MicrostockGroup

how many buyers really care if there is odd blown highlight at points or whether there are artifacts at 200%?

Probably not how it happens but I think if I was a reviewer and paid by the number of images reviewed there is a number of people including Yuri, Andres, iofoto etc for whom I would be very tempted to just hit accept for every image in the submission as fast as I could make the money    

(thats is meant as a compliment to those people).

Phil

I suppose it's like who sells more records... britney spears or billie holliday?
robert johnson or gnr?
microstock is fast food , not the classic restaurant where you get the best meal from the best chef. no wine, just sugar water. 

Yes exactly. I've never meant to "devalue" microstock. At the end of the day we would all like to be "best sellers" if we could.

Being a "best seller" is a very hard job...

To answer the original question... neustock put it quite short and simple. Three (or more if you can afford it) powerful lightsources set in relation to each other and either bounce them around or apply huge sofboxes. Nuke the studio

What you think about the style, yuri, the tendencies of buyers and so on answers nothing to the orignal post...

Hello there.
Another way to get this effect is to use the gradient white layer. This would reduce the overall contrast, filling in the shadows (notice there is hardly any grey or black).
Everything is mostly to the right of the Level histogram.

I am learning a lot about lighting right now because it is an area that I need much improving in, and I do believe that exceptional lighting is one of the main necessities to achieving a beautiful image. I have found that diffused lighting, and bouncing from overhead and off a bright floor achieves that fresh stock look. it is fairly unique to stock.

I also love high key in fine art prints, but I wouldn't call these examples high key necessarily. brightly lit, but not high key.

I like a bit of shadow to preserve depth. but it always depends on the context of the shot.

Your funny!!

 It is the use of the lights and there is absolutely no need to post process for color or anything. You can get this look straight off your file with zero post manipulation. Study as much lighting as you can. Yuri's lighting is no secret it is very simple you just need the equipment. Large soft box behind photographer to set the base, it needs to be right behind you and the broader the better to avoid any drop shadows that will conflict with your main. If you don't have a giant soft box bounce it off of two 4x8 foam core panels made into a V flat.
 Then add the main light from the angle that best suits your needs for contrast. Not much higher than your original fill on power. I would also say to place the mains back off to the side and slightly behind and coming down from a slightly higher angle than your subject to keep the light looking real.
 if you want a bit of separation from the background. Then the background needs lighting of its own to take away any dark spots. It is really lighting 101 in any good photo school. Education is the key. Start with the fill, set your base exposure and shape from there. Actually there are a number of lighting scenarios that will create this look. I think the examples shown are a touch flat and the main should be turned up or the fill turned down a bit.

double post

Hi Lisa,

 No it's more about the state of the economy not stock. I am fiddling away as I watch the flames.

LISAFX, if u r going to dump the cutie pie for a chick(en) with long boney legs and oversized feather duster for a tail , at least keep her shades