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forum => International forum for English speakers => General discussion => : Talya November 29, 2007, 06:51:26 AM

: Hall of Fame.
: Talya November 29, 2007, 06:51:26 AM

Acting on Lev's advice I started the same topic in Russian section. Please brag about everything that makes you proud, big or small.

I know my small achievement will be lost in shadows of big names which have already showed up on this forum but at least I will go to the history as the topic starter.  :D

This is my third month on IS and the number on DLs finally exceeded the number of my files.  That makes me proud.

: Re: Hall of Fame.
: Clivia November 29, 2007, 09:41:13 AM

 Talya, Its a great feeling when you see your portfolio and your sales growing.

I bought  a car last month, totally paid for with my photography earnings. Not all microstock, but a good part of it was. That made me very proud and happy.  ;D

: Re: Hall of Fame.
: Susan November 29, 2007, 08:56:50 PM

Talya, I am proud when I look at the images I first submitted to the microstock sites and I can see vast improvement in my new images.

: Re: Hall of Fame.
: Syates December 01, 2007, 12:17:39 AM

Talya, what I am proud of is here (http://footage.shutterstock.com/videos.html?submitter_id=57169/?rid=57169) With the help of a friend that talked and guided me through the procedure I managed to make some fractal footage, so far none of them has sold but that was not the reason I tried my hand on them, I just wanted to know if I could do it, this is my favourite, because that was the one I really felt I did on my own, SY:

My little Sun (http://footage.shutterstock.com/video.html?id=66598/?rid=57169)

: Re: Hall of Fame.
: DNF-Style December 03, 2007, 04:44:46 PM

: Clivia  November 29, 2007, 09:41:13 AM

 Talya, Its a great feeling when you see your portfolio and your sales growing.

I bought  a car last month, totally paid for with my photography earnings. Not all microstock, but a good part of it was. That made me very proud and happy.  ;D

What!!! A car??? It took us one year to finance a 70-200 2.8L out of microstock and people keep telling us we should be in the top 10.

: Re: Hall of Fame.
: Syates December 03, 2007, 04:55:00 PM

: DNF-Style  December 03, 2007, 04:44:46 PM

: Clivia  November 29, 2007, 09:41:13 AM

 Talya, Its a great feeling when you see your portfolio and your sales growing.

I bought  a car last month, totally paid for with my photography earnings. Not all microstock, but a good part of it was. That made me very proud and happy.  ;D

What!!! A car??? It took us one year to finance a 70-200 2.8L out of microstock and people keep telling us we should be in the top 10.

Welcome Frenk and Danielle, glad you sorted your login problem out!
Yes, we told you so! Your portfolio is really amazing, how anybody with images like This! (http://dnf-style.com) is not selling more is beyond me. Stay in this forum and I think people will happily exchange their "sales" tips for "photo" tips from you. SY

: Re: Hall of Fame.
: Clivia December 03, 2007, 07:17:15 PM

Sybille you are so right. They are stunning images.
DNF, I would love to spend a day just watching you work. I bet I would learn more in a day watching you than I would in a year on microstock.

: Re: Hall of Fame.
: DNF-Style December 03, 2007, 08:50:09 PM

: Clivia  December 03, 2007, 07:17:15 PM

Sybille you are so right. They are stunning images.
DNF, I would love to spend a day just watching you work. I bet I would learn more in a day watching you than I would in a year on microstock.

Thanks, we settle for your car  ;D
Yes and we do have humor (I hope).
Anything you would like to know and we have the time for telling you we will share.

: Re: Hall of Fame.
: Elnur December 05, 2007, 11:52:05 AM

Yesterday, I got a new record at shutterstock  - 280 sales !! Nothing extraordinary.... just new 130 photos in portfolio  ;D

: Re: Hall of Fame.
: DNF-Style December 05, 2007, 11:59:19 AM

: Elnur  December 05, 2007, 11:52:05 AM

Yesterday, I got a new record at shutterstock  - 280 sales !! Nothing extraordinary.... just new 130 photos in portfolio  ;D

On one day  :o :o :o

: Re: Hall of Fame.
: Elnur December 05, 2007, 04:42:27 PM

: DNF-Style  December 05, 2007, 11:59:19 AM

: Elnur  December 05, 2007, 11:52:05 AM

Yesterday, I got a new record at shutterstock  - 280 sales !! Nothing extraordinary.... just new 130 photos in portfolio  ;D

On one day  :o :o :o

Yes, in one day... Hope to break 300 soon.... in January, I will certainly beat 300 too !!

