Do you Think these Photos are Marketable?

[skidzam]

Hi all. I just want to put this out there for some advice. I'm pretty much a newbie, don't have a website, but when I show these (have quite a few) to family and friends, I'm told I should sell them. Before I go through the hassle of setting up a website, do you think these types of photos are marketable?

[Zansho]

To be honest, no.

It might be used in a VERY small market that could use abstract type out of focus shots, but for general purpose and commercial photography (and stock, for that matter) it's pretty much a no.

I think your family was just being nice, to be blunt. Our friends and family often tell us things we want to hear for the simple sake of not hurting your feelings, or they're simply not educated in the "market" as it were. Now, if it was a art director or a art buyer family friend who told you this, I'd listen.

[Moppie]

Coke a Cola has been proven to be bad for you, it is acidic, contains more than a healthy amount of sugar, is packed with a high level of caffine, and blind taste tests have proven it doesn't even taste very nice.

Yet it is possibly the single most recognised brand in the world, and millions and millions of people drink it every day.


It is not a question of "are these photos marketable" but instead a question of "do you have the skills, knolwedge and resources to market these photos".

[matonanjin]

Sorry, no.

[MJPhotos24]

Friends and family are the worst to ask - sorry but no they're not.

[FlyingPhotog]

What Moppie Said...

[MJPhotos24]

Coke a Cola has been proven to be bad for you, it is acidic, contains more than a healthy amount of sugar, is packed with a high level of caffine, and blind taste tests have proven it doesn't even taste very nice.

Yet it is possibly the single most recognised brand in the world, and millions and millions of people drink it every day.


It is not a question of "are these photos marketable" but instead a question of "do you have the skills, knolwedge and resources to market these photos".
I've never actually heard of Coke a Cola....heard of coca-cola though :P

[Moppie]

I've never actually heard of Coke a Cola....heard of coca-cola though :P

Its a hypothetical brand ;)

:p:p

[MJPhotos24]

Its a hypothetical brand ;)

:p:p
...and delicious!

[evilryu530]

the first one is like a piece of art. print it out large, get it professionally framed. and try to get it exhibited at a local art gallery.

[skidzam]

Thanks all. I was thinking of trying a local garden shop or gallery, instead of a website. Maybe I'll frame a few and give it a shot. I don't really have a lot of time to market these because my real job is KILLING ME a little more each day!!!

[Karl Johnston]

I think they're marketable

[Karl Johnston]

Coke a Cola has been proven to be bad for you, it is acidic, contains more than a healthy amount of sugar, is packed with a high level of caffine, and blind taste tests have proven it doesn't even taste very nice.

Yet it is possibly the single most recognised brand in the world, and millions and millions of people drink it every day.


It is not a question of "are these photos marketable" but instead a question of "do you have the skills, knolwedge and resources to market these photos".


Let me rephrase...I think I could market these :D

[Moppie]

Let me rephrase...I think I could market these :D

Now your talking business!



Talk to skidzam about a lisencing, or consignment agreement, and start selling them. :cool:

[5Dmaniac]

To be honest, they make me dizzy. There is nothing in focus - nothing at all, so my eyes keep searching and can't find anything to hold on to. It's like riding a roller coaster.

[e02937]

A no for me as well, who would buy these?

[Karl Johnston]

To be honest I think anything is marketable...to answer your question, I agree with Moppie. I think these potentially could be art gallery-hangable..but it depends on how you go about it. Art is tricky like that.

I've seen pictures of stones hung in galleries..thats it; just clear cliff face walls. Hung in restaurants and fancy bistros on wallpaper.

Just stones, god knows why..auto-exposed stones. Colorful patterns some of them but at the same time you have to wonder "Why?"

But that's the whole point with art..to get you to ask those questions. (if you don't believe me about the stone stuff, I'm thinking of buying one of his pieces and here's a look at some of his stuff in a high-end gallery; http://www.birchwoodgallery.com/wilson.htm) BW18 is the one that speaks to me..pretty damn cheap too. I just need a wall to put it on lol (moving pains)

[skidzam]

Here's another, more focussed, less dizzying.

[emilysium]

I think they're marketable...if you do the marketing. It's quite pretty, I think, but not conventional. Isn't that how all things go, that are unconventional? You have to convince other people that it's this beautiful, magical thing that's been missing from their lives, and they need it?

