on  my  water  sprays  at  picfair.  Going  to  shoot  more  of  them  and  i  need  guidance.

This is the best place to find a critic 

ha! beat me to it. 

can you submit an example for us to build on?

Quote from: tab62 on August 29, 2013, 20:53
can you submit an example for us to build on?

exactly.   we need a link

Quote from: Microstock Posts on August 29, 2013, 20:51
This is the best place to find a critic 

Yeah - be careful what you wish for 

I cant find that tomato thread, seems to be deleted. There were some links there.

 Never mind, found it on Google

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

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?

LCV! Don't really see the point of these photos. What would they be used for.

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

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


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

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

Snapshot Vs Photography

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

Read this as well Dan---


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...