MicrostockGroup

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Newbie Discussion / Help- How best to prepare light colored objects to be separated from it's bg

« on: July 28, 2014, 12:21 »

Hi all,
Im preparing a light colored sign for submission, I've cut the image out and plan on setting it on a solid color background for easy clipping when (hopefully) sold to client. My question is, what the best method on preparing the background for later clipping of the sign when you don't have much contrast?

Tested a few methods, black and white backgrounds, then attempted to use blending modes with mixed results. Also tried the magic wand tool at a low tolerance and "blend if" without much luck. Know some photoshop but far from being a expert.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you

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Newbie Discussion / What to carry daily? Compact or DSLR?

« on: July 04, 2014, 13:33 »

Hi All
I imagine most of you,like myself try to carry a camera with you when ever possible. Just for those unexpected images that come your way during the course of the day. I've never warmed up to the idea of using my smart phone as my every day camera.

For practicality's stake, I carry a Compact Cannon G12 with me most of the time. It's light, easy to store and the image quality most of the time is sufficient. In fact some of my best selling images were taken with this camera.

But, at times image quality is a issue. That's when I kick myself in the rear for not going through the trouble of carrying my DSLR gear with me daily.
What have you found that works best for you?
Thank you

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Newbie Discussion / Re: Rejected and Confused. grumble grumble

« on: December 31, 2013, 13:06 »

Thanks for the input. Sad to here it's gotten to this point.

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Newbie Discussion / Rejected and Confused. grumble grumble

« on: December 31, 2013, 02:06 »

Hi All,

Went to the car show, Took a few good images, Submitted to Shutter Stock, Istock, Bigstock, and got a notice :

possible COPYRIGHT/TRADEMARK/PRIVACY INFRINGEMENT.

ugh! Fotolia, Dreamstime, Depositphoto all said Yes

Being relatively new, I knew enough to get rid of any emblems. What else can I be infringing on? I could understand if it was a complete car that might be identifiable.

Can someone enlighten me, how other similar images seem to be accepted while others are not?
P.S. I'm familiar with editorial images.
Thank you for your time

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Newbie Discussion / Re: Moldels and Money ?

« on: July 26, 2013, 08:34 »

Thanks Sean for your time and ideas.

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Newbie Discussion / Re: Moldels and Money ?

« on: July 25, 2013, 09:38 »

Sean your very prolific. If most models are not Pro's, how do you find them?
Thanks Sean For sharing.

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Newbie Discussion / Re: Moldels and Money ?

« on: July 25, 2013, 09:24 »

thanks Sean for your reply. Are most of your models Pro's?

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Newbie Discussion / Moldels and Money ?

« on: July 25, 2013, 08:38 »

Hi All,

Being new to this, I marvel at the wide range of image some photographers have created.Just came from Sean Locke site, WOW. Help me with this, How do most photographers deal with Models / Money. It seems, he offer prints in exchange for modeling services to most.Not MONEY!

I understand using family and friends (cheap), but besides them, are there a ton of aspiring models out there that can't wait to give there services away for close to nothing?

How do most of you work with Models and compensation for there time and efforts?
Thank you.

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Newbie Discussion / Is Being exclusive the way to go?

« on: July 22, 2013, 09:02 »

Hi All,

New to all this. Many Agencies give extra perks to contributors for submitting exclusively to them. I can understand the benefits to the agencies, but is that the right move for the contributor? Don't most in this industry submit to a variety of sites for greater exposure?
Thank you

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Newbie Discussion / Re: Do you need a release form for federal, state, local government property?

« on: June 04, 2013, 09:48 »

"Shutterstock wanted property releases for Danish bridges (which are public)... so I got such a release."

Your persistence is commendable. Personally, I think most photographers wouldn't have gone through the extra effort to obtain a release form.With that in mind, I would guess many photographers, especially while visiting a distant area shoot first and either don't submit the images that might have release issues or submit them as editorial images. I just don't see that the extra effort to obtain a release form is worth it, in most cases.

On to publications - Recently I uploaded a image of a small area of a IRS form. Some accepted it other didn't. When a agency refused it, they cited compositional issues, not that it needed a release form. I did notice while IStock didn't have one image of a 1040 IRS form, DREAMSTIME had close to 800. I guess a lot is dependent on the agency your submitting to and their policies.

Thank you

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Newbie Discussion / Do you need a release form for federal, state, local government property?

« on: June 04, 2013, 00:47 »

Hi

Could anyone clarify or lead me to more info on shooting government property, Do you need a release form for government printed material / signage etc.
thank you!