: Re: Hall of Fame.
: DNF-Style December 05, 2007, 04:53:15 PM

We are defintally doing something wrong, our record is 54 on one day and our average lies around the amount you are planning to make in jan in one day.
Can you give us a link of your pf so we can buy some more ;-)

In my amazingness I totally forget to congratulate you with your record.

: Re: Hall of Fame.
: Talya December 05, 2007, 06:04:21 PM

: Elnur  December 05, 2007, 11:52:05 AM

Yesterday, I got a new record at shutterstock  - 280 sales !! Nothing extraordinary.... just new 130 photos in portfolio  ;D

I told you :)  Congratulations

: Re: Hall of Fame.
: Talya December 05, 2007, 06:12:08 PM

DNF,  SS is easy to beat (your own record).  Because it depends so much on new uploads, if you did not upload a couple of week for some reason and then upload a big batch you will have it.

: Re: Hall of Fame.
: Talya December 05, 2007, 06:36:56 PM

DNF, regarding your portraits, some of them are just stunning, but...

I'm not an expert, just my 2 cents. There are too much art, too much humor, too much drama for stock. I hope you know I mean. Try to be simple. Take a photo of a pretty girl in white shirt with headphones and welcoming expression and you will have it. With all your skills I have no doubt about it. Well, if you moral principles allow you  ;). I know people who will say "never ever" and I can understand why.

Again, this is just my very humble opinion.

: Re: Hall of Fame.
: DNF-Style December 05, 2007, 07:55:43 PM

Talya, your up  :P

We are, and I guess will always be into arty DNF-Stylish stuff.
BUT are looking in envy to the enormous sales others have while we are having very few and evrybody is convincing us we should do so much better. Like our last christams shoot we did a lot of copyspace things with a whiteboard. The kick of selling and actually earning what everyone tells us we should is very big.
Like today our collegue who sold 280 in one day at SS and ours is at 54 while uploading in small batches or big batches did not make a difference.

We will stay arty but also will do whatever needed to get our sales up, since my unemployment we do need the income.

: Re: Hall of Fame.
: Talya December 05, 2007, 08:15:22 PM

Lev, it is hard to argue with you specially on this subject. But I believe that what you said is wishful thinking which only most talented and luckiest of us can hope to experience in live. I will write more from home (I'm at work now). Just quick remark: Not too many geniuses were recognized (and paid) while they were alive.

DNF, I did not mean "give up your style", do not get me wrong. But if I were you (Huh, I wish I had such skills) I would try in a different theme (girl with headphones is a theme, not a style).

SY, it maybe better to make a separate topic for this discussion, don't you think? If you can cut it out I would not mind  :)

: Re: Hall of Fame.
: Elnur December 05, 2007, 11:44:40 PM

: DNF-Style  December 05, 2007, 04:53:15 PM

We are defintally doing something wrong, our record is 54 on one day and our average lies around the amount you are planning to make in jan in one day.
Can you give us a link of your pf so we can buy some more ;-)

In my amazingness I totally forget to congratulate you with your record.

Thanks for congratulations. I do hope my bragging inspires others  :)  At least, this is how it worked for me. About a year ago, when I saw some figures by more established stockers, I was saying "wow !!", Now I'm proud to say that I achieved many milestones which made me "wow" a year ago.. I think the success on photostocks is not only about shooting great photos, or rather, a lot of potential is lost if other factors are neglected. It is a business with many obvious and less so obvious factors. Those who can master most of these factors will be the most successful in future. I'm trying hard to be one of those  :)


I just saw the photos at your site.... these are fantastic photos, you must be doing better than 54 a day. Can you share a link to your shutterstock portfolio?

P.S. your model named Mitha looks like Breatney Spears  ;D

: Re: Hall of Fame.
: DNF-Style December 06, 2007, 10:45:32 AM

Whoops here it is:
DNF Shutterstock Gallery (http://www.shutterstock.com/cat.mhtml?page=1&gallery_id=83289&sortby=popular&rows_per_page=5&thumb_size=small&safesearch=on)

I wil start a new topic, help DNF through te winter.  ;D ;D ;D ;D
No honestly
 ::) ::) ::) ::)
No Honestly
 :-\ :-\ :-\ :-\
click here (http://photographicfreedom.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=280.msg2414#msg2414)

: Re: Hall of Fame.
: DNF-Style December 06, 2007, 10:46:50 AM

: dolgachov  December 06, 2007, 10:37:51 AM

my girlfriend found i've got ad with my picture published in Russian ELLE, November 2007



i also have nice ad with my picture published in most recent VOGUE UK, December 2007



and loads of small things here and there

so year ends with good exposure for me and i think i can be a bit proud of the way my hobby progressing ;]

Whooohoooo congrats man, quite an achievement.
Wished Elle had booked you for an editorial but here's a start for you.
Vogue's France and USA up next?

