Welcome to my February 2025 earnings report! Let’s see if this was a wash-out month – let’s get started!
Using AI more and more
Instead of focusing on new uploads, I dedicated time to refining my workflow for Arcangel book covers, leveraging ChatGPT 4.0 in ways I’ll explore later with a concrete example.
Also, this month features a special guest-earnings report from Nelson Antoine, a fellow-Brazilian who is a talented news photographer. Nelson’s insights into the industry are well worth checking out especially if you’re into news photography.
I also picked up some client work with a personal chef, doing both videos and photos for his social media. I’m by no means a professional food photographer / videographer but enjoying the learning experience – here’s an example of one of the clips I captured using my 105mm lens on the Nikon D810.
I also invested in a DJI Osmo 6 gimbal to record videos using my iPhone, which wasn’t expensive at only $150 (got a discount since the Osmo 7 was just released). Maybe I’ll do some vlogs soon, haven’t decided yet.
Here’s a panning timelapse test I carried out the other day on a windy dark day on the beach, which was accepted by Shutterstock.
Blah, still way below $1k/month goal, which is frustrating even if this was a short month. However, it wasn’t all bad news since I barely uploaded this month to micros, especially pics, so in a way it almost qualifies as “passive income” (even though I hate this term).
In related news, it’s encouraging to see content from as far back as 10 years ago continuing to sell even though many are way past their shelf life. For instance, the following are images from 10+ years ago that have sold this month (captured using Microstockr).
It makes me wonder, will I still be licensing images from 2025 in 2035, when Skynet becomes self aware? Who knows, but what I know for sure is that my portfolio has many assets which I consider to be “ever-green content”.
In other words, will continue to sell forever. One example would be this image which appears timeless (could have been taken in the 1950s or a scene out of Ripley), captured in Lucca, Italy:
On the other hand, images of technology generally have an extremely short shelf life, but having said that the following image of a billboard of the now redundant Iphone X continues to sell!
This probably has nothing to do with the relevancy of the image in 2025 but with how it ranks. I searched for “Iphone, Billboard” and it appears among the first results. Just makes me wonder why someone would use this image in 2025 for a smartphone that was launched in 2017.
Major sales at the majors
As for actual earnings, it was a below-average month, nothing remarkable. I wish I could say that March would be better, but I’m just kinda despondent that it will probably be similar.
Shutterstock, once a powerhouse in the industry, continues its decline this month landing in second place, just behind Adobe Stock, which pulled in a great month at almost $200
For a second month in a row, Shutterstock’s lapdog, Pond5, barely produced anything (just a puny $2 sale).
That said, here are some of my best-sellers across the major agencies this month, leaving the best until last on the list.
You’ve been following my successes and mainly (self-inflicted) frustrations at Arcangel for some time, which is also available on my dedicated Instagram page @brutallyhonest_bookcovers
New workflowis yielding results
One of my key goals for 2025 is to achieve an average acceptance rate of 60% by year’s end. January was rough, with my acceptance rate dipping below 30%, but over the past two weeks in February, things have finally turned around.
The reason? For starters, I’ve shifted away from random walk-around shots and started planning my shoots more strategically. But the real game-changer has been my use of ChatGPT 4.0 (paid version at $20/month) to get constructive feedback on both individual submissions and entire batches.
Chat GPT workflow case-study
These AI interactions aren’t just quick reviews as I go back and forth with the model until both the AI and I are satisfied with an image. And if, after extensive revisions, an image still doesn’t feel right? I simply don’t upload it. It’s a time-consuming process, but I’m confident it will lead to higher acceptance rates and stronger sales in the long run.
Of course, I won’t give away all my secrets (for that, you’ll have to pay me haha), but I will walk you through an example of my workflow. That way, you can see for yourself how to apply a similar approach to your own submissions.
So, let’s start with the image I want to post-process. I’ve deliberately chosen an image which is good but not excellent.
Quite flat, right…well it’s the RAW. Let’s now give Chat GPT 4.0 some instructions.
