbike, is a BSA M21. There have been some searches in the past for M20 and M21's, with sidecar even.

 

wim

 

edit: your BHZ pipes are vents of the Velsertunnel

Official name: Ventilatiegebouwen Velsertunnel.

They're on the top 100 list of modern monuments, our National Register, of buildings from 1940-1958 in The Netherlands.

[Keith Douglas]

I think you have some excellent images in your collection. I haven't looked at your keywording, but I'm assuming that they will be found by relevant searches. I think though that you also have a lot of similars and/or images that it is difficult to see why they would be bought as stock. The impact of that is that instead of having 1500 images you effectively have a much smaller number - say 300 to 500 that are strong stock images, So, when thinking about the numbers, you might need to base any analysis on a lower effective portfolio.    

[Colblimp]

I've read this thread with interest as I, too, am struggling with sales - not had one since 22nd May, I'm aware my port is tiny and thinking of subjects to photograph is taxing at times. 

 

One thing I've seen in the thread is puzzling me - what on earth is BHZ?!

[losdemas]

I've read this thread with interest as I, too, am struggling with sales - not had one since 22nd May, I'm aware my port is tiny and thinking of subjects to photograph is taxing at times. 

 

One thing I've seen in the thread is puzzling me - what on earth is BHZ?!

 

Been covered here a zillion times before, Colblimp, but here's a post which should enlighten a little:

[Spark]

 

 

Quality of images will have an effect on sales and zooms but not on views. Keywords are what get you the views.

 

 

But sales and CTR% affect Alamy rank which also affects views.  It's not just keywords.

 

Suggest getting an insight into ranking with BHZ.

 

 

Yes but someone with low rank can defeat that with good images of obscure subjects. Like Alkmaar ;-)

 

Btw Spark, your AA BHZ motorbike, is a BSA M21. There have been some searches in the past for M20 and M21's, with sidecar even.

 

wim

 

edit: your BHZ pipes are vents of the Velsertunnel

Official name: Ventilatiegebouwen Velsertunnel.

They're on the top 100 list of modern monuments, our National Register, of buildings from 1940-1958 in The Netherlands.

 

 

Wim

 

First of all congratulations on becoming a Yorkshireman..  (See Ed Rooney's post above)

 

I have been trying without success to find out what those pipes were.  That's a huge help.

 

Thank you

[wiskerke]

 

 

 

Quality of images will have an effect on sales and zooms but not on views. Keywords are what get you the views.

 

 

But sales and CTR% affect Alamy rank which also affects views.  It's not just keywords.

 

Suggest getting an insight into ranking with BHZ.

 

 

Yes but someone with low rank can defeat that with good images of obscure subjects. Like Alkmaar ;-)

 

Btw Spark, your AA BHZ motorbike, is a BSA M21. There have been some searches in the past for M20 and M21's, with sidecar even.

 

wim

 

edit: your BHZ pipes are vents of the Velsertunnel

Official name: Ventilatiegebouwen Velsertunnel.

They're on the top 100 list of modern monuments, our National Register, of buildings from 1940-1958 in The Netherlands.

 

 

Wim

 

First of all congratulations on becoming a Yorkshireman..  (See Ed Rooney's post above)

 

I have been trying without success to find out what those pipes were.  That's a huge help.

 

Thank you

 

 

Oops had missed that clue.

;-)

Very funny.

;-)

wim

[Robert M Estall]

Alkmaar is one of those places which has one feature which renders all others virtually redundant. THE CHEESE MARKET! Of course there is more to Alkmaar than a weekly spectacle of selling colourful cheeses but anything else is going to struggle for attention. The picture editor is almost always going to say: "interesting, pretty, but we've only got room for one photo, so bring on the cheese market"

 

My village in Suffolk is very pretty with many attractive medieval houses, but sales are about zero because just a few miles away is Lavenham which is high on every researchers list. So I shoot Lavenham with its tilting houses and Guild Hall (to the annoyance of the National Trust which makes it irresistible).
 

Warwick with its castle is pretty much a similar one-trick-pony although the ancient hospital also cries out for attention.

 

There is no easy solution to this problem which we all have to some extent. Some photographers retire to the pub and shoot their lunch. I've no idea how that works out for them. Others regard the shelves of supermarkets (worldwide!) as photo opportunities

 

I agree that some of your shots could do with a little more punch, but I don't want to get involved in a critique. I too shoot with a Pentax (a K-5) but never use their software for processing.

