Author Topic: Help editing photos and what sells (Read 25889 times)

cathyslife · « **Reply #1 on:** February 15, 2010, 17:03 »

It would be helpful for you to post some examples of photos that got rejected so that we can give you some ideas of problems to work on. Or you could post your rejects on the site's forum in the critiques category...there are always helpful people there, too.

leaf · « **Reply #2 on:** February 15, 2010, 17:06 »

knowing whether an image is technically well exposed is mostly about practice. You can tell a few things from the image data (perhaps I'll make a tutorial about it tomorrow) If you are willing to get critique on your photos, like cclapper mentioned it would probably be quite helpful to post them.

dgilder · « **Reply #3 on:** February 15, 2010, 17:07 »

For white balance, use a white balance card or shoot RAW and adjust the balance in post. For exposure, use your camera's exposure meters and histogram, and make tiny adjustments in post. Examples would be very helpful, hard to help if we can't see what you are talking about.

It also sounds like you don't have a lot of experience with your camera gear (based on your rejection reasons and questions about white balance, exposure, etc). Probably your best bet is to read the manual that came with your camera.

leaf · « **Reply #4 on:** February 15, 2010, 17:14 »

here is how to read a histogram (if you didn't know before)


Photoshop 101 e.3 - What is a Histogram : Beginner Tutorial

melastmohican · « **Reply #5 on:** February 15, 2010, 17:19 »

In meanwhile, apply to other agencies that do not require passing a test:
1. Dreamstime
2. 123RF
3. CanStockPhoto
4. YAYMicro
5. DepositPhotos

You'll get "second opinion" :-)

Sean Locke Photography · « **Reply #6 on:** February 15, 2010, 17:20 »

Don't put the cart (selling stock) before the horse (learning how to work your camera).

a.k.a.-tom · « **Reply #7 on:** February 15, 2010, 17:24 »

Quote from: modster on February 15, 2010, 16:58

Perhaps some kind soul can point me in the right direction for learning the tools for getting some pics accepted, as the stock sites themselves remain mysteriously vague, like I'm applying for membership into the quakers or some secret sect...lol

Modster... you came to the right place!! There are some very, very accomplished 'Togs here and they are very willing and happy to lend a hand to newbies!! Welcome to the club!!
Don't give up. Rejection is part of the game and it happens to all of us, even the very best (of which I do not profess to be

).

=tom

modster · « **Reply #8 on:** February 15, 2010, 17:42 »

modster · « **Reply #9 on:** February 15, 2010, 17:44 »

modster · « **Reply #10 on:** February 15, 2010, 17:46 »

Quote from: melastmohican on February 15, 2010, 17:19

In meanwhile, apply to other agencies that do not require passing a test:
1. Dreamstime [nofollow]
2. 123RF [nofollow]
3. CanStockPhoto [nofollow]
4. YAYMicro [nofollow]
5. DepositPhotos [nofollow]

You'll get "second opinion" :-)

Good stuff I will check these out..

leaf · « **Reply #11 on:** February 15, 2010, 17:47 »

the exposure on that shot looks fine. It is imposible to say anything about the quality of the file, but the subject isn't particularly stocky. It could be used as an abstract background I suppose but the sites really have TONS of those already so it is pretty tough to get them accepted unless the image is really stunning.

Good stock 'says something' or tells a little mini story - it illustrates something.

leaf · « **Reply #12 on:** February 15, 2010, 17:48 »

Quote from: modster on February 15, 2010, 17:44

and another

again it is hard to tell when it is so small - but it looks a little dark. I did a little 2 second edit to brighten it up. the subject matter on that image is better though. It is a background again, which is a hard sell but it has good room for copyspace and to me, at least says 'spring' or 'green life' or 'nature' 'green living' etc.

modster · « **Reply #13 on:** February 15, 2010, 17:49 »

^ gotcha

a.k.a.-tom · « **Reply #14 on:** February 15, 2010, 17:50 »

Quote from: leaf on February 15, 2010, 17:47

the subject isn't particularly stocky. It could be used as an abstract background I suppose but the sites really have TONS of those already so it is pretty tough to get them accepted unless the image is really stunning.

Good stock 'says something' or tells a little mini story - it illustrates something.

amen.. I have had little success lately with any form of 'background' or 'texture' images . Evidently they really do have many more than they need.

donding · « **Reply #15 on:** February 15, 2010, 17:53 »

Quote from: modster on February 15, 2010, 17:49

^ gotcha, so perhaps its the content thats not winning through, makes sense since I guess the subjects I choose are easy to shoot

Forget the nature...sunset..flowers...the stock sites are already swamped with these type images and the reason being is just like you said...they are easy subject, but they aren't big sellers. You have to think of what that photo can be used for, not just..."heh thats a great photo". Look it magazines..you'll see there the variety of uses.

