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nikoscot · Joined: 23 Jul 2009 Posts: 5

Hi everybody. This is my first photo I send and I would like a critique by you. It's also my first attempt to make a 100% crop. I hope I made it right. Thanks in advance. Niko

digigandalf · Joined: 11 Jun 2005 Posts: 4320 Location: Twinsburg, OH

A bit underexposed. Flags should be brighter... but, there's probably not much commercial value to torn and tattered flags to begin with.

nikoscot · Joined: 23 Jul 2009 Posts: 5

Another one.

fraiseap · Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 9:55 am

There appear to be halos round the wood of "outpost" at 100%, also some suggestion on moire patterns. Did you use any sharpening?

Otherwise, same problem as the first - low commercial value. Think "would an advert want to use this image". Remember, stock is mainly about making images that would sell or promote a product or concept. Apart from that, images that you could imagine on a greetings card or a calendar.

hhltdave5 · Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 12:05 pm

Here is an article I wrote for Shutterstock that is geared toward the newcomer. I hope it will help give you an idea of how to proceed with stock photography.

http://submit.shutterstock.com/newsletter/115/article2.html

jeffbanke · Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 2:50 pm

Needs to look more like this and as was pointed out the sharpening is over done! I you shot RAW you can fix it, if you didn't ditch the image!

With an image like this I would suggest taking it one step further, and mask the sky, raising the level of flag and pole even more.

nikoscot · Joined: 23 Jul 2009 Posts: 5

Thanks everyone for the tips. I didn't do any sharpening on my photos. Yes, it's RAW format.

jeffbanke · Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 6:53 pm

triceratops · Joined: 15 Nov 2006 Posts: 6248 Location: The other Nevada

Also, Adobe RAW usually has sharpening set at 25% by default. You need to check to be sure that is turned off.

antoine2000 · Joined: 17 Sep 2009 Posts: 179 Location: London

Actually, how do you turn that off? Recently upgraded to CS4 and noted that they have the 25 sharpness value. Any pointers would be helpful.

Sorry for the slight off topic.

nikoscot · Joined: 23 Jul 2009 Posts: 5

I'll check to see if the camera has such a seting installed. I didn't knew that this is possible.

jeffbanke · Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 11:53 am

I find that Adobe RAW setting of 25 is normally OK, especially since I have the camera sharpening turned off!

For in camera sharpening - Read the manual!
It is on page 57 in the Nikon D70s manual, and listed under optimizing images-image enhancement options!
It is on page 153 of the D300 manual, under Modifying picture controls!

nikoscot · Joined: 23 Jul 2009 Posts: 5

You are right, Jeffbanke. In the setings in the menu, at the Picture Style, there were a "detail set" and there it was : Sharpness and it was at on level 3 (min 0, max 7). I've got a CANON 450D