Amanda Hides (Amanda Rohde): “Learn to Think Like a Designer” (Part 2)
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(link to the first part of the interview)
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Often work in microstocks is viewed as an evil that devalues photography and the work of photographers due to the small payment amounts and imperfect royalty payment systems. What do you think about this, being a part of microstock?
If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen. If a photographer who earns more takes better photos than I do, then I see no problem — his work will sell anyway. If that’s not the case, then why should he earn more?
Once, stock photography was incredibly expensive not only because you had to pay for a medium-format shot (the cost of which was substantial on its own) but also for advertising photo catalogs that companies had to send to prospective clients. The internet and digital photography changed the situation, so why shouldn’t the price of images change for the same reason?
What do you think about micropayments? Are you not disappointed that a buyer pays $1 and uses a photo in an advertisement from which they will profit much more?
If that were the case, I would be a very disappointed person in life! 🙂 Seriously, this is the market, and it would be silly to argue: “that designer made much more money from the advertising campaign than I did.” You need to ask yourself what you want more: one sale for $500 or 500 sales for $1? Personally, I prefer 500 sales… This option is more reliable and has lower risks.
Microstocks are very popular now. Are you not afraid that with the increasing number of young photographers, your income will decrease to the point that you won’t be able to live on it?
Definitely not. I believe that the number of buyers is growing as quickly as the number of works (if not faster). Add to that the fact that the increasing size of the image database and its thematic expansion will attract even more buyers to photo banks like iStockphoto (and to photo banks in general). In any case, I think that the work of a good photographer will always be in demand by buyers. I am confident in the future of what I do now.
It’s obvious that you are a talented stock photographer. Don’t you think you could earn more in traditional Royalty Managed photo agencies than in microstock?
No, I don’t think so. For four reasons:
- I think iStockphoto pays much more than people usually realize (especially if you are an exclusive photographer with a large number of sales).
- No Royalty Managed photo agency in their right mind would want to collaborate with me when I was just starting my career. I had a 3-megapixel camera, and I hardly knew how to use it.
- As soon as I learned something, I was already starting to earn a good income from iStockphoto. So I didn’t want to trade that for something I was completely uncertain about.
- iStockphoto is practically perfect for me. It has given me things like a good income, helpful advice, and excellent support. The photo bank tracks the legality of the use of my work and does everything humanly possible to help me. They are wonderful people I love working with.
In general understanding, stock photography often seems tedious and uncreative. Do you have the same impression? Do you sometimes feel like a “photo production factory”?
A photo production factory? No, that sounds pretty depressing. I find satisfaction in my work; I love mentally constructing the shot that I will later see on my computer screen. For me, this is not “art” in the purest sense, which distances the author from the mass audience. I like photos that are accessible to everyone; that’s precisely what stock photography is for. If it’s hard to understand the essence of a photograph, then it will be difficult for a photo stock to sell it well. What I like most about photography is the simplification and idealization. That is, getting a “concentrated” image that expresses what I aspire to in a clear way.
Maybe I’m just not complex enough 😉
Your Work Process
As we mentioned, you have quite a large portfolio. I assume that means a lot of work regarding preparation, keyword selection, and uploading photos. Do you navigate this challenging path on your own? Or do you have an assistant?
At present, yes, I work a lot. Sometimes my husband helps me select keywords, but so far, that’s only been with a few photos. I’m thinking of hiring someone, but iStockphoto hinted that in the future, they might offer their authors a keyword selection service (for a separate fee, of course). So I’m waiting for news from them and continue to work with the words myself.
What requires the most effort from you during photo preparation?
Definitely keywords, even though it’s the quickest part of the entire process. I think this happens because, at that stage, the work on preparing the image itself has already been completed.
What equipment do you use?
I usually work with a Canon 1ds Mark II camera with a 24-70 f2.8 L Lens. I also have a 1D Mark II and several other lenses, including a 50 mm f1.8 and 70-200 f4 L USM. Additionally, I have a set of transmitters and two Canon 550Ex flashes for working outside the studio, as well as a set of studio lights.
I love my computer (with 3GB of RAM, a 30-inch Apple monitor, and a couple of nice accessories). I also use a Wacom Intuos graphic tablet. And, of course, I use Photoshop (currently the CS version).
Do you have a separate studio?
Yes and no. I have converted a room in the lower level into a studio. However, it is objectively small. I am currently buying land where I can build a bigger house with space for a studio, but it’s clear that this won’t happen tomorrow.
I noticed that many of your photos feature people. Do you pay your models? How much does it account for in terms of your income percentage?
Sometimes I do. I work with many aspiring models as well as friends, relatives, and friends of friends. I pay the models I really want to work with. Usually, if they ask me to work with them, they receive a disc with their portfolio; if I ask, then I pay. I try to reinvest a part of my income back into the business. This applies not only to models but also to equipment, props, and materials. Currently, I work in such a way that 15% of my income goes back into the business (although in the past, this percentage was, of course, higher).
About your photos
Which photo surprised you the most in terms of sales?
Some of my earliest works that sold very well really surprised me. And I think after that, it’s not so easy to surprise me anymore. In general, I am hopeless at predicting which of my works will be popular and which will be ignored by buyers.
What was the biggest advertising campaign that used your image?
I encounter my work quite often, but none of them have stood out. I saw my work on 15 posters hanging in a newsstand for Mother’s Day, and that was really nice for me.
Do you have any works that you are truly proud of?
Probably, it’s several photos of my mother’s hands. Hands have always been somewhat of an obsession for me, and my mother’s hands have always been particularly special.
About the future
Recently, the stock agency iStockphoto offered all exclusive diamond photographers a contract with Getty Images. Do you think this will affect your future in any way?
At the moment, I am still unsure about that. I have decided to wait and see what comes of it. So far, I’m feeling quite skeptical, but anything is possible. In any case, I don’t think it will change much.
Will stock photography be your final calling? Or do you plan to explore other areas of photography?
No, this is my final calling (as far as photography is concerned). But who knows, as I said earlier, maybe in a decade we will all be using holograms or something else. In our world, the only constant is change.
About advice
Amanda, I have one last question for you. What advice would you give to those taking their first steps in stock photography?
First of all, you need to understand that good stock photography (in most cases) is quite simple to execute, but it always has a strong concept and appeals to the audience.
Secondly, don’t get discouraged if you can’t afford expensive studio equipment yet. Approach the process creatively! Stock photography is not just about objects on a white background. Some of the best-selling works are lit with regular light bulbs. And I’m sure you can create great work even using a candle.
And finally, observe how images are used and what they try to convey. Learn to think like a designer. After all, the buyer is always right.
Source: www.perrush.be/art_hidesy_02.html
This article is also available for reading in the following categories: About Microstocks, Istockphoto
