Dear Friends, I often use and online processor for prints. The prints come out pretty good when I manage the file properly in the first place. Now, this service has a "professional area" where photos may be sold. I haven't looked into the details of the transactions. My thought is that very few would be sold this way... maybe in a year or two I could pay for my circular polarizer! Egads... Anyone try this stuff, selling through an online processing company? I assume "professional" means "willing to sell", not always a reflection on the quality. Thanks. TomD'Art.

Just figure out if they let you keep your copyright to the image, and if you are nudged into paying for a premium membership to actually sell anything. See how much profit you would make if it is a "for free" sell site in comparison to if you had a membership.I believe you really have to market yourself online in order to actually sell photos nowadays. I think.. better luck sitting outside a grocery store with a selection of prints LOL

Doug, I happen to agree. I could have any poem I write published "if I buy the book" that goes with it. Yes, a membership IS required.... I am always skeptical about things like this. Then again, what market do they reach?

Most site users are not like me, not making me "special" but most are basic snapshots. Sure, some of mine are shapshots of family, etc., sent for processing and not for sale. The more artistic images take the person to appreciate to purchase. That is not always an easy market to reach. I can display an image at work and a few will like it...others say "why isn't it in color" or simply do not see what I see. They are used to snapshots...not meaning to sound arrogant here since I am not that at all. The market would appear difficult to reach in such a general market website. Am I right in this train of thought? Thanks for comment. Tom.

Message edited on: 09/27/2005 22:00

Do they have a list of "Who bought this" or "this number of people have purchased this many items" ? That will give you an indication of whether or not you should expect good sales. The market they rely on is probably mostly made up of thiner own members.Who all probably want the same thing as you. With so many people having digital cameras now it is getting even harder in my opinion. Are you wanting to sell as prints or as downloadable images. How do your prints look in a frame. I sure know you have some real good ones in here.

I actually registered at 3 of those agencies last week after getting some links from Paul (diomedes)...uploaded a few of my (IMHO) better shots. 2 of those agencies accepted them while the 3rd said they sucked market-wise, LOL. I uploaded my photos to my gallery there, and i can see if anyones viewed them and if anyones downloaded any...no luck so far...and honestly i dont anyone would ever pay for a photo of mine. From what i can understand the photos that are the most popular are those of career-people and business-related shots. Photos that company can use for their advertisings and stuff. The site that rejected my photos is called Top Photography or something, and they seem mighty serious. There you can also view requested photos and plan your photo-shoots from what i gather. Im bla bla bla quite alot today....cause im at work you see...and i get easily bored here, LOL. Me getting me some coffee now....see ya!!!! #:O)

From what I've heard and researched (and am seeing above), unless you have the time and resources to devote to doing something like this, and have a certain "look" that sells well, then it isn't the best way to go. If you have the time, it probably won't hurt and you might even get some sales and exposure (enough to pay for that sweet polarizer), but don't count on raking in the cash. There are a lot of photographers out there, and even if you are awsome, there is probably already someone else selling a similiar photo somewhere. And always make sure you retain the copyright to your photos. off to the grocery store, portfolio in hand... ;oP

Tom, I have no experience with On-Line Stock agencies, if this is what you are referring to but, I have sold many photos from on-line galleries. These galleries are from events, not fine-art. I shoot baseball games, softball, weddings, etc... Post these to an online gallery and people order their prints from there. Which on-line service are you looking at?

Ah well, I haven't try it yet but I plan to try it pretty soon and that's to sell prints on Ebay!! Yes, yes, I know, it sounds cheap BUT....it apparently works!! I've heard of a few artists who do sell their work regularly on Ebay!! U can sell everything on that site!! I did sell a few things in there myself and among them a print by Gibbs that we didn't want anymore. I'd say it worth s a try! ;) Just my 3 pennies!