thawkins Loc: North Texas

I retired in February. For the past fifty odd years I have been a hobby photographer amassing thousands of pictures of landscapes, portraits, aerials and artsy stuff. Now I would like to do something with them such as sell them. Probably half of them are digital or digitized film. I am not sure where to start. I think perhaps taking them through a digital editing program would be the starting point. What would the other members recommend?

Bob Mevis Loc: Plymouth, Indiana

Welcome to the hog.

Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida

Do you have experience with a digital editing program?

thawkins Loc: North Texas

Not really. Nothing more than the editing program that came installed on my MacBook Pro laptop. Is this program capable of producing professional level work? If not what is a good editing program that will run on this computer? Camera wise I use a Nikon D90 and a Leica M3.

yssirk123 Loc: New Jersey

Photoshop Elements, Luminar 4, or On1

joehel2 Loc: Cherry Hill, NJ

Welcome to the forum. Would like to see some of your work.

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

Welcome to the HOG!
Try Corel Paint Shop Pro, easy to learn, does everything I've needed, lot of video how to's on you tube,
Fine Art America for no hassle selling, they run the site, print, ship, collect and send you the commission, easy for a retired guy, remember if you sell on your own you may have to register and do tax reports, collect sales taxes etc. In today's world setting up a business would be too much for a retired guy like me, let someone else do the work, Bob.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I sort mine according to subject - Cars > Mine > Foreign > Antique, etc. There are many ways to sort them. Choose one that works for you. There are many programs to help you store them.

Cataloging software -
https://photography.tutsplus.com/tutorials/how-to-choose-asset-management-software-for-your-digital-picture-archive--cms-24356
http://www.toptenreviews.com/software/multimedia/best-photo-organizing-software/
http://www.hongkiat.com/blog/10-free-photo-managing-software-you-should-at-least-know/
http://www.tomsguide.com/us/pictures-story/412-best-free-photo-management-software.html

thawkins Loc: North Texas

Thanks everyone for your replies. Today I will look at these editing programs and come back with more questions for you.
I am excited to be a part of this program.

charles tabb Loc: Richmond VA.

Peanut-the-cat Loc: Bradenton, Florida, USA

My best advice is to forget trying to sell your own photos. We all overvalue our own stuff. It will turn your most loved hobby into a business - and like any other business it becomes work again. But this time your ego will get hurt with rejection, not because there is anything wrong with your pictures but because there is so much amazing photography out there. Make nice prints for your wall or for family and friends. Charge friends who request a print for paper, ink, and a little of your time. Have fun with your retirement and your photography. I hope you take no offense from my suggestion it comes from a pro for what that's worth.

Photographer Jim Loc: Rio Vista, CA

There is some truth to what you say; selling ones art does become a business, and will require the time, effort, knowledge, and resources to be successful. Having spent a number of years on the art festival circuit, I can attest to the fact that it is definitely work. However, I think you over emphasized the idea that there is so much rejection Involved that one’s ego will suffer. Yes, there is a lot of competition, and often with exceptional photographers, but that doesn’t mean one can’t be successful.

From the OP’s original comments, it appears that he is a ways off yet from actually being prepared to sell his work. If he is just learning to do digital editing, he most likely does not have an inventory ready for the market. I would suggest that as he develops his editing skills and catalog of images, he “test the waters” by entering his images in local camera club and other competitions where he can get some feedback as to the quality of his work to help determine if his work has sale potential. In the meantime, he needs to do his homework and become familiar with what options he has for selling his work down the line.

cahale Loc: San Angelo, TX

First, find the crankiest person you know, show him/her some of what you consider your better shots, and ask him/her if he/she would pay $20 to have them hung on his/her (notice the political correctness? actually, it's just that nobody today understands that in English, masculine is also generic when used non-specifically. I don't give a large happy rat's ass about PC) wall. That's what you have to contend with if you want to sell photographs. After that, start culling. If you have the same basic shot of a location repeated several times, select the best and subject it to some more post processing. Then find somewhere to offer them (Smugmug, YouPic, others). Load them up, sit back, and wait to get rich. And prepare to be disappointed. Just take a look at the excellent work of many of your compatriots on Ugly Hedgehog and see if you think you can compete. If so, go for it.

CamB Loc: Juneau, Alaska

Many, many years ago I put together a presentation for a stock photo agency. They wanted to see a hundred slides. I gave them my best, five sheets of twenty each. The main guy and I sat down at a light table and I got a quick dose of reality. He went through the five pages in about thirty seconds, went back to to the first page, pointed to one slide and said something like, "well, this one's nice."
I would say to start by looking for the fun and personal satisfaction in your photography, then share with friends and see how things go. When you start to 'expect' to make money, then don't, it can take the fun out if it. Learn, print and share for yourself. Keep it fun and that joy will leak into what you produce.
...Cam

thawkins Loc: North Texas

Thank you Jim for your positive comments and encouragement.