The moral of the story here folks is that there is a big difference between taking photos and shooting stock.   

well, i guess I'm reliving this post.
I'm interested in this kits, have been looking for something cheap to start testing, but i have no idea on light equipment so i wanted to do some "stupid" questions.
will this kit be enough to start shooting? don't i need something else to shoot the flashes, like a remote shooter? are they TTL synchronized with my camera (Nikon D80)? if so, what else do i need to buy? some sincro cable or something like that?

As you would see, I'm totally new at this.
Thank you for your time

Does the D80 have a spot to synch cables?  (My D70 doesn't, my D200 does).  You can buy a doodad that sits in the hotshoe with a synch device in it.  Or you can invest in radio triggers (a much better way) so you are free of cables.   If the strobes are also slaves you will only need one cable.  Make sure the doo-dad (name eludes me at the moment) has a surge-protector.  A cable can return a negative charge from the strobe to your camera and fry or confuse the computer inside.  Been there, done that.

I will always suggest Alien Bees as a first light.  I've got a few cheap lights that served their purpose in the begining, but what a waste of money.  Some I can use for hair or background, but really useless otherwise.  Bees may cost you a wee bit more, but I bet you will still be using them 10 years from now.  If you use the lights regularly you will likely find yourself replacing the cheapos in a year.  

Also, if you are in North America, perhaps not, they are a LEGIT business, sell hundreds of lights every day, and have an outstanding reputation.  I'm just not sure if you can expect the same from a factory in China.

Quote from: Pixart on January 15, 2009, 13:15

Now that Yuri is shooting with a Hassey, are they not square format anyway?

I imagine once the image is up on the screen and is zoomed in, the area you are working on is the proportions of the screen, which is most of the time

Duh... sometimes I'm such an idiot.

Might be Yuri's model, but is it his photo? 

Now that Yuri is shooting with a Hassey, are they not square format anyway?

Fotolia FAQ hasnt been updated 2 years....

it also says you can cache out any amount, but in fact, you can only over 50 credits. dont listen what FAQ says, sometimes it is incorect info.

LOL, and we all know that the rules are subject to change at any time. 

I just checked to see my BDE (excluding one day with a few EL') at Fotolia.  It's so nice to see after V2, sure does not seem like the same site these days.   

Pixart, if FT is ahead of DST why would you not want it to be No.2 ?
Adelaide, I like StockXpert too. But being the cheapest may not be a bad thing;
after all isn't that how SS come to stay as No.1 ?

Because DT is civil and treats contributors with respect and answers queries when you have them.
Because DT pays 50%.
Because DT has a well thought out price structure that rewards you for good work.
Because DT has always been reasonable with acceptance.
Because FT starts photographers at what, 30% then escalates their commissions in 2% increments.  When will you reach 50% commission at FT?
Because FT changes their policies without advance notice
Because FT changes policies with no notice at all and you don't find out until you stumble upon it (think rank changes and affilate changes).

I might be wrong, but I still prefer to see DT to grow. Even if they paid the same commission they still treat me as an equal.  You asked.

No, I'm not wishing FT to be the new IS, I'm wishing DT for that job - they have a much nicer pay structure and they treat contributors much better...

But for the other part of your question, yes, last fall FT seemed to fix their search engine that had been broken since V2 and I have been quite pleased with the results.  They are ahead of DT right now for me, which would be a first if it continues through the end of the month.

http://www.stockxpert.com/browse_image/view/30810571



I couldn't decide how to crop this, it was even more awkward before and at the end of my 200 range...

NO, I've never photographed apples.  BUT, I've stood at the grocery store for at least 20 minutes a couple times to pick out perfect specimens and didn't pull through, does that count?     I shouldn't criticize if I have no experience, but a little point I feel compelled to make:  the difference in having something accepted and have something accepted and sell (or sell very well) can be for a very subtle reason.  To me, the red apple seems a little misshapen or awkward.   It's a very popular category, and either your specimens should be perfect or there should be a reason for them to be flawed, and the flaws should be the focus.   

Nobody guessed StockRiot?

Hehe... I see they didnt even make Leaf's list of up and coming.  He won't have to remove them.

Thanks Lee!  I logged out but couldn't find the discount code, is it $195 like the group rates? 

Not sure if I can pull it off by the 9th, but I'm very interested in the Social Content Category.  We've been cooking some ideas that fall under this category.  Not to mention that meeting some of the gang in the photographer's category would be amazing. 

I haven't been to see my Aunt and cousins in San Jose for at least 15 years, so if I go to any conference, this would be a good one.

I guess I'll have to decide in the next couple of days.  Would be nice to know if most people are staying at same hotel or part of town, but I don't need that info yet.

I'm pretty sure that Arcurs himself pointed out this video on his own blog a few months ago and had a laugh over it.  If it wasn't this video it was similar.