In this article I will try to explain how perspective works in a 2D photograph with some tips, myths and example photos.

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When we see a photograph on computer screen or on prints, we are looking at a 2-dimensional representation of a real 3-dimensional scene. And that is what photography is all about – capturing a 3D scene onto a 2D image. I used to wonder how do photographers demonstrate “depth” or sense of “scale” in a (good) photograph. They use the concept of

Perspective.

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85111840. Photograph Eke Miedaner/Flickr/Getty Images

Back in July 2008, Getty Images threw open its doors. Or at least, it pushed them open a crack. The exclusive stock agency wasnt adopting microstocks open source policy but it had forged a partnership with Flickr, adding selected images from the photo-sharing site to its commercial inventory. Things went a little quiet for a while but in March 2009, Getty debuted its Flickr Collection, a selection of photos sourced from Flickrs contributors and available for licensing both on a royalty-free and rights-managed basis. Getty hasnt released precise statistics to describe how many images have sold, but the company has told us that Flickr images licensed to customers already number in the thousands and have been used in creative campaigns in more than 65 countries.

According to Claudia Micare, Manager, Contributor Relations for Getty Images, the collection now includes more than 60,000 images provided by more than 6,000 photographers in more than 100 countries. To Gettys own customers, those images show up in search results in the same way as other photos in the inventory. Editors browsing Flickr can also buy the images they see by clicking a licensing button above an available photo. Theyll then be taken to the image on Gettys website where they can make their purchase.

Rates vary, of course, but even royalty-free images start at $5 for a 170 x 113 image suitable for Web use and rise to $300 for 3008 x 2000 pixels.

Several photographers have had multiple sales on their imagery, some generating five-figure licenses or hundreds of dollars in royalties for the photographer, said Claudia.

Joining those 6,000 contributors has become a little easier recently too. In September 2009, Getty created its Call for Artists group, inviting anyone on Flickr to submit a portfolio of ten images for review by Gettys editors. Almost 11,000 Flickr members have joined, offering more than 50,000 photos to the group. In addition, the editors will continue to browse the site, offering licensing contracts for images that catch their eye.

Sell Your Flickr Cat Photo

The subjects that Getty is choosing vary tremendously too. Claudia Micare noted that Getty is interested in all subject areas, including conceptual pictures in all categories, as well as hobbies, travel, nature and pets. Even Flickr members famous love of cats has been respected. Getty offers 940 of them.

Some of those pictures appear to be typically stocky but the real draw for Getty, says Claudia, is the authenticity of the images on Flickr. Thats certainly how the stock agency is selling the collection to buyers, placing the images in contrast to the posed, model-y and fake images that turn up again and again in stock collections.

When we launched the Flickr Collection, it was our goal to choose photos that created a commercially viable collection, while preserving the inspiration and unexpected nature of the images that are so prevalent on Flickr, she told us. The images that have been selected offer unique, fresh, high quality, individualistic perspective and vision that our global customers value and desire for their communications.

The choice of image may affect how the image is sold. In general, photos with simple and clear messages tend to be offered on a royalty-free basis while more complex or subtle photos often end up with rights-managed prices. Its Gettys editors, however, that choose the pricing model, not the photographer.

The emphasis on authenticity recalls Photoshelters attempts in 2008 to create a stock inventory of natural images to supply a demand identified in the companys survey of buyers. Their attempt failed, leading some to comment that what buyers say they want and what they actually buy are two different things. Others though pointed out that as long as buyers have subscriptions at major stock agencies like Getty, it will always be hard for smaller agencies to make sales. With thousands of Flickr images already sold, it does appear that Photoshelters problem wasnt the commercial weakness of the photos, but the strength of the competition.

Exclusivity is Strict but Not an Issue for Enthusiasts

And Getty has also been reactive. The companys willingness to accept images from the enthusiasts on Flickr only came after it noticed that the site was offering products that it couldnt supply itself.

