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Microstock Photography Forum - General => General Stock Discussion => Topic started by: Dan on August 29, 2013, 14:30

Title: need a critic
Post by: Dan on August 29, 2013, 14:30
     on  my  water  sprays  at  picfair.  Going  to  shoot  more  of  them  and  i  need  guidance.
Title: Re: need a critic
Post by: Microstock Posts on August 29, 2013, 14:51
This is the best place to find a critic  :D
Title: Re: need a critic
Post by: gillian vann on August 29, 2013, 14:52
ha! beat me to it.  :D
Title: Re: need a critic
Post by: tab62 on August 29, 2013, 14:53
can you submit an example for us to build on?
Title: Re: need a critic
Post by: leaf on August 29, 2013, 15:17
can you submit an example for us to build on?

exactly.   we need a link
Title: Re: need a critic
Post by: heywoody on August 29, 2013, 17:45
This is the best place to find a critic  :D

Yeah - be careful what you wish for  ;)
Title: Re: need a critic
Post by: Ron on August 29, 2013, 17:52
I cant find that tomato thread, seems to be deleted. There were some links there.
Title: Re: need a critic
Post by: Ron on August 29, 2013, 17:55
 Never mind, found it on Google

https://www.picfair.com/pics/water-fountain-spray (https://www.picfair.com/pics/water-fountain-spray)
https://www.picfair.com/pics/water-spray-3 (https://www.picfair.com/pics/water-spray-3)
https://www.picfair.com/pics/water-spray-2 (https://www.picfair.com/pics/water-spray-2)

Under exposed, crooked horizon, cropped off fountain, poor composition and looks out of focus.

I have told Dan at least on 5 different occasions about the problems with his images, but he doesnt seem to be open to critique, maybe he will listen to someone else.
Title: Re: need a critic
Post by: Jo Ann Snover on August 29, 2013, 19:04
You need to decide what the subject is - what Ron posted (if those are your past examples) are neither tight enough nor wide enough to tell a story. Cascading water drops on a sunny day can be lovely, either frozen in space or a stream (shutter speed will determine which).

And as noted, your shots are underexposed, the colors look bad - it looks like the sort of yellow light you get right before a thunderstorm - and I see nothing artful in the angled horizon.Try on a day with less wind so you get a smoother surface on the water to reflect the sky - masses of gray ripples does nothing for the appeal of the image.

What sort of advice were you looking for? This subject just doesn't look promising for stock - is this some sort of local landmark?
Title: Re: need a critic
Post by: kingjon on August 29, 2013, 22:07
LCV! Don't really see the point of these photos. What would they be used for.
Title: Re: need a critic
Post by: tab62 on August 29, 2013, 22:17
Okay, two tips (on the house) -

1. Learn the difference between a snap shot and a photograph
2. Never Drink and Shot at the same time

 8)

Title: Re: need a critic
Post by: tab62 on August 29, 2013, 22:27
Resources -  Please read them Dan-  the first url uses a water fountain as an example-

http://thecoog.wordpress.com/2012/06/04/snapshot-vs-photograph-an-abridged-explanation-for-instagram-users/ (http://thecoog.wordpress.com/2012/06/04/snapshot-vs-photograph-an-abridged-explanation-for-instagram-users/)

http://robinwong.blogspot.com/2011/09/snapshots-vs-photographs.html (http://robinwong.blogspot.com/2011/09/snapshots-vs-photographs.html)


http://www.redbubble.com/people/jayryser/writing/3011399-snapshot-photography-vs-mindful-photography (http://www.redbubble.com/people/jayryser/writing/3011399-snapshot-photography-vs-mindful-photography)

http://www.istockphoto.com/article_view.php?ID=146 (http://www.istockphoto.com/article_view.php?ID=146)

Snapshot Vs Photography (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhFSpDN1Ab8#)

http://ruleofthirdsphotography.com/snapshot-or-photography/ (http://ruleofthirdsphotography.com/snapshot-or-photography/)

Title: Re: need a critic
Post by: tab62 on August 29, 2013, 22:43
Read this as well Dan---


http://www.iar.unicamp.br/lab/luz/ld/Cinema%20V%EDdeo%20e%20TV/manuais/strobist_lighting_101.pdf (http://www.iar.unicamp.br/lab/luz/ld/Cinema%20V%EDdeo%20e%20TV/manuais/strobist_lighting_101.pdf)

You really need to stop submitting images for sale and learn the basics first. I know it hurt me initially - sure I was getting quarters for my poor images but it was keeping me from learning.  Take the strobist 101/102 courses (free) to better understand light. Than work on composition - I bet in three months time you will see a huge improvement in your skills.

Looking at stats on your submitted images is a waste of time-  spend the time learning and than submit truly good images. I hope by next year you will look back at your old photos and say 'OMG' and laugh at yourself like I do...