 

The Alamy numbers have become so enormous that rising to the top of views is getting really difficult.

 

but good luck, some sales should come, but probably not as many as you might wish.

[Spark]

> my ranking has now sunk to the point...

 

What wouldst I do?

In additional to all the other advice.

This I have pondered.

Have thought about deleting me entire collection.

Waiting short period -- a few days for system refresh.

Then open new account & resubmit ALL the more salable stuff.

New pseudos.  Fresh start.  Average ranking, right...?

Getting back to "average" in few days much better than

slowly clawing one's way up from bottom...?

 

BUT WOULDST ALAMY EVEN ALLOW THIS SCHEME???!!

(wouldst they see it as a "scheme" in the American sense...?)

That is an option. I have considered that.

[Spark]

Alkmaar is one of those places which has one feature which renders all others virtually redundant. THE CHEESE MARKET! Of course there is more to Alkmaar than a weekly spectacle of selling colourful cheeses but anything else is going to struggle for attention. The picture editor is almost always going to say: "interesting, pretty, but we've only got room for one photo, so bring on the cheese market"

 

My village in Suffolk is very pretty with many attractive medieval houses, but sales are about zero because just a few miles away is Lavenham which is high on every researchers list. So I shoot Lavenham with its tilting houses and Guild Hall (to the annoyance of the National Trust which makes it irresistible).

 

Warwick with its castle is pretty much a similar one-trick-pony although the ancient hospital also cries out for attention.

 

There is no easy solution to this problem which we all have to some extent. Some photographers retire to the pub and shoot their lunch. I've no idea how that works out for them. Others regard the shelves of supermarkets (worldwide!) as photo opportunities

 

I agree that some of your shots could do with a little more punch, but I don't want to get involved in a critique. I too shoot with a Pentax (a K-5) but never use their software for processing.

 

The Alamy numbers have become so enormous that rising to the top of views is getting really difficult.

 

but good luck, some sales should come, but probably not as many as you might wish.

Robert

 

Good evening

 

Thank you for assisting.

 

I have only been to Alkmaar once for less than a day. Images of Alkmaar only account for around 6% of my current collection.

[wiskerke]

 

Alkmaar is one of those places which has one feature which renders all others virtually redundant. THE CHEESE MARKET! Of course there is more to Alkmaar than a weekly spectacle of selling colourful cheeses but anything else is going to struggle for attention. The picture editor is almost always going to say: "interesting, pretty, but we've only got room for one photo, so bring on the cheese market"

 

My village in Suffolk is very pretty with many attractive medieval houses, but sales are about zero because just a few miles away is Lavenham which is high on every researchers list. So I shoot Lavenham with its tilting houses and Guild Hall (to the annoyance of the National Trust which makes it irresistible).

 

Warwick with its castle is pretty much a similar one-trick-pony although the ancient hospital also cries out for attention.

 

There is no easy solution to this problem which we all have to some extent. Some photographers retire to the pub and shoot their lunch. I've no idea how that works out for them. Others regard the shelves of supermarkets (worldwide!) as photo opportunities

 

I agree that some of your shots could do with a little more punch, but I don't want to get involved in a critique. I too shoot with a Pentax (a K-5) but never use their software for processing.

 

The Alamy numbers have become so enormous that rising to the top of views is getting really difficult.

 

but good luck, some sales should come, but probably not as many as you might wish.

Robert

 

Good evening

 

Thank you for assisting.

 

I have only been to Alkmaar once for less than a day. Images of Alkmaar only account for around 6% of my current collection.

 

 

My wife used to work in Alkmaar. It's 20 minutes by car. I have no images of Alkmaar in my collection.

(2 of tulip fields near Alkmaar though, just in case you would bother to look.)

Alkmaar is a lovely city.

 

wim

[Spark]

 

 

Alkmaar is one of those places which has one feature which renders all others virtually redundant. THE CHEESE MARKET! Of course there is more to Alkmaar than a weekly spectacle of selling colourful cheeses but anything else is going to struggle for attention. The picture editor is almost always going to say: "interesting, pretty, but we've only got room for one photo, so bring on the cheese market"

 

My village in Suffolk is very pretty with many attractive medieval houses, but sales are about zero because just a few miles away is Lavenham which is high on every researchers list. So I shoot Lavenham with its tilting houses and Guild Hall (to the annoyance of the National Trust which makes it irresistible).

