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Microstock Photography Forum - General => Photo Critique => Topic started by: reisegraf on August 18, 2018, 16:34

Title: Please critique and feedback my portfolio!
Post by: reisegraf on August 18, 2018, 16:34
Hi folks

What do you think about my Portfolio? https://www.shutterstock.com/g/cicloco (https://www.shutterstock.com/g/cicloco)

I have 3'500 images in my SS Portfolio and sell 250 images/month on SS in average.
I'm photographing since longer time, but still calling me a semi prof. At the time I'm travelling around the world in a VW Vanagon/Kombi. So i have the nice chance to get to very different locations... and try to do some nice work in landscape and wildlife... I try to upgrade my skills in photography and postprocessing almost every day and would really apreciate your feedback!
By the way, i'm not very into special art postprocessing..., would it be an upgrade to my portfolio more saturating my landscapes or doing other HDR and/or art postporcessing with it? Ideas? Till now i tried to let it natural...

Thanks in advance!
Title: Re: Please critique and feedback my portfolio!
Post by: ShadySue on August 18, 2018, 17:44
I just looked at the default first page. I like your images very much.
Title: Re: Please critique and feedback my portfolio!
Post by: nobody on August 18, 2018, 17:49
Hi folks

What do you think about my Portfolio? https://www.shutterstock.com/g/cicloco (https://www.shutterstock.com/g/cicloco)

I have 3'500 images in my SS Portfolio and sell 250 images/month on SS in average.
I'm photographing since longer time, but still calling me a semi prof. At the time I'm travelling around the world in a VW Vanagon/Kombi. So i have the nice chance to get to very different locations... and try to do some nice work in landscape and wildlife... I try to upgrade my skills in photography and postprocessing almost every day and would really apreciate your feedback!
By the way, i'm not very into special art postprocessing..., would it be an upgrade to my portfolio more saturating my landscapes or doing other HDR and/or art postporcessing with it? Ideas? Till now i tried to let it natural...

Thanks in advance!

Your travel shots look good! I wouldn't recommend over processing your images- some companies might even reject images. The horrible market we now live in just won't generate more sales no matter the higher end equipment or additional processing (i.e. filters) - sad but true. Don't count on Microstock as being your main source of income. Shot for fun/hobby with the extra $$$ for equipment or travel use.  Good Luck...
Title: Re: Please critique and feedback my portfolio!
Post by: reisegraf on August 18, 2018, 18:01
I just looked at the default first page. I like your images very much.
Thank you so much. Any recommendations to increase my quality? :-)
Title: Re: Please critique and feedback my portfolio!
Post by: reisegraf on August 18, 2018, 18:03
Hi folks

What do you think about my Portfolio? https://www.shutterstock.com/g/cicloco (https://www.shutterstock.com/g/cicloco)

I have 3'500 images in my SS Portfolio and sell 250 images/month on SS in average.
I'm photographing since longer time, but still calling me a semi prof. At the time I'm travelling around the world in a VW Vanagon/Kombi. So i have the nice chance to get to very different locations... and try to do some nice work in landscape and wildlife... I try to upgrade my skills in photography and postprocessing almost every day and would really apreciate your feedback!
By the way, i'm not very into special art postprocessing..., would it be an upgrade to my portfolio more saturating my landscapes or doing other HDR and/or art postporcessing with it? Ideas? Till now i tried to let it natural...

Thanks in advance!

Your travel shots look good! I wouldn't recommend over processing your images- some companies might even reject images. The horrible market we now live in just won't generate more sales no matter the higher end equipment or additional processing (i.e. filters) - sad but true. Don't count on Microstock as being your main source of income. Shot for fun/hobby with the extra $$$ for equipment or travel use.  Good Luck...
Thanks a lot. Thats what I'm doing, still shoting for fun and try to get some $$$ for equipment.
Title: Re: Please critique and feedback my portfolio!
Post by: ShadySue on August 18, 2018, 19:05
I just looked at the default first page. I like your images very much.
Thank you so much. Any recommendations to increase my quality? :-)
I think your quality is great; it's a shame to be selling for micro prices, but the nature/wildlife market is very competitive, with lots of excellent pics also available for CC, so a  really tough market.
Title: Re: Please critique and feedback my portfolio!
Post by: PhotoBomb on August 18, 2018, 20:43
Hi folks

What do you think about my Portfolio? https://www.shutterstock.com/g/cicloco (https://www.shutterstock.com/g/cicloco)
....
By the way, i'm not very into special art postprocessing..., would it be an upgrade to my portfolio more saturating my landscapes or doing other HDR and/or art postporcessing with it? Ideas? Till now i tried to let it natural...