ShadySue · « **Reply #16 on:** February 15, 2010, 18:13 »

Quote from: donding on February 15, 2010, 17:53

Quote from: modster on February 15, 2010, 17:49
^ gotcha, so perhaps its the content thats not winning through, makes sense since I guess the subjects I choose are easy to shoot
Forget the nature...sunset..flowers...the stock sites are already swamped with these type images and the reason being is just like you said...they are easy subject, but they aren't big sellers. You have to think of what that photo can be used for, not just..."heh thats a great photo". Look it magazines..you'll see there the variety of uses.

They can be big sellers, and what I see in magazines is nature, sunset, flowers; but they're seldom stock shots. The problems is, like you said, there are too many already in the collections. But you can say that about just about everything. And take it from me, the fact that you have the only X, Y or Z on a site, or even across microstock is no guarantee that anyone is going to want to buy it.
Good luck!

cascoly · « **Reply #17 on:** February 15, 2010, 19:52 »

Quote from: modster on February 15, 2010, 17:42

trained in graphic design etc etc, I know basic photo skills..

my point was that I'm not personally that interested in the minutai technical details, rather I just make images, and to a print quality standard etc..in which case i might need to focus on these things if I want to contribute to stock etc..

welcome! your graphic design exp could actually hurt at first, unless you really look at what stock photos are -- useful for designers, not necessarily works of art themseves

once you decide what you want to shoot, check whast's already accepted at various agencies to see your competitors and what sells

fr me, when i stsarted in microstock, it took awhile to get used to rejections because lighting or focus was a bit off at 100%, but it does get easier if you consider the reasons for rejectins

i'd also encourage you to try DT - you might also consider deposit photos since they not only accept most images, they also pay $.20 for each image they accept from you. i just made $100 there in the lasst 2 months

steve

madelaide · « **Reply #18 on:** February 15, 2010, 20:33 »

Quote from: leaf on February 15, 2010, 17:14

Photoshop 101 e.3 - What is a Histogram : Beginner Tutorial

Is that your tutorial site, Leaf?

FD · « **Reply #19 on:** February 16, 2010, 01:19 »

Quote from: melastmohican on February 15, 2010, 17:19

You'll get "second opinion" :-)

And he got some hidden referral links fed through his throat without any substantial advice. Yack.

To the OP: don't upload at first to the 'easy' sites, you won't learn anything. First apply to iStock since they have the best and most helpful reviewers with the most detailed rejection reasons. That's why I'm on iStock at the moment. I don't sell much since I'm buried deep in the best match as non-exclusive Cinderella but I use them as my personal QC. What can I learn from 100% acceptance at SS?

The second remark is that passing the QC (reviewers) at any site isn't the real issue. Reviewers don't buy. Your ultimate goal must be to produce salable images. The buyer is your real challenge. You won't make it with nice landscapes and meadows full of flowers. What product or service could be endorsed with it?

leaf · « **Reply #20 on:** February 16, 2010, 01:38 »

Quote from: madelaide on February 15, 2010, 20:33

Quote from: leaf on February 15, 2010, 17:14
Photoshop 101 e.3 - What is a Histogram : Beginner Tutorial

Is that your tutorial site, Leaf?

yeah

FD · « **Reply #21 on:** February 16, 2010, 01:42 »

Quote from: leaf on February 16, 2010, 01:38

Quote from: madelaide on February 15, 2010, 20:33
Is that your tutorial site, Leaf?
yeah

Great! What screen capture program you used?

leaf · « **Reply #22 on:** February 16, 2010, 07:23 »

Quote from: FD-amateur on February 16, 2010, 01:42

Quote from: leaf on February 16, 2010, 01:38
Quote from: madelaide on February 15, 2010, 20:33
Is that your tutorial site, Leaf?

yeah

Great! What screen capture program you used?

Camtasia

cathyslife · « **Reply #23 on:** February 16, 2010, 07:50 »

Quote

your graphic design exp could actually hurt at first, unless you really look at what stock photos are -- useful for designers, not necessarily works of art themseves

I also am a graphic designer and I think that experience helped tremendously with my photography. For many years I had to buy stock photos to use in newsletters, catalogs, ads, etc. so when it came time for me to shoot, I had a better understanding of what I, as a buyer, was looking for.

modster · « **Reply #24 on:** February 16, 2010, 08:40 »

Basically I've learned from all your very useful feedback

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Author Topic: Help editing photos and what sells (Read 25889 times)

modster

cathyslife

leaf

dgilder

leaf

melastmohican

Sean Locke Photography

a.k.a.-tom

modster

modster

modster

leaf

leaf

modster

a.k.a.-tom

donding

ShadySue

cascoly

madelaide

FD

leaf

FD

leaf

cathyslife

modster

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