© Nicholas Tucker / drr.net

In my role as Digital Railroad's Director of Photography and Editorial Services, I have an interesting view from the crossroads. I see the collections and images being added to Marketplace, and I also see the requests and searches from the large and diverse group of art buyers, both Editorial and Commercial users, who come to us every day for their image needs. It’s a fascinating variety on both sides.

Having worked with photographers for the last 20+ years as an art director and editor, I know what it takes to create memorable -- and best selling -- images. Art and Commerce are not incompatible. Great art happens when vision meets preparation. And images that become "best sellers" don't happen by accident; they happen when you know your audience and can deliver what they want.

In my posts to this blog I hope to provide both inspiration and some down-to-earth mechanics to help our members produce, choose, and market the best and most successful images. My first post, about cropping, is pretty nuts-and-bolts, but the concept could help make the difference between a sale and no sale.

Please comment freely – it’s in the wisdom of the community that we gain the most knowledge!