Thanks in advance!

Sorry but your colors don't look at all natural to me.
Title: Re: Please critique and feedback my portfolio!
Post by: reisegraf on August 18, 2018, 22:31
Hi folks

What do you think about my Portfolio? https://www.shutterstock.com/g/cicloco (https://www.shutterstock.com/g/cicloco)
....
By the way, i'm not very into special art postprocessing..., would it be an upgrade to my portfolio more saturating my landscapes or doing other HDR and/or art postporcessing with it? Ideas? Till now i tried to let it natural...

Thanks in advance!

Sorry but your colors don't look at all natural to me.
Thank you to be honest!
But really they are..., sure its also about camera settings and light, but probably to bright?!
Title: Re: Please critique and feedback my portfolio!
Post by: Pauws99 on August 19, 2018, 03:37
Hi folks

What do you think about my Portfolio? https://www.shutterstock.com/g/cicloco (https://www.shutterstock.com/g/cicloco)
....
By the way, i'm not very into special art postprocessing..., would it be an upgrade to my portfolio more saturating my landscapes or doing other HDR and/or art postporcessing with it? Ideas? Till now i tried to let it natural...

Thanks in advance!

Sorry but your colors don't look at all natural to me.
Thank you to be honest!
But really they are..., sure its also about camera settings and light, but probably to bright?!
I would say they are natural plus a bit of "punch" which is no bad thing selling wise really like your work but as has been said its a really tough market.
Title: Re: Please critique and feedback my portfolio!
Post by: Brightontl on August 19, 2018, 06:44
You have some interesting images, but
- a lot of your landscape images are shot in the middle of the day and against a clear blue sky. I never ever shoot under these conditions: the shadows are too strong and the color tend to be off. You have a few (I guess in Arizona) with nice fluffy clouds and the result is so much better. I don't see many images shot near sunrise or sunset, those are practically the only hours when I shoot landscapes
- your images would also gain a lot with some post processing skills
 
Title: Re: Please critique and feedback my portfolio!
Post by: reisegraf on August 19, 2018, 06:51
You have some interesting images, but
- a lot of your landscape images are shot in the middle of the day and against a clear blue sky. I never ever shoot under these conditions: the shadows are too strong and the color tend to be off. You have a few (I guess in Arizona) with nice fluffy clouds and the result is so much better. I don't see many images shot near sunrise or sunset, those are practically the only hours when I shoot landscapes
- your images would also gain a lot with some post processing skills
Wow thanks! Thank you for your very valuable feedback. yes, yes, I would have to shoot more around the blue hour ...
... I'm working on the postprocessing :-)
Title: Re: Please critique and feedback my portfolio!
Post by: reisegraf on August 19, 2018, 08:55
Hi folks

What do you think about my Portfolio? https://www.shutterstock.com/g/cicloco (https://www.shutterstock.com/g/cicloco)
....
By the way, i'm not very into special art postprocessing..., would it be an upgrade to my portfolio more saturating my landscapes or doing other HDR and/or art postporcessing with it? Ideas? Till now i tried to let it natural...

Thanks in advance!

Sorry but your colors don't look at all natural to me.
Thanks, would be very nice if you could precise that and making some examples and aditional notes ;-)
Title: Re: Please critique and feedback my portfolio!
Post by: Brasilnut on August 19, 2018, 09:46
Hey fellow traveler,

I'd suggest to get in touch with Robert Harding and/or 4Corners. Some of your work shouldn't be on micros and that's a compliment! 

Here's a link to my port on RH which i'm quite proud and has not been easy to build since they reject most of my submissions (80%+):

https://www.robertharding.com/photographers/alexandrerotenberg/ (https://www.robertharding.com/photographers/alexandrerotenberg/)

PM if if you're interested and I'll be happy to give you some tips on passing your first submission.

Alex
Title: Re: Please critique and feedback my portfolio!
Post by: Gannet77 on August 19, 2018, 09:57
Hi folks

What do you think about my Portfolio? https://www.shutterstock.com/g/cicloco (https://www.shutterstock.com/g/cicloco)

I have 3'500 images in my SS Portfolio and sell 250 images/month on SS in average.
I'm photographing since longer time, but still calling me a semi prof. At the time I'm travelling around the world in a VW Vanagon/Kombi. So i have the nice chance to get to very different locations... and try to do some nice work in landscape and wildlife... I try to upgrade my skills in photography and postprocessing almost every day and would really apreciate your feedback!
By the way, i'm not very into special art postprocessing..., would it be an upgrade to my portfolio more saturating my landscapes or doing other HDR and/or art postporcessing with it? Ideas? Till now i tried to let it natural...

