steps to success in microstock

Yes, it really is that simple. That is, if you care enough to realize it and adjust whatever it is that you’re doing accordingly. The catch? Do it now and you’ll be ahead of the crowd, because far too many of the middle class contributors aren’t putting the three piece puzzle together just yet.

Why am I telling you all this, you may ask. Firstly, because I don’t want you to be stuck in the same spot I was for far too long. Secondly, because I believe the entire industry will be revolutionized if more of the people who depend on it actually took it for what it can be. So, read on and analyze your own situation as you do it.

#1 BE SERIOUS ABOUT IT. I suppose you can get just this part down and be as happy as one can be. This is the foundation on which you’re building – your hobby, your business, your holiday money… whatever microstock is to you, it stands on “how seriously you do it”. Ironically, this may be the easiest step to describe as it comes down to one short question: Am I going to make an effort to make this happen or not? Check these definitions of “serious” to see the picture from another angle. There is no some sort of “microstock secret” to being serious. Really, there isn’t.

Are you choosing to be serious?

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an inspirational speech on creativity

Perhaps because it’s on Vimeo and not on YouTube, or maybe just because you’ll never think of looking for it… Here’s an inspirational speech by commercial photographer Chase Jarvis. He makes a few extremely useful points when it comes to growing as a photographer and as a business.

The source of success can be very surprising sometimes, and I’m sure it’s not ever going to be the same for all photographers. It can only be good, however, to see the things from a different perspective – inspiration will always kick in.

Enjoy the video. The 1+hr is well worth it.

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wacom intuos4 review /the negatives

Update, May 4 2011: Since writing this review Wacom have attempted to heal the nib wear issue by releasing a new cover sheet for the Intuos4. I went ahead and tried it but in my opinion it’s not a working solution. The surface is still rough (the paper feel thing) and eats up nibs like crazy. My original worn sheet performs much better (for as long as it’s going to be usable) than the new substitute. So keep this in mind if you’re thinking of buying the new cover sheet. All new Intuos4s since the release of the new sheet should come with it by default. For more info – check the link to the Wacom EU forum below.

So,the Wacom Intuos4 pen tablet has been out there for a while now and pretty much since its introduction – a tool I was looking forward to. I can guess so did (& still do) many others… This is kind of the reason for this review. For those of you who already own it – congrats and I’m sorry.

For the rest – before you buy it ensure you’re up for some mixed feelings.

You can stop reading right here and make your decision for the purchase – a tool is a tool – gets used, gets broken, gets changed with a new one. Unfortunately, we live in the age of expendable items (ever since Gilette came up with the throw-away shaving blade) and there really is no real reason to believe that a manufacturer will create the perfect in user terms.

Hit the “read more” link below to find out what my thoughts and experiences with the the Intuos4 tablet are.

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faces of friends

I must admit – the first time I thought about it, it was more in the realm of impossible… But then I thought about it again and it seemed impossible no more. Stay with me.

The basic idea: I take a B&W portrait photo of you in your best face over a pure white background. I then print it and give it to you. Yours is then added to the other 99 photographs and one day (upon completion of all) will hang on my wall as a reminder of you.

When? Whenever. I really don’t want to put a time-limit on this. Whenever you’re free, whenever we’re together, whenever is a good time.

As a matter of fact, I’m not sure I want to put a number limit on it either but I had to start somewhere. So if it has to grow to a face of a friend x300 I can only be happy that I have 300 friends and get to have a photo of them all.

Yeah, but “I” are a family. Then I will get creative and your photo will be delivered in a frame.

How do I sign up? By letting me know. Today you can do this via telephone, electronic mail, good ol’ paper mail… or by means of face to face communication. We’ll then figure out the details.

Don’t forget – an empty wall can be a very sad thing to look at.

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ten things for free in 2011

Update: As of 11 Dec. the remaining offers have been closed because there is very little time left of 2011 to plan and execute these photo shoots. Still, if you’re interested in any of them – contact me and I’ll see what I can do for you.

