MicrostockGroup Sponsors


Author Topic: Style, where to focus  (Read 16668 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Buffalo Bill

« Reply #25 on: November 14, 2014, 21:55 »
+3
you're too good for the for the MS regular stuff! Stocksy and offset is where you will be able to continue your style which is lovely!


« Reply #26 on: November 18, 2014, 14:02 »
0
you're too good for the for the MS regular stuff! Stocksy and offset is where you will be able to continue your style which is lovely!
I will apply there to see if they accept me. Thank you!

« Reply #27 on: November 21, 2014, 10:44 »
+1
Your photos are really beautiful, but for SS I guess that vintage look will be no go... There are a few rules if you want to be there, so for acceptance try to follow these rules:
* No shallow Depth Of Field!
* Punchy, colorful photos (no vintage look)
* Various subjects (landscape, architecture, portrait, concept, still life, etc)

I'm sure you have a lots to photos from your collection to fit this criteria. Once you're accepted, you can experiment. Do not be afraid of many rejections, though :)

Beppe Grillo

« Reply #28 on: November 21, 2014, 11:16 »
+1
Gabriela, I think that you have just to take 10 of your nice photos and re-postproduct them in a more standard/classical way (as they want). It is a concession that you have to do if you want to pass the Shutterstock exam, you have no choice.
This for the step to be accepted to the Stock exam.

This first step will not have any influence then, because once passed the exam you will have the possibility to upload your photos as you want, with their/your personality.

Just do it!

« Reply #29 on: November 21, 2014, 11:30 »
+2
Another option is to make sure you include words like "filtered" in the keywords and explain in the description that the images have been filtered/processed with a particular look (cross processing, bleached, classic chrome, vintage etc).

There was a post on shutterbuzz or somewhere stating that these sorts of filtered images could be submitted but that you should note the filtered effect to avoid a lighting rejection.


Beppe Grillo

« Reply #30 on: November 21, 2014, 11:36 »
+1
Another option is to make sure you include words like "filtered" in the keywords and explain in the description that the images have been filtered/processed with a particular look (cross processing, bleached, classic chrome, vintage etc).

There was a post on shutterbuzz or somewhere stating that these sorts of filtered images could be submitted but that you should note the filtered effect to avoid a lighting rejection.

Absolutely not for the exam. For the exam they will accept only "standard" images.
Once the exam passed yes ;)

« Reply #31 on: November 21, 2014, 17:39 »
+1
but why even bother with SS when you are already with Flickr and according to this forum, we read that flickr is getting in stock photography market ?
the artsy stylistic work you do is definitely not meant for SS. or you could do as already suggested, be selective with your next application 10 shots but following the criteria that SS want:
- white balance
- no noise
- proper tonal range in black and white
- detail in highlight
- detail in shadow

skip the filtering, vignetting, soft-focus, color cast , etc and leave that for flickr, stocksy, offset,etc...
to me, the one image that stood out to be what SS would consider as good work
would be the one of the butterfly,
except for the banding and noise ( hard to tell from the little size in your link)..
but the exposure , clean colour, clarity, detail, white balance,etc..
would come pretty close to what they want.

ie. just the bare "boring" stuff... and let the clients do the artsy styling if they want to.
using an analogy in music,  ... you don't give them alanis morrissette, kate bush,  when what they want is doris day, neil diamond,... or using dylan, chuck berry, john lee hooker,etc.. ss don't want  they want the seekers, peter paul and mary, mick jagger, beach boys doing chuck, john lee and dylan..if u get what i mean ;)

just my thoughts. hope it helps.
« Last Edit: November 21, 2014, 17:46 by etudiante_rapide »

« Reply #32 on: November 21, 2014, 18:19 »
+2
There are a few rules if you want to be there, so for acceptance try to follow these rules:
* No shallow Depth Of Field!
* Punchy, colorful photos (no vintage look)
* Various subjects (landscape, architecture, portrait, concept, still life, etc)

using an analogy in music,  ... you don't give them alanis morrissette, kate bush,  when what they want is doris day, neil diamond,...

Excellent advice and analogy! You're a very talented and creative photographer, Gabriela. Don't allow SS to discourage you.


« Reply #33 on: November 23, 2014, 13:11 »
0
You are very kind to give me many valuable tips. I thought and will make a selection of photos as you say and I will re-postproduct them with a cleaner style as they want. Thank you so much!

« Reply #34 on: November 26, 2014, 10:19 »
0
Hello,
I'm here trying to select "the best" pictures I have to send to SS, some of you mention that I should upload, some portrait, some landscape, some still life and concept.

Well.. the fact is, that I don't have any landscape nice to present, many of "my best" work are concepts.

So, do you believe could be ok a presentation without landscapes or I should wait until I have some to present?




« Reply #35 on: November 26, 2014, 13:05 »
+2
Don't worry about landscapes. Just try to pick different types of images. Bright and simple __ images that will stand-out and be understood at thumbnail size.

