Author Topic: Critique request for iStockphoto application picture please (Read 5710 times)

wake6 · « **on:** July 18, 2011, 09:09 »

I am contemplating applying to be a contributor to iStockphoto. Would I be barking up the wrong tree if I used this picture in my submission:

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/35528366/WarkworthCastleSmaller.jpg

Is the lighting dramatic enough?

Constructive criticism about all aspects appreciated.

Thank you.

(edited for spelling)

Sean Locke Photography · « **Reply #1 on:** July 18, 2011, 09:11 »

I wouldn't use it. It isn't particularly interesting or well composed (let alone, "dramatic"). The focus isn't very sharp, and the branches are full of CA.

wake6 · « **Reply #2 on:** July 18, 2011, 09:18 »

Thank you for a very prompt and helpful reply.

Now it has been pointed out to me I can see just what you mean.

I need to be a lot more objective and critical about my pictures and see them as others do, not see them as I wanted them to be!

Thank you for taking the time to look and comment.

luissantos84 · « **Reply #3 on:** July 18, 2011, 09:20 »

I see a lot of noise too.. but the lighting ain´t bad, maybe not the best exposure

1250, ISO 400, F 7.1, 100mm ??

why don´t you went to ISO 100 and a lower shutter?

wake6 · « **Reply #4 on:** July 18, 2011, 09:35 »

Yes, good point re the ISO/shutter speed.

digitalexpressionimages · « **Reply #5 on:** July 20, 2011, 08:16 »

Is it too late to weigh in?

I agree with sjlocke on the focus and Luis on the noise but I think it could be a good subject. Remember that stock isn't about photography it's about images. So it's not harmful to manipulate the shot. I would reshoot this, early morning or sunset so you get the dramatic lighting, perhaps wait until there are clouds in the background sky, crop out or re-compose to remove the branches on the side, and then manipulate the shot to make the hill higher, remove the surrounding architecture so it stands alone and you'll have a dramatic shot.

Paulo M. F. Pires · « **Reply #6 on:** July 20, 2011, 09:31 »

And choose other day time., because shadows.

Freedom · « **Reply #7 on:** July 20, 2011, 14:27 »

Another thing you must be good at is your PS skills. Your photo seems to be straight from the camera and with no editing. If you don't have a good working knowledge of photo editing, it is almost impossible to do stocks.

Shank_ali · « **Reply #8 on:** July 20, 2011, 16:35 »

OP,You have already got some sound advice but i would like to add some insight especially in regards of the composition.It's pretty poor.You want to take a picture of a castle, so the picture should be of a castle and not chopped of houses in the foreground.Yes?
You can and will get rejections for composition on Istockphoto.It is not always possable to have the right lens to hand or move closer with your feeT.So you must crop it or clone out the clutter.Please take care with what's presented to the viewer in your final presentation.
Hope you continue with your application to Istock and get accepted.Good Luck.

Shank_ali · « **Reply #9 on:** July 20, 2011, 16:38 »

http://www.great-landscape-photography.com/remove-purple-fringing.html
This may help with the purple fringing if your not editing with the canon software-DPP

wake6 · « **Reply #10 on:** July 21, 2011, 11:26 »

Thank you all for your helpful and constructive criticism. Unfortunately reshooting is not an option at the moment as it is about 150 miles from where I live but I will be returning to the area in a couple of months time. There are lots of castles in the area. So I will have another go then, at a better time of day and bear in mind all the comments made so far.
Thank you.

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Author Topic: Critique request for iStockphoto application picture please (Read 5710 times)

wake6

Sean Locke Photography

wake6

luissantos84

wake6

digitalexpressionimages

Paulo M. F. Pires

Freedom

Shank_ali

Shank_ali

wake6

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