MicrostockGroup
Microstock Photography Forum - General => Photo Critique => Topic started by: rooby on June 06, 2011, 13:29
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I try for fourth time to get in IStockPhoto with no luck. So can you please give me critique for this sample images to improve my work.
(http://img51.imageshack.us/img51/2418/img0214ec.jpg)
(http://img703.imageshack.us/img703/3094/img3762z.jpg)
(http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/4687/img3920q.jpg)
Thank you in advance...
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I try for fourth time to get in IStockPhoto with no luck. So can you please give me critique for this sample images to improve my work.
([url]http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/641/img0214ga.jpg/[/url])
([url]http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/687/img3762h.jpg/[/url])
([url]http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/828/img3920f.jpg/[/url])
Thank you in advance...
Links are broken.
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FWIW, they are all good images IMO. I would certainly accept you based on them. I'm not a reviewer though, so that's not gonna help you much... ;)
If you do run into problems, it will most likely be the following - all three are likely to be low demand images - especially the train tracks. There is just no demand for such an image of train tracks. It doesn't say anything. Perhaps a single set of tracks going across an empty landscape into a far off horizon might have some message - bleakness, long distance shipping, nostalgia for the vast open plains, how the West was won, etc. But a closeup jumble of tracks doesn't have an obvious stockworthy message.
The strawberries are beautifully shot. Great color, detail, nice light and shadow, etc. Just a subject that has been done to death, unfortunately.
The B&W portrait of the woman is great. It is really artistic - the composition, her enigmatic expression as she peeks around the curtain, as though she is hiding and revealing herself at the same time. This would make outstanding fine art IMHO. The monochrome adds a timeless quality. Regrettably, B&W portraits hardly ever sell.
I think you are a talented photographer. I would try and apply your same artistic skills to more high interest subject matter than the tracks or the strawberries.
But as I said, I like all three and would accept you if it was up to me :)
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Lisa is very kind! youve seen lots of work at IS no doubt. This is just a bit too naive IMO, traintrack, strawberries and somebody hiding behind a curtain, I mean to what are they going to sell? and dont listen to some people saying, oh everything will sell, thats BS.
From the reviewers point, can you imagine how many million strawberries and empty train-tracks he has seen over the years.
if you are going to shoot an empty track, at least shoot a junction with electric poles and wires above, symbolizing electricity or something.
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So, at the end, technically they are OK but I need to do something different, some other motives? You think that is reason for rejection?
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So, at the end, technically they are OK but I need to do something different, some other motives? You think that is reason for rejection?
Yes, Christian is right. Adding more interest to the images is the way to go.
When I joined 6 years ago, this would not be a reason for rejection. Your images would have gotten you in, probably on the first try.
The unfortunate fact is that all the sites are oversaturated with images now. If you want to be guaranteed entry, you need to show them something they are certain will sell. Contrary to the cliche, every picture does NOT tell a story. But a stock picture should if you want it accepted.
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I think Lisa has made many good points. I'd slightly rephrase the last part about every picture tells a story.
I think every picture does tell a story - the problem is that some (which are not successful as stock) tell that story only to the photographer or one or two others. The best stock is something that a very large group of people can quickly grasp and relate to.
A realtor who had helped us relocate once had a notion of how many buyers out of 10 will a house appeal to enough that they'll take a look. If your home appeals to 7 buyers out of 10, you'll have a much easier time selling than if it appeals to 1 buyer of 10. (She was trying to dissuade us from buying a New England colonial in Austin Texas!)
I'm sure that your images would sooner or later appeal to one or two buyers, but that won't help you build a useful stock portfolio.
You will want to try and do two seemingly contradictory things. Shoot subjects and themes that have a broad appeal and avoid just mimicking what's already there (those subjects are often well covered)
Good luck
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Lisa said all I guess :)
I can tell you that I love the strawberries, it (they) looks good and delicious!
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The girl or boy hiding round the curtain is nice, except Black and White doesn't sell as well as photos in there natural form. You can read my topic about photo effects for more info:
http://www.microstockgroup.com/general-stock-discussion/do-effects-sell-well/new/?topicseen (http://www.microstockgroup.com/general-stock-discussion/do-effects-sell-well/new/?topicseen)
Mmmm, strawberries. I personally think the strawberry shot is amazing, but as mentioned earlier it has been done before.
As for the train tracks, personally it is my least favourite of the three. Not really any potential money wise and overall isn't a great shot...hope im not being to mean.
What microstock sites want is images that are going to sell and images that haven't been done before. If you can capture images that fit in with those categories your bound to do well.
Hope this helps ;)