Shutterstock Photographer Forum :: View topic - Working on first 10 -- please critique

Gregory J. Finkelstein · Joined: 20 May 2012 Posts: 9

Hi All,
I am a newbie here (and to stock images), and am trying to put together my first ten images. These are a few that I am considering, and I would appreciate your critiques. Thanks!

Gregory J. Finkelstein · Joined: 20 May 2012 Posts: 9

Here are the crops for the above three images.

rinder99 · Posted: Sun May 20, 2012 10:03 am

Composition and lighting are gonna get ya my friend.Not to mention LCV.

ruxpriencdiam · Posted: Sun May 20, 2012 10:04 am

Lighting, DOF and composition.

And for those who did notice i didn't say OOF{:o)

jmci · Joined: 29 Oct 2006 Posts: 2383 Location: Northern Ireland

The leaves of the pineapple are very bruised. I'm sure it doesn't affect the fruit, but for stock everything is supposed to be perfect - even if it isn't like that in real life!

tverkhovynets · Joined: 12 Jun 2010 Posts: 749 Location: Kiev, Ukraine

Also interesting description. Why bother stating which equipment did you use? It won't help at all. If you write a description, put in what it is. Learn to see stock subjects if you want this

Taras

hhltdave5 · Posted: Sun May 20, 2012 12:38 pm

I agree with what has been said. For stock you need to pay very close attention to the technical parts of photography such as focus, composition, lighting and exposure. These images are each a bit under exposed.

As for commercial value the tracks shot has a rather limited commercial value. Remember that a good stock shot is one that will help sell or promote a product, concept or idea.

Often a good stock shot needs some extra time and attention. Just whipping out the ole camera and grabbing a shot often will not cut it.

Yesterday I had someone here at my place taking my food photography class. His comment was the same as everyone else who has taken the class when he said "I never knew there was so much to food photography."

There is taking pictures of food and then there is food photography. It often takes time to create and make a good stock shot.

Make some adjustments in how you create your images and then lets see some more of your work.

imagesetc · Joined: 15 Sep 2011 Posts: 297 Location: South Europe

Just make ten commercial pictures and get in Man!
Listen what these guys are telling, and do it. I now you can. Will take some time to make em, but keep on shooting - keep on posting here

Tom

mauijon · Joined: 02 Mar 2005 Posts: 4279 Location: Maui, Hawaii

My basic opinions on 2 of the shots:
Pineapple: You have cut off part of the leaves. You show the leaves, but no pineapple. And the BG on the right side is distracting.

Maccaroons: Composition; get rid of the VCR/clock on the left side. The brown paper is not good, plus there are crumbs on the paper. (Besides, I don't like anything that touches against, or smells, tastes, feels, or looks like coconut, sorry.)

You really need to slow down and check the composition for elements that do not belong and watch that you don't crop out things that should be there.

The other critiques still apply.

Gregory J. Finkelstein · Joined: 20 May 2012 Posts: 9

Thanks for the critiques everyone! Harsh, but helpful, and I asked for it. Are these three new pictures any better? Thanks!

Gregory J. Finkelstein · Joined: 20 May 2012 Posts: 9

Here are the crops for the most recent batch of pictures.

Gregory J. Finkelstein · Joined: 20 May 2012 Posts: 9

Now that I think about it, the floor mat probably wouldn't work for copyright reasons. Correct?

semmickphoto · Posted: Mon May 21, 2012 1:58 am

You didnt get the mighty OOF critique here, so you are half way there. Now you need to work on composition and good concepts.

Dont know on the doormat.

tverkhovynets · Joined: 12 Jun 2010 Posts: 749 Location: Kiev, Ukraine

On doormat, yes, copyright.

Cactus - may be dinged for composition, oof a bit

Fire alarm - composition (no negative space around it), focus is soft, lighting is uneven

Taras

Gregory J. Finkelstein · Joined: 20 May 2012 Posts: 9

I thought the focus might have been a bit soft... probably from wobbly hands due to the heavy lens and flash + shooting angle (currently saving up for a decent tripod).