Comments on: 2009 RM vs RF earnings at Alamy and Agefotostock

By: AlexH

AlexH — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 17:09:41 +0000

Hi Amit,

I’d suggest you check out Age’s “Road Atlas” for contributors. Lots of info there!

Alex

By: Amit Thakurta

Amit Thakurta — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 14:44:12 +0000

Hi, want to be age fotostock contributor. How can I submit my images ?

By: AlexH

AlexH — Sat, 25 Sep 2010 05:50:38 +0000

Thanks Warren, that’s worth noting. Age do now allow both exclusive and non-exclusive images from the same contributor too.

By: Warren Diggles

Warren Diggles — Sun, 19 Sep 2010 03:04:05 +0000

Even if you sign an exclusive contract with Age they do allow you to market the same images from your own website.

By: AlexH

AlexH — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 20:09:01 +0000

@ Arindom – Age recently changed their policy so they do now accept non-exclusive images. Though you can still submit images on an exclusive basis too if you want to take advantage of their post/keywording services and potentially better sales through them.

@ Alex – email subscription option added; you’ll see the link up on the top right along with RSS. Thank you for the suggestion.

Thanks for reading guys.

Alex

By: Alex

Alex — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 13:12:14 +0000

Hi, Why do you don’t offer subscription of your newsletter by email? Use Feedburner (Google service) and allow us to get your news by email…

Thank you.

By: Arindom Chowdhury

Arindom Chowdhury — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 11:19:41 +0000

Hi,
I want to contribute to the age stock. It does not look like they accept non exclusive images. Kindly let me know your experience please.
Thanks a lot.

By: AlexH

AlexH — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 20:54:08 +0000

Alamy don’t edit at all based on subject matter, so it really doesn’t matter what type of image you try just that it is free from any technical errors. I’d probably avoid any creative techniques like motion blur, for instance, in your test submission, that may introduce ‘doubt’ about an image. Stick with four simple and technically good shots.

Your best sellers on the micros wouldn’t necessarily do well on Alamy but Alamy do allow you to submit the same shots (most traditional agencies do not). Personally I don’t think it is good practice to have the same images on sites selling at significantly different price points, but not everyone agrees with me! Obviously any images sold through micros would have to be RF if placed with Alamy.

By: Luis Santos

Luis Santos — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 02:37:32 +0000

I am ok! I was thinking of uploading my best sellers.. Now I am confused lol.. Can you recommend me first 4 pictures? Popular landmarks and editorial? I will also check the forum at Alamy, thanks again

By: AlexH

AlexH — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 01:35:08 +0000

Hey Luis,

Good question! It isn’t one I can answer fully in one comment but I intend to cover this and other Alamy questions in a series of posts so keep an eye on the blog and Alamy tag.

In short, Alamy is a logical place to look at placing images you have that either aren’t suitable for microstock or are unlikely to achieve a good volume of downloads in the micro sector. There is actually nothing to stop you duplicating your portfolios; but I don’t advocate that, better to build a seperate distinct collection.

Alamy’s only real barrier to entry is the 48mb file size so once you’ve got your upsizing going ok – see post on resizing for Alamy – pretty much anything, with the usual obvious exceptions, can be contributed. Check the Alamy forums and you’ll see some photographers surprise themselves with what sells! However, the size of Alamy’s collection means competition in many obvious subject areas is huge. Finding undersupplied niche topic areas that you can fill is a good tactic. Alamy’s current strength is as an editorial library so pictures that illustrate issues / topics and trends can do well.

Also keep in mind that sales volumes on Alamy will not be be comparable to typical microstock numbers and for most contributors only a minority of their pictures will ever sell. Give it a go, but be patient as it can take months or years before you see a sale.

Alex