Interview with Yuri Arcurs (also known as Logos)
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Today, I want to introduce everyone who hasn’t heard of him yet, Yuri Arcurs. The Dane Yuri Arcurs (Yuri Arcurs or Logos) is perhaps one of the most well-known figures in the world of stock photography and microstock.
By the way, Yuri Arcurs is a creative pseudonym. The photos taken by Arcurs are distinguished by a professional approach, but at the same time, they are sunny, bright, and very positive, capturing the viewer’s gaze.
A brief overview of Yuri Arcurs: born in 1979 in Denmark. Yuri Arcurs started working with stock agencies in 2005 while studying psychology to pay for his education. Initially, he only had one model to shoot — his girlfriend. Today, that girl’s face is familiar to everyone through advertising posters and illustrations in various publications. After receiving his first check from stock agencies, stock photography became Yuri’s professional activity.
By the way, by 2008, the total sales of Arcurs’ works exceeded a million licenses, with an average monthly income from stock agencies of $80-90 thousand! A shooting day for him costs from $6000! His photos are bought by brands such as Time Magazine, MTV, Sony, MSN.com, Microsoft, Canon, Samsung, Hewlett Packard, and others. In 2008, the Hasselblad corporation provided him with a unique medium-format camera H3D-II 39 (with a 39-megapixel sensor), a privilege awarded to only a few top photographers in the world.
Interesting facts about Yuri Arcurs: a freelance journalist, he began his career at a graphic design firm, served in peacekeeping forces in Kosovo, won a NATO shooting competition, completed a 100 km marathon in 15 hours, earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology, graduated from the Danish School of Photography in Aarhus, owns a photography studio with two employees and 12 freelancers.
The following interview is dated late 2007, but it remains relevant to this day. So, let’s read:
Is it true that you are the best-selling stock photographer in the world?
Yes! I sell over 500,000 photos a year… and that’s a lot. 🙂
How do you manage to be the best-selling photographer with such a small portfolio on iStockphoto?
Upload limits do not allow me to send more than 30% of all the photos I take. Thus, I have a queue of over 2000 photos that have not been uploaded to iStockphoto. My fame is primarily based on sales in 16 other stock agencies worldwide.
Do you have business interests in any stock agencies?
No. Many new microstocks have offered me various collaboration options. I almost started working with one, but ultimately refused due to potential complications in relationships with other stock agencies. In this business, I will remain ONLY a practicing photographer.
Did you really take all these photos yourself?
Yes, but I have two permanent assistants (one American, one Dane) who edit, come up with descriptions, choose keywords, upload, categorize, and help with model releases.
You have very beautiful models — are they friends or professional models?
Those days when I could use my friends as models are over. I hire professional models and sometimes look for them myself. On my website, there’s a section “model application,” through which I receive 2-3 applications a day.
What sets you apart? How do you differ from others?
I strive to make photos that look truthful and natural, photos that have character and individuality. We strive to avoid simple shots in our work that look contrived and theatrical — that is, precisely what many now present as “stock content”.
Describe your workflow
- I shoot in RAW.
- Then I discard out-of-focus frames and test shots.
- I select RAW files for conversion into 16-bit TIFFs.
- The first assistant retouches all TIFFs (dust on the sensor, blemishes on faces, and small specks of dust). This process is overseen by the second assistant.
- Then the second assistant performs re-editing.
- Next, I review the results and make corrections if necessary.
- All files are gathered in a calibration folder.
- Next, I adjust color saturation, white balance, and exposure for all files.
- I move the files to a folder for keywording.
- Then a freelancer describes the files (title, keywords, description).
- I review the results.
- After that, all files are saved in TIFF format (with layers) and JPEG format (at maximum quality) and grouped for upload. When a group accumulates 50 images, we upload it to the first two stock agencies. Then we adjust the keywords again (if necessary) and upload the images to the other stock agencies.
Two freelancers take care of everything else. Organizing this process required the help of 12 temporary assistants and two permanent employees.
Can I find out some personal information about your models — phone numbers, etc.?
It probably depends on why you need it. If your interests are not professional, I will never disclose that information.
Since you are a microstock photographer, you are likely an amateur, and hiring you probably doesn’t cost much — right?
DON’T contact me about photo shoots or individual shots if you are not prepared to offer normal pay for a high-class photographer. A day of shooting costs around $6000, and due to the high demand for my services, I can afford to choose which offers to accept and which to decline.
Do you have photos with nude models?
No.
How do you manage to take such bright and light photographs?
That’s my secret! But I can assure you that achieving this success took a lot of practice. I spent many nights trying to find a way to formalize a multitude of different techniques and lighting methods. Many shots I take using HDR (I shoot 3 frames at different exposure levels and then combine them in a graphic editor). This produces a bright image with magnificent colors.
Have your photos ever been rejected by stock agencies?
Yes. We upload about 400 photos a month, and approximately 5-10 of them get rejected. I take this philosophically and understand that even the most incredible rejections happen just because someone finds my photo not good enough. And that’s a strong enough reason for me to take it seriously. Overall, rejections are certainly harmful to business, so I check twice and often three times what I send to stock agencies.
Is it true that you are a psychologist?
Yes. I am currently finishing my studies.
Do you ever complain about rejections?
Nope. Never. It takes a lot of time. When possible, I try to learn from my mistakes. I also do not resend photos because it takes too much time from my assistants.
How much money do you make as a stock photographer?
I don’t think I’m the kind of person who will answer that question. I’m able to make this pursuit a well-paid profession because I’m currently number one in the world. But one must understand that very few will ever come close to the top 50.
Do you strive for perfection in everything?
Yes, very much. From my psychological perspective, it’s close to pathology.
Maybe you want to chat with me on Skype, so we can get to know each other.
I don’t like to say no, but I really don’t have time for that.
Are you a certified photographer?
Yes. In 2000, I graduated from the Danish School of Photography in Aarhus, where I learned to shoot with film cameras.
Do you work from home, or do you have a real studio?
I shoot at a studio in the center of Aarhus, where my assistants and I work from 9 AM to 6 PM (almost every day).
How many photo shoots do you usually conduct in a week?
It depends on what we find as a team and which models I can invite. I would say it’s about 4-6 photo shoots a week.
source: microstock.ru/articles/49.html
This article is also available for reading in the following categories: About Microstocks, 123RF, Depositphotos, Dreamstime, Fotolia, Istockphoto, Shutterstock
Professional, what can I say!!!! Interesting article, thank you!