Shutterstock Photographer Forum :: View topic

Cat Morgan Photography · Joined: 23 Jul 2012 Posts: 6

I'm just starting out as a hobbyist -- my day job is teaching and I'm thinking that photography may be a good side income :) I don't have 10 portfolio-worthy shots yet to try to get in, but I'd like some advice on my first few so that I can get my feet wet and not waste a lot of time. I took this one walking around over the weekend, it was just a truck parked on the road... how does that work with releases? I like to shoot cars and nature-ish stuff so far, and that's really confusing.

I have modeled in the past, so I'm familiar with how it works for people, but not so sure on objects :)

FYI, I'm shooting with a Canon Rebel 300D and using GIMP for post

Thank you so much! [/img]

hhltdave5 · Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2012 4:18 pm

Shutterstock is one of the sites that will no longer take images of vehicles unless they are submitted as editorial and have a newsworthy basis to them.

Stock sites are pretty picky when it comes to things that may be copyright or trademark protected and usuall err on the side of caution.

I suggest reading these areas that are found in Shutterbuzz.

http://www.shutterstock.com/buzz/legal/stock-photo-restrictions

http://www.shutterstock.com/buzz/shutterstock-property-release-policy

http://www.shutterstock.com/buzz/legal/stock-image-releases

http://www.shutterstock.com/buzz/creating-the-perfect-editorial-caption

The image you showed would have been rejected for copyright. Also the sunflower in the foreground is very distracting and it could also be rejected for composition. It is also a touch under exposed so you would have a lighting problem as well.

Looking forward to seeing more of your work so we can help out in getting you accepted.

semmickphoto · Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2012 4:21 pm

People images will work, or stick to the nature-ish stuff, but make sure the photos have commercial value and are technically sound. In focus, correct exposure and good composition.

And the photo needs to sell a concept, idea, product or service.

ruxpriencdiam · Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2012 4:42 pm

Also it is underexposed and needs to be exposed properly to help get rid of the noise.

As a thumb it is lost in darkness.

Maybe more like this?

Which of course would look better if exposed correctly.

Cat Morgan Photography · Joined: 23 Jul 2012 Posts: 6

It WAS taken on a cloudy day :) I'm never sure how much post is too much ... I don't want my pics to look fake :) Going on a photo walk maybe tomorrow if it cools off. I live out in the Middle Of Nowhere so nature is EVERYWHERE!

Thanks for the ideas and links! I'll post again when I get something betterish ...

ruxpriencdiam · Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2012 5:04 pm

Cloudy days are great for shooting.

rinder99 · Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2012 6:55 pm

"I don't want my pics to look fake :)"

Look at the top 50...LOL nowdays Photoshop Plays a very Important role in success or failure.Composites mostly.

rinder99 · Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2012 6:55 pm

hhltdave5 · Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2012 6:58 pm

Cat Morgan Photography · Joined: 23 Jul 2012 Posts: 6

Okay what did you do in what program to make it pop like that .. I've spent the last 2 hours playing with the pic to replicate the fix and it's not happening ... Right now I'm using GIMP which is the GNU version of Photoshop and seems to do everything PS does and doesn't require me to give Adobe a pile of money...

..aaand I'm stumped :)

markrhiggins · Joined: 28 Jan 2008 Posts: 2011 Location: Australia

adjust your levels and curves as a starting point

kenny123 · Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2012 9:41 pm

ctrl+J
image>adjustments>shadows/highlights:

shadows-

amount 50%
tonal width 45%
radius 40 pxls

highlights-

amount 85%
tonal width75%
radius 1120 pxls

Ctrl+j-drag layer to top
blend mode>soft light
flatten layers

image>adjustments>hue/saturation

Hue 5
saturation 20