Is it possible to make a living from Microstock?

By OneToRemember, on October 25th, 2010

I have started to post up some of my pictures on microstock sites. If you have done this you will know how great it feels when you sell an image even it is for only a small amount of money. Like many people I love taking pictures and this seems a great way to monetise my hobby. I have read two microstock books that have helped me think about what would be a good picture to publish and also some of the best stock sites. Here are some links to the books on Amazon.

I would not choose one book over another as they are quite different. The reviews on Amazon for both are good and I hope to add one myself. Digital Stock Photography is strange in that it only has a few images and they are all in black and white. However this is made up by the excellent way the writer covers all aspects of working with stock photography from equipment, through software suggestions, sites, field work, etc. I am sure that I will read the book through more than once and dip in and out for specific help. I also liked the ‘break-out’ sections with details of how experienced photographers have succeeded.

The second book, which I actually read first, is very well illustrated and focusses more on microstock sites and how to get published. Lots of illustrations and tips which I found successful. This book goes into more detail on how the author of Microstock Photography has achieved success. It also gives some illustrations on how much money you can earn and how many images you would need to publish.

I have a few tips that might help if you are also starting to publish on microstock sites.

1 – You need a good camera (DSLR) with a good lens. I tried publishing images from a good 10 mega pixel compact camera. All were rejected from every site because of poor quality likely caused by an inferior lens. I use a Nikon D60 with Nikon lenses. Nothing too expensive but then I am only just starting out.

Nikon D60 Digital SLR Camera – Black (AF-S DX Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR)

2 – Don’t over work your images and don’t sharpen them using software.

3 – If you are unsuccessful with a site read the comments that often come back. But don’t trash the image I have found that different sites take different images.

4 – Don’t over crop your image. First, as this often renders it too small and it will be rejected as soon as it is uploaded. Second often buyers want space to add text or are very able to crop themselves.

5 – Last but not least spend some time looking through the sites and see what is selling. Don’t just try and copy the most popular images but take a look at the ‘type’ of picture rather than the actual subject matter. You may be surprised.

So last in this post I wanted to share a few sites where I have a few images published. I have started adding a list togther with some books and ebooks on

http://www.onetoremember.co.uk/xcart/Photographs.html

I would always welcome your comments.