[Nikolas]

Nope

[Picture North Carolina]

Coke a Cola has been proven to be bad for you, it is acidic, contains more than a healthy amount of sugar, is packed with a high level of caffine, and blind taste tests have proven it doesn't even taste very nice.

Yet it is possibly the single most recognised brand in the world, and millions and millions of people drink it every day.


It is not a question of "are these photos marketable" but instead a question of "do you have the skills, knolwedge and resources to market these photos".

What Moppie Said...

... and so good it bears repeating. Success in photography is 10% picture taking and 90% marketing and promotions.

[anjc]

There is ALWAYS someone SOMEWHERE that will buy something. I wouldn't, no offense, because these photos are not to my tastes, but they will strike a love chord with some one! So, market away and good luck :)

[ollyb]

... and so good it bears repeating. Success in photography is 10% picture taking and 90% marketing and promotions.

Absolutely. Making money with photography or anything for that matter is first and foremost about business/marketing skills, the actual thing you're trying to do comes second.

Ask friends and family how much they would pay for it ;)

If you have the time and energy (which it sounds like you might not) you could market these to someone somewhere. Might not be a walk in the park tho.

[skidzam]

Thanks to for for the encouragement and the discouragement too. I realize, if I really want this to work, it ain't gonna be easy.

[spkerer]

When someone makes a comment like "you should sell X, people will buy it!", I find it is often interesting to ask them "well... would you buy it?" and maybe even "how much would you be willing to pay?" Not that you're trying to sell it to them, but ask them if they themselves would buy it. If not, why? Maybe even ask them who they think would buy it.

That may help distinguish between the wider-selling "this is something I could see myself buying" and the less easily sold "I've seen people buy some weird things, so I could see them buying this."

[EmmaRose]

I love them, abstract photography is totally my thing but I get why other people dont like it. I'd buy a large canvas print of them :p

[Hikin Mike]

Are they marketable, yes. Do I personally like them, no....but I have several of my own photos that I personally don't care for, but others like them and they sell. Go figure.

[thebishopp]

... and so good it bears repeating. Success in photography is 10% picture taking and 90% marketing and promotions.

+3 or 4 or 5.

Can't agree more. Know a couple of photogs around here who don't even know how to shoot with a flash and are green boxers that are constantly booked up (weddings, etc.) because they know how to market.

In your case I think the photos are kind of interesting but like a few others have said you must know how to market them.

[amfoto1]

Hey, I sort of like those photos! Hanging in just the right place, they'd look pretty cool printed really, really huge.

There is a market for anything... The trick is finding and reaching it with your product.

OP, if you had 250 to 500 top quality images along those lines, all different but perhaps with sort of a theme running through them, that would be marketable in a modest way. You could offer them as stock, for example. Some might buy them for certain uses. Any stock house worth it's salt (i.e., not micro-stock) would expect you to produce between 200 and 500 additional new photos every 6 months to a year. Unique new images that were also eye-catching and salable.

It's really just a matter of finding the market for something, anything. One or two or three "wow" images just don't make a portfolio or marketable body of work.

[skidzam]

Thanks all. I'm exploring some venues as we speak. 250-500 YIKES! I'd better get crackin'.

[Picture North Carolina]

Just remember one thing about successful marketing: keep pushing. When promoting any product, it's not like you can pay 50 bucks, get a single newspaper ad, and the world breaks down your door.

Successful marketing is ongoing, aggressive, and relentless.

Those prints are not going to sell the first time you try to push them out the door. But there is a buyer out there for them - I guarantee it.

[skidzam]

Thanks, CannedHeat. I'll keep you guys posted.

[RDKirk]

You have to convince other people that it's this beautiful, magical thing that's been missing from their lives, and they need it?

Yep.

"Pet Rocks" were marketable.

[Frugal]

Andy Wahol's work was "marketable", but you have to ask yourself what percentage of the people you're marketing to will like it. And what percentage of those would actually buy it. Not many I'd say.

[Mike R]

Have you thought about marketing them on note cards, maybe to book stores or boutiques?

[skidzam]

Hi Mike. Yes, that's one of the first thoughts I had and it's in the works.

