12 Responses to “The Digital Photography Show #15: The New Nikon, Neophilliacs, and more on iStockphoto”

1. Sean Says:
   July 28th, 2006 at 6:38 am

   Hey guys,
   This is my first post, though I have been listening since episode 8 or so. You’re doing a great job with topics that the amateur photographer wants to know about. Because of the interview with the iStockPhoto VP, both my wife (who is also a photog and a stay at home mom) and I are exploring using iStock to sell our non-fine art images. We have our own small business selling fine art photographic prints at art fairs and have made some good extra money, but now with Dana staying at home our income is limited. We’re hoping to use our extra images that we would not normally use for fine art and put on iStock…hoping this extra bit of income could help. I mean we have all of these photos that are good, but are sitting in our archive bin (aka trash) because they aren’t the best for our art shows. Why shouldn’t we try making some money on our rejects??
   Well, I’m rambling, but one of the things I wanted to include in my message is a link to an iStockPhoto page. You asked the iStock VP what kinds of photos do they need and he didn’t give you much of an answer. Well, someone at iStock knew you were going to ask that question and created a page listing what kinds of photos that they need and don’t need.

   http://www.istockphoto.com/tutorial_5.0_neededfiles.php

   Hope this helps. Keep up the good work and check out our website http://www.photokiva.com

   Thanks,
   Sean Murphy

2. William Murphy Says:
   July 29th, 2006 at 7:50 am

   (no relation to Sean)
   You do a great podcast. I heard about you on Photoshop TV, and have been addicted ever since. I’m particulary interested in how things work out with iStockPhoto. I joined last Sept after reading about it in a magazine. Managed to get 3 photos approved, and then had a torrid time. Just didn’t get what it was about.
   Gave up until June, and then uploaded one just on the off chance, and no one was more surprised than me when it got through. After that, it got a lot easier, and I have about 10 images on now. This month (July) I got my first two downloads, and it was a nice feeling. Still keeping with the day job though.
   I’ve sold a few photos on other sites, which will appear in a book later this year. On the debate about whether this undermines professional photography, I’d say that what’s on iStock is mainly useful images rather than fine art or magazine stuff. It’s about providing images that are useful for websites, news-letters and presentations etc. It’s unlikely to make the cover of Newsweek - but who knows!
   My plan on iStock is to build about 50 images of a wide variety to see what sells. Cast the net wide as they say…. Judging from your interview, someone already has the “praying hands” segment.
   Keep up the good work.
   William
   (iStock id: WilliamJMurphy)

3. Allen Rockwell Says:
   July 29th, 2006 at 9:39 am

   Sean,

   Thanks for the link to iStock’s “needs” and “don’t needs”. I hadn’t seen that.

   One thing that I’ve found helpful (maybe more so than the needs and not-needs list) is to find an iStocker that doing well (lots of downloads) and then go through his/her photos and see which ones are doing the best … then search for that item (globally) and see if it unrepresented or not.

   My last few uplaods (still pending approval) are all items that I found sell well but there aren’t many to choose from. It takes some research.

4. Brian Wathen Says:
   July 31st, 2006 at 9:14 am

   I just thought you like to hear from a istockphoto newbie. I joined the last week in June. I’ve had 12 downloads so far, which I think is good considering that I don’t shot photos that are “stockie”. I mainly photograph nature and animals. If you’re interested you can look at my portfolio and I also keep a log of when I reach download goals.

   http://www.istockphoto.com/yingyang0

5. Scott Says:
   July 31st, 2006 at 9:58 pm

   You guys are getting me totally jazzed to put my stuff up on iStockphoto. My life is a little hectic right now, but’s it on my to-do list.

   Thanks for that link, Sean.

6. Sean Murphy Says:
   August 1st, 2006 at 12:08 am

   Those are some great photos. Aside from the farm yard animals, were the animal photos taken at a zoo? If so, you did a magnificent job masking the fact. There were no photos in your portfolio that screamed out “ZOO ANIMAL”. Great job and good luck with your iStock venture.

   Sean

7. Brian Wathen Says:
   August 1st, 2006 at 4:46 am

   Yes, all animals were photographed at the Kansas City Zoo. I always look at my backgrounds to make sure I don’t get photos that say “zoo”. The Kansas City Zoo African exhibit is very natural and has open viewing areas so you don’t have to shoot through glass.

8. Allen Rockwell Says:
   August 1st, 2006 at 7:30 am

   Scott,

   On the podcast you said that Neophillia is from the Latin Neo meaning New and Fillia meaning Love … you’re right with translation, however it’s Greek, not Latin.

   Just thought I’d bust your chops and be REALLY nit-picky at the same time. Greek is my second language … so I show off when I can :)

   See ya, (ya sas)

9. Andy Z Says:
   August 2nd, 2006 at 12:17 pm

   Hey guys, I suffer from Neophillia too. You are right. It is in the jeans, and it is called “available balance” by both MasterCard and Visa. Trips to the camera store in person an online help for awhile but I fear there is no cure and another new model DSLR, lens, flash, ballhead… will be just around that next monthly payment. :)

   Keep up the great work. The iStockPhoto was one of the best shows and follow up yet.

   I am also interested in hearing how the camera sale comes out. Sounds like you got your 30D and then put the 20D up for sale so you have no gap in having your good camera available. Smart move. Now, when the sale happens, does the bill for the 30D get paid or do you get that new lens you need to capture all those monuments in the DC area that are now so close???

10. Nigel in Mebourne Says:
    August 17th, 2006 at 6:51 pm

    I am liking the podcast guys, but I seem to be having trouble of late, iTunes is not picking it up anymore, and resubscribing does not work either.

11. Eric Harding Says:
    August 24th, 2006 at 1:23 am

    Hi Guys

    thanks for the info on iStockphoto, I have gotten 15 photos up there and have sold 3 (including 1 to my wife)

    I find the feedback from the editors and the community very helpful, as is seeing what others are posting

12. Fez Studio Says:
    August 16th, 2007 at 1:44 pm

    I absolutely loved the discussions surrounding Istock. I am at a cross roads on where to submit my photos for consideration. As the majority of my personal collection are from international travel, Lonely Planet Images is where I leaning toward. However, I think that in the long run, I may be better off on Istock over Lonely Planet, as more of my photos are likely to be purchased versus just a few select photos. At this point, its about my ego. In a year, it will probably become more about the money.

    Scott, did you ever fulfill your 3 month promise to report on your Istock sales?

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