Thanks in advance!


Yes, nice shots, I like them a lot - and you certainly get around - but as already said, wildlife and landscapes aren't big sellers!

That said, you don't have to stop taking what you like to get more sales - you must be spending a lot of time in towns and villages on your travels, so you could be getting pictures in those places too.  Details of shops and markets, food, stuff that shows local culture and activities, even if editorial.  If you can get model releases for local people, better yet.  You have some I know but you must have plenty of spare time to go walkabout and get more!

As for the colours, they are a bit vivid to my taste, but at least they stand out.  No, I don't think  they need more saturation and definitely not HDR unless there really is a good reason for it.
Title: Re: Please critique and feedback my portfolio!
Post by: reisegraf on August 19, 2018, 11:44
Hey fellow traveler,

I'd suggest to get in touch with Robert Harding and/or 4Corners. Some of your work shouldn't be on micros and that's a compliment! 

Here's a link to my port on RH which i'm quite proud and has not been easy to build since they reject most of my submissions (80%+):

https://www.robertharding.com/photographers/alexandrerotenberg/ (https://www.robertharding.com/photographers/alexandrerotenberg/)

PM if if you're interested and I'll be happy to give you some tips on passing your first submission.

Alex

Thank you so much!
About applying for Robertharding i'm asking myself if i would get more income or not, and if this change would create a lot of work for me? I'm still only doing it as a hobby and for challenging myself...!?
Title: Re: Please critique and feedback my portfolio!
Post by: reisegraf on August 19, 2018, 11:45
Hi folks

What do you think about my Portfolio? https://www.shutterstock.com/g/cicloco (https://www.shutterstock.com/g/cicloco)

I have 3'500 images in my SS Portfolio and sell 250 images/month on SS in average.
I'm photographing since longer time, but still calling me a semi prof. At the time I'm travelling around the world in a VW Vanagon/Kombi. So i have the nice chance to get to very different locations... and try to do some nice work in landscape and wildlife... I try to upgrade my skills in photography and postprocessing almost every day and would really apreciate your feedback!
By the way, i'm not very into special art postprocessing..., would it be an upgrade to my portfolio more saturating my landscapes or doing other HDR and/or art postporcessing with it? Ideas? Till now i tried to let it natural...

Thanks in advance!


Yes, nice shots, I like them a lot - and you certainly get around - but as already said, wildlife and landscapes aren't big sellers!

That said, you don't have to stop taking what you like to get more sales - you must be spending a lot of time in towns and villages on your travels, so you could be getting pictures in those places too.  Details of shops and markets, food, stuff that shows local culture and activities, even if editorial.  If you can get model releases for local people, better yet.  You have some I know but you must have plenty of spare time to go walkabout and get more!

As for the colours, they are a bit vivid to my taste, but at least they stand out.  No, I don't think  they need more saturation and definitely not HDR unless there really is a good reason for it.

Thank you very much! Very helpful comment what i will take to increase my Portfolio... :-)
Title: Re: Please critique and feedback my portfolio!
Post by: Brasilnut on August 19, 2018, 12:37
Quote
Thank you so much!
About applying for Robertharding i'm asking myself if i would get more income or not, and if this change would create a lot of work for me? I'm still only doing it as a hobby and for challenging myself...!?

More exposure for sure...as for income, difficult to say.

RM takes a lot longer to sell than on micros but royalties are almost-always more attractive. They do license as RF but can also take a while. You def need to be in it for the long-haul.

I've only been able to accumulate 331 images on there after 18 months - finally some regular sales, but royalties much less than at SS which makes sense since I have 8,500 on there and have been uploading there for much longer.   
Title: Re: Please critique and feedback my portfolio!
Post by: DallasP on August 19, 2018, 13:40
Fantastic images man. I'm surprised you're throwing them on SS ... I'd think FAA or something better for most of that. You're going to end up with someone buying them for a buck and putting them on their merch n stuff.
Title: Re: Please critique and feedback my portfolio!
Post by: reisegraf on August 19, 2018, 14:06
Fantastic images man. I'm surprised you're throwing them on SS ... I'd think FAA or something better for most of that. You're going to end up with someone buying them for a buck and putting them on their merch n stuff.
Thanks a lot! Yes you're right, i'm selling for bucks...
But to challenge with the crowd is not bad either, i like to have my shot on no 1 out of >90'000 with search "antarctica"... What is FAA?
Title: Re: Please critique and feedback my portfolio!
Post by: Brasilnut on August 22, 2018, 13:15
Quote
Thank you so much!
About applying for Robertharding i'm asking myself if i would get more income or not, and if this change would create a lot of work for me? I'm still only doing it as a hobby and for challenging myself...!?

