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Microstock Photography Forum - General => Photo Critique => Topic started by: Socas on January 04, 2012, 16:40

Title: IStock application critique request
Post by: Socas on January 04, 2012, 16:40
Hi,

because of some strange iStock forum rules new members of their site can't post in their forums until they are validated contributors. I've tried with my application photos for two times already, but got rejected (first time was my mistake - I didn't read carefully what samples do they want to see, so I sent regular photos with apertures too wide and a bit over filtered, second time the photos were too similar - one isolated object and two studio shots of a little kid).

Now I know they want variety, so I gathered some new samples and want to ask your help in deciding which 3 to send and your opinion if these samples are good enough for the application at all. 

samples:

http://www.vaphoto.lt/stock/01.jpg (http://www.vaphoto.lt/stock/01.jpg)

http://www.vaphoto.lt/stock/02.jpg (http://www.vaphoto.lt/stock/02.jpg)

http://www.vaphoto.lt/stock/03.jpg (http://www.vaphoto.lt/stock/03.jpg)

http://www.vaphoto.lt/stock/04.jpg (http://www.vaphoto.lt/stock/04.jpg)

http://www.vaphoto.lt/stock/05.jpg (http://www.vaphoto.lt/stock/05.jpg)

http://www.vaphoto.lt/stock/06.jpg (http://www.vaphoto.lt/stock/06.jpg)

Thanks in advance, all opinions are appreciated and sorry for my english
Title: Re: IStock application critique request
Post by: ShadySue on January 04, 2012, 16:43
How many do you have to send? On my application they said my three were too similar, and I had to send just one more.
Title: Re: IStock application critique request
Post by: Socas on January 04, 2012, 16:44
for some reason they rejected all three, so I need three new images
Title: Re: IStock application critique request
Post by: luissantos84 on January 04, 2012, 16:59
1. the right eye kind of distracts me, maybe because its less open, the focus on the left looks good
2. too dark, donīt see how it can work out (it wonīt impress reviewers)
3. its a very cool picture, kind of "evil bride" looking very serious, I would downsize to 6MP, looks kind of soft in terms of focus
4. like it a lot, he is looking one side and her to other, the compo is interesting, many stock pictures with those angles, not sure if as much profitable as other more regular ones, like straight horizon
5. very soft focus and noisy.. so soft that this doesnīt give any separation from the background.. but a very cool picture.. donīt know if you can bring that pic into "life" again.. the look of her is stunning
6. superb lighting, it does look very well lit and focus as well.. the isolation looks a little rough, donīt think IS will take it, better to leave a subtle shadow.. or doing a right selection feathering it to the exact point

donīt have any wedding pics, beside some tables, donīt know how much they are appreciated these days but overall I kind of like your pics, compo, lighting, cool stuff
Title: Re: IStock application critique request
Post by: Perry on January 04, 2012, 17:31
Here is some tough love:

1. Hair over the eye and cheek. Bad bokeh. I also have some problem interpreting the facial expression... maybe she looks tired(?)

2. Harsh lighting

3. Distracting background with colorful blobs. Artefacts in the face area.

4. Same distracting background. Hair "growing" from the chin. The man has a distracting button(?) on his jacket. Better than number 3.

5. Soft/artefacts. Skin tones aren't perfect. Dull light.

6. Rough isolation, especially in the lower parts of the images. If you have shot these on white background, why not include a weak shadow? I think there are already too many "tomatos on white" shots on all the stock sites.
Title: Re: IStock application critique request
Post by: markrhiggins on January 04, 2012, 17:40
hair over the face in one. Yellow caste on skin in outdoor leaves background shot. Iso 2500 is a no go for application. Variety is needed.  Some shots dull/lack mid tone contrast. Tomato is good but isolation on bottom rough.
Title: Re: IStock application critique request
Post by: Socas on January 04, 2012, 17:55
ok, I'm starting to see what's wrong with these images, I'll try to fix hair on the face, shadows under tomatoes. I'm dropping #02 and #05. As far as I see the tendencies - #06 and #04 stay, others drop out...
Title: Re: IStock application critique request
Post by: Socas on January 04, 2012, 19:36

4. Same distracting background. Hair "growing" from the chin. The man has a distracting button(?) on his jacket. Better than number 3.

6. Rough isolation, especially in the lower parts of the images. If you have shot these on white background, why not include a weak shadow? I think there are already too many "tomatos on white" shots on all the stock sites.


I've fixed those two images, new links:

http://www.vaphoto.lt/stock/07.jpg (http://www.vaphoto.lt/stock/07.jpg)

http://www.vaphoto.lt/stock/08.jpg (http://www.vaphoto.lt/stock/08.jpg)

If anyone sees anything bad in these images, please let me know :) I'm working on one more image...

BTW, I know there are a lot of tomatoes, apples, kiwi and other fruits on white, but we all gotta start somewhere...
Title: Re: IStock application critique request
Post by: luissantos84 on January 04, 2012, 19:54
but now its gray :D

(tomatoes background)
Title: Re: IStock application critique request
Post by: Socas on January 04, 2012, 20:03
I'm too tired probably - didn't notice that... Fixed.