Author Topic: Need a critique on this ONE image. (Read 4196 times)

Cogent Marketing · « **Reply #25 on:** August 15, 2011, 14:33 »

Quote from: Microstock Posts on August 15, 2011, 14:11

Quote from: Cogent Marketing on August 15, 2011, 13:54
Why are you suggesting posting an image of a herd of cows where clearly the focus is off (or as SS would say "where we feel it does not where it works best".

Isn't it good use of depth of field..
p.s. ss don't seem to like shallow DOF.

I agree with you. I love the creative use of selective use of DOF, sometimes extreme small DOF - and it is the biggest single reason of rejection (for me) from the majority of microstock sites, not just SS but I have to say they are the usual suspects.

Cogent Marketing · « **Reply #26 on:** August 15, 2011, 14:38 »

Quote from: Cogent Marketing on August 15, 2011, 14:33

Quote from: Microstock Posts on August 15, 2011, 14:11
Quote from: Cogent Marketing on August 15, 2011, 13:54
Why are you suggesting posting an image of a herd of cows where clearly the focus is off (or as SS would say "where we feel it does not where it works best".

Isn't it good use of depth of field..
p.s. ss don't seem to like shallow DOF.
I agree with you. I love the creative use of selective use of DOF, sometimes extreme small DOF - and it is the biggest single reason of rejection (for me) from the majority of microstock sites, not just SS but I have to say they are the usual suspects.

To make my point here is a real example of the point I made in my last response.

Xalanx · « **Reply #27 on:** August 15, 2011, 15:27 »

Quote from: Microstock Posts on August 15, 2011, 14:11

Quote from: Cogent Marketing on August 15, 2011, 13:54
Why are you suggesting posting an image of a herd of cows where clearly the focus is off (or as SS would say "where we feel it does not where it works best".

Isn't it good use of depth of field..
p.s. ss don't seem to like shallow DOF.

That's one of the never verified myths. SS does like shallow DOF, if done properly and with a meaning. I have a lot of shallow dof photos, some of them at f/1.4 in my SS port.

Art Benco · « **Reply #28 on:** August 17, 2011, 12:35 »

I need to clear a few things up!

I am the owner and author of www.fablephotos.co.uk/wordpress

I have worked very hard to research the information and combined with my own passion and experience, built the blog up from scratch. I still have a lot of information still to go on to the blog. I have it all in list form, I would rather drip feed the blog instead of swamp it all at once.

To answer your question - why is somebody of my calibre asking for help? The simple answer is I need it. I may have the skills but for some reason this is my third attempt into getting into Istock. Every submission so far has been rejected - which would indicate my skills still need work (and always will).

Third time lucky two of my submissions have been accepted - I just need to get one more in! My portfolio is not 'stock' and this is where I stumble. I love my work but looking through it in the aim of making a submission into Istock I find that my work is more arty rather than stock material. This is where I need the help of a forum, I need guidance in this particular area.

The second query was about Art ben co being me - my name is Stewart Ben Scott - art ben co comes from the name Stew(art) (Ben) S(co)tt > It is just a photography alias I made up a while ago, I rarely use it now.

I just want to make one thing clear I am not 'pulling anybody's chain' and I DO want genuine feedback. I am who I say I am!

On that note - should I submit the cow or the calligraphy image or neither?

VB inc · « **Reply #29 on:** August 17, 2011, 13:03 »

ive already spoke my mind but again, go with the cow. the cow image is a harder shoot with less competition imo.

Art Benco · « **Reply #30 on:** August 17, 2011, 13:21 »

Ok I am going with the cow image - wish me luck!

Art Benco · « **Reply #31 on:** August 18, 2011, 04:14 »

The cow picture did it for me!

I am now officially an Istock contributor - many thanks for everybody's input!

Really looking forward to the future!

VB inc · « **Reply #32 on:** August 18, 2011, 10:30 »

yeahh... and booooo for more competition for me... hahah congrats anyways.

Art Benco · « **Reply #33 on:** August 19, 2011, 07:11 »

thanks VB Inc

would you recommend being exclusive to Istock or is there a better chance of a greater income if I was to enlist with other stock sites?

VB inc · « **Reply #34 on:** August 19, 2011, 09:00 »

i would def not recommend exclusivity these days. If i had a choice myself, i would be independent. the buyers have left the building. most long time successful exclusives are reporting a drop in earnings. some by almost half these days. sorry to burst your bubble but thats the new reality at istock.

Art Benco · « **Reply #35 on:** August 20, 2011, 11:45 »

thanks for the heads up - its just good to have advice. I was thinking of joining more stock libraries in the future until I came across the exclusivity deal with Istock. I think having your images in more stock galleries increases the chance of sales being made. Istock would have to come up with a pretty good deal to prevent myself and others from showcasing anywhere else.