Jump to content

Recommended Posts

A common mistake many newbies make here at Alamy is submitting a truckload of slightly different views of a subject, thinking this helps them increase their collections. This is, of course, a no-no. 

 

But what about revisiting a subject? What about shooting the same subject several times at different times of day from different viewpoints? What do you all think? 

 

  welcome-to-little-italy-sign-on-mulberry

welcome-to-little-italy-sign-on-mulberry

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Good subject. That moon is nice:

- When a moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie.. hmm maybe not.

Do check AoA for demand though.

 

I plan to do Amsterdam canals; Holland tulips; windmills as well.

 

wim

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yes.. I have no issues with a few similars.. a few different angles of the same subject might be the difference between a sale or not. Of course there is a balance with how this effects your CTR (if indeed CTR makes any difference nowadays).

 

Revisiting subjects is very valid.. they change (even if it's just the weather or season). People quite possibly want to use up-to-date images of places with images reflecting the current season.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yes.. I have no issues with a few similars.. a few different angles of the same subject might be the difference between a sale or not. Of course there is a balance with how this effects your CTR (if indeed CTR makes any difference nowadays).

 

Revisiting subjects is very valid.. they change (even if it's just the weather or season). People quite possibly want to use up-to-date images of places with images reflecting the current season.

 

Which causes me to wonder about the lead time between buying and publishing images? Back in the film world, for magazines and brochures, it used to be typically 5 or 6 months. ???

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Surely a similar is an identical or - as near as dammit - an almost identical frame. Re-shooting is something many of us do when we've upgraded equipment or perhaps thinking of a better angle - and anyway, when returning, the weather, the light and the backgrounds can change.

 

This is an endorsement for always going back if the mood suits us ..

 

Richard.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

A common mistake many newbies make here at Alamy is submitting a truckload of slightly different views of a subject, thinking this helps them increase their collections. This is, of course, a no-no. 

 

But what about revisiting a subject? What about shooting the same subject several times at different times of day from different viewpoints? What do you all think? On 

On the contrary, I have seen many similars on many of the "old hands" portfolios on Alamy Whereas I believe I have very, very few similars in my portfolio at the moment. I am under the impression that I need to substantially increase the number of similars??

Link to comment
Share on other sites

As Ed suggests similars are fine. Also remember to add vertical images to horizontal as well. And, if the subject suits, make a square image.

 

Allan

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

Yes.. I have no issues with a few similars.. a few different angles of the same subject might be the difference between a sale or not. Of course there is a balance with how this effects your CTR (if indeed CTR makes any difference nowadays).

 

Revisiting subjects is very valid.. they change (even if it's just the weather or season). People quite possibly want to use up-to-date images of places with images reflecting the current season.

 

Which causes me to wonder about the lead time between buying and publishing images? Back in the film world, for magazines and brochures, it used to be typically 5 or 6 months. ???

 

More like 5 or 6 minutes nowadays.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

 

Yes.. I have no issues with a few similars.. a few different angles of the same subject might be the difference between a sale or not. Of course there is a balance with how this effects your CTR (if indeed CTR makes any difference nowadays).

 

Revisiting subjects is very valid.. they change (even if it's just the weather or season). People quite possibly want to use up-to-date images of places with images reflecting the current season.

 

Which causes me to wonder about the lead time between buying and publishing images? Back in the film world, for magazines and brochures, it used to be typically 5 or 6 months. ???

 

More like 5 or 6 minutes nowadays.

 

 

 

Mostly, I would consider that a good thing, the shorter turnaround. I prefer to be dealing with the reality of the moment, even with stock. Christmas pictures in 2017 with images from 2016 or earlier? Nah.  (I don't do Live News.)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I probably submit too many similars from single shoots, especially of people (politicians with slightly different expressions) but I certainly also reshoot places on different days. A small change in the lighting can be enough to make a difference. I sometimes delete the old ones if the new ones are better but not different enough. But not often (enough).

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Revisiting subjects is very valid.. they change (even if it's just the weather or season)

 

This man has been photographing the same view for five years and, according to the article, every one is different....

 

http://www.thejournal.ie/pictures-glendalough-3306478-Mar2017/?utm_source=email

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I mainly submit plant portraits and garden views to Alamy.  Given the seasonal nature of the subject matter I'm often taking the same subjects a year apart.  If I can say something new or improve on what I've already uploaded I'll submit it even if it's similar.  I'll reach a point when I'll need to cull, of course, though how I'll decide which should go is going to be the hard part.  Best to be ruthless, I suspect.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It’s very hard for me to avoid shooting similars. I shoot for non-profit organizations and it’s mainly music stuff. They are interested in the biggest name onstage and couldn’t care less about the others because when they print brochures to advertise other events they pick the big name people for their ad. In some cases in the photo pit you can be competing with 30 or more other photographers to get the shot. Usually you get 3 songs then you are escorted out. I hear people shooting on fully automatic and is like machine gun fire all around me. Similars are hard to avoid when it’s crowded out there. I understand what you are saying….and I’ll try and do better in the future.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

You can't avoid shooting similars but you can avoid putting them up here.

Editing photos is nearly always harder than taking them.

 

 

 

Curating is even more difficult. :)

 

Allan

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I seem to remember that Alamy had a rule that more than five similar images in a submission led to a rejection. Maybe no longer in force.

I do mostly architecture, landscape and travel photography. I try wide angle, upright and different angles as well at time of year. I also try images with and without people as buyers have different requirements. With all types the subject changes over time. New buildings and layouts etc. so I try and renew wherever possible. I often leave the old ones as some buyers are looking for historical images for illustrations. As is well known, stock photography is a numbers game and often "less likely" sellers are the ones to be licensed. it is all about perception and guesswork. I often think I have been too critical in what to photograph - things looking great - rather than take it and hope for the best. Looking at my sales figures, there is no doubt in my mind that quantity, quality and variety matter.

Problem for new entrants is that the fees earned do not justify commercial photography involving time and expenses. It really is now a hobby or side show to paying commercial photography.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.