Quote from: Faustvasea on April 11, 2025, 14:31

I use a tool which I can generate up to 2000 images a day with no cost for images. And different tool for video. Works for me.

I don�t intend to invest too much time into this. Especially if the reward is less than 10 pence

I use google gemini to generate metadata for my images on that tool. And use different website to generate Metadata for my videos. Works pretty good for me.

Are you sure these free AI models producing content that is allowed for commercial use?

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Quote from: Faustvasea on February 06, 2025, 13:57

I said the L version. The premium Macro lens you won't find cheaper. Thanks. I use to do weddings and portraits, sadly I can't get more leads, not sure why. I guess because if financial crisis and people don't want to spend money of photography.

Oops, the regular f/2.8 is quite good as well. Yes, any L lens is going to be expensive and, worth it, if someone cares about the extra quality in construction and the images. Smart shopping and being patient is important. A great all around lens.

The 70-200 2.8 peaks at about 45-48 lines per mm at f/5.6. (Varies by focal length). However, the 100mm at f4 and f/5.6 it resolves about 54 lines per mm. Canon 300mm f2.8 II is the sharpest lens Canon has ever made as tested by DXO. Followed closely by the RF 135mm 1.8 and EF 85mm 1.4. I'd ay any of those, would be a good choice, depending on what someone intends to shoot



The RF lenses and cameras have been kicking the heck out of EF lens prices, especially if someone is willing to buy from Japan. But it's not just new RF, the RF lens test ratings are better than the EF.

I was kind of collecting my opinion of the best Canon EF L lenses. The 135mm L is one of them. I probably paid too much, at an auction, no box, no bag, no hood, just a lens and lens cap. But it's every bit as sharp as promised. The 200mm f/1.8 will be hoarded. I'm not so sure that the F/2 isn't just as good. 70-200mm I dropped to the f/4 non-is version, for the value vs the cost. I don't shoot low light, I don't use IS. "good enough"  I used the money from selling the big ass, IS USM f/2.8 to buy a 400mm f/5.6. Sometimes finances demand a step down.

I agree with you, the theory for anyone, should be the best lens that someone can afford, that meets the needs of what they shoot the most. That's the first lens they should buy, and then figure out the camera second. That lens will still be great in ten years and often, most people, will have replaced the camera body 2 or 3 times as sensors and electronics are improved.

Quote from: Faustvasea on February 06, 2025, 08:04

Quote from: mike123 on February 06, 2025, 07:54

Quote from: Faustvasea on February 06, 2025, 04:59

I won�t say using a camera is cheaper. I would probably say using Ai is cheaper. To get a decent camera, you need to invest couple of grands, you want awesome quality, you need top notch glass, that ain�t cheaper. But yes, it is quicker at some point to click the button and take the photo.

Not necessarily true, except probably for wildlife, sports and high-end portrait photography. I often sell files made with an entry level DSLR and glass I bought over 10 years ago. Current value of the whole system is probably below $100. If you are on budget, you can get a perfectly fine used camera and glass for maybe below $300-400.

I guess depends what you are shooting. A good glass still won�t be cheap. Example
I have Canon EF macro 100mm L which cost me nearly �1k, and provideds
Me with amazing results compared to the 50mm lens which cost me �130.

Because of mirrorless, the value of the EF for a DSLR has taken a dive. The 100mm Macro is under $250 now. If someone wants to save some money, the supply won't last forever. Someone can get a nice 18MP DSLR used for around $250. Then a nice sharp 70-200 f/4 under $400 but there's a really good, high quality sharp zoom. In my version of what someone could get, that and the memory cards and batteries, for around $1,000 would be a very top quality system, that isn't using lesser quality lenses, which can be a constant cause of flaws and a need for editing.

I'm still not sold on AI, and as others have pointed out, it takes some work, to get a good image from prompts, that's what you want, and then a bit of time to edit and make it right.

I'd say, either can be about the same, in many ways. I can make a photo in minutes, but still the idea, the location, the setup, anything else, takes time. Just like AI, where getting the prompt right and getting a good starting image, takes time.

Editing, depending, could take about the same amount of time. Personally a photo takes less time than going over every inch of an AI image. Since I won't pay for AI, I don't know how the sizes are, straight from the generated output. If they are as small as what I see, then there's another problem, upsizing, cleaning and repairing.

Oh was this, this months sales?  Adobe is still best for me. SS is nothing but dimes.

Microstock is Dead! Stock imaging is not...

I received the email and sent a letter to my MP.

I urge all UK based creatives to do the same.

https://www.creativerightsinai.co.uk

Quote from: Faustvasea on January 09, 2025, 06:55

Thanks Mike.  I will review this tonight and make some adjustments.

I�m thinking to offer not only canvas as a prints, but other sizes too. Some fort of POD but on my own site. Would you recommend for me to change anything else on the website ?


I had a photography website running on WP and probably some plugins issues, my website broke down completely and decided not to use it. But built my blog on WP.

That�s basically what I do as well, running my website on cheap and reliable hosting. 10 years on same hoating.

You could try using an separate page for each photo - basically like the PODs do it. And offer different materials and sizes on each photo's page. This is what I do and it works for me.

Try to use as few WP plugins as possible. They are slowing down WP and they introduce additional security and maintenance problems. Most customizations can be done through a few lines of PHP code, of course if you are comfortable with a little coding. You could also try chatGPT or an AI of your choice for code suggestions.

Quote from: Faustvasea on January 09, 2025, 04:56

Congrats, seems you done something good. What you running the shop on? Or if you can share a link.

Thanks!
I use Woocommerce, because it's free. But the underlying platform doesn't matter. Important is to offer quality works, take care of your SEO and make it easy for customers to order - then the sales will come.

Quote from: Faustvasea on January 08, 2025, 17:05

How do you get traffic  to your website , through social media?

Through search engines. Also some through social media, but those are mostly other photographers and they don't buy prints.
I think we had a similar discussion already

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