Author Topic: Complex Illustrations/Vectors - Is It Worth to Do It? (Read 8021 times)

cosus · « **on:** September 04, 2018, 16:15 »

When looking at images that some people sell as microstock, sometimes I don't believe that such complex stuff can pay yourself anytime. And some people have hundreds of such images in portfolio.
I understand, that everyone is doing some testing, uploading few different images and looking what happens. I also did few tests (some unused old images from various canceled projects, but overall usable as microstock), but it seams to be pretty ineffective, best of them will pay the invested work in 8 or 10 years, if nothing changes.

So what is your experience? Is worth to do 1 complex image instead of 20 simple images?

EO · « **Reply #1 on:** September 04, 2018, 18:25 »

I'm new to all this, so I'd very much like to know as well.

nobody · « **Reply #2 on:** September 05, 2018, 07:03 »

In short- yes. Complex is very special to the buyer and it is difficult for others to 'copy'. Thus your art will be there for many years for the buyers...

Lina · « **Reply #3 on:** September 05, 2018, 14:27 »

I am struggling with same question so much these days. Looking at some amazing portfolios, can't help but wondering are these people selling illustrations like crazy and if not, why on earth they are uploading great work at microstock. Earlier it was worth it, I earned very good money from just one illustration which even wasn't so complex. Lately whatever I do gets buried and unnoticed or I sell it for few cents every now and then.

So I decided to upload my new, time-consuming illustrations only at Alamy, still can't decide between RF and RM (rasters, not vectors). Maybe I won't sell them at all, but at least I won't give them almost for free. Just my opinion, keep in mind that I was never high earner on micros.

ShadySue · « **Reply #4 on:** September 05, 2018, 15:08 »

Quote from: Lina on September 05, 2018, 14:27

So I decided to upload my new, time-consuming illustrations only at Alamy, still can't decide between RF and RM (rasters, not vectors). Maybe I won't sell them at all, but at least I won't give them almost for free. Just my opinion, keep in mind that I was never high earner on micros.

Do you know if illustrations sell much on Alamy?

Lina · « **Reply #5 on:** September 05, 2018, 15:30 »

Quote from: ShadySue on September 05, 2018, 15:08

Do you know if illustrations sell much on Alamy?

No, I don't know. Sorry, I should have mentioned I am new at Alamy, started uploading photos and illustrations month ago. I haven't sold anything yet.

ShadySue · « **Reply #6 on:** September 05, 2018, 16:11 »

Quote from: Lina on September 05, 2018, 15:30

Quote from: ShadySue on September 05, 2018, 15:08
Do you know if illustrations sell much on Alamy?

No, I don't know. Sorry, I should have mentioned I am new at Alamy, started uploading photos and illustrations month ago. I haven't sold anything yet.

Alamy is a very long haul.
I don't know anyone who sells illustrations there: their forums seem to have exclusively photographers posting - but that is a tiny proportion of their suppliers, I wondered if you had inside info.

cosus · « **Reply #7 on:** September 05, 2018, 16:26 »

Quote from: ShadySue on September 05, 2018, 16:11

Quote from: Lina on September 05, 2018, 15:30
Quote from: ShadySue on September 05, 2018, 15:08
Do you know if illustrations sell much on Alamy?

No, I don't know. Sorry, I should have mentioned I am new at Alamy, started uploading photos and illustrations month ago. I haven't sold anything yet.

Alamy is a very long haul.
I don't know anyone who sells illustrations there: their forums seem to have exclusively photographers posting - but that is a tiny proportion of their suppliers, I wondered if you had inside info.

On Alamy I sell usually few images monthly, far far less than 1% of all my sell. But earnings per sell are higher. So its no so bad.

Josephine · « **Reply #8 on:** September 06, 2018, 14:21 »

It´s not the question of complexity, it´s the concept behind the image which pays. I have some very simple illustrations which sell very good and I got very complex ones, which flop. They must be unique and up-to-date.

Alamy goes for illustrations.

Noedelhap · « **Reply #9 on:** September 06, 2018, 16:33 »

Quote from: ShadySue on September 05, 2018, 16:11

Quote from: Lina on September 05, 2018, 15:30
Quote from: ShadySue on September 05, 2018, 15:08
Do you know if illustrations sell much on Alamy?

No, I don't know. Sorry, I should have mentioned I am new at Alamy, started uploading photos and illustrations month ago. I haven't sold anything yet.

Alamy is a very long haul.
I don't know anyone who sells illustrations there: their forums seem to have exclusively photographers posting - but that is a tiny proportion of their suppliers, I wondered if you had inside info.

I sell illustrations on Alamy (vectors mostly, as RF) but I don't have a lot of sales. One of the bottom agencies for me.