My Stock Photo Escapade

Recently, after reading a NY Times article, I decided to try becoming a photographer for a couple of stock photo sites. I have joined two places, but have only uploaded photos to one site as of now, www.bigstockphoto.com. (If you would like to see my uploaded photos, click the link on the sidebar, under my profile.)

So far, it has been a slightly frustrating experience. About half of my photos have been rejected: either from quality issues or problems with the composition, subject, etc. Many have been denied because they are not usable for stock. I usually take pictures for myself, not with other people in mind. I compose my photos to be interesting or to draw the eye towards certain parts of the picture. Unfortunately, Stock photos aren't supposed to be artistic; instead, they should be useful and attractive to as many possible buyers as possible. This (and other factors, of course) has left me with a 50% approval rating and no sales. Due to some "technical difficulties" I now have a 35.48% approval rating.

Thus, I am somewhat disappointed, though not completely surprised. I am not expecting to make a living off photography, but hope to get at least one sale in my "stock photo career." Though I have a low rating and no sales, I have learned about the industry, picked up some advice from professionals, and affirmed my love for photography. In these ways, I consider my little stock photo escapade a success.

Spring Days

Spring is here again in NY and I have been enjoying it immensely. This is one of my favorite times of year. I love the beautiful bulbs in the garden and the thrill of watching perennials pop out from the thawing soil. Most of all, I love waiting for the return of “my spring birds.” First the sweet, whistley song of the Goldfinches can be heard, then the adorable Kinglets flutter through the new foliage, and finally I feel the excitement which warblers instill in all who watch.

I was out walking yesterday, impatiently surveying the progress of my garden and searching for new bird nests. I found four, but unfortunately they were old and inactive, sporting the lichen and moss of last year’s harvest. I saw several pairs of birds excitedly searching for new nesting material, but nowhere was there an active nest.

I gave up my search and decided to spend some time catching up on my photography instead. My favorite subjects are back. It could be considered boring to some, but for an amateur photographer, the beauty and most importantly, stillness, of flowers are intoxicatingly perfect for the click of the camera. Taking pictures of moving objects (such as birds) can be extremely frustrating. I was relaxing on a soft bush which had yet to poke out any new growth and taking pictures of some lovely yellow daffodils. I was enjoying the warm spring air and excited calls of the House Sparrows, just breathing in the freshness of spring. I was also attempting to get the “perfect” picture of the flowers, which was proving to be difficult considering the height and angle of the plants. I leaned farther down on my soft, leafy pillow, managing to get some passable photos with which I was pleased. But, alas! these moments never last. I felt something crawling on my arm and realized that my verdant cushion was also an ant hill.