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Microstock Photography Forum - General => Photo Critique => Topic started by: Boris on April 08, 2014, 17:21

Title: Stocksy portfolio critique
Post by: Boris on April 08, 2014, 17:21
Hello guys

I was wondering if you could check my folio for Stocksy that I prepared and tell me what you think

https://www.flickr.com/photos/122573873@N05/ (https://www.flickr.com/photos/122573873@N05/)

Thanks in advance :)
Title: Re: Stocksy portfolio critique
Post by: nicolebranan on April 08, 2014, 19:28
I'm not with Stocksy and I'm not an editor so my opinion may not be worth very much but I love this portfolio! Your images tell real stories and convey genuine emotion. I also think you nailed the Stocksy look. Nice work, was a pleasure to look through!
Title: Re: Stocksy portfolio critique
Post by: onepointfour on April 08, 2014, 20:42
Beautiful portfolio. I think you just nailed Stocksy look!
Title: Re: Stocksy portfolio critique
Post by: gillian vann on April 09, 2014, 00:59
 #17 and all like this are absolutely perfect, love them and I hope you get through. I'd remove the cat, there's plenty of cat stuff on stocksy already. others that are borderline: the logs, the OH food shot with parsley, the kid with camera, mother with child. (there are logos in some images? that can be sorted out later) it's not always easy to know what will and won't be accepted,  good luck!
Title: Re: Stocksy portfolio critique
Post by: MichaelJayFoto on April 09, 2014, 01:47
I'm not an editor nor a really good photographer, so this is just my personal opinion:

While the images mostly look good, I have my doubts if you have a good chance of getting accepted at Stocksy with this selection.

There is just too much in it that looks a bit like random snap shots: The colored chairs, the garage door, the stack of wood, graffiti, the swans, a cat... Quite frankly: Who hasn't shot any of those images? What makes those images unique? In general, there are just too many people walking around with a camera shooting stuff they see. Don't get me wrong, some of those images might even get accepted when you upload them at a later stage but for an application (not just at Stocksy, at every agency) you should focus on really strong images that are uniquely yours.

It needs to be really, really special to make an impression with this kind of images - I like the one with the shovel & pitchfork hooks; the indoor shots with the vintage clock and the picture frames would have been good if they were in one single image but separated they are not strong enough either in my opinion. Images of rooms should show how people live and not just be a "vintage clock in front of a green wall".

Also, I would drop all images where people look into the camera. Stocksy's claim is about "authenticity", non-staged images. Images where the viewer thinks "this is how the people act in their real life and not just because a camera was around". Again: Some of those images might get accepted once you are in but they are not the best to apply with.

Well, I believe there are still some 15 or so images left if you cut the selection by all those mentioned. Maybe go through your portfolio and find 20 or 30 more like those.

Good luck.
Title: Re: Stocksy portfolio critique
Post by: Boris on April 09, 2014, 11:35
Thank you all for your time, I really appreciate that you had time to check photos and tell your opinion.


@gillian

Thanks a lot, I will remove the cat and try to see if other shots can be replaced, or just removed. As for the logos, yes, those things are going to be removed.

@MichaelJayFoto

Thanks for your detailed explanation, I understand what you say, I will concider all those shots and recheck my other photos that would have more potential from some of these here. After 1 day of looking my folio, I can notice some of them are just not right as well.  No worries, nothing got wrong, as you said, some might be accepted later.

Thank you all again, and I hope we'll see next time on stocksy ! :)
Title: Re: Stocksy portfolio critique
Post by: Magdalena on July 30, 2014, 01:04
Today I noticed that these "vintage clock in front of a green wall" were accepted  :) Congrats Boris!!

How long did you wait for their answer? I sent my application more then 6 weeks ago a I'm still waiting.
Title: Re: Stocksy portfolio critique
Post by: mojaric on July 30, 2014, 03:11
i hope that you review will be faster than mine!!! i'm waiting from end of may.....