Way back when I began presenting my niche photography online for purchase, an acquaintance on Flickr approached me with this question: “Does RedBubble bring you success? We want to know if it’s truly worthwhile.” Without a moment’s pause, my response flowed from my heart:
No, I haven’t made many sales yet (c. 2007). However, RedBubble serves a greater purpose in my creative journey. Here’s why it holds value for me:
[1] It serves as an invaluable platform for building connections. The diverse community of talented artists, predominantly hailing from Australia, is truly remarkable.
[2] On RedBubble, I showcase my “finer” creations, reserving Flickr for my experimental pieces and conceptual ideas. This way, I can present a curated selection of my best work to the world.
[3] The sleek and polished nature of the RedBubble website adds a professional touch to my artistic presence. Whenever someone expresses interest in viewing my portfolio, I direct them to my RedBubble photography page , rather than pointing them towards Flickr.
Remember, the key is not to dwell solely on monetary gain, but also to strive for excellence in your craft.
While numerous websites offer opportunities to showcase your art, appreciate the work of fellow artists, and earn extravagant accolades for innovative light experiments, only a handful provide the seamless selling capabilities that RedBubble did when in started in 2006 and still does in 2023!
With that being acknowledged, it is crucial for artists utilizing this service to grasp a few key considerations. Prior to uploading that picture, take a moment to reflect upon these fundamental inquiries:
- Would I pay to hang this photograph on my wall? Would you, your boss, your partner, your best friend, or some billionaire celebrity want to buy this image to hang in their home?
- Would my mother be ashamed or proud? The most important question of all!
- Would National Geographic print it bigger than you can imagine? (Imperial: 21 feet x 14 feet! | Metric: 6metres,50cm x 4metres,27cm)? Is the resolution and DPI high enough to print at either business-card or bill-board size?
Before I conclude, there is one final point that I strongly emphasize: Dedicate a moment to step back and observe your images from a distance. This practice can be applied to any scene you wish to capture, unless your sole intention is to freeze a fleeting moment.
Disclaimer
[1] I may not claim expertise, but I possess a clear sense of my preferences. If my opinions, suggestions, methods, or straightforwardness clash with yours, that’s perfectly fine. Healthy communities thrive on robust discussions and differing perspectives.
[2] Unfortunately, I don’t receive any commission for promoting RedBubble, although I genuinely wish I did. Sigh. So, if you would be so kind, please consider purchasing my photographs or my illustrations
!
[3] Let me be clear that my intention is not to undermine the services provided by flickr.com. In fact, I wholeheartedly endorse flickr.com as an exceptional and flawless image-hosting platform. It serves as an excellent starting point for any photographer embarking on their creative journey.
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The Entrepreneurial Life of Stephen Mitchell 