PhotoShelter
Like in the post I wrote late last night, I still think the Digital Railroad Marketplace is the sexiest option if one were to choose between DRR and PhotoShelter. However, I don't have the $650 right now to gamble on DRR especially when there's little evidence online so far of any sales thru DRR's Marketplace. Maybe if I had a full-time job instead of doing freelance work, then I could pay for everything and would sign up right away but in the meantime...
This morning I signed up for a free account with PhotoShelter. I have this cool little photo search tool now that I can paste all over my website. This is something that I emailed Alamy about the other day but I don't think they quite understood what I was asking for. Alamy already gives me a site for my own images but what I wanted to do was incorporate the actual search tool onto my website rather than having to ask someone to click onto the link then do the search. You know, one step removed from the equation. It may not sound like much but convenience is very important when it comes to the Internet. One click could mean the difference between using the search or not using it.
Type in "New Mexico" or some other New Mexico-related keywords into this search bar below and try out PhotoShelter for yourself.
I'm considering signing up for the basic account so I can add e-commerce features onto it and upload all of my full resolution, low-compression jpegs into my archive. My actual files are TIFF's but they are too big to deal with over the internet. Plus I think most buyers nowadays prefer you to save jpegs at a 10-12 compression setting in Photoshop. Works for me, Alamy has the same requirements. I could just add PhotoShelter into my workflow now in addition to Alamy. This is awesome. I'm excited. I probably won't need to add Lightbox Photo Gallery software on my website now. Either way either option would probably come out to the same price since the extra storage space I would need on my website would come out to roughly the same amount annually.
This morning I signed up for a free account with PhotoShelter. I have this cool little photo search tool now that I can paste all over my website. This is something that I emailed Alamy about the other day but I don't think they quite understood what I was asking for. Alamy already gives me a site for my own images but what I wanted to do was incorporate the actual search tool onto my website rather than having to ask someone to click onto the link then do the search. You know, one step removed from the equation. It may not sound like much but convenience is very important when it comes to the Internet. One click could mean the difference between using the search or not using it.
Type in "New Mexico" or some other New Mexico-related keywords into this search bar below and try out PhotoShelter for yourself.
I'm considering signing up for the basic account so I can add e-commerce features onto it and upload all of my full resolution, low-compression jpegs into my archive. My actual files are TIFF's but they are too big to deal with over the internet. Plus I think most buyers nowadays prefer you to save jpegs at a 10-12 compression setting in Photoshop. Works for me, Alamy has the same requirements. I could just add PhotoShelter into my workflow now in addition to Alamy. This is awesome. I'm excited. I probably won't need to add Lightbox Photo Gallery software on my website now. Either way either option would probably come out to the same price since the extra storage space I would need on my website would come out to roughly the same amount annually.
Labels: New Mexico, stock photography
posted by Richard @ 12:00 PM
4 comments
Richard Wong Photography: Image Boutique
4 Comments:
That little search bar is cool - that is a good idea. The one nice thing about Lighbox is that you have full control and aren't at someone elses mercy.
Yeah you are right about Lightbox. I like how on your site, it is only your images and nobody elses. With PS, you just as easily go on and search some other photogs archive. So for now I'll upload as many jpegs as I can and see if that has a negative impact on my regular website. If it does then I guess I'll go with Lightbox and let PhotoShelter be it's own thing not associated with my site. the plus theoretically is that other photogs visitors could find my site through the same methods so maybe it will be a plus. all of this stuff is so new to me!
Hi Richard,
I've been following your posts regarding PhotoShelter and the other services you are using, or considering using.
Why not use the seamless customization feature PhotoShelter offers? It's very reasonable and offers so many advantages. Your Website on PhotoShelter will not go away and photobuyers can search multiple photographers work. But, on your customized site, it will only be your work.
I highly encourage you to look further into this option before getting spread too thin.
Of course, you will still have to draw traffic to your site. And PhotoShelter is not going to "sell" your work. But, you can offer print sales, low-res comps, high-res downloads, send out gallery invites and a host of other things.
There is a learning curve, just like with everything else. If things were easy, then everyone would be doing it. I'm still in the process of refining my site. I have a lot more work to do before I'm totally set up the way I want. But, at the present time, buyers can search, license and download images directly from my site. And very soon, I will be fully automated 24/7.
You can check out my customized site at http://www.sherrimeyer.com. Go to the "search photos" link.
I apologize for the long post, but I felt strongly compelled to give my opinion on this subject.
Feel free to e-mail me at sherri@sherrimeyer.com with any questions you may have.
Sherri
Thanks for weighing in Sherri. Feel free to comment on anything you're compelled to.
I've been looking at various photographers setups for PS to get an idea for what is possible. So I've been considering the customization and most likely will at some point. Right now I'm sort of in a trial phase I suppose you could say regarding implementing it onto my website. I do like the ability to access your images anywhere and will probably keep PS for some time because of this.
Thanks.
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