Shutterstock Photographer Forum :: View topic - Help / Critique Images please? For first 10

hannahrey · Joined: 03 Jan 2012 Posts: 8

Thank you all for the comments! Taking them all into account and re-evaluating my first ten at the moment... Won't include the running woman and the jumping boy in my first ten anymore. Including more of the woman with the white background. I am wondering though if that's a bad idea? Should I make my first 10 as diverse as possible? I really appreciate all the comments, and this is inspiring me to be as meticulous as possible with my photos.

Regarding the eagle and the lizard--I am including them mainly because they were accepted on my first try. Should I remove them now? I'm so confused! This is hard!

ruxpriencdiam · Posted: Fri Apr 06, 2012 10:19 am

smileus · Joined: 07 Oct 2008 Posts: 585

jeffbanke · Posted: Fri Apr 06, 2012 8:14 pm

Hannah, your concepts are very good, composition is very good on some, as the others have stated it is the technical side that is letting you down.
If you did not use a tripod, I highly recommend using one, it slows one down to concentrate on composition and lighting.
NOise seems to be a big problem for you, are you letting the camera make all the decisions for you, if so it is letting you down, and the reason why we recommend switching to manual and reading the operators booklet such that you understand all of the parameters at play and better understand their interaction.

robhainer · Joined: 03 May 2010 Posts: 2743 Location: Dallas, GA, USA

I think the images show some promise, and disagree with some of the things that have been said. The running shot and surfboard shot could possibly be fixed with proper processing, especially if they were shot raw. The runner shot in particular looks oversharpened, either in camera or in processing, creating some blocky looking noise.

I don't think you can use a tripod for action shots. A monopod at most. It would be better to learn proper handholding techniques. Laurin has a video somewhere that does a pretty good job.

Shooting at 400 iso shouldn't be a problem. If a camera can't produce useable stock images at 400 iso, then you need a new camera. Not that you should always shoot there, but when you're shooting action in soft-even light, sometimes you have to go there.

The jumping shot has some composition problems, in my opinion. It's a little confusing with the bridge lines and rocks. I like the composition of the runner and the surfboard. Good healthy concepts. A little work on the technical and processing side, and you'll be in.

jeffbanke · Posted: Sat Apr 07, 2012 12:31 am

Rob is right about the monopod especially if you are competing with other photographers for space :-)

hannahrey · Joined: 03 Jan 2012 Posts: 8

Thank you all for your help! :) Finally made it, and all 10 images were accepted! I didn't submit the ones you advised me not to submit, and it worked! Appreciate all the help from the contributors who take time to comment... Now on to building my stock portfolio...

ruxpriencdiam · Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2012 10:14 pm

Thank you.

Congrats and welcome aboard.

dhogan · Joined: 08 May 2009 Posts: 203 Location: Utah

"But then if it is improper exposure the lighting must be off because exposure is lighting"

Huh? Exposure is time and aperture value: lighting is the given light.