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evetodew · Joined: 24 Feb 2012 Posts: 139 Location: Sweden

Well, I said before, I'm new. And yet, I took photos with point-and-shoot camera and people had thought I took these pics with a professional camera. Right now, I'm in a totally new world of entirely Manual mode (no more auto) and things change drastically with that (for me). The photo I uploaded here is one of a huge series with children playing etc in that same place, focusing on different things and so on. This one was my favourite, some people liked it, others didn't. I'm no master at photography and haven't gone to photography class and so on. Don't judge me too hard because that feels like I'm totally useless and doesn't motivate me a lot. Critique also should have its limit, so that you don't become over-criticizing :) It's a thin line.
The only thing I have to learn is to know what other people like, because the things I like are so different. And I don't judge anyone for liking my photos or not, or that only a few like mine. I just want to find what's that subtle thing that captures 70-80% of all viewers. That's a mystery for me, although I think I'm getting some things. I'm very much into psychology and I'm trying to answer these questions thought psychological perspective (as well as art, stock, or whatever comes to mind).

ruxpriencdiam · Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2012 6:12 am

semmickphoto · Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2012 6:38 am

hhltdave5 · Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2012 7:02 am

evetodew · Joined: 24 Feb 2012 Posts: 139 Location: Sweden

I didn't mean that you have to flatter me when I don't deserve it, or course! Otherwise, criticism or not, I want to improve. I like the competition, since I'm competitive by nature and don't give up that easy :)

I'll wait for the answers, semmickphoto :) I'm not ina rush.

The last article, yes, I think I came across it some time soon and along with other articles, they've been good advice. Yet, when I read I think to myself 'Damn, I can do that, why not'. And when I go and do the thing - oups, something got wrong here, there. etc...

In the following vacation (Easter) I'll do more and try to actually IMPROVE really this time! I've been trying, but obviously not hard enough.

I have constantly in my mind the idea of 'sell, promote ideas, concepts, products'. I even wrote it here on a sticky paper to remind me of my goal.

digigandalf · Joined: 11 Jun 2005 Posts: 5416 Location: Twinsburg, OH

semmickphoto · Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2012 10:26 am

+1 that makes a lot of sense, again.

rinder99 · Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2012 11:04 am

I've said this a 1000 times. Shoot what turns "YOU" on that is the only way in hell your going to be unique and stand out from the 220,000 others here. You start shooting what you think will sell, Your gonna get stuck very quickly, You get discouraged and give up. I've seen it happen 1,000's of times. Shoot what makes YOU happy BUT...... Whatever you do shoot, it has to be technically Perfect. Anyone with a camera can shoot a stop sign,A mountain,A river. it is those that see things differently are the ones buyers look for simply because the more common you are,The more competition there is.This business is One thing, it is "Commercial" Photography first and foremost.And is for sure not for everyone because they happen to own a camera.

Example.. Years ago a client handed me a Standard Office stapler and said "Make it look Sexy" It took 3 weeks but I pulled it off somehow, I have shot Fashion,Glamour,Architecture,Landscapes,Insects,wildlife,Products and just about every other type of thing you could Imagine , I shot for Maytag for years doing Dishwashers. Not very sexy work But, It's what I do and I know how to do it.Learn the technique of at least the basics of composition,DOF,Exposure and how to control The light. If ya don't do the work, Im afraid you and many others are gonna struggle a long time.

Tack sharp,No Noise,Clean and clear Images with instant appeal that conveys a Idea,A story with High commercial value and even then there are no Guarantees of any kind it will sell with thousands of others That can do it better or simpler.It shouldn't be work, it should be natural and Simply what you do.If you force it, It just won't work. And....Nowdays good to great Processing skills are a MUST Have.

It's a very long Journey, I've been a working Photographer since the middle 60's and been shooting since the Late 50's.For me everyday is a different subject. Today is location stills for Movie and TV set decorators.Tomorrow a Actor headshot.I only get around to shooting stock maybe once or twice a month to upload 2/3 hundred. it's a job and if your not serious about it. your wasting Time so...Good Luck. Go shoot and I mean go shoot a lot. Normal day for me is 1200 or so.

copidosoma · Joined: 17 Nov 2009 Posts: 3793 Location: Canada

hhltdave5 · Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2012 12:54 pm

Chris said it well. One of my best selling shots is a field of lettuce. Laurin and I were on a road trip and we saw a lettuce field. We both got out, he took a shot and I went further so I could get a different perspective and one shot later wham! Had a shot that has made me quite a bit of money. This is as only as hard as you make it.

rinder99 · Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2012 7:13 pm

"This is as only as hard as you make it."

Great line.

rinder99 · Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2012 7:40 pm

You said.."I'm very much into psychology and I'm trying to answer these questions thought psychological perspective (as well as art, stock, or whatever comes to mind)." Thats good...Use that.my mentor taught me that also to use psychology on the viewer to trick them into looking where I want them to and thats a composition thing and perspective tricks and can be done on most Images.Even very simple ones that force people to look even if it makes them uncomfortable. The more uncomfortable the better. what do you see in these 3 Images of Mine.Pain,Pleasure,trust,sorrow,happiness,fear,uneasy,comfort,anxiety,confidence,hate,love and so many more. I see all of them,All you need is one to grab the attention of a viewer or Buyer.
Dave does it in his food work also, Just in a different way.You can't define it , It just is.Use the psychology to create. we can do very powerful things with a camera,We can transport people somewhere else.Think about it.

rinder99 · Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2012 7:43 pm

3 more to ponder and I gotta go do my work.

robhainer · Joined: 03 May 2010 Posts: 2749 Location: Dallas, GA, USA

All Laurin's portraits tell a unique story, or even more than one. That's why the work for me.