I see you've got yourself set up on Robert Harding and they've accepted a substantial batch. Really nice and colourful shots!

https://www.robertharding.com/martinschneiter/ (https://www.robertharding.com/martinschneiter/)

Best of luck with sales on there!
Title: Re: Please critique and feedback my portfolio!
Post by: ShadySue on August 22, 2018, 13:37
Quote
Thank you so much!
About applying for Robertharding i'm asking myself if i would get more income or not, and if this change would create a lot of work for me? I'm still only doing it as a hobby and for challenging myself...!?

I see you've got yourself set up on Robert Harding and they've accepted a substantial batch. Really nice and colourful shots!

https://www.robertharding.com/martinschneiter/ (https://www.robertharding.com/martinschneiter/)

Best of luck with sales on there!

Agree totally, I think a lot of your work is too good for micro. Best wishes.
Title: Re: Please critique and feedback my portfolio!
Post by: reisegraf on August 23, 2018, 12:00
Quote
Thank you so much!
About applying for Robertharding i'm asking myself if i would get more income or not, and if this change would create a lot of work for me? I'm still only doing it as a hobby and for challenging myself...!?

I see you've got yourself set up on Robert Harding and they've accepted a substantial batch. Really nice and colourful shots!

https://www.robertharding.com/martinschneiter/ (https://www.robertharding.com/martinschneiter/)

Best of luck with sales on there!
Thanks a lot Alex. Yes you and ShadySue motivated me doing that and look, already approved!
Title: Re: Please critique and feedback my portfolio!
Post by: fotoVoyager on August 23, 2018, 12:17
Hey fellow traveler,

I'd suggest to get in touch with Robert Harding and/or 4Corners. Some of your work shouldn't be on micros and that's a compliment! 

Here's a link to my port on RH which i'm quite proud and has not been easy to build since they reject most of my submissions (80%+):

https://www.robertharding.com/photographers/alexandrerotenberg/ (https://www.robertharding.com/photographers/alexandrerotenberg/)

PM if if you're interested and I'll be happy to give you some tips on passing your first submission.

Alex

I couldn't get Robert Harding to even reply to my initial contact when I was looking to find a RM home, so don't expect too much from them.
Title: Re: Please critique and feedback my portfolio!
Post by: jonbull on August 23, 2018, 12:23
s it worth robert harding? i mean selling directly to alamy you have 50 %...most of stuff sold from harding i bet are from distributor or third party so you end up with 25% most of time.
Title: Re: Please critique and feedback my portfolio!
Post by: reisegraf on August 23, 2018, 12:25
Hey fellow traveler,

I'd suggest to get in touch with Robert Harding and/or 4Corners. Some of your work shouldn't be on micros and that's a compliment! 

Here's a link to my port on RH which i'm quite proud and has not been easy to build since they reject most of my submissions (80%+):

https://www.robertharding.com/photographers/alexandrerotenberg/ (https://www.robertharding.com/photographers/alexandrerotenberg/)

PM if if you're interested and I'll be happy to give you some tips on passing your first submission.

Alex

I couldn't get Robert Harding to even reply to my initial contact when I was looking to find a RM home, so don't expect too much from them.
I applied and got approved with 16 images out of 20 at first try...!
Title: Re: Please critique and feedback my portfolio!
Post by: jonbull on August 23, 2018, 12:26
while i agree some photos are very good, bu not expect miracle in rm, i think you can find better work in rm agency. personally i would keep selling in rf, apart some   exotic images like the from antartica for example. technically you visigood place and in my opinion yu should focus more on being there at the right time,  most of photos are shot with dull light, or with harsh light, like the pink flamingos for example.
Title: Re: Please critique and feedback my portfolio!
Post by: reisegraf on August 23, 2018, 13:40
while i agree some photos are very good, bu not expect miracle in rm, i think you can find better work in rm agency. personally i would keep selling in rf, apart some   exotic images like the from antartica for example. technically you visigood place and in my opinion yu should focus more on being there at the right time,  most of photos are shot with dull light, or with harsh light, like the pink flamingos for example.
Thanks a lot, very appreciate, helps me a lot!
Title: Re: Please critique and feedback my portfolio!
Post by: Brasilnut on August 23, 2018, 20:45
Quote
while i agree some photos are very good, bu not expect miracle in rm, i think you can find better work in rm agency. personally i would keep selling in rf,

Robert Harding also sell as RF. In fact you can choose whether only RF or only RM or let them decide. These days I just let them decide.