In Search of Artwork Hosting Websites
As I was searching for a website to host my photos and paintings that would also market, reproduce, ship, and collect payment for the items. I had no idea that there were so many to choose from.....there are so many sites hosting photos and paintings that it boggles the mind. I have spent much of the past three weeks looking at hosting websites. Many of them are [More...] just storage for your works, others include selling, some include marketing, and licensing (their commission split varies greatly). I looked at dozens of sites for both photography and paintings.
This is the point in the learning curve where I decided I'd better choose either to focus on the photography or the painting for now....the photography won. I still allow myself to paint every day, but only after I have finished with the rest of my list of "things to do today".
Checking the Alexa Rating of the site before I spending hours learning all I can about a given site can save a great deal of time; a lesson I just learned TODAY! The ratings range from the millions to the hundreds. If you are unfamiliar with Alexa ratings, it is a measure of how close to the front page of a keyword search the website will be found. From now on this is something to check before spending a lot of time searching a site. It is sure to save a lot of time and insure that it will actually show up in a search by keywords.
While previewing submission requirements, I discovered that the requirements for photo specs also vary greatly by site. Some don't appear to have any requirements at all, while others have very stringent requirements. Most of the websites that require "RAW" or "Fine" photo files are also the most desired websites for their marketing, licensing and selling contacts and abilities, such as for advertising uses by other businesses.
This brought me to the discovery that not all cameras will accommodate the most desired files. Although I did remember hearing this before, I had not realized that the best my current camera would produce was "fine" quality, at which point I promptly purchased a new Nikon D7000. This camera will produce quality "RAW" files needed to command the best prices and to meet the requirements of the best marketing and licensing sites. Since I am self-taught and am accustomed to the Nikon format and already have a variety of lenses that I will still be able to use with the new D7000 it is the best choice for me.
The need for minor adjustments to the photos in the areas of contrast, color, and light also requires photo editing software. I have been using Picasa3 and Adobe Elements. Now, I have found that something a little more sophisticated is needed. This was the easiest part of this whole process...Adobe Photoshop is the answer for me. And, at around $400. It is a bargain.
This is where I find myself today. It feels good to have shared my experience and discoveries with you. I hope it will be of assistance to you in your search for hosting websites. Stay tuned; I will keep you updated as the process continues.
This is the point in the learning curve where I decided I'd better choose either to focus on the photography or the painting for now....the photography won. I still allow myself to paint every day, but only after I have finished with the rest of my list of "things to do today".
Checking the Alexa Rating of the site before I spending hours learning all I can about a given site can save a great deal of time; a lesson I just learned TODAY! The ratings range from the millions to the hundreds. If you are unfamiliar with Alexa ratings, it is a measure of how close to the front page of a keyword search the website will be found. From now on this is something to check before spending a lot of time searching a site. It is sure to save a lot of time and insure that it will actually show up in a search by keywords.
While previewing submission requirements, I discovered that the requirements for photo specs also vary greatly by site. Some don't appear to have any requirements at all, while others have very stringent requirements. Most of the websites that require "RAW" or "Fine" photo files are also the most desired websites for their marketing, licensing and selling contacts and abilities, such as for advertising uses by other businesses.
This brought me to the discovery that not all cameras will accommodate the most desired files. Although I did remember hearing this before, I had not realized that the best my current camera would produce was "fine" quality, at which point I promptly purchased a new Nikon D7000. This camera will produce quality "RAW" files needed to command the best prices and to meet the requirements of the best marketing and licensing sites. Since I am self-taught and am accustomed to the Nikon format and already have a variety of lenses that I will still be able to use with the new D7000 it is the best choice for me.
The need for minor adjustments to the photos in the areas of contrast, color, and light also requires photo editing software. I have been using Picasa3 and Adobe Elements. Now, I have found that something a little more sophisticated is needed. This was the easiest part of this whole process...Adobe Photoshop is the answer for me. And, at around $400. It is a bargain.
This is where I find myself today. It feels good to have shared my experience and discoveries with you. I hope it will be of assistance to you in your search for hosting websites. Stay tuned; I will keep you updated as the process continues.
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