Author Topic: What is wrong with this picture? (Read 4142 times)

bbettina · « **on:** March 13, 2007, 01:17 »

I'd love some input. I thought (and still think) this is a good picture (well, its my boy so I officially have to think its good) - little blond blue-eyed boy, attractive black woman, diversity, happiness, not even purple fringing, I believe its sharp, it got accepted at a couple of sites but nobody even looks at it - much less buys it.
Any explanations?

Thanks,

Tina

http://www.fotolia.com/id/1518025

StockManiac · « **Reply #1 on:** March 13, 2007, 07:05 »

There is nothing "wrong" with the picture. It is a cute snapshot, but I'm not sure that it is the best shot for stock. You need to ask yourself: "Why would someone buy this photo?"

Here are some of my thoughts. Please don't take this personally:

1. The biggest issue that I see is that the boy is not smiling much. He kind of looks like the proverbial "deer caught in headlights". He even looks a little frightened.

2. Her hand on his chest makes it seem like she is holding him there against his will, which makes it seem that he would rather be somewhere else.

3. Her smile looks a bit fake.

4. His hair is a mess.

5. The clothing that they are wearing is a bit boring.

6. The white background is the first thing that I noticed and a bit overpowering.

CJPhoto · « **Reply #2 on:** March 13, 2007, 07:20 »

Quote from: StockManiac on March 13, 2007, 07:05

4. His hair is a mess.

But messy hair is the new trend!

Quote

6. The white background is the first thing that I noticed and a bit overpowering.

agree. This means the designer has to add a background unless printed onto white.

I dont do people shots but I would think the question you need to ask is what is the message or how can it be used. that is why most people shots have a cellphone or laptop or look overly cheesy business shots (ie. man pointing at chart).

Greg Boiarsky · « **Reply #3 on:** March 13, 2007, 08:46 »

I would add that the lighting is problematic. You have very deep, sharp shadows in this image that need to be softened either with a second light or a reflector. Also, her left arm seems to be an arm from a third person: Her right arm is in a sleeve, but there isn't any cloth showing on her left arm. It makes the image a bit awkward.

steve-oh · « **Reply #4 on:** March 13, 2007, 09:46 »

Looks like you used two light sources at 45 degree angles. Pretty standard, but as Prof said, you need to diffuse them a lot more.

Bateleur · « **Reply #5 on:** March 14, 2007, 01:54 »

There's nothing wrong with the picture.

Okay ... there are a few relatively minor technical issues that people have highlighted, but I doubt if a customer is going to throw up her/his hands in horror and reject it because of them.

I think that maybe you are making the mistake of assuming there is something 'wrong' with the picture because no one wants to buy it. The two don't follow. You just haven't found a customer for it yet ... that's all.

I have an image with iStock that has been online nearly a year, has 5-star ratings from 3 people and a great comment, has been included in the lightbox of a complete stranger, and hasn't sold once. Is there something 'wrong' with it?

litifeta · « **Reply #6 on:** March 14, 2007, 02:34 »

Kid looks a bit scared. She looks too overpowering, not sure what it could be used for. blond (boy, blonde = girl) hair is too difficult to isolate on white background.

Clothing is poor choice on both models, I would have used blue to highlight the boy's eyes

vicu · « **Reply #7 on:** March 14, 2007, 07:01 »

I agree with all posted above. The sleeveless arm doesn't make sense at first glance. The lighting is too harsh. Also, the focus on the boy's face is soft at full zoom.

It's not a horrible shot by any means, but with so many similar, and technically better, shots out there to choose from, you might not be able to expect stellar sales from this one.

eyetrigger · « **Reply #8 on:** March 15, 2007, 19:44 »

With any images of people it's all about their expressions and/or emotions and in this picture there really isn't any to speak of, so to me this is probably why the image is being overlooked. In order for the shot to be a commercial success the emotion has to look genuine, the smiles warm and friendly, the mood light, upbeat and positive, etc. There are some technical issues with the image, and the lighting isn't great, but for the most part this stuff could be overlooked if you had captured a 'genuine' moment between the woman and the boy.