Selling Photography

Rating:
Summary: stock for travel and nature photographers
Review: This book is an overview of what Antrobus does to be a successful stock photographer. Short chapters with pithy (if not completely unique) advice from someone who seems to be successfully pursuing a career selling stock.

What makes this book stand out are the images. Most are beautiful scenics, landscapes, and what might be generally classified as travel photography. Locations are exotic (at least from the west coast of the U.S.), and Antrobus must have a special relation with the weather gods, or a great deal of time and patience. He is a talented photographer. Talented enough to buy a local postcard, find the same location, take his own version of the same picture, and sell it multiple times.

Many of the images have been sold multiple times, and Antrobus reports how many times they have been sold, what his total earnings for an image is, and when he first sold it. While this information isn't included for every image, I would suspect that all of the pictures here have been sold (or could easily be). I find this information very useful - it's both encouraging (I could make a picture like this) and discouraging (I never see locations this beautiful). But useful nonetheless - if your are interested in landscape or nature photography, here are many successful models to follow.

Most stock photo books (and many postings on stock email lists) state that the major demand for stock is for people - generally (paid) models with a signed release. I can't dispute that, but this book shows a different path. I don't think that a single image here falls into that category.

The negatives? Antrobus, well along in his successful in his career, doesn't mention that everyone has to start at the beginning. No mention of his first sale. Or how to break in. Or how to get a library or buyer to notice you when you're just starting. Or specific assignments that might be an easier, of lower paid, sale. A few chapters on topics like this would be most welcome.

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