: Re: Hall of Fame.
: Talya December 06, 2007, 06:05:07 PM

Lev, do not be modest :) You are talented and yes, you are lucky. By lucky I do not mean that you got a good spot by accident or something like that. I mean that you lucky to like subject that sells and style that has a big market. Some people like to shoot, let say, crocodiles in natural environment and there is no way they can reach your sales level, does not matter how good they are.
I do not have too many artistic people around me; I grew up in different circle. But I familiar a little bit with science job market and I believe they are very much alike. Pure science does not pay, neither does pure art. I knew a lot of scientists who said “never ever” and live the country (ex-USSR). And (you will have to trust me on this one) I’m not talking about ordinary people; I have been graduated from very special high school.  If with those people with their skills, brain and devotion cannot make money in science, nobody can.  And they cannot,  pure science (or art) does not pay. 
 Some areas are easier to implement.  If you’re a PhD in probability theory you will probably solve about the same problems (maybe less complicated) on Wall Street, with PhD in organic chemistry you will have to spend more time and be ready to more changes, but you will find 6 digits eventually, if you devoted to ancient history, you are in trouble. Same with photography. If you like to shoot glamour you are fine and happy, if you good at shooting realistic still life you would not have to adjust too much, if your only favorite subject is crocodiles in natural environment, you are in trouble.
Good thing about art is that you do not have to give up your crocodiles; you can still shoot them, probably even better after you earn some money for a trip to Amazon River shooting cute dogs.  Earning money means work in most cases, not pleasure. You should not do a job you hate, but you do not have to love it ever, at least not every part of it. A very few who love every aspect of job they do are extremely lucky.

Sorry for my English, I do not have time to double check it.

: Re: Hall of Fame.
: DNF-Style December 06, 2007, 08:39:56 PM

Haha play nice Lev ;-) (Lev is it? isn't it?)
Thanks for knowing us by name ;-)

: Re: Hall of Fame.
: Syates December 06, 2007, 09:11:19 PM

I agree with Lev, you can only do good what you love, if you don't love it, you still can do technical perfect work, but the "spark" is missing and that will reflect in your success. One important thing to consider, no matter what you do, people have to know that you do it!
Like I said so many times before, your images are great, your key wording is getting better, now start self-promotion, if you don't show everybody how great your work is how will they know? And back to the crocodiles: It is always better to be the market leader in a niche market, then one amongst many established players trying to get a piece from the cake. Define and work your niche and with your skills you will be soon the market leader. And that pays also in $$$ SY

: Re: Hall of Fame.
: Rinderart December 06, 2007, 09:39:37 PM

Listen to lev folks. he knows and feels exactly Like I do. shoot what YOU love. Thats the Only way to make it your own. The only way. True talent for making art is god given, you can go to school for the rest of your life, But if you don't SEE IT. Then you just won't see it. And as far as luck goes? I believe we make our own Luck. 99% of stock shooters have no clue about the business side of doing this for a living. There's so much more to know than just taking pictures and this is one of the subjects I teach in My classes. I approach it differently, I want to be a one stop shop for buyers. I do portraits,food,objects,landscapes,seascapes,editorial,architecture,  Insects and animals and wildlife.And more. I can outsell people that have thousands more images than myself.
Stock Photography done properly is an art unto itself.

: Re: Hall of Fame.
: Talya December 06, 2007, 09:44:57 PM

Can you please point me the spot in my post there I said you do not do art? Or you are not an artist? Or it is easy to do?  ??? You are trying to put someone's else words in my mouth and arguing with that someone else.
What I'm trying to tell is that subject does matter. And style does matter. Ones of them need a little (or even zero) adjustment to convert pure art into money other require much more effort and more sacrifice. Some cannot be convert at all.
Would you mind to show me artistic portfolio with crocodiles (or similar) in nature which sells well?

: Re: Hall of Fame.
: Talya December 06, 2007, 09:55:45 PM

Ok, ok. I knew I would be alone. I do not think I have anything else to say. You know your way, you are doing much better than I do in terms of art. Good luck to everyone (or is it now wrong words to say?).

: Re: Hall of Fame.
: Talya December 06, 2007, 10:03:43 PM

: dolgachov  December 06, 2007, 09:53:11 PM

it you REALLY love crocodiles and you're ARTIST - you'll make one and show us later.

