I already touched this topic in my first post on this blog, but I think it deserves its own article. It does not matter if you are a graphics person or a photographer, the basic principles are the same. Making pictures is a creative process, no doubt about that. And many photographers and graphic deisgners see themselves at least partly as artists. But when it comes to selling your pictures in the microstock business, can you really call your works “art”?
The definition of what is art and what is not has always been a topic for lively discussions and will certainly continue to be. So I can only give my personal view on that matter here. In my opinion there are two things where the concepts of art and microstock are fundamentally different:
1. Personality vs. Anonymity
All works of art have a creator. Usually artists are proud of their work and will publish it under their name and may even sign it. There is always a direct connection between artist and work.
In Microstock, pictures are usually used anonymously. Buyers are able to see the identity of the creator, but when the pictures are published, his or her name will rareley be disclosed, and then only hidden away somwhere in the small print.
2. Uniqueness vs. Mass Market
For me, a work of art has to have an aspect of uniqueness. This does not mean it should not be reproduced and distributed, but it has to be in a context where it is given the importance that it deserves.
Microstock pictures are made to be sold by the dozen, and most of the times their use is only illustrative. They might show up in situations the creator would never have thought of.
3. Inspiration vs. Purpose
Art is made because the artist wants to create it. Period. If people like it, even better. Sometimes artists want to deliver a message, sometimes they only want to create something that is pleasing to the eye. Of course, artists need money to survive just as everybody else. So if they see that their art is not very popular, they might try to change their style. Creating something in order to sell it is nothing to be ashamed of. But the inspiration of true artists will always be their imagination and not the taste of the crowd.
Evidently, microstock pictures are created to be sold as well, but there is an important difference to art which I believe to be the most fundamental. In microstock, pictures are bought not for enjoyment but to serve a purpose.
Good microstock creators will try to make their pictures according to the needs of those who are supposed to buy them. Thier target markets are advertising agencies and publishers. But this does not imply that they should deny their own personal style and just clone successful competitors. To stand out from the crowd, they have to maintain their personality without losing appeal for potential buyers. This is the most important aspect of microstock in my opinion. Getting this balance right is the master key to success in microstock.
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