Author Topic: Review portfolio pls (Read 4468 times)

froland · « **on:** July 21, 2013, 21:11 »

Hi!

Thanks for all the tips on the forum. I am just thinking about getting into Stock Photography. For that I would be using some pictures I already have and would change my shooting habits in the future. I will surely not be doing this anywhere near full time and unlikely with models.
So, please have a look at a few sample shots:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/98917197@N05/

...and help me with these questions:

a) What is most critical for me to improve - regarding photostock, but also general technique (composition, etc.)?
b What would be your top 3 / top 10 shots (for potential applications)?
c) Would you say that it is "worth it" for me, i.e. the time to keyword and upload? (considering that I take pictures like this anyway)
d) Any other general observations/comments?

A contribution to any of the questions above would already be very helpful.
Thank you very much in advance!

08stock08 · « **Reply #1 on:** July 21, 2013, 21:30 »

All your photos have issue with highlights and are over exposed. Which may have come from recovering using shadow options. Architecture photos have issues with lines and confused focus. Some of them need to straightened. Almost all arena photos have right tilt. I think your monitor may set incorrectly and that may be the reason for over-exposing.

If you submit them as it is, still some agencies will accept them. If we look at these pics, some of them look good but all of them need another round of PP starting from scratch. That's my opinion. I am not a guru.

froland · « **Reply #2 on:** July 21, 2013, 21:48 »

Thank you very much for the input! Absolutely agree on your architecture observation.

Regarding the highlights and over exposure. Guess you are referring to the unnatural colors and detail, e.g. in the clouds. That's from the HDR processing, where I should maintain a more natural look. Is that what you mean?

Thanks again!

gillian vann · « **Reply #3 on:** July 21, 2013, 22:06 »

you'll be competing with photographers who can go to those locations and shoot in the best weather conditions. you have some lovely images in there too, but suggest you have a look at your competition for travel/landscapes.

08stock08 · « **Reply #4 on:** July 21, 2013, 22:06 »

Quote

Thank you very much for the input! Absolutely agree on your architecture observation.

Regarding the highlights and over exposure. Guess you are referring to the unnatural colors and detail, e.g. in the clouds. That's from the HDR processing, where I should maintain a more natural look. Is that what you mean?

Thanks again!

In stock photo market, HDR is not accepted as mainstream media. Originals with basic post processing are always better.

JPSDK · « **Reply #5 on:** July 22, 2013, 00:30 »

The pictures are not so bad, some are cropped a bit unprecise, and the tilts you know about.
And as for HDR, I have quite a few online. Yours are a bit to the grey side. You have trademarks here and there.

froland · « **Reply #6 on:** July 22, 2013, 20:05 »

Thanks, JPSDK.

What do you mean with "grey side" regarding the HDR? Is this regarding too much intensity of colors or something actually related to the grays, e.g. in the clouds?

froland · « **Reply #7 on:** July 22, 2013, 22:00 »

To all:

What would be your top 3 images from the ones on the link? Thanks!

luissantos84 · « **Reply #8 on:** July 22, 2013, 22:51 »

Quote from: froland on July 22, 2013, 22:00

To all:

What would be your top 3 images from the ones on the link? Thanks!

I like a few of them but don't know if they will work out for microstock because they are more artistic "therefore" less commercial value, the post processing is a little too much for microstock as well, anyway I would say you would be approved at SS (looking at a few approved lately), we also need to see 100% zoom, you need to check for trademarks also

anyway:

- koala
- paraglider wing bottom view
- arena de toros with appartment skyscrapers (if there is no trademark for arena or skyscrapers)
- Skyline of Bogota Candelaria (needs straightening, to the left side)
- Turkey Vulture scavanging for food (focus?)

shudderstok · « **Reply #9 on:** July 22, 2013, 23:50 »

i don't see your work as being stock worthy. there is no apparent thought or planning in any of the shots. this will work as microstock as this is the normal quality accepted in all of the microstock sites, but sadly to say even then it is not really stock worthy.

it is evident you shoot from the hip with no thought or planning put into a shot, rather it is "gee i was there so take a snap" approach which does not make it a stock shot. it appears most of your shots were done on either flat cloudy days and or during mid day sun, some of it even back lit for no apparent reason.

my advice - go out and make a photograph, don't go out and take one.

good photos require planning.

Ron · « **Reply #10 on:** July 23, 2013, 04:59 »

Nice work.

Tryingmybest · « **Reply #11 on:** July 23, 2013, 07:50 »

I think you're off to a good start: You are ready to try and sell your work. That doll in the dirt is quite interesting. Possibly a theme. That seems to be where we all eventually end up: Focusing on a theme or niche. I think it's something you should develop more.

However, I think you'll have the best success with people in the pictures: People experiencing happiness, sadness, pain, pleasure, working at a trade, etc. Pictures of underrepresented ethnic groups, religions are especially good. Of course you'll need to get releases—and pay the models.

Good luck!

Quote from: froland on July 21, 2013, 21:11

Hi!

Thanks for all the tips on the forum. I am just thinking about getting into Stock Photography. For that I would be using some pictures I already have and would change my shooting habits in the future. I will surely not be doing this anywhere near full time and unlikely with models.
So, please have a look at a few sample shots:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/98917197@N05/

...and help me with these questions:

a) What is most critical for me to improve - regarding photostock, but also general technique (composition, etc.)?
b What would be your top 3 / top 10 shots (for potential applications)?
c) Would you say that it is "worth it" for me, i.e. the time to keyword and upload? (considering that I take pictures like this anyway)
d) Any other general observations/comments?

A contribution to any of the questions above would already be very helpful.
Thank you very much in advance!

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Author Topic: Review portfolio pls (Read 4468 times)

froland

08stock08

froland

gillian vann

08stock08

JPSDK

froland

froland

luissantos84

shudderstok

Ron

Tryingmybest

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