[SuzyView]

I just found this thread. Sorry I'm coming in late. You are trying to market images from a flower shop, so you want to take pictures of flowers and sell them? There are many ways to capture plants that don't include doing so much pp and manipulation. The natural look is what I would go for. But you can try marketing them. As far as extraordinary, they are not.

[skidzam]

Thanks Suzyview, I appreciate your frank commentary. But just for the record, there's very little pp on these images, I don't have Photoshop, and the only manipulation comes from moving the camera and/or the lenses.
I guess, as in all things subjective,"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder."

[golmuso]

Mate...find the right people and you can sell anything;)

[Floriantrojer.com]

Seee...that's the lovely thing about art, it's all so subjective!

I for example can't feel a lot for the two last shots, but I LOVE!!!!! your first one!

Framed well and printed large this would look amazing in a modern living room! :)

Go get some business, I'm sure there are people who feel the same.

[skidzam]

Thanks Floriantrojer.com, I appreciate your encouraging and kind comments.

[PhotosGuy]

I agree with what has been said. Some ideas for you re: your leaves shot:

Fall Leaves Blowing in the Wind. (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=766708)

[emilysium]

Thanks Suzyview, I appreciate your frank commentary. But just for the record, there's very little pp on these images, I don't have Photoshop, and the only manipulation comes from moving the camera and/or the lenses.
I guess, as in all things subjective,"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder."

Really, no photoshop? How'd you manage the third one without it?

[skidzam]

Hi emilysium. The shot was accomplished as follows:

I set my camera(XSI) on a tripod with the 18-55 f/4-5.6 kit lens attached. Turned off IS, used mirror lock-up and a remote. M mode, shutter speed 3/10, f/11, WB cloudy, AF on, ISO 100 and a 3 stop ND filter (the subject was front lit, but it was still too bright to shoot without the filter). I used 55 mm focal length, focussed on the center daisy and as I took the shot, zoomed to 18.

[iAMB]

The only thing stopping you from marketing these photos is You. Others say that they are too wild and too abstract, but have you ever looked at Picasso's paintings? Exactly my point, he broke almost every "rule" about art during his time and look where he ended up. Granted he took great care and detail with everyone of his paintings and seem like you to that as well. What should stop you from doing that with photography?

[photoguy6405]

Friends and family are the worst to ask...
Beat me to it. Exactly what I was going to say.

[photoguy6405]

"Pet Rocks" were marketable.
Oh God, I will never understand that. But yeah, if that can sell, anything can sell.

[buddy4344]

the first one is of interest. Printed large (> 16x20"), I think it could have impact. The problem is one photo is not a series or gallery (I assume these are typicals). The second needs something in sharper focus. As others have said, the easy part may be taking the shot ... converting that to money is difficult. Web sales from your own web site will be a slow long sell. How will people find your site? How will they visualize the item at scale? etc.

[noxcuses1]

beauty is in the eye of the beholder

what is art to one, may not be so to another, and vice versa

[iAMB]

the first one is of interest. Printed large (> 16x20"), I think it could have impact...... Web sales from your own web site will be a slow long sell. How will people find your site? How will they visualize the item at scale? etc.

I agree 100% with you. I think they are marketable, but you need to produce a large image in order for the "wow" factor to come in. I do not think online sales will get you too far in the beginning. Local Art Fairs, flower shops, and open galleries will get your foot in the door. It will take time but with enough persistence hopefully you will get there.

[Ruhan]

Hi emilysium. The shot was accomplished as follows:

I set my camera(XSI) on a tripod with the 18-55 f/4-5.6 kit lens attached. Turned off IS, used mirror lock-up and a remote. M mode, shutter speed 3/10, f/11, WB cloudy, AF on, ISO 100 and a 3 stop ND filter (the subject was front lit, but it was still too bright to shoot without the filter). I used 55 mm focal length, focussed on the center daisy and as I took the shot, zoomed to 18.

I love the fact that some thought went into this process and that they are not just random accidents with light and colour.

As many here have said, it really is a subjective thing and there will be someone out there who will be prepared to pay for it. I would suggest you get some large prints made and show them at arts fairs and local galleries. These are abstract but many florists and office decorators like that look above the straight floral shot. Remember to limit the amount of prints you create as this will slightly raise the price you can sell it for.

At the end of the day it is all about you marketing them. It is not whether other photographers like them or not. I have seen worse photos sell for a lot and better photos pick up dust on gallery walls.