Remember also to make sure no logos or obvious 'designs' are visible. For example the little girl's distinctive pink boots may be rejected as being a potential design. She's a superb little model though!

I too think that your work is far too good to be sold at microstock prices. Your buyers are looking for something different and will be prepared to pay a lot more. I'd definitely suggest both Stocksy and Offset. Hopefully they'll both accept you and you will then be able to upload a different portfolio to each so that you can evaluate which agency sells best for you.

Good luck!

« Reply #36 on: November 29, 2014, 16:12 »
0
Hello,
I'm here trying to select "the best" pictures I have to send to SS, some of you mention that I should upload, some portrait, some landscape, some still life and concept.

Well.. the fact is, that I don't have any landscape nice to present, many of "my best" work are concepts.

So, do you believe could be ok a presentation without landscapes or I should wait until I have some to present?

it's not about landscape first of all.
it's about giving ss a portfolio to show that you are not a one-trick horse. that you have a good diversification that will be viable for earning .
of course, each image has to be sharp , clean, not over-processed, ie. do all the fine-tuning in the shooting stage , correct exposure, white balance, clarity,etc..
and leaving post-processing to just cleaning up dirt or slight color correction if you need to fine-tune your white balance

just don't give them ten portraits of the same shoot with only a slight difference from perspective point of view... as as dreamtime calls them "similars".

think of stock in the same way as the other "stock", your investment portfolio will survive the test of market correction if you have a diversified portfolio. same with stock photography.
quality is more important than quantity... ie give your "blue chip" to ss for your next application 10.

« Reply #37 on: November 29, 2014, 20:23 »
0
Thank you! I'm processing many images to be "standard" for the next evaluation, I hope this time I will be accepted. I'm preparing some others images for Offset to see also if they accepted me as well.

« Reply #38 on: November 29, 2014, 20:56 »
+1
Thank you! I'm processing many images to be "standard" for the next evaluation, I hope this time I will be accepted. I'm preparing some others images for Offset to see also if they accepted me as well.

remember ss and offset are on extreme ends of the spectrum.
i would dare say that offset and stocksy are where u can try those artsy-fartsy stuff,
but definitely none of that for ss.
i recall offset initial announcement that no ss need apply, in a way to say microstockers of ss do not know how to shoot for offset.
thought i point that out for you. good luck

« Reply #39 on: November 29, 2014, 23:29 »
+3
Or maybe just stay away from microstock, where they will make you shoot in a style you don't want in order to fit their agenda (or you'll waste a ton of time uploading stuff just to have it rejected).   I think if you have your own style it's best not to compromise. Later on, you might not want people to judge you as a microstock shooter (we're not the most highly regarded photographers, you know) you might want to be classed as an art photographer.

This is very good advice.  If you spend too much time on doing typical microstock style photography, you may eventually find you forgot how to do artistic type images like you are good at now.

« Reply #40 on: November 30, 2014, 13:49 »
+3
Or maybe just stay away from microstock, where they will make you shoot in a style you don't want in order to fit their agenda (or you'll waste a ton of time uploading stuff just to have it rejected).   I think if you have your own style it's best not to compromise. Later on, you might not want people to judge you as a microstock shooter (we're not the most highly regarded photographers, you know) you might want to be classed as an art photographer.

This is very good advice.  If you spend too much time on doing typical microstock style photography, you may eventually find you forgot how to do artistic type images like you are good at now.

+10
that is the most insightful advice ever for everyone or from everyone who has settled for microstock to make a pathetic lifelihood.
yes, it is tricky wearing two hats , microstock and the photography you aspire to.
what pixelbytes sum up is absolutely true.

after years of clean sterile images for ss etc we all become lady gaga and miley cyrus, blatant just sell stuff.  or to put it as one of my own ex-peers call it "become totally boring" with no mind for anything other than what is suitable to be on the box of cat litter."

u have to decide for yourself if that is really worth "bending over" .
an absolutely good warning that one day, you just get tired of all this and wonder why you even started to shoot for microstock, as all your work becomes quite pathetic.

« Reply #41 on: November 30, 2014, 14:10 »
+1
You've gotten great advice  so no need for me to repeat it all - just felt the need to comment on how beautiful your portfolio is. Good luck with Offset, Stocksy, Archangel and the other macro sites - they seem like the best match for your style.


« Reply #42 on: December 02, 2014, 13:20 »
0
Thank you very much for your advices, I'm very surprise how realistic and honest you are, I appreciated that. Your advices are precious to me and make me think a lot about the direction to take. It's hard because I love doing photography but also I need more money, so sell more images may be one solution.

I think also for Offset my kind of editing is too much, as I see they prefer not only storytelling pictures but a cleaner style, so is why I'm re editing others pictures to present to them.

