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Microstock Photography Forum - General => Newbie Discussion => Topic started by: bizair on December 18, 2010, 23:41

Title: I'm new
Post by: bizair on December 18, 2010, 23:41: Hi all

I'm new to posting here. But I have been quietly following the forum for quite a while to get a feel for this excellent avenue for MS photographers.

I'm now retired from the full time workforce and I've decided to give this microstock business a try. I can't express how much I've learnt over the past 6 months or so reading here, and uploading to a few sites. My photography has improved more in this last few months than over 30 odd years I've had, on and off, photography as a hobby.

I've posted my links to my stock sites and a short Youtube video of some of my images. The Youtube idea I obtained from a poster on this forum - great idea, thanks.

Please excuse my early images. But I am very open to criticism, ideas, helpful hints etc. on my progress.

See you around the forum.

Kind Regards

Ken

Stock Photography by Verdelho (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lEWV36Skrlk#)
http://www.dreamstime.com/Verdelho_info (http://www.dreamstime.com/Verdelho_info)
http://www.fotolia.com/p/201866557 (http://www.fotolia.com/p/201866557)
http://www.bigstockphoto.com/search/photographer/Verdelho (http://www.bigstockphoto.com/search/photographer/Verdelho)
Title: Re: I'm new
Post by: leaf on December 19, 2010, 05:21: Welcome here Ken. Nice video. Did you put the music in before you uploaded it or did you get YouTube to add music? I didn't realize it before but just found out that you can pick from a ton of music on YouTube to add to your videos.
Title: Re: I'm new
Post by: cathyslife on December 19, 2010, 08:19: Nice images, Ken! Great idea about the video.
Title: Re: I'm new
Post by: Microstock Posts on December 19, 2010, 08:42: Welcome Ken. Nicely done with the video. Something I've never considered before.
Title: Re: I'm new
Post by: pseudopixels on December 19, 2010, 14:09: Nice images there ;D
Title: Re: I'm new
Post by: bizair on December 19, 2010, 14:18: Thanks Guys

I don't take credit for the video. That was an idea from one of our other friends on this forum (can't remember in which thread). But it is a good idea isn't it. Now to get the "right" people (eg buyers/designers) to look at it.

Re the music - I originally used a Win 7 sample piece of music. But when it uploaded Youtube suggested that it was possibly copywrite and gave an alternative royalty-free selection to choose from. It's easy to do.

Re images. I'm still trying out for IS & SS, but so far failing the test, usually due to low commercial value. I'm sure they're right, but frustrating nevertheless. It's just that the factory-made images don't inspire me. I guess I'll just have to get over that hurdle - it's a me thing.

Regards
Ken
Title: Re: I'm new
Post by: Newsfocus1 on December 19, 2010, 15:26: Quote from: bizair on December 19, 2010, 14:18

Re images. I'm still trying out for IS & SS, but so far failing the test, usually due to low commercial value. I'm sure they're right, but frustrating nevertheless. It's just that the factory-made images don't inspire me. I guess I'll just have to get over that hurdle - it's a me thing.

Regards
Ken

Keep trying Ken, I just watched the video and I'm sure you would get plenty of sales at Shutterstock with those images, once accepted. I wouldn't mind trying to do a video like that myself -can I ask how you made it (what software etc) ? Good luck with your sales! Regards, David.
Title: Re: I'm new
Post by: bizair on December 19, 2010, 16:35: Hi David

I used Windows Live Movie Maker. It's a free download as part of the Microsoft Windows Live group of programs. This is an extremely simple program to use and for simple projects such as my post it is ideal. I have other quite sophitcated movie editors but these are overkill for simple movies.

Thanks for the kind words.

Regards
Title: Re: I'm new
Post by: elvinstar on December 19, 2010, 18:41: Your work is indeed beautiful, but I agree with the low commercial value. That is one of the biggest challenges most stock photographers face when starting out. The photos that sell the best are the ones that have an easily recognizable concept behind them. Your photo of trimming the bush has a good concept to it. You need to try to think more about why a designer would buy your image. Your photos don't have to have the "factory-made" look, but your images have to illustrate a concept. Good luck!
Title: Re: I'm new
Post by: Newsfocus1 on December 20, 2010, 06:00: Quote from: bizair on December 19, 2010, 16:35
Hi David

I used Windows Live Movie Maker. It's a free download as part of the Microsoft Windows Live group of programs. This is an extremely simple program to use and for simple projects such as my post it is ideal.

Thanks Ken, I have that already -just never used it! Will have to give it a go sometime. Thanks again, David.
Title: Re: I'm new
Post by: bizair on December 20, 2010, 15:23: Thanks so much for the kind words and good advice. See you around the forum.

Ken
Title: Re: I'm new
Post by: Ellerslie on January 21, 2011, 07:19: Hi, I'm new here. First of all excuse me for my english, I'm italian. I have read some thread an I find this place very interesting...I'm a microstock contributor since a few mounths and...I'm happy to be here. I'd like to have advice about Istock contributors exam...I' m not able to understand what they want to see and what I can show them. Can you help me?
Title: Re: I'm new
Post by: williamju on January 31, 2011, 22:24: welcome
Title: Re: I'm new
Post by: Ellerslie on February 01, 2011, 04:26: Thank you William.
Title: Re: I'm new
Post by: Blufish on February 01, 2011, 09:49: I can't help you with admissions, but your English is very understandable. No need to apologize for it at all.