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Joined: 15 May 2012 Posts: 4

I understand they may not be the best pics of wildflowers, and may not get approved for "composition" reasons. I mainly just want to make sure that I correctly understand the submission guidelines.

I have a 12MP Nikon S4000, and took a few photos of some wildflowers.

I'm posting a photo, and a 100% crop, but I want to make sure I understand how to do that correctly.

#1
I selected a portion of the photo, and cropped it, and did not resize it as the crop is under 500 pixels on the long side. I want to make sure that I'm not doing it wrong. For instance, should I crop a different portion "for noise" or "the edge...for focus"...or is this ok for that purpose?

#2
Also, I prefer to use freeware/open source image editing software, so will something like Gimp be sufficient?

#3
And of course, is the quality of this 12MP image good enough? It's not an SLR, and has no manual focus- just presets and auto focus. I can, for instance, tap a spot on the screen to have it focus on a single flower for instance, but can't manually adjust the focus. It has 4x optical zoom, and digital zoom as well. Perhaps if I change it from "auto" to the one of the presets for close-ups, landscapes, food it may be better focused, this is just the automatic setting.

#4
Anything else I should know, that might be a problem for me, please feel free to let me know.

Thank you.

hhltdave5 · Posted: Tue May 15, 2012 1:56 pm

With that camera it probably will be difficult to be accepted in Shutterstock. Not impossible but difficult because you have such little control over the camera.

12mp really not that important when it comes to the quality of the image. All it means is that you can get images that have a maximum of 12mp. The main quality of the shot comes with the lens, sensor and the camera as well. You have more than enough size however with that many mp.

Your crop is not a 100% crop. You forgot to zoom in to 100% before you made your crop.

Flowers are not usually recommended for your first ten unless they are really top notch. Some do get accepted but Shutterstock has so many in the database they need to stand out.

copidosoma · Joined: 17 Nov 2009 Posts: 3783 Location: Canada

You got the original image sized to 500 pixels posted correctly, however the 100% crop is not. Basically, what we need is a view of how the image looks zoomed in to 100%. To do that, you zoom in to 100% in whatever image editing software you use then select (crop out) an area less than 500 pixels across. You don't do any image resizing at all for the 100% crop like you did with the main image. Just zoom in and make a bok less than 500 pixels on each side. It is a bit confusing but once you get it you'll never do it wrong again.

Essentially you need to add "zoom in to 100%" before your step #1.

You need to supply a crop of the part(s) of the image that count. i.e. edges or details of the main subject. If it is a person, it would generally be the eyes.

I don't use GIMP but some folks do and I'm sure it will do 95% of what you'll ever need here.

Quality wise, it is probably possible to get photos made with that camera accepted as long as you stay within the limits of what it can do. Realistically, you are severely handicapping yourself. There is a reason why people spend alot of money on quality kit. It really does make a difference.

You are trying to race in the Tour de France with a tricycle. Not impossible but not the best way to approach it.

My best advice would be to go through this forum and read, read, read. Learn from other people's mistakes. Ask questions, practice and learn more. Figure out what "stock" photography is all about. It is really a different animal from most of what is out there.

matthi · Joined: 30 Sep 2010 Posts: 483

Sorry to enter here..but it again might me confusing for the "noobs"

To cut out a piece of 500px of you image there is NO need at all to zoom into it at 100%. Do it whatever zoom you can best see the part you are interested in. You just get the rectangular select tool, dial in 500px as size and the you cut, no matter where your zoom is.

It is automatically and by nature 100%. Always!!

So, just cut out a piece not longer as 500px on any size of your original image and you are done.

1 step...so easy

jhuls · Joined: 02 Jan 2012 Posts: 1046

one thing that was confusing to me and I think confusing to many new submitter is that you only have to have a 100% crop when submitting to this forum. It is so that we can check your work close up. When you submit to the reviewers you will not need a crop because they will have access to the whole full sized image. They can look at any part of the image they wish at 100% magnification we just get to see a tiny part of the image at 100% and do our best to let you know if that part is acceptable.

rinder99 · Posted: Tue May 15, 2012 4:41 pm

The Image Im afraid is flat,Boring and little commercial value. no need for a crop on this one. focus is off and what would a buyer use this for?? Plain and simple...A snapshot.Sorry my friend, just being honest.Also whatever camera you have it would be best to learn it's functions.

Joined: 15 May 2012 Posts: 4

Joined: 15 May 2012 Posts: 4

cpaulfell · Joined: 07 Dec 2011 Posts: 2419

matthi · Joined: 30 Sep 2010 Posts: 483

Joined: 15 May 2012 Posts: 4

rinder99 · Posted: Tue May 15, 2012 7:06 pm

imagesetc · Joined: 15 Sep 2011 Posts: 297 Location: South Europe

Just relax, we all know how you feel right now. You just started best photography school in the world, and trust me, It won`t hurt you. You are lucky to be here, because It`s totally free. That`s truth. It takes couple of months to reach satisfactory level. Well, it depends on your time and effort a lot.
And for the crop instructions...just leave it behind. You will find your way to crop, there are many ways. You just discovered one.
First you have to read A LOT on this forum. At this point, your photography skills are far bellow any criteria, and stock photography is top quality photography. Many people think that stock photo is designed to make pocket money, but people are making serious money here. Some think it is just place where you can make money quickly. But the only thing that happens quickly is that they disappear.
Good luck!

rinder99 · Posted: Thu May 17, 2012 12:19 am

Well said and true.

pfheonixx22 · Joined: 09 May 2010 Posts: 1183 Location: ROMANIA