First the input:
2. Reply to the input
Overall Rating: 5.5/10
This image has potential, but it currently falls short in both technical execution and commercial viability as a book cover. Below is a detailed breakdown of its strengths, weaknesses, and suggested improvements.
Strengths:
✅ Mood & Atmosphere: The silhouetted figures against the sunset sky create a contemplative and dramatic tone, which could work well for mystery, thriller, or literary fiction book covers. ✅ Composition: The placement of the subjects and the railing gives a natural frame to the scene, helping to lead the viewer’s eye. ✅ Negative Space: The sky occupies a large portion of the frame, which could be used effectively for typography.
Weaknesses & Areas for Improvement:
❌ Underexposure & Lack of Detail in Shadows: The silhouetted figures are too dark, with no separation or visible details. This makes the image less engaging. ❌ Lack of Storytelling Elements: While the image has mood, it lacks a strong narrative hook. The figures appear disconnected, and there’s no clear focal point beyond the silhouettes. ❌ Sky Gradient Needs Enhancement: The colors are somewhat dull and could benefit from stronger contrast and vibrancy. ❌ Framing Issues: The placement of the figures against the railing feels slightly unbalanced. The central figure is strong, but the leftmost figure appears awkwardly cropped.
Recommended Edits for Book Cover Viability:
🔹 Lighten the Shadows Slightly: Maintain the silhouette effect, but introduce some rim light or subtle separation between figures to enhance clarity. 🔹 Enhance the Sky: Increase contrast and saturation, possibly adding more dramatic color shifts (deep blues, purples, oranges). 🔹 Add Atmospheric Effects: Consider subtle mist, fog, or even lens flare to create a cinematic mood. 🔹 Crop Strategically: Either reframe to center the middle figure more dominantly or widen the frame to give all three figures equal presence. 🔹 Introduce a Foreground Element (Optional): A blurred railing, lens flare, or small detail (a dropped object, a newspaper, a glowing phone screen) could add intrigue. 🔹 Consider Storytelling Enhancements in Post: A subtle texture overlay (grunge, film grain) or the addition of a title in the sky area could help visualize its potential as a cover.
Here’s a variation, as requested:
3. First edit using Lightroom with the above inputs in mind
Some nice ideas there and I went ahead and created my first edit on Lightroom.
4. It’s quite noisy close up so I ran it on Topaz de-noiser for excellent results especially on the sky.
5. Next, I’ve asked the AI to critique the latest version.
Arcangel Book Cover Review – Final Version Critique
Rating: 8.5/10
Strengths:
Silhouette Effect – The contrast between the dark figures and the warm, gradient sunset creates a dramatic and mysterious mood. This is very appealing for book covers, as it leaves room for interpretation.
Balanced Composition – The three figures are evenly distributed, creating a natural flow across the image. The horizon line is also placed well, keeping the focus on the subjects.
Improved Sky Gradient – The smooth transition from deep blue to orange is cinematic and adds a professional polish to the background.
Negative Space for Text Placement – The upper portion of the image provides ample space for book titles or author names without overwhelming the composition.
Narrative Potential – The trio facing the horizon suggests themes of mystery, nostalgia, reflection, or an impending journey—ideal for fiction genres.
Areas for Improvement:
Refine Subject Edges (Minor Clean-up) – Some slight refinement around the silhouettes could enhance the crispness of the subjects against the background.
Experiment with Color Grading – A more desaturated or cooler tone could make it more atmospheric, depending on the intended book theme (thriller vs. drama).
Variation in Posing – If reshooting were an option, slight variation in posture between the three figures could add an extra layer of storytelling (e.g., one slightly turned or gesturing).
Final Thoughts:
This version is a strong candidate for a book cover submission to Arcangel. It has a mood-driven style, high visual appeal, and commercial viability. With minor refinements, it could be a 9+/10 contender.
Would you like me to generate an alternate grading or mood variation for comparison?
5. Final touches over at Photoshop
Some good ideas above, but I don’t agree making it either de-saturated or cooler. In fact, I think it deserves to be made a bit warmer reflecting the golden hour nature. I’ve added a sun flare overlay. Now, the AI will get a piece of my mind!
