Stock Photography

What is a marketable stock photo?

One formula for a "marketable" stock photo is:

This is not to say that textures and patterns don't sell, but we're touched by people-shots and overall they sell more. Human beings are people watchers at the core and we connect to imagery of others. Examples of this formula in use could be as straight forward as a man enjoying a beer in a bar, or as subtle as a woman praying in a church (where the object and interaction are perhaps not as obvious).

Sharing your stock photos

• If you're feeling benevolent and want to share your stock photos with the world you can post them on Stock Exchange for free download (subject to image approval).

• If you want to make a little cash off your stock photos, but don't want to deal with the hassel of sending portfolios to photo buyers, check out iStockphoto. Your "interview" to become an iStock photographer consists of a short stock photo quiz and a scrutinizing look at three stock photos of your choosing. If you fail they'll tell you why. Keep trying.