Stock Photography.. the agony, defeat and mastery

Look around at all the visuals you see in a day and I bet that at least 90% are stock photographs.  Stock photos are commercial images sold by licensed use for individuals and companies.  Royalties are then paid to the photographer.

What interests me about stock is making art with what exists on the other side of the lens.  I like the surprise element of happening across interesting shots, but also the brainstorming process that can come about when I assign myself a certain concept that I want to express in a photograph.

On the surprise side, I never know what might turn into an acceptable stock file.  Recently, while photographing the Icebreaker Youth Rowing Championships hosted by Hull's Lifesaving Museum, I stood on a windy pier, wondering how I would ever keep my camera dry while buffeting the spray of the sharp waves.  I opted out of the chase boat and stayed on land, while these amazing kids hauled their shells and oars into the rough ocean. 

While I waited for the start I noticed the pilings under the pier, and the silver dots of light making a moving decoration on top of the waves.  It was just a simple moment generated by the discomfort of the adverse weather conditions.  These images were sent to iStock, for whom I am a contributor. 

It took me 9 months to become a contributing photographer.  When I first signed up I thought it would be a walk down easy street, but I was in for challenge after challenge.  If you decide to go this route be prepared to look on the bright side of rejection.

I reframed the agony into a learning opportunity, a chance to force myself into technical torture that burned the backs of my eyes.  I submitted three images at a time and the iStock technical staff sent back detailed feedback about the image flaws.  In order to proceed, the flaws must be corrected and one’s work must improve with each batch of images. 

It forced me to learn about pixels, artifacts, lighting and noise in ways I didn’t know existed.  I committed to the task at hand and took seriously their input.

Finally I was accepted, but for two and half years had only 4 images accepted.  This is meaningful because if I have a high enough acceptance rates, I can then become an exclusive contributing photographer and make more money on the royalties.

Since fully committing to photography as a full time career I have needed jolts like this to force myself to face new information.  It has finally paid off.

I recently submitted 8 images.  The pier pilings, and the misfortune of my friend’s broken hose that caused a museum quality ice sculpture.  Of course I had a rubber duck and a balloon to place somewhere on the ice growths.  All 8 images were accepted and the feeling was so, so sweet.