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sugarcoated293
sugarcoated293
Known Participant
January 26, 2018
Question

Digital photo prints to sell

  • January 26, 2018
  • 5 replies
  • 2530 views

Hi,

I've seen some people sell digital photography prints on etsy with great success but I'm wondering about which cameras/specs work best so that buyers can blow up the image to a great size and not lose focus. I know you should have a SLR camera but I think I was thinking of getting a mirrorless for certain travel photography and was after minimum specifications?

Thanks!

    This topic has been closed for replies.

    5 replies

    italosan
    Community Expert
    italosanCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    June 19, 2018

    The kind of camera you want to use for this kind of work, is completely up to you.

    At this point, you may have a very good quality even with a high end smartphone, so good that in some side-by-side comparison with good D-SLR an non-expert eye couldn't tell the difference.

    However, if you have to comply with some specs, this can help with a choice.

    I would say, if you plan to sell prints up to 1m on the long edge, you may want to choose at least a 24mpx camera, regardless of sensor size. Given that you want something lightweight that will be easy to carry around, I would suggest something like a Fuji X100f.

    Ussnorway7605025
    Ussnorway7605025
    Legend
    June 18, 2018

    the only time a mirror camera out performs a mirrorless camera is for speed of focus i.e, fast moving objects = use a mirror camera

    R
    rodneyb56060189
    Legend
    June 19, 2018

    hehe... that's one big pinhole camera !  Probably used a number 2 pencil to make the hole.  ??

    So many variables re: mirror less vs. reflex, re: choice. Used to use M3 rangefinder a lot when young. Pre-focus (focus ring) and shoot mostly. But that was mostly wide lens stuff. I personally hate AF lenses cause I focus manually ( lenses go beyond min and max focus so it goes out when doing manually). Cine lenses (Zeiss) are better, but way more expensive for DSLR's. It's a lot of thinking and deciding and researching to figure out what's best for the way you want to shoot, etc. I'm so glad I don't have to do that !

    Nancy OShea
    Community Expert
    Nancy OSheaCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    June 18, 2018

    I understand you're asking about equipment but that's only a means to an end.   I've seen some pretty amazing photos captured with a cardboard box .

    Below are the technical requirements for submitting digital photos to Adobe Stock. 

    Technical requirements

    • Submit images in JPEG format.
    • Minimum image resolution: 4 MP (megapixels)
    • Maximum image resolution: 100 MP (megapixels)
    • Maximum file size: 45 MB (megabytes)
    • No watermarks or timestamps
    • Do not upsample your files; submit the maximum file size that your camera can produce.
    Nancy O'Shea— Product User & Community Expert
    R
    rodneyb56060189
    Legend
    June 18, 2018

    hehe, better elaborate. cardboard box = pinhole camera

    : )

    Nancy OShea
    Community Expert
    Nancy OSheaCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    June 18, 2018

    Pinhole maybe but not when your box is the size of a 20 ft shipping container.

    Truck-Sized Pinhole Camera Captures the Great American Panorama - Creators

    Nancy O'Shea— Product User & Community Expert
    cmgap
    Community Expert
    cmgapCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    June 18, 2018

    With photography gear as is the same with computers, people are partial to brands. Rather than start a brand favorite discussion I'll say that you should compare the weight to quality factor when considering a DSLR vs Mirrorless and budget.

    You can get a high-end mirrorless, think Sony A7R ii against a Nikon D850 or Canon Mark V. And if you really want to up your game for landscape you could look at a mid-size like a Pentax 645.

    It will take a lot of sales on Etsy to pay for any of the above mentioned gear kits. And don't forget the glass... you can't get a high end body with a cheap lens.

    R
    rodneyb56060189
    Legend
    June 18, 2018

    I agree with cmgap re: equipment choices. You'd need to do a lot of research to get the best deals you can.

    Keep in mind another possibility re: selling the work.

    This guy has been successful because 99% of his work was sold by him at Art Fairs ( mostly pretty high end fairs on eastern Long Island. He printed his own prints (large) and framed some. He also printed on canvas sometimes. It was a lot of work and many years but he did well at it.

    Home - John Ellsworth Photography

      R
      rodneyb56060189
      Legend
      June 18, 2018

      Another print option. Believe it or not, last fall I send a digital image to a Fed Ex Kinko place (sent online) to see how their mounted photo quality was. I worked closely with the technician at the place ( due to tones and crop concerns ). I was very happy with the result and if there is a place like that near you it might be worth looking into, instead of investing in giant printer of your own, etc.

      I think there are also photo print places at Walgreens, which can be mounted maybe, but haven't used them.

      Benjamin Root
      Benjamin Root
      Legend
      June 18, 2018

      Moved from Photography​ to The Lounge​

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