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Messages - visceralimage
Pages: 1 2 3 4 [5] 6 7 8 9 10 ... 14
101
« on: March 24, 2011, 20:50 »
I think the main problem with series is when the results show in a row and therefore it looks that there is no variety.
I say put in the similiars but not all together on the same page. I have seen a few stores and the first page might be all hot chocolate shots with maybe a business snot or two; better to mix them up on different pages so someone just cruising you site does not see all the same series on one page. Some of have a limited attention span; get bored easy.
102
« on: March 24, 2011, 01:21 »
Looks like some nice equipment; now you just need to cut the lights in the room and really look at your subject under different light. BTW, softboxes are great but sometimes you may need more raw light, more directional, etc.
The difference between 5500K and 6000K is enough to cause a white balance mismatch, better to have all the same color temp.
103
« on: March 24, 2011, 01:00 »
Some of you gave him hints and very good suggestions, what he denied. He soundet so much disappointed, he should have been helped. But, as always, he don't need help.
Dear Bad, are you speaking about this thread; I believe the only advice I did not encourage was working with someone in India. I am not disappointed, I am completely excited and enjoy my photography career. He don't need PS, he don't need help, he only asked for affirmation of his hope and expectance.
Actually, I have PS CS5, have been using PS since PS-5 (about 10 editions ago). I have re-read this post and do not see anywhere that I requested affirmation. Furthermore, I appreciate the critique of the general quality of my images. I went to your profile so I could get an idea of your qualifications (anyone can offer an opinion; some are qualified to offer an critique); guess what, no images linked to your profile, no name, no age, nothing-just hiding behind some screen name. Nevertheless, you are entitled to your opinion.
104
« on: March 23, 2011, 21:19 »
Aperture 3.0 on Mac, have used all the others at one time or another.
105
« on: March 23, 2011, 21:15 »
Ditto, a $1 sale for me also
106
« on: March 23, 2011, 18:15 »
I am looking at this image on an iMac 27"; I bet it does not look any better on my monitor than on yours. An expensive monitor is not going to light this shot; only light will do that. Look under all the vegs. and fish, there are dark areas, look at the fish, it looks dead (granted it is dead but the lighting sucks-)
Do you have a sliding glass door in your house; that is a big light source, use it with some reflector cards to study what the light does to the subject? If the sun is shining directly in, put a white bed sheet over the door, instant diffusion.
There are various ways to light food, this is not one of them. Some use a near over diffused head light with a rear quarter kicker, reflector and mirrors; other do 45 degree main and fill, etc.
When choosing items to put together in a set, choose items that go together. I can not think of one dish that uses these vegs. and raw slimy fish (just thinking of it makes me want to puke). Now, vegs, meat and totilla wraps go together; fish, knife and cutting board go together; fish and a cat licking the fish go together (smile); you get the idea.
BTW, not trying to be harsh, I just hate raw fish-it stinks, it is ugly, it is slimy, etc. So take my words with grain of salt.
107
« on: March 23, 2011, 06:19 »
The point when my photography really turned the corner was when I learned to see "quality of light", not intensity, quality. One morning, yes, morning, not evening, go out before the sun rises; sit in a chair and watch the light change. Watch the change from purple to red and yellow to brighter shades of white; do no leave your chair till the sun is 15 degrees above the horizon, roughly 9 am. Every once-in-a-while, close you eyes to blank out everything; then open them and look at the light (not the sun, the light). Notice the shadows, the softness of the light, the feel of the light, and so on. It will not come the first time, it may take 100 times but once you train you body and eyes to see the light, your images will change because you have changed.
Excellent advice, but it depends on where you live: if it's here, it'll need to be well before 6 a.m. nowadays (we just had the equinox), and the sky/light will just get paler and paler grey. Also, if you're in a valley, as I am, the light intensity will be strong before it gets to you (depending on the direction of the valley, I guess!).
You may need to make a special trip. Or it may be right outside your door.
