Fishing For Those Perfect Photographs

Online stock agencies have opened up so many doors to the serious amateur photographer that they must be encouraged to submit their photographs to these agencies and reap a profit from them. These agencies do not charge them money to submit their photographs, but they do take a commission if their photographs are downloaded and sold. Many questions need to be answered before the amateur photographer can do this with ease and earn money.

One of these questions is; which of their photographs would they submit to an online agency? Many amateur photographs look at their portfolio and select the photographs they like from a subject point of view; and they would choose the photographs they like; assuming the quality is suitable. I mean the ones they personally and emotionally like, the ones they love to talk about, and un-ashamed to show them to those who share their interest.

Here is the mistake. Just because the photographer liked them; that does not automatically mean that they will be liked by others, regardless of how good they are. If they are accepted, then the proof that they are popular will be confirmed by the amount of times the photograph is downloaded, and by how much they make every time the photograph is sold. So all I am saying here is that you should not submit a picture that means a lot to the photographer and expect others to share that emotion.

A professional photographer has to be cold and calculating when taking a photograph, a photograph that they know will sell; after researching a particular market. The photographs must be taken from a buyer's viewpoint and not from a personal emotional viewpoint.

The budding photographer first has to realize that submitting a picture that means a lot to him or her self can be a problem; but it can be turned to their advantage once they have acknowledged that problem. It will then stop them from being a snapshot photographer and turn them into a more professional photographer. It will make them plan and prepare their shots, as opposed to shooting aimlessly at a subject; a snapshot shooter. From taking a picture when they are out on a walk, to going out on a walk to take a picture.

I am not saying that snapshots do not turn out well, or that they will not sell, but snapshots are not taken with the level of control that is necessary to take a good photograph time, time and time again.

I find taking a good photograph is like fishing where before you go out you prepare your equipment and plan roughly where you want to fish. You then, (if weather suitable), find a location and set up the tripod. You then sit down and plan and aim your shot. Patience is your best weapon, waiting for that correct moment in time, then shoot, and reel your photograph in. If it is only a small one, wait and shoot again and again, until you have reeled in the big one. Digital cameras today are fantastic, letting you shoot time and time again until you are satisfied. When you get home you gut your catch using a computer. You throw away the bad ones and doctor the good ones to perfection which an image editing package. Then sell your best to whoever wants them. Don't forget to keep the originals however; as your buyers may want to gut them themselves. Good luck, and I hope you catch tons.

All the best.

Gordon McCulloch.