6. Final critique
Arcangel Book Cover Review – Warm-Toned Version
Rating: 9/10 Estimated Acceptance Chance: 85%
Strengths:
Warmer Tones Enhance Emotion – The golden hues feel more inviting and introspective, which makes this version more commercially viable for themes like drama, nostalgia, or literary fiction.
Improved Depth and Atmosphere – The subtle glow around the silhouettes adds dimensionality, making the scene feel richer and more immersive.
Better Light Falloff and Natural Look – The transition between light and shadow feels smoother and more cinematic.
Negative Space Still Works – The composition retains enough room for text, making it highly adaptable for book cover use.
Stronger Storytelling Appeal – The warmer tones suggest optimism or reflection, expanding its usability beyond mystery/thriller to more literary fiction, contemporary drama, or memoirs.
Areas for Minor Refinement:
Silhouette Contrast – A slight touch-up on the edges could enhance the clarity of the silhouettes, ensuring they stand out crisply against the sky.
Potential for Subtle Lens Blur on Foreground – A very light blur on the bottom part (especially the railing) could add a more cinematic depth.
Fine-Tuning Grain & Noise – Some slight texture cleanup in the sky could help reduce any potential rejection due to image noise at larger sizes.
Estimated Acceptance Likelihood: 85%
Given Arcangel’s demand for storytelling elements, this version is highly competitive.
The cinematic glow and balanced composition make it market-ready.
A small refinement pass could push this to 90%+ certainty for approval.
Final Verdict:
This is your strongest version yet. If you’re planning to submit, this is the one to go with. Would you like me to mock up how a book title would look on it for further refinement?
MARCH 4 UPDATE– IT’S BEEN ACCEPTED
7. Final thoughts
Overall, I think this is a strong image with a solid chance of being accepted. However, I wouldn’t rate its odds as high as 85%, primarily due to the small amount of remaining noise though it has been significantly reduced from the original.
Ultimately, the decision will come down to two factors: whether I already have similar images in my portfolio and whether Arcangel feels they have enough of this type of content. Agencies tend to be selective about duplicates, so that could work against it.
That said, I’ll go ahead and submit it and in next month’s report, I’ll let you know whether it was accepted!
How long am I spending on the new workflow?
My new workflow is time-consuming. I’m spending on average 15-20 minutes per image from start to finish which is considerably longer than before. So my batches are much smaller and focused, hence leading to 60%+ acceptance!
Plans for Springtime – Change of Plans!
Last month, I mentioned plans to spend a few weeks in the south of France, but things have changed I’ve decided to postpone the trip until later in the year – probably late-summer
In October 2023, you may recall that I took a cruise from Europe to Brazil, which was a truly memorable experience, even if I probably have little chance to recover my costs.
Also in March, I’ll be revisiting a popular interview with Vecteezy’s Founder and CEO, Shawn Rubel. I’m curious to hear his take on what is going on in the industry and his tips for contributors looking to stay competitive while our prices and volumes crash.
About Alex
I’m an eccentric guy. I am based in Lisbon, Portugal. I am on a quest to visit all corners of the world. I want to capture stock images & footage. I’ve devoted ten years to making it as a travel photographer / videographer and freelance writer. I hope to inspire others by showing an unique insight into a fascinating business model while shaming scammers.
Very interesting, especially the extended discussion of using AI for critiquing an image as a book cover. I’d never thought about that usage! Wonder how it would work for an image for your Etsy store?
Pond 5 is completely dead. I had a sale there back when i had 1 or 2 videos online – now i don’t even have views most of the days, despite a larger portfolio.
Alexandre Rotenberg's Brutally Honest Guide to Stock Photography & Footage 
Very interesting, especially the extended discussion of using AI for critiquing an image as a book cover. I’d never thought about that usage! Wonder how it would work for an image for your Etsy store?
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Alex, no bad month compare to my February disaster 🙂 Thanks for sharing
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Pond 5 is completely dead. I had a sale there back when i had 1 or 2 videos online – now i don’t even have views most of the days, despite a larger portfolio.
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Yeah, wtf happened to Pond5? Haven’t had a decent sale there since November.
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1 have only one sale in February
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