VatiKaki Photography
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Starting to stock

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Post by WaywardChild 7th May 2010, 08:55

Hi Nico,

I'll keep to English, as I assume most users are. Smile

I'm ready to start doing stock photography, but where do I start?
I think you know the basic outlay of our studio here in Robertson, so can I work from there? What improvements do I need to make? Should I try to fashion a light table of some sort? I just don't know where to begin (or what to shoot, frankly). I'm pretty sure that once I get started I could keep going and start making some $$$! I need to get working quickly, I have to save for my Amsterdam trip (my Visa appointment is in 1 month O_o )

Any advice would be appreciated.

Marlé

WaywardChild

Posts : 2
Join date : 2010-05-07

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Post by VatiKaki 16th May 2010, 11:59

Hi Marlé,

Sorry I've been bad checking the forum lately... Starting to stock Icon_redface

Stock photography is a bit of a monster to tackle. A light table will not help, but the studio can be handy. Deciding what to shoot for stock is up to you. Anything sells - it depends on the need of the designer. If you want to make 'quick' money, try robbing a bank rather. Microstock is slow, steady income, and income depends on the size and quality of your portfolio.

My advice would be to see what is happening in the world. An upcoming holiday (Easter, halloween, Christmas) or event (world cup football Starting to stock Icon_wink ) is usually a good starting point. Don't spend money to take pictures. Use your friends as models (remember to get model releases!). Go to the various stock sites and have a look at top-50 or 100 sellers, and copy them. Remember, your images will have to be better than the ones you see on the stock sites, or they will not sell.

Use a tripod! Your images must be tack-sharp and perfectly exposed, but not over-sharpened or overworked in Photoshop. Get the compositions right (use rule of thirds & leading lines whenever you can), but try not to crop because you want the image to have as many pixels as possible when you upload.

Shoot in RAW - this way you can post process with minimum quality loss. Make sure you view the image on a second computer if you don't have two screens on your main. You must be sure that there are no weird colour casts (i.e. white balance), or the image will be rejected.

Send me some images in full size jpeg before you upload anything! I will give you an opinion. If you fail on the first try with Shutterstock, you have to wait one month before you can try again.

Last but not least - please use the links on my website when you register Starting to stock Icon_rolleyes

Write to me on vatikaki1@gmail.com. Also use that to send your images for me to look at. Send one image per email.

Nico

VatiKaki

Posts : 19
Join date : 2008-10-09

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Post by WaywardChild 25th May 2010, 10:13

Hi Nico

Thanks so much for your reply. I have been in a non-photographic mood lately, but just got my new flash, so hopefully inspiration wil strike. Thanks for the advice, will try to get the ideas flowing!

WaywardChild

Posts : 2
Join date : 2010-05-07

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