I do not love crocodiles and I'm not an artist. You have a right to be "nice" to people without even trying to understand what they said. This is your choice. I said what wanted to say. If it will help somebody - great, if not - I just gave my English a little practice.

: Re: Hall of Fame.
: Talya December 06, 2007, 10:06:44 PM

: dolgachov  December 06, 2007, 09:53:11 PM

leaving aside obvious "National Geographic" sort of solution (as Sybille just said it's much much more easy to become rich and famous operating in unique niche. you shoot crocodiles perfect - consider yourself RICH, baby.), let me show you one nice crocodyle example:

(http://www.yorkshiresoul.org/newton-helmut-crocodile-and-ballerina-2402893.jpg)

just like this.

Is it a natural environment?  And how well does it sell on microstock? Are we talking about ability to sell in specific place or about ability to produce art?

: Re: Hall of Fame.
: Talya December 06, 2007, 10:08:51 PM

I do and will tell people what I think is true. Sorry.

: Re: Hall of Fame.
: DNF-Style December 07, 2007, 08:07:46 PM

Okay, without having any mod fuctions. Can we see the arty conversations as finished as of NOW.  ;D
On with the fame away with the blame, a truckload of sand all over it.

Love ya all.  :P

: Re: Hall of Fame.
: Talya December 07, 2007, 08:37:15 PM

I was going to write another essay about pure art vs pure logic, but redhead beauty made me decide against it.  ;D Peace.  She is gorgeous, Lev.

: Re: Hall of Fame.
: kourafas5 December 07, 2007, 09:57:55 PM

I personally would love to see the agencies carry more "artsy" images. To me they speak volumes more than a straight shot. Don't we, as contributers, have the ability to change this? I drool over your styles DNF and Lev and many others. You could look at those images for a long time and always see something new! That is what carries me through the day..art, photographic art..bring it on!!
 ;D

: Re: Hall of Fame.
: Syates December 08, 2007, 02:08:26 AM

Ooops, I remember her! Sorry Lev, you were right! SY

: Re: Hall of Fame.
: Talya December 11, 2007, 06:27:04 AM

Not exactly stocks but still...
Shutterbug (photography magazine) published small article about dolgachov.

: Re: Hall of Fame.
: AndreyTTL December 11, 2007, 12:11:38 PM

My image chosen as Free Image of the Week on Istockphoto.com!   :)

(http://www1.istockphoto.com/file_thumbview_approve/2787906/1/istockphoto_2787906_footway_in_snowy_woods.jpg) -> Open  (http://www.istockphoto.com/file_closeup/settings/seasons/winter/2787906_footway_in_snowy_woods.php?id=2787906)

: Re: Hall of Fame.
: DNF-Style December 11, 2007, 12:44:49 PM

Nice one you both

: Re: Hall of Fame.
: Syates December 19, 2007, 01:42:14 AM

I forgot my most important "claim to fame" I actually managed to get an abstract approved at Istock  ;D SY

: Re: Hall of Fame.
: DNF-Style December 19, 2007, 12:02:40 PM

three yeahs for Sy
yeah
yeah yeah
and a yieha as bonus

: Re: Hall of Fame.
: Elnur December 21, 2007, 10:13:11 PM

Stockxpert featured one of my photos in their newsletter  ;)

(http://images.stockxpert.com/pic/s/e/el/elnur/6269291_37485446.jpg)

: Re: Hall of Fame.
: DNF-Style December 21, 2007, 10:16:21 PM

: Elnur  December 21, 2007, 10:13:11 PM

Stockxpert featured one of my photos in their newsletter  ;)

(http://images.stockxpert.com/pic/s/e/el/elnur/6269291_37485446.jpg)

always good exposure congrats

: Re: Hall of Fame.
: dolgachov December 22, 2007, 11:32:54 PM

: Elnur  December 21, 2007, 10:13:11 PM

Stockxpert featured one of my photos in their newsletter  ;)

(http://images.stockxpert.com/pic/s/e/el/elnur/6269291_37485446.jpg)

congrats! ;]

: Re: Hall of Fame.
: DNF-Style December 26, 2007, 04:49:43 PM

woowie

: Re: Hall of Fame.
: DNF-Style December 29, 2007, 02:05:02 PM

Not really fame but a milestone. Sadly enough it took us two whole years but yesterday we finally got our 1000 sale at IS.

: Re: Hall of Fame.
: Syates January 07, 2008, 03:19:38 PM

: DNF-Style  December 29, 2007, 02:05:02 PM

Not really fame but a milestone. Sadly enough it took us two whole years but yesterday we finally got our 1000 sale at IS.