My only fear is that I will give them a new link to a portfolio created just for Offset but what if they visit my others web pages? then, they will see again my style so worked..
« Last Edit: December 02, 2014, 13:23 by Gabriela »

« Reply #43 on: December 02, 2014, 22:56 »
+2


I think also for Offset my kind of editing is too much, as I see they prefer not only storytelling pictures but a cleaner style, so is why I'm re editing others pictures to present to them.

My only fear is that I will give them a new link to a portfolio created just for Offset but what if they visit my others web pages? then, they will see again my style so worked..


instead of worrying over something beyond your control (unless you deactivate your other site temporarily),
perharps if your edited work meant for Offset is much cleaner ,
it could work to your advantage to show you know how to custom edit for each market.

personally, i would advise on just do it; if it works for you, great, if not,
move on. there is still no guarantee that after being accepted you are going to make money worth the trouble.
so, don't worry too far ahead; cross one bridge at a time.

« Reply #44 on: December 03, 2014, 09:56 »
+1
Thank you very much for your advices, I'm very surprise how realistic and honest you are, I appreciated that. Your advices are precious to me and make me think a lot about the direction to take. It's hard because I love doing photography but also I need more money, so sell more images may be one solution.

I think also for Offset my kind of editing is too much, as I see they prefer not only storytelling pictures but a cleaner style, so is why I'm re editing others pictures to present to them.

My only fear is that I will give them a new link to a portfolio created just for Offset but what if they visit my others web pages? then, they will see again my style so worked..

You are approaching some philosophical questions :) On one side - there is photography that you like , on other is the money and kind of photography that you don't like that much. If you go for money I'm not sure that you will enjoy that much, even though the money brings some joy... But be aware not to sell your soul to the devil...

Anyway, like etudiante said - you are trying to control something that's not controllable. Just make it the way you think is the best now and see what happens. Don't think too much, make that Offset portfolio and then something will tell you how to proceed

« Reply #45 on: December 15, 2014, 16:49 »
0


I think also for Offset my kind of editing is too much, as I see they prefer not only storytelling pictures but a cleaner style, so is why I'm re editing others pictures to present to them.

My only fear is that I will give them a new link to a portfolio created just for Offset but what if they visit my others web pages? then, they will see again my style so worked..


instead of worrying over something beyond your control (unless you deactivate your other site temporarily),
perharps if your edited work meant for Offset is much cleaner ,
it could work to your advantage to show you know how to custom edit for each market.

personally, i would advise on just do it; if it works for you, great, if not,
move on. there is still no guarantee that after being accepted you are going to make money worth the trouble.
so, don't worry too far ahead; cross one bridge at a time.

You have much reason, it is better not to put so much pressure! Thank you :)

« Reply #46 on: December 15, 2014, 16:50 »
0
Thank you very much for your advices, I'm very surprise how realistic and honest you are, I appreciated that. Your advices are precious to me and make me think a lot about the direction to take. It's hard because I love doing photography but also I need more money, so sell more images may be one solution.

I think also for Offset my kind of editing is too much, as I see they prefer not only storytelling pictures but a cleaner style, so is why I'm re editing others pictures to present to them.

My only fear is that I will give them a new link to a portfolio created just for Offset but what if they visit my others web pages? then, they will see again my style so worked..

You are approaching some philosophical questions :) On one side - there is photography that you like , on other is the money and kind of photography that you don't like that much. If you go for money I'm not sure that you will enjoy that much, even though the money brings some joy... But be aware not to sell your soul to the devil...

Anyway, like etudiante said - you are trying to control something that's not controllable. Just make it the way you think is the best now and see what happens. Don't think too much, make that Offset portfolio and then something will tell you how to proceed

Thank you so much!!

« Reply #47 on: January 08, 2015, 15:48 »
+2
Just a few words to let you know that I've finally been accepted on Shutterstock! Now, I will see how all that works.

Thank you so much for your help:)!

Beppe Grillo

« Reply #48 on: January 08, 2015, 17:05 »
+1
Congratulation Gabriela, and good luck!

No Free Lunch

« Reply #49 on: January 08, 2015, 17:05 »
+1
Just a few words to let you know that I've finally been accepted on Shutterstock! Now, I will see how all that works.

Thank you so much for your help:)!

Congrats! Now, you can add some of the art into your images and see how they do- that is the tricky part of the business. Passing the QC and being artistic... :)


 

Related Topics

  Subject / Started by Replies Last post
4 Replies
3546 Views
Last post November 26, 2006, 10:03
by Pichunter
My Style

Started by Will Dutt « 1 2 3  All » Photo Critique

71 Replies
23648 Views
Last post October 27, 2011, 22:17
by Susum
6 Replies
2878 Views
Last post October 18, 2012, 05:20
by ShadySue
4 Replies
4855 Views
Last post July 04, 2017, 07:06
by Artist
27 Replies
9056 Views
Last post October 21, 2017, 02:54
by Frogfish

Sponsors

Mega Bundle of 5,900+ Professional Lightroom Presets

Microstock Poll Results

Sponsors