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Author Topic: So Am I Doing It Right?  (Read 1996 times)

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« on: December 21, 2013, 09:31 »
0
Hi all.  Baltimore dad of three here with a passion for mobile photography.

I've decided to get into Microstock as I find the industry to be really fascinating.

I've got the following Microstock apps on my iPhone 5:

- Foap
- Scoopshot
- 123rf
- Fotolia Instant

as well as photography apps like:

- Camera+
- ColorSplash
- AfterFocus
- Tadaa
- Snapseed

I've also uploaded some of my best stuff to my Flickr gallery.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/chrismontcalmo/

Anyplace else I should check out/sign up for?  Anyone doing this as their full-time gig?  I know that might sound far-fetched, but one can dream, right?

Thanks!

Chris


« Reply #1 on: December 21, 2013, 09:46 »
+3
The images are nice enough for walk around snaps, but they're all "found" images.  Here's a duck, here's a flower, etc.  To be successful, you need to create your images with a clear concept and an idea of what it would be used for.  Also, most people that make any money shoot with a DSLR a majority of the time.

« Reply #2 on: December 21, 2013, 11:13 »
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Good point. I guess my photos are more of the "wouldn't this look nice framed" variety.

I took a look at your Stocksy gallery and I can see what you mean by making sure the photos have commercial intent. Holidays, occasions, events, etc.

What kind of DSLR camera would you recommend starting out with?

« Reply #3 on: December 21, 2013, 12:48 »
+1
What Sean says, is of course right - he is the only stock superstar answering to newbies... ;)

So if you want to stick to the kind of photography you are doing now, a DSLR would be the better choice. Any will do (well, I'd limit myself to the top three brands, Canon, Nikon or Sony) as you will soon find out that the lenses are more important than the camera behind.

However, when I am seeing the type of images you are taking: This is not quite what most people in the industry would consider "iPhoneography" or "mobile photography. It's "just" regular photos taken with a tiny camera. Don't get me wrong, the iPhone is a great device and I'm slowly discovering it myself right now. But when planning to shoot stock, I'll always take my DSLR.

But if you want to market your images as "mobile photography", you need to check out those fancy filters and apps turning a photo into something more in the Instagram style that everyone is talking about. Changed or faded colors, scratches, frames, all of these are essentially part of this new modern style...

Apps recommended to check out would be: VSCO CAM, Afterlight, PicTapGo and Hipstamatic. To see what styles are popular you might want to join Instagram and/or EyeEm and check out their blogs.

Good luck with your adventures.

« Reply #4 on: December 21, 2013, 13:01 »
+1
All photography, including iphoneography, is more about understanding visual communication and how to convey concepts. Images are created in your mind first before you press any buttons. At least if you want to make money, it is important to work on your overall visuall message skills. You can do that with any camera, although a camera where you can change lenses will give you more creative choices.

Have you considered joining a camera club or taking classes in photography?

In many ways photography has a lot in common with skills like creative writing or illustrations. You need to practise it a lot and get feedback from a very critical audience or teachers to improve.

The money you can make will be proportional to the effort and thinking and learning you put into it.

The journey is great fun though!

:)

« Reply #5 on: December 21, 2013, 14:47 »
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sign up at kelbytraining.com and bury yourself there for a ton of hours. get good equipment (used canon 5d mark II + 24/105 lens). experiment. learn,

have fun

« Reply #6 on: December 21, 2013, 16:00 »
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Thanks, gang.

Yes, I'm realizing that maybe I'm not into "mobile photography" as much as I'm just into regular old photography, albeit with a tiny iPhone camera. I really don't want to iPhone app my photos to death. In fact, I rarely use anything besides the Camera+ "clarity" filter.

I am a very creative person, which I suppose is where this energy is coming from all of a sudden. I sing, play piano & guitar and direct my local church band.

Perhaps it's time to suck it up and invest is a decent camera and take things to the next level. Yes, I've been giving serious thought to taking a photography course. I'll check out Kelby Training.

Thanks for the pointers.


 

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