Author Topic: Would really appreciate a critique, thank you! (Read 8462 times)

K.D. Granger · « **on:** August 24, 2018, 15:31 »

Hello! Been a lurker for a long time. I've been working on building up my portfolio and organizing my photo collections. I would really appreciate if anyone would take a look at my Flickr and tell me your honest thoughts. Thank you very much.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/kdgranger/

Sean Locke Photography · « **Reply #1 on:** August 24, 2018, 15:49 »

They're nice enough to look at, but the stock world isn't really hurting for images of trees.

Asthebelltolls · « **Reply #2 on:** August 24, 2018, 16:22 »

I have to agree with SLP's comment. Very limited range. Attention to detail is a nice start but broaden your subject material. Nothing here yet that generates the "wow" factor. What can you present that's more than a snapshot? But regardless, putting it out there and letting others see your work is an excellent first step. Thanks for sharing.

K.D. Granger · « **Reply #3 on:** August 24, 2018, 16:30 »

Thank you for your replies! Most of these images are ones that's I just enjoyed taking. I am currently broadening my range and trying to create some diversity in my profile, thinking outside the box. iStock accepted me as a contributor with some of these images. Just seeing how it goes for awhile, not setting any expectations, just something I enjoy. I appreciate your remarks!

cathyslife · « **Reply #4 on:** August 24, 2018, 19:32 »

I like the style of them, I can see them being usable, especially for textures, but yes, you need a lot more diversity in your portfolio. I love nature, too, so they appeal to me personally, but as a graphic designer, very limited use.

K.D. Granger · « **Reply #5 on:** August 24, 2018, 20:38 »

Thank you all for your comments! Yeah I've always been drawn to these types of shots, what I've always enjoyed. Looking for my next niche. I've got some ideas. Appreciate the comments! Helps a lot!

increasingdifficulty · « **Reply #6 on:** August 25, 2018, 01:38 »

Quote from: K.D. Granger on August 24, 2018, 15:31

Hello! Been a lurker for a long time. I've been working on building up my portfolio and organizing my photo collections. I would really appreciate if anyone would take a look at my Flickr and tell me your honest thoughts. Thank you very much.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/kdgranger/

Hi K.D!

Let me give you one tip that will change your heron, egret, ibis (not flamingo

), turtle and squirrel images from regular snapshots, or "ok, that's a bird" shots, to professional looking photographs - "wow, beautiful bird".

The angle.

You need to get low, down to eye level of the animal, or even below for a more dramatic effect. This changes everything. It's probably the biggest difference between a snapshot and BBC material. Light and everything else is secondary to the angle (but of course also very important).

Yes, this means it's more unfomfortable to take photos, but it changes so, so much. I cannot stress this enough.

If you don't have a flipout screen, it means at the very least crouching down, but very often lying down on the ground (flipout screen is great).

cobalt · « **Reply #7 on:** August 25, 2018, 02:47 »

In addition to what people have said above, one thing you could try if you are out shooting is creating images that have a lot more copy space.

Just the row of trees or flowers at the bottom or the side and then nothing but blue sky. Or just one small flower or plant and then a vast stretch of out of focus background with a very light color scheme and very, very smooth bokeh.

Explore the emptiness.

Have a look at high quality artists that do nature, landscape or wildlife photography, or take workshops and really improve your skills.

It is of course possible to make reliable money with nature, but you have to be honest with yourself and critical of your own skill level.

Stock agencies require also a high technical quality in their files, no artifacts, no overfiltering which for me was a great learning experience.

If you keep an open mind, then uploading can help you become a much better photographer. Also keep browsing portfolios and artists and if you see someone with great work, try to analyze why his images of trees or animals look so much better.

For animals specifically, try to learn about their behaviour, what time of day are they out and about, what is their food in different times of the year, do they interact with humans or not etc...if you like cute squrrels or owels or redbirds, make it a project and for a month make a big focus on all things squirrels.

