From: ehr@ecsvax.uncecs.edu (Ernest H. Robl)
Subject: Stock Photography (was Re: Questions for Pros)
Summary: stock photography
Organization: UNC Educational Computing Service
Date: Fri, 6 Nov 1992 14:27:22 GMT

In article <54_qah@lynx.unm.edu>, collier@atlas.titan-abq.com (Michael Collier) writes:
> 
> this brings up a wall i have been bumping into recently. i don't even really
> know how to approach the issue. how does one go about furthering one's
> knowledge about the business of "stock" photography? is this something
> one moves into out of generic aptitude, or can one actually start out
> by targeting this market? where does one find good examples of stock
> photography, especially since it seems to me to defy categorization? are
> the agencies interested in "assisting" potential talent (my suspicion is
> not to any great
> extent, if at all), to the tune of pointing them at what is selling, and
> where to
> find "good" examples that can help guide artistic growth? i see mention
> in PDN  and elsewhere of various annual compendia (in which the high-end
> guys promote themselves), with the implication that many are purely
> stock photographers, but i don't know where to find these things (fine
> art library?), and don't know how helpful they would be. any comments?


There are many different types of stock photography.  No single
photographer can try to cover the whole spectrum.  While you can
learn from all published examples, these won't tell you where 
there's a subject area need that's not being met.

If you are going to market your own stock, you need to pick a subject
area that has a strong appeal for you.  To really be able to be
effective in the marketplace, you have to have a LOT of coverage of
that area.

And, you really have to know your subject area -- not only to 
provide accurate captions, but also to determine what to shoot and
what to submit to specific clients.


Though stock photography is an aspect of professional photography
that you can do on a less than full-time basis, it also takes a
good while to build a collection and a reputation.  There are
several good (and a few bad, in my opinion) books available on the
subject.

One of my primary areas of subject specialization is transportation,
particularly railroads.  Not only do editors send me lists of what
they are looking for for a particular project, but often now, they
ask me what's appropriate or new in this area.

The primary organization dealing with stock photography is the
American Society of Picture Professionals (ASPP).  Membership
includes both producers and consumers of stock photography.

Don't underestimate the amount of time and expense that will need
to go into such business activities as promotional mailings,
business correspondence, and plain record-keeping.

I know all the photo magazines keep telling people what a lucrative
market stock is.  Yes, there's money out there, though the recent
economic slowdown has had its effect, too.  But, there's also a
lot of competition.  And, as I've already noted, there are market
segments with very specific needs.  Most of these markets have
very high quality standards.

-- Ernest

-- 
"My other computer is a Nikon N8008." -- Ernest H. Robl
Ernest H. Robl (ehr@ecsvax)  Durham, NC, USA   +1  919   286-3845
                                         FAX:  +1  919   286-1696
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