I don't know about one specific image, but if one decides to choose the route of scientific illustrations, I would not bother with journals but contact universities and even research labs for work. Some labs do not mind having artwork done for them and pay a reasonable price, particularly those that publish in prestigious magazines or make keynote presentations. I would say that some scientific knowledge of the subject would be very welcome. Disclaimer - I've never done that myself, but I know people who did, typically scientists themselves with some inclination to artistic expression .

Very interesting suggestion. I'll try contacting some University science departments and research labs. Previously, I wasn't aware of the term 'keynote presentations' - looks kind of like a powerpoint presentation to me. Just curious about the kind of license that would be appropriate for such presentations.

Keynote presentation is a powerpoint presentation made at a start of a conference with the purpose to set its central theme. It is possible that the presenter will want an exclusive use with the possibility to transfer copyrights to a journal where a scientific review on the subject will be published. However, I can envision a request for a cheaper alternative. Like I said, I've never done it myself, so my knowledge is limited, but I know people who sell such services. For whatever reason they are a bit secretive about that aspect of their income.

It is possible that the presenter will want an exclusive use with the possibility to transfer copyrights to a journal where a scientific review on the subject will be published.

Yea I certainly wouldn't want to hand over exclusive rights. I'm hoping there are some other options with regards to presentations.

..and publishers should consider themselves lucky to get the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of publishing your very unique image.

I wouldn't say this image is unique. And I admit that earlier, I was wrong for calling it rare. Though on the other hand, it's not overly common.

you should already have done something with it

Ive been submitting the image to various publications along with a proposed article. The last e-mail was sent several minutes ago to an Australian magazine.

Any updates?

Ive contacted a university research department and they got back to me this morning. The associate professor from the department said that he's writing a book and working with a publisher and he might be able to use my image in about a month's time (he's still deciding whether to go with an illustrated version of the book or a text-only version.)

When I initially contacted the department at the university, I was open to the idea of them using my image in electronic presentations in seminars and lectures etc. In that kind of scenario, it would be the department who would be paying me for the usage of the image. I mentioned to them that I would be happy to negotiate the amount with them. I also mentioned that I was open to discussing other potential uses of the image as well.

With the publishing of this book, the publisher is not sourcing the image from a stock agency or from me so I doubt I'll see money from them. Ive heard that with a number of science publications, the author simply supplies the images. Looks like that's the scenario here.

At this stage, I don't even know if I'm going have any direct contact with the publisher. I'm assuming that all correspondence will be done through the professor. If any money comes into my hands, it will probably be from the university department so I wouldn't expect much in the way of $$. In any case, it would be good to find out how long my photo is going to be published in the book (if it is included.) That will determine when I can upload the photo to Alamy as Rights Managed if I choose to go that route one day. Though I guess I could upload it as RF in the meantime?

With Alamy, I wonder if you can have RM licenses that are only available to certain geographical regions. That would be one way that I could still license the image as RM to other clients if my photo is used in the book and it's restricted to a certain part of the world (unless the book is published world wide.)

This is assuming that I would retain my rights to the image (which I will definitely try to do.)

Sue, that's great to hear. I assume I'd inform Alamy rather than the client about the specific uses of the image? Just like the micro sites, I guess contributors don't have direct contact with the clients.

Some buyers were finding geographical restrictions too confusing? My gosh, the world is a sad place.

Ive contacted a university research department and they got back to me this morning. The associate professor from the department said that he's writing a book and working with a publisher and he might be able to use my image in about a month's time (he's still deciding whether to go with an illustrated version of the book or a text-only version.)

Why is it that I just don't find this credible?

An image like that dont really need to be RM, there are thousands of them, tension water, oil, air etc.

There would indeed be thousands of photos demonstrating surface tension. Though I haven't found all that many like mine, and certainly none in any of the stock agencies Ive looked through.

I once shot a bomb detonation in the pacific as a military experiment! it was huge and awsome. This was in the good old film days

That would have been an awesome experience. Must have been a big bomb...hope it wasn't anything like Bikini Atoll?

Sounds right to me. The author provides artwork, and he's responsible for its accuracy. The copyright is then transferred to the publisher. Make sure the terms of the transfer do not interfere with your decision to sell the image commercially elsewhere or seek proper compensation.  Professors may not be fully aware of legalities and their implications.

Thanks for clarifying that. I'll definitely tell the professor to let the editor know that I want to retain my full rights to the image.

Of course, if you are not going to specify your rights in a written contract signed by the user then anything could happen.

Okay, you've convinced me to write up a contract. Definitely better than the more casual approach.

Upload it to a bunch of agencies and watch the money roll in. Quite slowly, probably.

I think you've invested a lot more time in this for any returns you might make over and above what you'd get selling it as stock.

If you want to maintain control you need to make up a contract specifying exactly what the image can and cannot be used for and what kind of compensation you will receive.  Good luck!

Definitely. Within the contract, I guess I could also include the title of the book, the intended geographical region for distribution and the length of time that the book will be published for?

Quote from: SpaceStockFootage on October 21, 2017, 20:42

I think you've invested a lot more time in this for any returns you might make over and above what you'd get selling it as stock.

I admit I'm getting tired of contacting publishers / university departments etc. Putting the photo up on a stock site's going to be so much easier.

On the other hand look on it as a learning experience and maybe some good contacts made should they ever need a series of pics etc. I must admit I'm pretty crap at marketing/networking which is one of the reasons stock suits me ;-)