As Flickr members created more images, our customers were looking to sites like Flickr for inspiration and fresh images, and would often try to license images, says Claudia.

While being on Getty allows photographers to reach large buyers and receive the full value for their work, there are challenges. Few the images containing people that are uploaded to Flickr come with model releases, making sales challenging, and Gettys exclusivity terms are strict. Images are placed exclusively with the company for two years and cant be removed without terminating the agreement. The contract continues to renew annually.

That might be an issue for professionals who have already placed their images elsewhere or who are uncertain that Gettys Flickr collection would be the best place for them. For enthusiasts though, who dont expect to sell the images elsewhere anyway and who are still allowed to use the photos for self-promotion, limited edition fine prints and Blurb, the exclusivity isnt really an obstacle. Spanish enthusiast Manuel Navarro, for example, is happy with both the exclusivity arrangements and the service hes receiving from Getty.

Im not a professional photographer, so I never thought to make commercial use of my photos, he said. I know that these requirements may be restrictive, but I think this might be a good opportunity to show my photos out of my Flickr page, and get some small profit.

The seven urban and landscape scenes that Manuel offers through Getty are fairly traditional but many of the images in the collection are as quirky and unusual as you might expect from Flickr. The company has only accepted a tiny proportion of the images submitted through its Call for Artists group (it wouldnt reveal the exact proportion, but in a group discussion, Tom W. at Getty Images, likened the process to sifting for gold) but its just possible that Flickrs contributors are bringing a valuable, fresh addition to stock photography and Getty is providing a useful, if small, channel to bring them to buyers.

Photography is indeed a hard money-making profession. With the horizons of Internet now open to selling your best photographs to online buyers, it has given tremendous boost to young photographers to take the lead and use Internet as a potential money-making platform. However, considering the competition, there is no space for an amateur photographer to thrive in this online photography selling business. So, if you are confident on your proficient photography skills, here is a lowdown on the sites where you can sell your photographs.

First and foremost, look for stock photography sites. These are popular sites who invite young talents to stock their best art pieces and photographs with them. Now these photographs are viewed by potential visitors belonging to varied walks of life like, web designing, interior designing, editing, advertising et al. If they are impressed by the photograph, they download it for free. The main advantage of these sites that entice a lot of art lovers is the free download option which enables them to search and save the best piece of art for them. However, the site seeks around 50 %-70% of commission as compensation against every download.

Some of the most visited stock photography sites include, iStockphoto, Stockexpert, Fotolia, Crestock and Dreamstime. iStockphoto is one of the most popular pick by many photographers owing to its great reputation ever since its existence in 2001. It boasts a higher traffic due a vast stock of fascinating photographs and pictures of experienced photographers. This means that stocking your photograph on this site would ensure it being exposed and viewed by a wide belt of targeted audience like web designers, advertisers etc.

Stockexpert is yet another sought-after site visited for its reputable stock of photographs. The site is popular owing to its considerably low-priced photographs open for sale for both the stockexchange team as well as the wide-spread online consumers. The rest of the sites have the same underlining function, however, their terms and modes of payment to the artists may vary. All these sites just offer you a free sign-up form to access its membership and apart from free downloading options, some facilitate the option of reviewing photographs by online visitors.

Other than the above mentioned sites, there are some other sites that offer entertaining modes to market your photographs. Sites like Cafepess, Phototrade give you the opportunity of embedding your pictures on mugs, T-shirts and other accessible items to sell your photographs in unique and attractive modes. You may also come across sites that seek membership payment from you and in return access viable marketing tools to attract hits from targeted visitors across the globe. Shutterpoint is one such paid site that demands a requisite member fees ranging $19 to $49, depending on the kind of membership availed.

However, one most imperative point to remember before you take this plunge is that stock photography would not lead to instant success. Also, you have to match the level of art theses sites have maintained so as to seek their membership. Your art has to be indisputable, there is no room for casual family clicked photographs in this arena.