 

Warwick with its castle is pretty much a similar one-trick-pony although the ancient hospital also cries out for attention.

 

There is no easy solution to this problem which we all have to some extent. Some photographers retire to the pub and shoot their lunch. I've no idea how that works out for them. Others regard the shelves of supermarkets (worldwide!) as photo opportunities

 

I agree that some of your shots could do with a little more punch, but I don't want to get involved in a critique. I too shoot with a Pentax (a K-5) but never use their software for processing.

 

The Alamy numbers have become so enormous that rising to the top of views is getting really difficult.

 

but good luck, some sales should come, but probably not as many as you might wish.

 

Robert

Good evening

Thank you for assisting.

I have only been to Alkmaar once for less than a day. Images of Alkmaar only account for around 6% of my current collection.

 

My wife used to work in Alkmaar. It's 20 minutes by car. I have no images of Alkmaar in my collection.

(2 of tulip fields near Alkmaar though, just in case you would bother to look.)

Alkmaar is a lovely city.

 

wim

I caught the train from Hoorn. This year was the first time I had to opportunity to visit away from the "coast" Normally have a few days in Hoorn, sometimes only over night. North Holland is a great place to visit. Also this year was the first time on Marken, have sailed past the lighthouse more than twenty times. I did have a look at your collection, I can see you have only images that "have something to say"

 

Have a nice weekend

[wiskerke]

Alkmaar actually is a lovely city! And for a good part of the year the cheese market keeps them on the map.

From Spark's images I learned, that tourists have to duck for bridges. I never knew. Next time I may do a photo of that. Too bad nobody writes a story about it. Maybe when someone bumps his/her head?

Maybe it would convey the feeling better if it was shot from within the boat. Anyway until then the story is all Spark's.

 

Not sure all my images have something to say. I have quite mundane shots of signs, shop windows and license plates. A Google screen even. (Each of those has sold for over $200. Well usually only one, while the rest are left to sink.)

A healthy mix of great shots and small stories is probably best. Mixed in with the odd supermarket; hospital; court; police building or jail, when you're in the UK. Maybe some good juxtapositions of those with something else. Or a nice grouping.

In all cases: check AoA for what clients want and how they are looking for it. Don't aim for just the UK newspapers, for obvious reasons. However if you happen to have some that sell a couple of times a year to some of the papers, that doesn't hurt ;-) If you look through the images found threads, you'll spot some of the Tesco and Sainsbury's shots repeated time and again. So I now decided to have a Tesco and a Sainsbury's shot too. How low can one go ;-).

 

wim

[losdemas]

Alkmaar actually is a lovely city! And for a good part of the year the cheese market keeps them on the map.

From Spark's images I learned, that tourists have to duck for bridges. I never knew. Next time I may do a photo of that. Too bad nobody writes a story about it. Maybe when someone bumps his/her head?

Maybe it would convey the feeling better if it was shot from within the boat. Anyway until then the story is all Spark's.

 

Not sure all my images have something to say. I have quite mundane shots of signs, shop windows and license plates. A Google screen even. (Each of those has sold for over $200. Well usually only one, while the rest are left to sink.)

A healthy mix of great shots and small stories is probably best. Mixed in with the odd supermarket; hospital; court; police building or jail, when you're in the UK. Maybe some good juxtapositions of those with something else. Or a nice grouping.

In all cases: check AoA for what clients want and how they are looking for it. Don't aim for just the UK newspapers, for obvious reasons. However if you happen to have some that sell a couple of times a year to some of the papers, that doesn't hurt ;-) If you look through the images found threads, you'll spot some of the Tesco and Sainsbury's shots repeated time and again. So I now decided to have a Tesco and a Sainsbury's shot too. How low can one go ;-).

 

wim

 

Hey, don't knock it!  Supermarket images have been some of my best sellers ($)   And as long as they keep buying, I'll keep toting my camera along for the weekly shop!

[Spark]

Wim

 

Good Morning 

 

You asked "How low can one go ;-)."  I suspect this gentleman is about to find out.  

[wiskerke]

Wim

 

Good Morning 

 

You asked "How low can one go ;-)."  I suspect this gentleman is about to find out.  

 

Yes I envy you for that one.

One can hear the conversation:

Watch out low bridge! Duck!

What's that? A duck? I don't see any ducks.

;-)

 

wim