Author Topic: Anyone care to critique my SS photos? (Only 20 or so) Thanks! (Read 5175 times)

jc1305us · « **on:** April 11, 2016, 10:27 »

Just wanted to see what others thought. I have sold three photos on SS so far, but just wanted to get some idea if these photos will ever sell. Thanks in advance!
http://www.shutterstock.com/cat.mhtml?gallery_id=776119

Sean Locke Photography · « **Reply #1 on:** April 11, 2016, 10:32 »

I wouldn't expect too much. You've got a mishmash of walkaround shots of things that just aren't in high demand. The kind of stuff a new contributor will upload.

Look at the SS database for similar subjects and see how yours look compared to them.

PigsInSpace · « **Reply #2 on:** April 11, 2016, 12:11 »

I'm still pretty new, so take my thoughts with a grain of salt.

I like what you've posted. I love the bridge shots, the blueprint, and the eggs.

I'm not sure how someone would use the lone firefighter in front of a truck photo. It looks like the kind of photo you'd see next to a newspaper quote, but it couldn't be used that way since I'd have to make one up.

The legs in the pool photo aren't quite centered.

I like the layout of your wine glass photos, but lighting is an issue. I know you're going for a natural look, but the shadows make the photos pop less. The falcon photo is similar, lighting-wise. Of course, the sun can't be controlled, so I know how it happened.

That said, buyers are strange. I've had photos I'm less than thrilled with sell, although not frequently.

MxR · « **Reply #3 on:** April 11, 2016, 13:01 »

Are average "search in hard disck images to start"

jc1305us · « **Reply #4 on:** April 11, 2016, 13:17 »

Thanks for the replies. Sold two today, so I guess there's a hand for every glove!

cathyslife · « **Reply #5 on:** April 11, 2016, 15:44 »

Quote from: jc1305us on April 11, 2016, 13:17

Thanks for the replies. Sold two today, so I guess there's a hand for every glove!

It never hurts to get constructive criticism, but be aware that you can never predict what people will buy or what will sell well. Concentrate on improving your skills, look at what sells well and emulate the style, depth of field, etc. (for instance, typically food shots are done with a narrow DOF), and upload as much as you can. Congrats on the two sales! For having only about 20 images, that is darn good. I had 500+ in my portfolio before I started getting consistent sales, and that was back in the heyday.

etudiante_rapide · « **Reply #6 on:** April 11, 2016, 15:54 »

Quote from: jc1305us on April 11, 2016, 13:17

Thanks for the replies. Sold two today, so I guess there's a hand for every glove!

the thing with ss is that if you get sales on your new images on first time, there is a good chance it will give you repeat sales from there on.
also, all new contributors get a honeymoon period where their work is predominantly featured. this is where you will find your sales take off or die after the honeymoon period.

for all intensive purpose, sean locke knows what he's talking about, because he sells more in one month than many of us sell in months, or even years.

of course, you will sell the odd ones, as cathyslife said, you cannot predict what is going to be the best seller. in my case, if i showed you my best sellers, you too, will shake your head,
as they are not even close to my best works.
and yes, my best works are many still having zero to single digit dls.

best thing to do is just upload as many as you can, and as regularly as you can.
it's really a numbers game these days.

jc1305us · « **Reply #7 on:** April 11, 2016, 20:15 »

All good! I do appreciate the comments. I treat every sale as a fun experience, not a make or break. Just happy and quite flattered that my work has found a home!

ravens · « **Reply #8 on:** April 12, 2016, 06:13 »

It's a good start. Congratulations on the sales!
Very few buyers will look at your portfolio as a whole, so it is perfectly fine to have and to experiment with different subject matters. Just shoot and upload more, that is the fastest way to develop your own style and skills.

zorba · « **Reply #9 on:** April 12, 2016, 12:29 »

Quote from: jc1305us on April 11, 2016, 10:27

Just wanted to see what others thought. I have sold three photos on SS so far, but just wanted to get some idea if these photos will ever sell. Thanks in advance!
http://www.shutterstock.com/cat.mhtml?gallery_id=776119

Almost the whole of these photographs are unprofessional-looking. There are lots of improvements you can learn simply reading and practicing every kind of photographic or photo-retouching forun on the internet (fstoppers and so on).
Light is poor, sad. Point of view is ordinary: like every other tourist would have shot these images. People are not models but not so interesting. There are a couple of interesting images: clean, not messy, concept-alike (feet on the water etc) .
Need LOTS of improvement with editing.
The "holidays" shots would be good with heavy enhancement in light: there is basic light good given to you by the nature, but you have to let it pop-out.

Another chance is to let LIFE pop out from your images: emotions.

You can simply browse some flyers or brochures everywhere in the world: learn the basics of the "feeling". Holidays/tourism shootings would have to go to the "next level" to sell more.

Commercial needs: 1) tecnical perfection 2) EMOTIONS 3) clear concept (very focused on "what does this say?").

So: good start but learn, improve, photoshop!

And stop HDRing so much!

And laugh with this : http://g3.img-dpreview.com/F37191D1B8814647BAC7F149B1EBAB29.jpg :-)

Pauws99 · « **Reply #10 on:** April 12, 2016, 15:08 »

HDR.......Really?Well one or two.

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Author Topic: Anyone care to critique my SS photos? (Only 20 or so) Thanks! (Read 5175 times)

jc1305us

Sean Locke Photography

PigsInSpace

MxR

jc1305us

cathyslife

etudiante_rapide

jc1305us

ravens

zorba

Pauws99

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