Microstock Today

Dice

2012-02-03T08:18:00.000-08:00

Not sure WHAT is going on today. My computer seems FAST and only one crash using Photopaint. Maybe it's because I threatened it with the purchase of more memory. :-)

I created these in CorelDRAW X5 for uploading to my microstock sites (of course). The chrome text was created in Xara.

Foggy Sunrise

2012-01-24T06:17:00.000-08:00

I was really lucky to capture this image. I just happened to look over my shoulder and saw the sun heavily filtered by a rolling fog. I got off a a couple of shots and the fog was gone.

Available at my usual site shown to the right of this post.

New images...Grassy Moon/Sun

2012-01-17T07:49:00.000-08:00

My latest vector uploads. These can be found at all of normal upload sites. Links to these sites can be found to the right of this post.

Another slow month for iStockphoto

2011-12-01T04:25:00.001-08:00

The holidays will soon be here. This usually means increased sales in the microstock arena. Well, it is the case for all but iStockphoto.

November has been another slow month for the sale of my photos and illustrations at iStockphoto. My number two site, Shutterstock, which has always been about half of what my iStockphoto sales are, is now leading the pack in my group of 16 stock sites that I contribute to.

So what's going on? I have no idea though they have done some site remodeling in terms of search and delivery to the customer, and my upload quantities have not been as high as in previous months, but that hasn't hurt sales at other agencies.

So, in order to turn this around it looks like I might have to start uploading more. We'll then see if that makes a difference.

New image available

2011-11-21T04:27:00.001-08:00

A new clipart illustration has been created and will soon be available on all of my microstock sites.

More good new, the movie clips that I have been submitting are starting to sell. I hope to spend more time creating uploadable content in the upcoming weeks.

Video stock

2011-09-21T16:07:00.000-07:00

My video uploads have been coming along nicely. All videos created with my Panasonic HDC-TM900 have been accepted. My favorite feature? Time Lapse!

Isolated Cloud image - iStockphoto add

2011-09-11T10:11:00.000-07:00

While surfing the web today I noticed that iStockphoto has an add on a USA Today page, and one of best selling images is in it. That should help sales. Way to go iStock.

Here is the image link.

Slow month for iStockphoto sales.

2011-09-01T04:28:00.000-07:00

Another slow month for iStockphoto. In comparison to growth in the other microstock sites that is. I have seen an increase at 123rf and Shutterstock has almost brought in as much as iStockPhoto for the month of August.

I have started uploading video to some of these sites now. I'm waiting patiently for my first sale.

Airport Kiosk

2011-08-19T11:29:00.000-07:00

The latest upload. Soon to be available at all my typical microstock sites, listed on the right side of this page.

Created in CorelDRAW X5. The program only crashed three times and caused me to loose a half an hours worth of work. You'd think Corel would get their act together and fix their bugs. Then again, you'd think I'd know better than to try and use Corel.

iStockPhoto for June

2011-07-06T12:35:00.000-07:00

Another month of low sales numbers for iStockPhoto.

Storms Approaching

2011-07-01T05:04:00.000-07:00

Shooting video with a DSLR is tough. Especially when all I have to see what I am shooting is the video screen at the back of the camera. The DSLRs don't let you see through the eyepiece when seeting up your shot. But these are things that I will work through and find solutions for.

This is a test video of a sunset as a storm approaches from the Southwest. Along with the traffic noise you can just make out the rumbling of thunder as the storm moves in.

See the video here.

Stock Video

2011-06-29T06:47:00.000-07:00

Since I have a Nikon D90, which is capable of shoot HD video, I thought I'd attempt to create video to submit to stock video sites. I was concerned by the D90 quality and learning curve but I am happy to report that my first video has been accepted.

Give it a try yourself.

Microstock Payout Report for May 2011

2011-06-07T05:36:00.000-07:00

I have seen a dip in downloads with iStockphoto the last couple of months. Reading the forums it seems that many are experiencing the same thing. However, their dollar amounts have increased. I will admit, I have not been uploading new images lately. That alone could account for a reduction in download as this affects my visibility to potential customer.

As you can see in the chart below dollar amounts have risen steadily over the months and years since I have been in this business. I will attempt to upload more work with the hope of increasing sales and overall profit.

iStockphoto

Shutterstock

Sketchbook

2011-05-31T07:39:00.000-07:00

Always one for new style or approaches to microstock content, I have found that having a sketchbook with me at all times allows me to "catch" inspiration when it hits. I can play with ideas and test theories without spending too much time behind the computer. Let's be honest, it IS good to step back every once in a while. I also find that honing ones skill in other media only help to develop one's skills in another.

Early morning on Santa Monica beach

2011-03-24T10:36:00.000-07:00

Available at my Redbubble and Imagekind store locations.\

My most popular files at iStockphoto

2011-01-19T13:21:00.000-08:00

Today's Top Seller at iStockpoto

2011-01-10T08:45:00.000-08:00

Another year gone

2011-01-01T17:37:00.000-08:00

Here are a few statistics from my microstock sales for 2010. Even though it is not considered "microstock" I have included Zazzle as a comparison. Not surprisingly istockphoto keeps coming out on top. Having a top seller sure helped the numbers but even without this iStock would have been on top in both money earned and number of files downloaded.

My top seller at istockphoto (highest average number of downloads per month).
Taken with a Nikon D90.

Power Lines

2010-11-06T06:43:00.000-07:00

Soon to be available at the microstock sites listed to the right of this post.

Weeds

2010-11-02T17:08:00.000-07:00

Nikon D90 1/1000 @ f 5.0

My Top Six at iStockphoto

2010-10-07T11:42:00.000-07:00

Here are my six top selling (downloads per month) images at iStockphoto.

Isolated all-weather tire

2010-10-01T15:42:00.000-07:00

Soon to be available at the microstock site listed to the right of this post.

All work done in Photoshop CS4.

Billboards

2010-09-14T17:51:00.000-07:00

Whenever possible I create variations of an illustration. This way I get more bang for the buck. Only recently iStockphoto has been rejecting variations like these. Not sure what is going on there. Seems they're getting too big for there britches these days with this and the reduction of payout per download. Hope that doesn't bite them in the arse.

Billboard Sign - Vector Illustration

2010-09-09T18:29:00.000-07:00

Available at all of the usual sites, which are shown to the right of this post.

Created in Adobe Illustrator.

Fluorescent bulb

2010-09-04T16:04:00.000-07:00

Soon to be available at all of the stock site shown at the right this post.

Created in Adobe illustrator.