DeanS Loc: Capital City area of North Carolina

It sounds as though you have zero experience with post-processing digital photos. If this is the case, you stand zero or less chance selling anything sooc.

Photocraig

While I haven't ventured into Stock, the coaching I've seen emphasizes, Photo Buyers are filling a need They're not there perusing for a nice photo to hang in their wall. They need to either set a mood, or a theme for a "piece" that being an advertisement, brochure etc. Some of the photos that sell well are very well crafted AKA SHARP, in focus and perfectly exposed compositions of plain old mundane things, like shoes lined up by the door. Ducks swimming on a pond. ANY well lit pond with complementary colors to the Photo buyer's "piece." So photo a with fall foliage reflecting might not suit a springtime ad, or vice versa.

Look up Fickle and internalize the nuances of the definitions. Then realize the enormity of the stock art available, and the numbers of folks like you and me who have an inventory of never seen (maybe for the best) masterpieces.

There is a lot of info available on the net. Don't be discouraged, budget your investment. It just takes a few photos used multiple times to yield a few bucks. But keep in mind who uses Stock Photos and WHY.

And I'm sure you know this, for recognizable people get the appropriate Photo Model Releases.

Good luck, and let us know how it goes.
C

texasdigital Loc: Conroe, Texas

Learn all you can about photo processing. KelbyOne is a good start.

Purchase a copy of the Photographer’s Bible (Amazon).

Start submitting your best photos. Success is built on the road of a thousand rejections, not on the critique of a hundred photographers who have not succeeded.

Each rejection brings you closer to acceptance.

robertneger

I am in the same boat. I have color/ B&W negatives and 35mm and 6 x 6 slides. The first thing is to edit the non-digital photos/slides. My plan is to go through slides on a view box with a magnifier and throw out the majority. My next step is to scan those that I have selected or better yet project them first and then scan if warranted but that's an extra step.
Once you have eliminated the majority, the task is less daunting.
I must warn you, it is discouraging at first but you will recall good times and great scenes. I have been scanning everything that I think friends/family would appreciate and e-mailing them. That has been a revelation to me. People are very appreciative of old images particularly of people no longer with us. Good luck.
Ace

Bill 45

Welcome and go for it.

kevon devins

we got some freakin' good educated - experienced photography people on UHH - as evidenced by the answers that were given for that "what is macro" post --

parmruss

On Flickr, just as an example, there are groups that specialize in offering critiques and suggestions for your photos, and most of the groups in general are one way to get some feedback, albeit not necessarily toward commercialization. I've found that even with my hobbyist pics that some are significantly better liked than others according to the Flickr crowd. My unscientific impression is that good color, sharpness and composition seem to be the major contributing factors.

With regard to editing, I've had good results with Zoner Personal Studio.

Like others have mentioned, certainly learn and explore your options, but above all put priority on enjoying your hobby. NOW, show us some pics!

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

I agree with you. It depends on his seriousness to be successful. I know at 75 years of age how much I have slowed in recent years compared to my prime. I started 5 business' in my life, most successful and big money earners, with one smaller photography business. The only one that wasn't a winner was because of the 1984 "Black Monday" crisis that I had no control over.

If I could discourage someone from a business because of my message then it did some good. If they still go-ahead then maybe they are determined enough to have some success. And it's not always money that should be regarded as the measure of success. There are many other things.

I appreciate your reply to my earlier posting - thanks.

DrewP Loc: Rockledge, FL

A few thoughts, especially since you use a MacBook Pro. First check out David A. Cox on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLu36yGWlfoB1XKNr_M9_TYkEO7NXHpozA He has a wealth of information on everything Mac, including using Apple Photos. You can do quite a bit with Photos. I use Pixelmator for whatever I can't do with Photos. It has a Photoshop Elements feel to it, but it links with Photos so much better! There is a pro version which costs about $40. David Cox has tutorials on Pixelmator so you can see what it can do before you download or purchase. If you also use an iPhone, get Apple's iCloud. Purchase more if you need it. It cleanly links all your photos library, no matter the source, phone or camera, into a place where you can edit and view on any device.
Just my 2 cents worth. Enjoy retirement, I will be retiring end of July, can't wait!

thawkins Loc: North Texas

Thanks Drew for your response. I am already on
the cloud and will look at David Cox this afternoon.
Congrats on your retirement. I highly recommend it.