Slides for stock sales

olgeezer · May 27, 2009

Hello To All; I'm brand new to the site and am enjoying it immensely.
I have questions concerning the sale of slides to stock agencies. Do the stock photo buyers consider slides, or, are they buying digital images only?

2F/2F · May 27, 2009

olgeezer said:
Hello To All; I'm brand new to the site and am enjoying it immensely.
I have questions concerning the sale of slides to stock agencies. Do the stock photo buyers consider slides, or, are they buying digital images only?

Though it does depend on the agency, every one I know of requires digital images (raws or tifs) of certain pixel dimensions. Usually a 5D file or something similar is the smallest file they want. That's about 13 Mpix. Sounds like a stupid requirement due to the size at which most images will be used, but they want to cover themselves in case an image needs to be enlarged and/or cropped extensively.

You can certainly get a file that is far superior with a high quality scan of a frame of medium format film (and, IMO, a technically solid piece of 35mm film). The problem is the cost.

pcooklin · May 27, 2009

Most that I know of including Getty only accept digital files, as mentioned by 2f/2f. I sold my 5D and shoot film exclusively now, I prefer the look of film. I use an Epson v750 which is fine for the job. I get at least 45MP from 135 scanned at 4800dpi, and naturally more from 120. I dont think the editors are concerned whether you shoot film or digital, as long as you meet their criteria.

olgeezer · May 27, 2009

Thank you for that information, you may have saved me a ton of wasted time and effort, however, I do plan to search for a couple of agencies that still accept slides as I am looking to get some experience before I spend my money upgrading to digital equipment. Any guidance?

SchwinnParamount · May 28, 2009

olgeezer said:
Thank you for that information, you may have saved me a ton of wasted time and effort, however, I do plan to search for a couple of agencies that still accept slides as I am looking to get some experience before I spend my money upgrading to digital equipment. Any guidance?

The current issue of Shutterbug has an article about the recent changes in the business of stock photography. In a nutshell, you won't make any money unless your images are REALLY unique and they had better be digital.

2F/2F · May 28, 2009

You don't need to switch over your whole kit to digital. Just get a nice scanner like the fellow above if you prefer to work with film (and a computer, and server space....). They don't care about your equipment; only the quality of the files. What is it to them if the digital file you send them was originally captured on a CCD/CMOS or a piece of film? I would not bother trying to find a joint that will take your transparencies themselves...it just ain't gonna happen, unfortunately. Think about it from their POV, with the workflow and sales system they currently have in place. How would they place your pix? They would have to scan them first.

olgeezer · May 28, 2009

I have been away from photograhy for a long time, now, I'm 59 years old and stubborn I guess. So, now I'll start looking for a scanner and update my computer so I can do it right. I was hoping to get into stock photography on the cheap, and, now realize that I've been left way behind. I'm sure that I'm going to have more naive questions down the road and I appreciate your help and candor.

Steve Smith · May 28, 2009

olgeezer said:
before I spend my money upgrading to digital equipment. Any guidance?

Most of us on this site would regard that as a downgrade!!

Steve.

Ektagraphic · May 29, 2009

Steve Smith said:
Most of us on this site would regard that as a downgrade!!

Steve.

How true!
I would recommend like the others have said, have you slides scanned. That is probably just what the agency will do that you give them to.

olgeezer · May 31, 2009

2/f 2/f, great advice! You are right, no takers on slides. Soooo..., it looks like a scanner is in my future, maybe that v750. Do you have any suggestions as to photo handling software?

Marc Akemann · May 31, 2009

The fine folks at Hybrid Photo may have your answer on scanners, software, etc. Click on the 'Hybridphoto.com' tab at the top of the page, or just go here:
http://www.hybridphoto.com/forums/home.php

Marc

removed-user-1 · May 31, 2009

Just a little word about the Epson V700 and V750. I am currently using both (one of each) for archiving John Scarlata's work as part of my graduate assistantship, and they are functionally identical (unless you really want to use the wet mount feature of the V750). The Silverfast software that comes bundled with either scanner is great. The V700 does a great job with 4x5 and larger negatives or transparencies, and it's about $200 cheaper than the V750. I've used it a little for my own medium and small format work with excellent results.

olgeezer · May 31, 2009

rthomas..thanks man, I really need to save money and, thanks to you, I just saved (actually more) than $200!

removed-user-1 · May 31, 2009

olgeezer said:
rthomas..thanks man, I really need to save money and, thanks to you, I just saved (actually more) than $200!

Did you buy one? It took me about six months using them both to decide to buy a V700 for myself. I've never used a better scanner!

olgeezer · Jun 1, 2009

rthomas.. I think it will be this week, however, since I live pretty much hand to mouth, it'll probably be next week.

Slides for stock sales

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