Shutterstock Photographer Forum :: View topic

Katerina Pochepova · Joined: 25 Apr 2012 Posts: 14 Location: Macedonia

Hi everyone,

When I saw the shutterstock site, I put together what I thought where my best photos and submitted, and I was not accepted. But I wasn't surprised, because while I was waiting for the answer I stared reading this great forum, and I wished I found it first before I submitted.
I've been reading ever since and this is my first post and my first photo for critique.

The photo is one of the ones that I submitted and it was rejected for poor lighting, but to my fault, I was playing with filters and I shouldn't have. So I'm submitting the original for critique and advice. I would appreciated all the help I can get.

hhltdave5 · Posted: Thu May 03, 2012 6:54 am

A bit under exposed and framed a bit too tight. I am not sure if there was anything around the Ferris Wheel that prevented pulling back a bit but to me it is a bit too cramped.

When you are dealing with a scene that has a large bright area such as sky, snow, sand etc you need to be very careful with your metering. The bright area can trick the meter into thinking it is brighter than it is then you end up with an under exposed shot. Spot metering on a more mid tone section will give you a good starting point.

Focus looks to be fine.

Katerina Pochepova · Joined: 25 Apr 2012 Posts: 14 Location: Macedonia

I see you point, maybe I should have another look at the other photos from the same subject.

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

The problem of this shot is that it was made in wrong time of the day. The problem is not only with the metering, but also with the harsh lighting which comes from the sun.

Also the background is distracting. See these trees on the background? Try to avoid including them in your shot next time.

Shooting this wheel over nice cloudy day will make your even better.

Also it is a little soft to me. As Dave mentioned, focus is fine, but still can be sharper. I had photographs rejected for focus mainly because the reviewer thought that it should have been sharper.
If I were you, I wouldn't risk for first ten. If you have enough megapixels, you can downsize your image a bit. This helps.

Taras

mattgibson · Joined: 11 Nov 2009 Posts: 601 Location: London

Not a 100% crop to check focus properly

rinder99 · Posted: Thu May 03, 2012 1:25 pm

pharm · Joined: 09 Jul 2006 Posts: 9406 Location: Never quite sure

Katerina Pochepova · Joined: 25 Apr 2012 Posts: 14 Location: Macedonia

Mike Price · Joined: 06 Jun 2008 Posts: 2919 Location: South Wales

That's correct. If it is still bigger than 500px crop again, until it is smaller than 500px. Do not resize.

Mike

semmickphoto · Posted: Thu May 03, 2012 4:35 pm

Longest side needs to be equal or under 500px

pharm · Joined: 09 Jul 2006 Posts: 9406 Location: Never quite sure

Focus is slightly soft (too soft for SS) but those look like genuine 100% crops. You catch on quickly! That means you'll most likely learn the ins and outs and you'll do well. Keep at it.

mauijon · Joined: 02 Mar 2005 Posts: 4282 Location: Maui, Hawaii

The crops look like camera blur--the camera was handheld and needs a tripod.

Katerina Pochepova · Joined: 25 Apr 2012 Posts: 14 Location: Macedonia

Thank you guys for the help, it questioned a lot of things about my approach to photography. I'm thinking of re-shooting this particular scene, if it's stock material.

A question: for future posts about critiquing my work, do I post my photographs in this same topic or do I make a new one?

hhltdave5 · Posted: Fri May 04, 2012 7:19 am