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Author Topic: Please help critique  (Read 4998 times)

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« on: June 08, 2007, 10:55 »
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I am trying to learn to shoot people for stock. I am currently not very good at people shots but I am practicing. Below is a link to a photo I recently submitted to several sites. It was accepted on most sites but rejected by one. I would like to learn from this and see how I could improve this shot.

If you do not mind, please take a look at the photo and tell me what you think? How could it be improved? Would it be better with a different background? How do you think it is for a STOCK photo? Will it sell?

I do not want to put the rejection reason in here now because it would probably influence people. But it was not a rejection that you would need a 100% crop for.

Also, I am not posting this complaining about a rejection. I want to learn how to shoot people for stock so I can hopefully increase by stock revenue.

Thanks for any feedback.

http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-3439389-a-young-teenage-boy-playing-a-game-of-backgammon-the-boy-and-board-are-isolated-over-a-black.html




« Reply #1 on: June 08, 2007, 11:09 »
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photo link for the lazy :)

« Reply #2 on: June 08, 2007, 11:13 »
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my two bits.

An ok image but it doesn't strike me as interesting. It is a fine documentation of the game but that is about all.  Perhaps if you had taken the image from a angle slightly to the side it would add to the interest of the photo.

Lighting seems to be pretty direct, perhaps with an on flash camera bounced?, or with a diffuser?  Either way if you moved the light source off the camera this would also help in creating depth to the image.

I imagine the image is fairly usefull being isolated on a black background but I have also heard designers wanting images taken in a natural setting.  perhaps the boy playing back gammon in a cafe or living room would also make good stock.  Despite that the isolated looks good from the tiny image we can see, it is a little unnerving that everyting is floating on this air.  Perhaps having the table in the isolation could be helpful.

« Reply #3 on: June 08, 2007, 11:20 »
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Thank you leaf. Yes, you are correct, this was with on camera flash bounced off the ceiling. But I plan on buying some pocket wizards with my next stock payouts.

The black background is black velvet hanging in the background so it was not isolated using photoshop.

« Reply #4 on: June 08, 2007, 11:33 »
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depending on your flash you can probably make them communicate without a pocket wizard - or with a infra red sender which might be cheaper than a pocket wizard set up.

Or else you could invest in some cheap / but fairly decent studio lighting from alien bees
alien bee packages

they are actually not much more than on camera flashes and give quite a bit better lighting if you are going to be shooting in the studio.

Or thirdly try and rig up some lighting with industrial lights and bed sheets as soft boxes... although you'll need a tripod because even with industrial lighting at several 100watts it is still dark (and very warm)

« Reply #5 on: June 08, 2007, 11:41 »
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My 2c:

The shirt/sweater has a distracting pattern, it makes my eyes wandering all over the place and second, I don't know at what the boy is looking, it is not the board and for sure not the photographer... SY

« Reply #6 on: June 08, 2007, 12:13 »
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I am using a Canon SLR and Canon 430EX flash. I was at first going to get the Canon infrared master controller and it is a cheaper option than the pocket wizards, but from reading reviews and comments I heard that the radio controlled Pocket Wizards are more reliable and have a longer working distance than the Canon infrared.

But in any case, I am going to look at the Alien Bees products. Thanks for the info.

« Reply #7 on: June 08, 2007, 14:39 »
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I have to second hospitalera on the shirt. A bright solid colored shirt would be much better....the brown colors just blend into his hair. Also maybe have him enjoying the game...maybe making a face after rolling a bad number or smiling when winning.....Emotion is a good seller...there is no emotion in the photo at all. ...and...Backgammon is a two person game right????? how about a partner?  Seems like a clean photo and I think your on the right track....just need to make the photo say something:)

« Reply #8 on: June 08, 2007, 17:48 »
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Thanks everyone. Very good helpful comments.

ianhlnd

  • tough men are pussys
« Reply #9 on: June 09, 2007, 19:29 »
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A little late getting on, for me the picture is too flat, meaning depth and movement.  Shooting from a different bunch of angles, and shooting close-in may add some drama and make the photo more interesting.  For example the fingers on the game pieces, etc. 


 

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