OTOH, if you live near the equator, that will all happen within about 10-15 minutes: pitch dark to 'harsh' within 1/2 hour.
Very True, I am currently pretty high in latitude here in Far East Russia so morning light and evening light are extended. Soon, I will be returning to Florida, where the golden hour is more like 10 minutes.
108
« on: March 23, 2011, 04:47 »
"Sales", what sales. Got sales on almost all the sites except IS, it is DOA
109
« on: March 23, 2011, 03:04 »
The one thing that money cannot buy is composition- I am a very techie person but the only thing I ever did in the arts was watch Saturday morning cartoons. I truly lack the eye thus if anyone can tell me where I can purchase an artsy eye LOL!
My former job was a research microscopist (scientist); never had an art course in my life and when I first started, I bulls-eyed everything (centered). Comp can be learned. Money can not buy experience; only you can put in the time to train your eye to see better. The point when my photography really turned the corner was when I learned to see "quality of light", not intensity, quality. One morning, yes, morning, not evening, go out before the sun rises; sit in a chair and watch the light change. Watch the change from purple to red and yellow to brighter shades of white; do no leave your chair till the sun is 15 degrees above the horizon, roughly 9 am. Every once-in-a-while, close you eyes to blank out everything; then open them and look at the light (not the sun, the light). Notice the shadows, the softness of the light, the feel of the light, and so on. It will not come the first time, it may take 100 times but once you train you body and eyes to see the light, your images will change because you have changed. A couple days ago I recommended you read "Hot Shoe Diaries" by Joe McNally-it is available as a kindle book so you can download it from Amazon tonight. Joe is a photographer that creates feeling and attitude in his images by using available light (he calls all light available, some it just happens to be available in his flash units). He uses gels, filters, different white balances, etc to impart the mood and attitude he desires. Read and re-read his story about photographing the alligators. Alligators live in dark pools of water, with dark skin and bright highlights; it is super easy to take a snapshot, not so easy to do something creative. Millions of images of alligators have been recorded; he gave his image life.
110
« on: March 22, 2011, 20:15 »
I doing okay on my acceptance ratio but very few views and no sales whatsoever.
Actually, I think you are doing quite well in the sales department. DT: 73 images online and 8 sales in a short span of time with little experience; I say that is pretty good. You are thinking of good concepts, I like the car with the money in the gas and tailpipe. You are missing a lot of other concepts; why only two shots of the pistol. Why not a photo of someone crawling into a window with the pistol in the waist; why not a direct shot of the pistol with you holding it outstretched, and so on. Just watch Law and Order or similar show for lots of ideas about gun shots. Regarding lights; I do not know your financial situation; if is bleak, then just get some shop lights (home depot clip on lights with regular bulbs); use them to be able to see the light better. I agree your food shots look lifeless, no way I want to eat any of that stuff-these need alot of help in the lighting dept. when I need to feel my image setups, I turn off all the lights and make the room dark; then I work with only one light at a time to see what angle, direction, distance, etc has on my setups. Good luck but don't be so hard on yourself; you are starting the Monte Carlo race with no experience driving a run-of-the-mill car against experienced pros. Believe in yourself and fight to be better. You want to read a good story, read the story of Ted Turner, yeah, the guy that started CNN, TBS, etc. He also won some of the most prestigious sailboat races with average equipment (when he first started); built a television company when all said it could not be done; rebuilt his father's business after his father committed suicide, etc. Granted, this has nothing to do with photography but it does show that if you believe in yourself and work hard, the sky is the limit. Best of Luck
111
« on: March 22, 2011, 17:33 »
All great comments! The naming part is a challenge for me for sure. I will have to work on that part - I was told to stop using keywords in my description area. I find it difficult to put in 7 words without using a few of the key words.
Yeah, I want to be different for sure but not that different I guess LOL!
Once again thank you very much on these comments...
Tom
Who told you - "to stop using keywords in my description area"?
