Shutterstock Photographer Forum :: View topic - Critique please -- Still new to stock photography

DangerJacobs · Joined: 24 Mar 2005 Posts: 29

Hi all!

I'm still pretty new to the whole stock photo game and am enjoying the experience so far. As I've stated previously, I think the business model is great!

This question is for designers and photogs alike:
Can you take a quick gander at my shutterstock portfolio thus far and provide some feedback and constructive criticism?

http://www.shutterstock.com/gallery.mhtml?id=5864

Most of my work tends to be urban related as I live and work in New York City... but will this do well in the long run? I've had a reasonable amount of success (26 downloads) in the three weeks or so I've been on here, but would love some suggestions!

Thanks so much!
-Danger.

Forgiss · Posted: Mon Apr 18, 2005 10:12 am

Some of your images are VERY nice, I am sure you'll get some DL's from them!

I would like to suggest spreading your photos a bit though... start looking for images you previously wouldn't take... A good spread of images ensures consistent downloads, instead of spurious peaks.

hope that helps...

stockphotoblogger · Joined: 22 Nov 2004 Posts: 82 Location: Canada

Id suggest you do more images like the ones with simpler backgrounds, as the main subject of the image makes a stronger statement that way.

try composing your shots so that the backgrounds get blown out abit either with depth of field or atmospheric fuzzieness. I think this way your images would become more specific.

you're in an amazing location to get some pretty wild images keep in mind what the image will look like on a page with text in a space, or as a background.

Maybe refresh your theory on the rule of thirds. and try pushing yourself to take many pictures of one subject from different vantage points.

just my two cents

DangerJacobs · Joined: 24 Mar 2005 Posts: 29

Forgiss, Thanks for the reply! Can you clarify as to what you mean by "spreading" my photos?

Stockphotoblogger, thanks as well! I love this city! I never want to be without my camera because I'm always afraid I'll miss something. I can't tell you how many street parades, marches, sights, etc. Ive stumbled upon and thought "WHY DONT I HAVE MY CAMERA?!!!"

THANKS!
-Danger.

Forgiss · Posted: Sat Apr 23, 2005 3:54 am

Hey Danger!

Two things:

being in the "city" as you call it, you might want to invest in a small highres point and shoot (like a Canon G6, 7.1mp) that you can grab shots with instead of lugging your whole kit arround (sometimes I go back and shoot a subject with different lenses, should it be possible)

Then, on spreading your photos:

I am a commercial photographer that shoot on assignment (pack shots, locations, fashion and weddings). I had to change my mindset when I started shooting stock, because I have thousands of images for wedding "stock" but then you only get sales when people look for wedding images.

By spreading your images, I mean that you should take shots that is not "ussually" part of your portfolio, some wildlife, some office objects, some people, some editorial, some food shots, some sports, some household, etc, etc, etc, so that on any given day that a designer is looking for images, some of your images are in the category that they are browsing in... in that way your sales will become more stable.

I am currently busy with a 6,000 shot project. I have identified 60 main categories at stock libraries and I am currently shooting to get a 100 images in every category... It will take some time, but it is a great base to work from!

I hope that answers your question?

Sean

DangerJacobs · Joined: 24 Mar 2005 Posts: 29

Sean,

Funny you should mention the purchase of a small p&s camera -- I've been comtemplating that for awhile (and saving some funds!)

Thanks for the detailed spreading explaination. I guess I still fall into that category of photographer who never really shoots stock, but has a few images every so often that would make usable stock. Shutterstock and other sites like it have made me rethink some of my shoots though, as I find myself looking at things and saying "would that make a good stock shot?" On the weekends I like to just hop on the subway, get of at a random stop, and walk around. Some days though, I just need to say "nothing I shoot today is for shutterstock, I just want to create some creative 'artsy' stuff."

Thanks again~
-Danger.

Forgiss · Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2005 3:37 am

Funny you should say that!

I started shooting stock because I was tired of always shooting somebody else's ideas!

Stock made me look at objects and situations in a new way. Different strokes for different blokes, eh?!

DangerJacobs · Joined: 24 Mar 2005 Posts: 29

I love that word -- bloke!

I do this for fun, not for profit! Now excuse me, I'm feeling the need to smack my neighbor upstairs who's being terribly noisy!

-Danger

DangerJacobs · Joined: 24 Mar 2005 Posts: 29

....oh yeah, And I love your gas stove photo. So simple, yet so good!

ChrisPoliquin · Joined: 21 Jan 2005 Posts: 169

I like your images that juxtapose nature with the city. You have access to a great environment, you need to take advantage of your surroundings and photograph everything people think of when they think New York.

I don't see the Empire State Building or the Statue of Liberty. Subways, taxis, traffic, and the beautiful nighttime skyline are missing as well. If you need help I recommend looking at travel guides and brochures, they might give you ideas for stock.

Forgiss · Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2005 5:47 am

Correct me if I'm wrong, but subways is a big no-no! The last time I tried to take pictures of a subway, I was almost arrested!!

ragnarawk · Joined: 21 Feb 2005 Posts: 247 Location: Toronto

In Toronto there isn't any security in the subways, so I would guess it's legal to take pictures there, at least. You just have to get the releases if you want them, that's all.

Maybe New York is different, though, 'cause it is recognizable. Maybe they want you to pay before you can take a picture...??

Nomar · Joined: 24 Apr 2005 Posts: 7 Location: chicago

I'd like to know which of the reveiwers you are sleeping with. LOL. I am surprised at some of the shots you have accepted. I never would have thought the night cab(my favorite) image you have would been accepted here. As a thumb it looks like you would have gotten the the 'blurry' reject comment. If you don't have Photoshop I'd say you should get it. You can take longtime exposure shots and then add the cab to them later and fake the motion blur of it but still retain alot more detail. It's pretty easy to do and can give you more options, for instance you can do the same effect with a sports car and then use the same background for a cab or a different colored cab. Keep some stock photos in your hard drive that you can mix and match and get creative with it, you can end up with more DLs that way.

Yes you can do more of the 'isolated shots' but I say just get more city shots and make that your style. I live in a big city too and for my personal photography I got myself a wide angle attachment and I love it because you can capture more of the city in a single frame. Just make sure to watch out for lense distortion.

DangerJacobs · Joined: 24 Mar 2005 Posts: 29

DangerJacobs · Joined: 24 Mar 2005 Posts: 29