Hello, I am hoping that you can help me by critiquing the below photo. This is for my initial iStock application. I already have 2 images approved, I just need one more and I'm set.

http://a2.vox.com/6a0123dde094a5860d0123f176b3b2860f-pi

Thank you!

I would also say it is too soft, as well as not stock enough.  I think it's supposed to be a bowl of dog kibble with dog toys, right?  At first, I thought chicken nuggets and some random plastic things.  I would revisit it again.  Maybe a bowl that says Fido or something.

Personally the focus looks okay to me.  It is on the kibble at the front of the bowl.  It might be better to use greater depth of field so the toys are also in focus.

FWIW, though, that type of bowl is not what most of us would think of as a dog bowl.  Looks more like a cereal or soup bowl to me. 

Here's a google image search of dog bowls.  You will see most of them are wider at the base than at the top.  It makes it more obvious that it's dog food if it is in a proper dog bowl...

http://images.google.com/images?q=dog%20bowl&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wi

It's actually one of my cat's bowls.

Ah, that makes more sense.  Those did look like cat toys. 

Your lucky kitty is obviously well fed and has plenty to play with. 

Now if you can get a picture of a child feeding or playing with the cat I think you will strike gold!

I highly recommend you seek the advice of folks in the iStockPhoto critique forum.  People here are certainly highly skilled and can spot problems, but for the most part, we're pretty polite here and might not tell you what you need to hear.  The critique forum people at iStock may tear you apart, but they'll help you figure out the perfect (or least objectionable) pics that give you the best shot at approval.  It worked for me!

No, you do need to be a contributor.  Or have purchased credits.

Thank you both for your response! I see what you're saying about the focus. The focus was supposed to be on the kibble, but I guess that's not really coming through.  Thanks again!

Not enough dof for that ! 

I would recommend getting a fellow photographer post those image for you in their forum.

Thank you for your response. After I saw that I was unable to post in the forum, I went ahead and submitted a picture that has been approved on all of my other sites. :fingers crossed:

If this image gets rejected (I only have 1 more to go), I will take your suggestion and find a member to post it for me. Great idea, thank you!

APPROVED!!!!!

That was quick - it only took a few hours for them to review!

Thank you everybody for taking the time to respond to me. I ended up using a different picture, but your comments were helpful nonetheless.

Can we see it, the one u sent ??  Just out of interest

Congratulations!!

All three images you chose are great.  I am sure you will do well at IS

Congratulations! Those are great pictures!

About SS, it's very good to show your photos in the critique section of their forum. Unlike IS, you can post in their forum before your application is accepted....

Even if you get accepted, your submission photos may not be accepted for the collection.

That's what I figured. I already went ahead and re-uploaded them with my initial 15. So hopefully they get approved!

I'm a newbie to micros like yourself and I like your blog!

Thank you! Good luck!

well done, they look a lot better than that cat food !  ;-)  Maybe it's time I had another try

Wouldn't hurt to try! Good luck!

what camera are you shooting with?

I'm shooting with a Canon Rebel XT - 8MP. I'm assuming that's not enough MP to downsize? Especially considering that the newer cameras are much higher.

Thanks leaf! I think I'll play around with that.