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Microstock Photography Forum - General => Photo Critique => Topic started by: Diamond Dave on September 23, 2009, 19:11

Title: Please offer critique
Post by: Diamond Dave on September 23, 2009, 19:11
Hello,

I'm new here and new to microstock photography. I just had 29 out of 30 photos rejected by Dreamstime, and even though my ego is bruised  ;D, I know photography is an art and art takes practice. Can you offer suggestions on this first set? Dreamstime said of all these:


The only processing of the images I did was adjusting the levels in Gimp, rotating the images so the shoreline was level, and then cropping them.

Here is the link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/32795249@N06/sets/72157622442493818/ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/32795249@N06/sets/72157622442493818/)

Thanks

Dave
Title: Re: Please offer critique
Post by: elvinstar on September 23, 2009, 19:29
Dave, please remember that I'm not a "pro", so this is just my two cents...

The colors look very flat (due to the shooting conditions, I'm thinking). The trees in the background are very dark and without detail. The overcast, oppressive sky doesn't help me love the images, either.

Also, while these photos may look lovely framed and hanging in someone's living room, they are not what most of the stock agencies are looking for. Try for subjects that clearly illustrate a concept, such as "business", "family" or anything else that you can come up with.

Remember, buyers purchase photos to illustrate ideas and sell products. While many of us started out with nature photography, you'll find that there are not many making good money with only those types of photos in their portfolio as concepts are where the bigger numbers come in for most of us.

Don't give up on nature (or photography in general) but try to broaden your horizons, so to speak, and shoot some concepts. I think that you'll find that it really gets your brain going to come up with a concept and then shoot it.

Good luck!
Title: Re: Please offer critique
Post by: HermanM on September 23, 2009, 19:38
Those are extreme shooting conditions, very hard to get good photos on these...
Title: Re: Please offer critique
Post by: Diamond Dave on September 24, 2009, 08:02
Thanks, Elvinstar. I think you've provided me with an "a-ha!" moment regarding stock photography.

HermanM, the conditions are half the fun!  ;D