Selling images on 500px

Ben D Bus

Somebody wants to buy one of my images on 500px :eek: I'm chuffed

Never even thought about this before but has anyone here sold through 500px?

I also need to check out a few things as it's a photo of a model. Do I need a model release etc? Another thing I've never bothered with.

Now even if this request did result in a sale, I think I might make a grand total of €2 assuming it's a digital download they're after. Of course it could be the first of many - maybe I'll hand in my notice at the day job tomorrow

But really just wondering if it's worth the hassle (if there is any hassle involved).

mehfesto

I've gotten a few e-mails that said 'Somebody is interested in buying your photo', but it seems like a ploy by 500px to me. It seems like a reminder that you have your '500px store' turned off. Either that or it was someone (one of my friends) who pressed the 'buy me' button by mistake!

Personally I leave the store off all the time - that €2 you get gives them rights to use the images in advertising and everything, at least it did before they changed their terms - I haven't read the updated one, but I'm assuming it's the same. Madness, really!

With regards to the model, I'd imagine you'd need a release form, but I wouldn't be strong in this regard. I'd say out of courtesy if nothing else, it'd be better to check with the model in question before you sell anything!

Ben D Bus

I'd come to the same conclusion in all respects. Not worth the hassle.

achtungbarry

€2 is a miserable return for the work and expense you put into making that photo. Think of all the time you spent learning about photography and the expense of your camera and lenses etc. Then think if the time you spent taking the photo and processing it. Don't be afraid to value your work at its true worth. I sell prints on Fine Art America which lets you set your own prices and you get commission on the frames. I would highly recommend them. It costs about $50 a year to use.

Also, never give your work away for free. If a company wants to use your work, they should pay you for it. This year alone, I found my work being used (without permission) by about 20 different companies as well as an Irish government department! I invoiced all if them for €200 per image and guess what? All but 3 paid up. So don't be afraid to value your photography.

Kenny_D

"I found my work being used (without permission) by about 20 different companies"

How?

mehfesto

Google reverse search is not too bad for finding your images elsewhere online.
It even has Firefox and Chrome extensions that allow you to search for your images with one click!

achtungbarry

mehfesto wrote: »

Google reverse search is not too bad for finding your images elsewhere online.
It even has Firefox and Chrome extensions that allow you to search for your images with one click!

It was the Firefox extension I used. It's an excellent way of checking where your photos are being used.

dirtyghettokid

achtungbarry wrote: »

It was the Firefox extension I used. It's an excellent way of checking where your photos are being used.

did you have to hand check each photo you had stored online? (sounds time consuming!) and just out of interest.. what site were they stolen from, could you tell? like from flickr etc..

achtungbarry

dirtyghettokid wrote: »

did you have to hand check each photo you had stored online? (sounds time consuming!) and just out of interest.. what site were they stolen from, could you tell? like from flickr etc..

Basically I open each gallery page on my website with all the thumbnails. When I click on the Firefox extension, a question mark appears over each photo. Then when I click on each photo, it does a reverse Google search. It is a little time consuming, taking a couple of hours to check all my photographs. I usually save where they have appeared and make a screen grab. I do a check every 2 months usually.

Then I send out the invoices! Most tend to protest claiming they 'never realised that the image was copyrighted' :rolleyes:. Usually, after a brief exchange of emails, they pay up. I have a template email made out with all the possible excuses that are not valid! Some of the bigger companies actually tend to pay up with no questions asked. Most of the photos tend to be stolen from Flickr but more and more are being taken from the website.

The most interesting case this year was a certain government department that had 2 of my images on their website with absolutely no credit and no permission had been asked. When I send an invoice I was told........ get ready for this...........

" Unfortunately we have neither the system in place nor the budget to pay you."

When I replied, asking if I could use the same excuse for my household charge along with a gentle reminder of laws concerning copyright, they paid up.

dirtyghettokid

i just tried that reverse image plugin for firefox and got the following error:
"Google Reverse Image can not be used in Chrome pages! Please try it on a web site image."

i tried using it on my images in flickr and pix.ie and i just keep getting that error. i'm not using chrome, so i have no idea......

at least you could track yours, and send invoices! imagine all the images that are stolen and used in printed items.. ugh, the thought

thebaz

I just got a request to buy one of my prints on 500px, they want me register with 500px Art marketplace - is it just another ploy - breakdown is 50% to framing company ; 15% - 500 px ; and 35% to artist - hardly seams worth the bother of even registering, or has anyone any postive experiences of this.
Personally, I prefer to sell direct or from my website - so new to this lark.
tanx.
B

dirtyghettokid

i've been receiving multiple emails from them for the last couple of months. i really do think it's a ploy. when i read the T&C, it didn't really make me want to sell. you have to sell X amount, before they'll pay out also. so not really worth it, unless you are selling loads of prints. (IMO of course!)

thebaz

dirtyghettokid wrote: »

i've been receiving multiple emails from them for the last couple of months. i really do think it's a ploy. when i read the T&C, it didn't really make me want to sell. you have to sell X amount, before they'll pay out also. so not really worth it, unless you are selling loads of prints. (IMO of course!)

thanks , what I thought - from my experience the best way to sell is direct - or through your own personal website.

dirtyghettokid

from their FAQ:
http://500px.com/settings/store/faq

How much do I get from a print or download sale?

You will get $2 from every digital download, and 75% of what is left over after NewEra includes their cost, shipping, and materials from the sale. On average, photographer can expect a payout of $60 per print. The payout may vary depending on different factors — printing and shipping costs, discount promotions, etc. Payout is calculated individually and is based on market factors.

For details on payouts to photographers, please read the Market Fee Schedule.

When can I reqeust a payout?

Minimum payout amount is $50, which you can request on your Payments page. Your commission for digital download will be available immediately ('Available') and will be added to your total amount. Any commission from wall art print orders will be held for 45 days for return and exchange (that amount will be seen as 'Pending').

How can I receive the payout?

You can receive a payout anywhere in the world using PayPal or cheque. Please note that we take $10 to process cheques. Paypal fees may apply.