You will learn a lot from your own little projects and by going back again and again to get the perfect shot, your entire awarness for photography will move up a level.

So, yes, if you dońt expect to get magically rich, try a few stock agencies and learn from the experience.

K.D. Granger · « **Reply #8 on:** August 25, 2018, 04:59 »

Thank you, thank you, thank you. Incredibly helpful. Appreciate the tips. I am trying to improve everyday. It's something I am very passionate about and will definitely keep your tips in mind. Thank you!

K.D. Granger · « **Reply #9 on:** August 25, 2018, 05:12 »

I also know nature shots are a dime a dozen, it's just what I've always enjoyed. Looking through my album the nature shots do get repetitive. I will keep doing research on what is needed, and working on different subjects, looking at professional profiles, and expanding my portfolio. I am very new to this so all the suggestions and tips are gold to me right now. Working on upgrading my equipment also which I know will make a difference. Thank you all so much.

ShadySue · « **Reply #10 on:** August 25, 2018, 17:52 »

Quote from: K.D. Granger on August 25, 2018, 05:12

Working on upgrading my equipment also which I know will make a difference.

Can I caution you about upgrading your equipment hoping to make better sales.
If you read any of many threads on here, you'll see that many people are talking about falling income. I'd leave off buying new equipment and see how it goes with what you already have. If you find a very profitable niche, which you could exploit better for sure if you had new equipment, go for it.

Remember the old joke which ends, "No matter how nicely I ask, my equipment won't go out and make photos for me".

K.D. Granger · « **Reply #11 on:** August 25, 2018, 19:16 »

Makes sense! Thank you for the too!

Pauws99 · « **Reply #12 on:** August 26, 2018, 01:00 »

Get started on Shutterstock and upload a few...the real test is what buyers buy....build on your experience on what sells.

K.D. Granger · « **Reply #13 on:** August 26, 2018, 07:38 »

Got a first batch pending on Shutterstock, will see if they take it. Everything I've put on iStock has been accepted. Will just see how it all goes! Appreciate all the tips.

Pauws99 · « **Reply #14 on:** August 26, 2018, 08:09 »

Quote from: K.D. Granger on August 26, 2018, 07:38

Got a first batch pending on Shutterstock, will see if they take it. Everything I've put on iStock has been accepted. Will just see how it all goes! Appreciate all the tips.

These days I stock only reject for legal reasons like copyright releases etc. The thing is with them is you have to wait a long time to know what has actually been sold ;-).

K.D. Granger · « **Reply #15 on:** August 26, 2018, 09:24 »

Good to know, thank you!

EssexVIG · « **Reply #16 on:** August 30, 2018, 13:17 »

I go along with most of the above comments; nice photo, but I did not see any steaming coffee cups or multiple hand shakes, which, from what I understand, is the kind of image that sells. However I have similar photos and they do sell, not in volume, and the return probably does not justify the time spent tagging and uploading. But once uploaded the work is done. If you can include people in the shots, then sales do improve. I have a fairly average shot (the sky is a bit blown out) taken at a glacier viewing platform of the backs of a group of tourists and this has sold, whereas good shots of the glacier have not. Good Luck

K.D. Granger · « **Reply #17 on:** August 30, 2018, 18:27 »

That is a very helpful suggestion. Thank you for that! I've been taking notes and doing more research. I think the next batch I post will be better and more consistent of what is needed. I really appreciate all the tips. 🤗

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Author Topic: Would really appreciate a critique, thank you! (Read 8462 times)

K.D. Granger

Sean Locke Photography

Asthebelltolls

K.D. Granger

cathyslife

K.D. Granger

increasingdifficulty

cobalt

K.D. Granger

K.D. Granger

ShadySue

K.D. Granger

Pauws99

K.D. Granger

Pauws99

K.D. Granger

EssexVIG

K.D. Granger

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