WHAT: free photographer, photos for free, me work you enjoy… Call it as you wish – I’ll shoot for 10 of you absolutely for free throughout 2011. Two business promos/ads, two weddings, three family portraits, one personal portrait, two sport events. We’re talking “photo shoot”, not just a single photograph. You only get full res digital copies of the photographs (sorry, no prints).

WHERE: -undefined- (see info below)

WHY: because I enjoy doing things for free, because you like getting things for free, for inspiration’s sake

DETAILS: well, read on

HOW DO I GET IT: post your request in the comments area below

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elinchrom quadra adapter mod

An important disclaimer: What you’re about to read and see is a modification of a product which is likely to break its warranty (should there be any) and as such is to be carried out at your own responsibility. Furthermore, if you damage whatever (the product, your tools, toes, nails, windows, etc.) while you’re trying to repeat what I’ve done – you’re the one who takes the full responsibility. You don’t have to do what I did unless you decide to yourself.

Alright, now to the point – you bought yourself an Elinchrom Quadra, the initial excitement has settled (or not) and you want to make the most of it (which is why you bought it in first place). The problem however, is that to achieve this you’re very likely to use it on modifiers larger than the optional EL Quadra Reflector Adapter is specified for. The first batches of the adapter which are still in stock at some smaller distributors just won’t hold, say your Elinchrom Deep Octa. People complained, Elinchrom came up with a solution – a new batch of adapters with improved rubbers, washers, whatever it is that they changed. The problem with this new one now is that it’s far too sticky. Tighten it up and then you’ll be doing the opposite (what appears to be) forever if you want to change its angle. And even then the adjustment is far from the quality of the Manfrotto/Bogen Lite-Tite Swivel (a.k.a. 026). I believe that swivel/umbrella adapter to be the best out there, albeit pricey.

There’s a few similar mods out there, but none seemed clean and simple enough for me, so I sat down one day and came up with the following.

Please, do read the entire thing and only then start working (if you choose to do the modification).

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misconceptions about microstock

“Make cash from your vacation photos” – that’s pretty much how microstock was viewed not too long ago. Unfortunately, some still view it the same way today in 2010/2011. Well, that’s no longer what it is (if it ever was to begin with).

There’s a ton of similar articles out there – some more useful and realistic than others. Below you’ll find my take on some of the most common mistakes microstock contributors make. I’ve been a contributor for more than four years and an editor/reviewer for over three of them. As such I’ve had the chance to look at the industry from two very different standpoints, the combination of which will hopefully enable me to help you at least a bit. Add to this my own mistakes and you have a lot to read.

Not taking it for what it is. Everyone comes to microstock with the goal of making some money. A lot of people, however, seem to forget that this is a business. Besides what you went there for (ie. your money), the agency also needs to make some for the service they offer and the customers want quality in exchange for what they give. Business as such isn’t always pretty – the competition becomes fiercer (pretty much by the day), your work gets rejected because it is (no longer) up to the standards, the strive for success becomes even more demanding. If you’re not ready for all of this, then you better toughen up because it’s coming your way no matter what.

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not a photo blog

A blog about photography as opposed to a photo blog. This is what this area of my site is about. Yes, you may occasionally find a photo post but the idea is that there’s something more than just that. Something which will benefit you as a photographer, a reader, a person. It’s also about discussing – photography and anything that has to do with it.

The grand purpose of the blog is set but inevitably little things will be added. Known for now is that here you will be able to find information about gear/equipment/tools, sources of (creative) inspiration, information about microstock photography, as well as my thoughts about photography as a business. The blog will also be the place where I’ll announce and develop my personal photo projects.

Ways to keep up.

Subscribe to the RSS/ATOM feeds. It’s quite unlikely that you haven’t used either one already, but just in case you’re wondering what it all is – check wikipedia’s article on the topic.

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