I think almost everyone does the exact opposite.
The sites differ on which filed they use (Title or Description) so I try to optimize both fields in my EXIF data.
I also enter my keywords by importance first - for those sites that prefer them that way.
Edit for spelling
+1 keywords in the title are essential
112
« on: March 21, 2011, 18:15 »
there are some artifacts in lower right, logo on ball cap and camera, ...
Just kidding, super image, well done
113
« on: March 20, 2011, 18:15 »
I was exclusive with DT for almost a year, left my exclusive status last month. You get much better placement in searches as exclusive and you will see better sales, roughly double what you would have earned as non-exclusive on DT. It is not a bad option if you do not have a large portfolio or you are not full-time photographer.
As a non-exclusive; I now earn roughly three to five times my former income on DT; but it is a lot of fricken work to upload and manage 20 sites.
114
« on: March 19, 2011, 03:53 »
This is standard practice for DT; they vary the upload limits almost on a weekly basis
115
« on: March 17, 2011, 22:43 »
My web service is with them, never any problems
116
« on: March 17, 2011, 20:49 »
Tom
If you wish a good read on the mindset of a location photographer, pickup a copy of "hot shoe diaries" by Joe McNally. He has shot for Nat. Geo, Life and all the other big names. The book is not so much a teaching of lighting but gives an excellent view into the mindset of a pro. location photographer; he discussed white balance, when to set it other than what is recommended, on camera and off camera flash, gels on flash, natural light, etc.
I am a wildlife photographer but much of his advice is still excellent for me; it gives me a view into the creative mind and helps me take my images from snaps to wall-hangers.
117
« on: March 17, 2011, 20:37 »
I use lightburner, it is free (at least now) and it works well
118
« on: March 16, 2011, 07:02 »
so my speedlite II with the diffuser (full Bulb type) will not cut the mustard?
nope, not good, need to do these type shots under controlled conditions or bring more speedlites; use the speedlites off-camera.
119
« on: March 15, 2011, 22:36 »
Cool, love Texas
120
« on: March 15, 2011, 21:22 »
V, if I lived in Florida, I would pay to shoot with you for a day! 
Where you live Blufish; I travel all over; no need to pay, we can shoot together. I don't do workshops or other types of teaching; but happy to shoot together or help anyone out.
121
« on: March 15, 2011, 20:23 »
A good quality slide viewing box would not be a bad idea but it is easier to just make it yourself. In the yellow pages (if you can find a copy or go online), look up plastics or lexan or plexiglass dealers; they have the translucent acrylic. Then just support it between two sawhorses, light it from below and from above, and shoot away. Of course, you will need to work the lights and reflectors to get even lighting and even rations, but I am sure you knew that.
122
« on: March 15, 2011, 20:15 »
lisa; is you wish to try you hand at some wildlife photography, you (and husband) are welcome to join me for a day of shooting at Ft. Desoto or Honeymoon Island or other places around Tampa Bay. I will be back in town soon; I had to change my flight to come home sooner to see eye doctor, will be in town April 5. Actually, if you do not have a long lenses (greater than 300mm), the pier might be best place to shoot as the birds are pretty tame and hungry for handouts. It can be alot of tun to work with the animals and the light angles. Oh, tell you husband to bring the pizza and pizza box; we can get some stock images of the birds trying to steal his pizza. I certainly have developed respect for you and the quality of your work, it would be fun to shoot together and help you refocus on new avenues of photography.
123
« on: March 15, 2011, 00:54 »
DT is usually 4-7 days, depending on when you put the files online; they usually do not review on weekends; I have other sites that are much longer
124
« on: March 14, 2011, 03:44 »
Thanks Aeonf;
I am submitting to IS but they only allow 18/week
125
« on: March 13, 2011, 22:15 »
This whole spin that the Fab 5 are going to be "the ears" of the community is so ridiculous. What use are their ears if they don't have mouths?
"hear evil, speak no evil, see no evil"
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