Congratulations! Hey, now I am not feeling too bad that I have only a bit more then 100 sales on IStock (http://tinyurl.com/27g6qk) SY

: Re: Hall of Fame.
: Elnur January 23, 2008, 10:41:57 PM

Stockxpert featured my portfolio in their newsletter  ;) last week they featured only one photo.

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2311/2214247835_179905f262_o.jpg)

: Re: Hall of Fame.
: Patrick1958 January 24, 2008, 03:02:16 AM

A few years ago an article in a belgium news paper about a Soft nude calendar i made for a gay/community tavern.

http://www.nieuwsblad.be/Article/Detail.aspx?articleID=gambagp0 (http://www.nieuwsblad.be/Article/Detail.aspx?articleID=gambagp0)

It's in dutch, so not many would be able to read it.

Patrick H.

: Re: Hall of Fame.
: Syates January 24, 2008, 03:39:40 AM

: Elnur  January 23, 2008, 10:41:57 PM

Stockxpert featured my portfolio in their newsletter  ;) last week they featured only one photo.

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2311/2214247835_179905f262_o.jpg)

Keep us informed how it affects your sales ;-) Great isolations! Congrats, SY

: Re: Hall of Fame.
: DNF-Style January 28, 2008, 02:10:32 PM

: Elnur  January 23, 2008, 10:41:57 PM

Stockxpert featured my portfolio in their newsletter  ;) last week they featured only one photo.

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2311/2214247835_179905f262_o.jpg)

great I wonder why we did not get that letter. Let's find out.
No wonder we left the box unticket. Sorry we missed that, we won't the next time.

: Re: Hall of Fame.
: DNF-Style January 28, 2008, 02:11:05 PM

: Patrick1958  January 24, 2008, 03:02:16 AM

A few years ago an article in a belgium news paper about a Soft nude calendar i made for a gay/community tavern.

http://www.nieuwsblad.be/Article/Detail.aspx?articleID=gambagp0 (http://www.nieuwsblad.be/Article/Detail.aspx?articleID=gambagp0)

It's in dutch, so not many would be able to read it.

Patrick H.

He man leuk voor je.
We will get one on a lesbian mag in usa soon.

: Re: Hall of Fame.
: Elnur January 30, 2008, 12:11:18 AM

I had image approved today at shutterstock, and it already sold... 27 times !!!!  8) Looks like I will eventually make into top-50 !!!  8)

: Re: Hall of Fame.
: Syates January 30, 2008, 02:19:31 AM

Wow! Big congratulations, really hope you make it in the Top 50! Can you show it to us? SY

: Re: Hall of Fame.
: Elnur January 30, 2008, 09:04:53 AM

: Sybille Yates (hospitalera)  January 30, 2008, 02:19:31 AM

Wow! Big congratulations, really hope you make it in the Top 50! Can you show it to us? SY

eventually, it made 34 sales on the first day. Looks like I will finally make it to top-50 !!
Here is the image...
(http://69.90.174.250/photos/thumb_large/67766/67766,1201535982,3.jpg)

: Re: Hall of Fame.
: Syates February 25, 2008, 03:11:19 AM

: Elnur  January 30, 2008, 09:04:53 AM

: Sybille Yates (hospitalera)  January 30, 2008, 02:19:31 AM

Wow! Big congratulations, really hope you make it in the Top 50! Can you show it to us? SY

eventually, it made 34 sales on the first day. Looks like I will finally make it to top-50 !!
Here is the image...
(http://69.90.174.250/photos/thumb_large/67766/67766,1201535982,3.jpg)

How is this beauty doing now? Well deserved to get into the Top50! SY

: Re: Hall of Fame.
: Elnur February 25, 2008, 08:47:24 AM

: Sybille Yates (hospitalera)  February 25, 2008, 03:11:19 AM

How is this beauty doing now? Well deserved to get into the Top50! SY

still making some 5-7 sales a day. Unfortunately, top-50 has been down for some time, and it never appeared there. But it should have - it made around 90-100 sales in the first week.

: Re: Hall of Fame.
: Syates February 26, 2008, 04:33:40 AM

What a pity! I never had one in the Top50, but having it there and not seing it there... Seems kind of un-fair, SY

: Re: Hall of Fame.
: Elnur February 26, 2008, 09:11:15 AM

: Sybille Yates (hospitalera)  February 26, 2008, 04:33:40 AM

What a pity! I never had one in the Top50, but having it there and not seing it there... Seems kind of un-fair, SY

yeah... It could have made it to the first place. But anyway, more importantly it sells !!  ;D