Alamy - Getting started and what to expect

[AndyA]

Re: Alamy - Getting started and what to expect

I've submitted a few images to Alamy, mainly out of curiosity, but in fairness I don't think it's for me. I don't feel that there's an emotional connection and I wan't photography to be enjoyable, rather than just a numbers game. Have I got the wrong end of the stick?

[paulr5604]

Re: Alamy - Getting started and what to expect

I don't think you have Andy I don't think that it is for everyone. I myself have eased off trying to sell my photos and am really enjoying just taking photos for me and not trying to take photos that I think other people want

[Nathaniel]

Re: Alamy - Getting started and what to expect

There is no harm in taking photos for yourself and sending some to Alamy, as one never knows where luck might strike. This is what I do- "ME FIRST & Alamy second"!

[Paulstw]

Re: Alamy - Getting started and what to expect

I take about 60 photos a day on average these days. I've gone from 900 to 1206 on Alamy since writing this thread. Most of which were news uploads I might add. That's my preferred method of submission these days. Why? Because I'm absolutely garbage at stock photography. It's not for everyone as it takes great experience in many things to make it work. Something you guys have. I don't have the right mentality to produce story telling shots.

[wayne2418]

Re: Alamy - Getting started and what to expect

It's not for everyone as it takes great experience in many things to make it work. Something you guys have. I don't have the right mentality to produce story telling shots.

Right on Paul ... its definately not for me.

Welcome (croeso) Chris ....

[Wayne Els]

Re: Alamy - Getting started and what to expect

I've submitted a few images to Alamy, mainly out of curiosity, but in fairness I don't think it's for me. I don't feel that there's an emotional connection and I wan't photography to be enjoyable, rather than just a numbers game. Have I got the wrong end of the stick?

I understand what you are saying. For me it just seemed worth a punt, plus I have the time to sort it out - if they ever get around to doing the QC in a timely fashion. I don't expect to make money let alone give up the day job. When hobbies cease to be hobbies the cease to be fun!

[Nathaniel]

Re: Alamy - Getting started and what to expect

As I said earlier- think of ME first and Alamy second and you will not go wrong.

[lone pilgrim]

Re: Alamy - Getting started and what to expect

Hey Paul. Thanks for posting this thread - very useful. I've just submitted my first batch using your instructions. I'll report back when I have a decision.

I spent a fair chunk of today going through all my images (12614 in total!), rating them, and seeing what might be of use for stock photography. While I was doing this I remembered I had submitted 7 photographs to Shutterstock a few months ago, so I logged into my account to see what had happened to them. It turns out I'd sold 4 images for a grand total of $1.25!

[Paulstw]

Re: Alamy - Getting started and what to expect

My aim of the thread was to open up the mystery and fear with stock and if a few have took the plunge then it was worth writing. I've kind of gone the news route and have had 4 images published in the papers this week. I think that's how I'll end up using it.

[Nathaniel]

Re: Alamy - Getting started and what to expect

Paul, where do you find the Newslink on Alamy? Or do I use the other Agency you used for the Glasgow helicopter tragedy?

[Paulstw]

Re: Alamy - Getting started and what to expect

Nat In your My Alamy next to upload stock images there should be a upload News images there too. I think it was enabled for everyone. If not then pop a we email off to news@alamy.com and they'll add it. I submit work to Demotix too purely on personal preference because I like the way demotix works.

There's also another company that approached me called Newzulu.com who seem to have around 7000 clients including AFP. I don't submit much to them.

I sold about 4 on alamy news earlier this year but sold 3 this week via demotix, so for me demotix works for me. Prices are lower on demotix I think but it's a matter of preference. Alamy certainly is less hassle to upload to and quicker.

No matter who you sumbit to, the press will take about 4-6 months to report the usage of an image, and then about a 1 month to pay for it. Sometimes it's sooner. It's very off putting for new folk like me, but if you sell all the time then it can be regular albeit a long wait.

[lone pilgrim]

Re: Alamy - Getting started and what to expect

So I got an answer from Alamy regarding my first batch of images. One was rejected for being soft and lacking definition. Ironic since it was one of the ones most bought on Shutterstock. That means the whole batch was rejected.

I've now uploaded a new batch. They're estimating 23 hours to make a decision which is pretty realistic given how quickly my first batch was assessed.

[Columbarius]

Re: Alamy - Getting started and what to expect

estimating 23 hours to make a decision

I don't want to disappoint you Pilgrim, but I think that the 23 hours is processing time to get the images into the QC queue. Once in the queue, QC processing can take up to a week. As noted earlier in this thread the first ever batch from a new contributor is usually processed quite quickly. The process slows markedly after that.

[Wayne Els]

Re: Alamy - Getting started and what to expect

Yep, my batch went through yesterday bout a week since I uploaded them.

[Nathaniel]

Re: Alamy - Getting started and what to expect

Thanks Paul for all your help and input into this thread. It might seem daft to many members but I don't expect to earn my millions via Alamy. I am only sending images as it is something I have never thought of before, a bit of fun and for me, it is always ME FIRST & ALAMY second. I failed to add, if any sale results from my images, it is only a source of encouragement to me to say that my photos are "not bad" and people are prepared to pay for my photos. I now note that I have several zooms on my pics!