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Microstock Photography Forum - General => Photo Critique => Topic started by: leaf on August 19, 2010, 06:15

Title: Which image would make better stock
Post by: leaf on August 19, 2010, 06:15

Often times I can't decide which image is the best between two slightly different crops.  Perhaps it doesn't really matter, but i can end up spending an unnecessarily amount of time thinking about it.

So here are my two images

Image A (http://www.microstockgroup.com/holdingbin/vetexample2.jpg)

Image B (http://microstockgroup.com/holdingbin/vetexample1.jpg)

I feel the images basically show the same thing so I don't think it would be necessary to upload both of them.  On many sites it seems like photographers are rewarded for having a high downloads/image ratio so it is probably wise to upload as few images as possible while still covering as many ideas as possible.  Additionally on a site like dreamstime, images are rewarded for having lots of downloads (higher prices) so if there are two images for buyers to pick from they will pick the cheaper one all the time, spreading your sales out and making it longer to reach the next image level.

With image A you have copy space on the bottom but less room details.

With image B, you loose the copy space at the bottom of the image, but you have the interesting out of focus lab assistant at the top which creates a little more mood.

Or maybe I should just take both because they are different enough???

Which image would you pick?  Other critique is also welcome.

Title: Re: Which image would make better stock
Post by: gostwyck on August 19, 2010, 06:24

I voted for B as I think, if both images were uploaded, that one would attract more sales.

However if image A were cropped, say 25% off the bottom and maybe 10% off the top, the subject would be much stronger.

Title: Re: Which image would make better stock
Post by: fullvalue on August 19, 2010, 06:31

As cropped "B" no contest.

As for "A", I agree with the previous post.  Upload both but crop "A" down more. 

Title: Re: Which image would make better stock
Post by: Stu49 on August 19, 2010, 09:19

'B' :  as her face makes a great difference :)  and less wasted space at the bottom !

Title: Re: Which image would make better stock
Post by: microstockphoto.co.uk on August 19, 2010, 09:24

B as it is

+

square cropped A (centering on tools and removing the assistant altogether instead of just beheading her)

Title: Re: Which image would make better stock
Post by: rubyroo on August 19, 2010, 09:29

I like something about the sense of space in A, and initially felt more drawn to it for that reason... but having walked away and looked at them a few times, I think the visible face in B strengthens the context far more than I would have guessed it might.

Title: Re: Which image would make better stock
Post by: SIFD on August 19, 2010, 09:35

B.

Title: Re: Which image would make better stock
Post by: Kone on August 19, 2010, 10:16

Quote from: gostwyck on August 19, 2010, 06:24

I voted for B as I think, if both images were uploaded, that one would attract more sales.

However if image A were cropped, say 25% off the bottom and maybe 10% off the top, the subject would be much stronger.

Same here

Title: Re: Which image would make better stock
Post by: click_click on August 19, 2010, 10:58

B hands down - I'd get rid off the monitor in the upper right corner. Kind of distracting IMO.

Title: Re: Which image would make better stock
Post by: vonkara on August 19, 2010, 10:58

B also...

It's not comforting to have only sharp tools in the frame. The face of the doctor/nurse make it less harsh

Title: Re: Which image would make better stock
Post by: donding on August 19, 2010, 11:37

I voted for B also. The face in the back makes for a more interesting picture. A to me looks chopped. The person in the background distracts from it because their head is missing.

Title: Re: Which image would make better stock
Post by: Pixart on August 19, 2010, 11:42

Voted B.  

But looking at A if you slice her off mid-chest - following that portraiture rule to never crop a limb at a joint which in this case the crop is at the shoulder/neck.  The white wall is pulling focus from the true subject of this one.  The eye goes naturally to the top of the frame.  Crop most it away and the subject is more powerful.   Changes the whole feel.  It is now surgical room green too, instead of bright and clean (does that make sense?)

Wow, at second glance they are really soooo different, but we all know that only one will be accepted at you-know-where.

Title: Re: Which image would make better stock
Post by: shotupdave on August 19, 2010, 14:51

I like "B" as well, but I would tone down the white that is to the left side of the nurse's face. It is way to bright for me and distracts my vision away from the main subject matter. Also is it possible to get some more detail and color into the hand below. It seems a bit hot to me. Please forgive me if these have not been edited for the final submission.

Dave

Title: Re: Which image would make better stock
Post by: lagereek on August 19, 2010, 15:16

I say go back and re shoot if you can?  youve cropped both shots in a weird way. You either go for the instuments on the tray or a full scale shot of tray, surgeons and nurses. As it is youve cut their heads off.

Title: Re: Which image would make better stock
Post by: Phil on August 19, 2010, 15:49

Quote from: fullvalue on August 19, 2010, 06:31

As cropped "B" no contest.

As for "A", I agree with the previous post.  Upload both but crop "A" down more. 

me too

Title: Re: Which image would make better stock
Post by: qwerty on August 19, 2010, 15:58

If I was you I would upload both to Istock shutterstock etc but not at the same time. Just to give them a different chance in the best match game we play.

With dreamstime I would upload the best one (everyone picks B) and hold the other one back.

If you don't get many sales on it I'd send the second one in as another shot across the bows of the microstock world, maybe you might hit something.

There seems to be a bit of luck in when photos hit the newest pages whether they get sales or not.

Title: Re: Which image would make better stock
Post by: leaf on August 20, 2010, 02:58

Thanks for your thoughts everyone.  Surprising how one sided the voting is for B and cropping the A image would probably be worthwhile as has been mentioned too.

No the edits aren't necessarily final but they are close to final.  I just edited them quick in Photoshop before asking the question here.

@lagereek - I won't be reshooting any time soon but I do have a lot of other images from the shoot to pick from as well.  With this shot I wanted to have the instruments in focus with out of focus information in the background.  It would have been better to have a little more of the nurses head in shot B though.

Title: Re: Which image would make better stock
Post by: Imagecom on August 20, 2010, 03:10

It may be too late but for B  - the assistance eye made the difference for me.

Title: Re: Which image would make better stock
Post by: Dreamframer on August 20, 2010, 08:08

To me, the assistant looks a bit shocked behind that mask. It's like she says "WHAT?!!"
That was my first impression, and I guess the blur effect added to it... Or it's just my weird imagination :D
Maybe you could do something to make her look a bit calmer by straightening the roundness on her upper eyelid by cloning out the blue color from it.

Title: Re: Which image would make better stock
Post by: Digital66 on August 20, 2010, 08:26

B