General photography related stuff thread

[Jan & PJ]

A week ago I had the amazing experience of watching about 40 Swainson's hawks hunting over our pasture. It is most likely a once in a lifetime experience. I did happen to have my camera with me and got some fairly nice pics.

[WheresMyWhite]

Scruffy, I always like camera shopping when someone else is paying

And very nice photos Jan & PJ

[Jan & PJ]

Thanks WMW!

[WheresMyWhite]

In advance...

If you were interested in selling some of your photos as notecards or calendars or mugs, etc...

Where would you do that?

What concerns would you have with respect to possible releases, tax collection, what didn't I think of?

Bad idea all together??

[WheresMyWhite]

And, for "reward"

These were taken last weekend at the Desert Dog K-9 Trials (for LE dogs if it wasn't obvious).

20160416-DSC_0395-7.jpg (143.67 KiB) Viewed 24397 times

[WheresMyWhite]

A few more

[Racetrackreject]

Great photos! I love the flowers and birds and dogs- a few of my favorite things to photograph.

From Saturday, the flying Glenn. lol


And what it looked like from his end. #lovemygopro There is sound, but no bad words. These guys don't use those words...lol
https://www.facebook.com/johnnie.pierce/videos/10208800059297180/

[WheresMyWhite]

Love the colors in the outfit and flack jacket!

You have a great sense of the "right" photo to capture movement/motion.

[Racetrackreject]

Love the colors in the outfit and flack jacket!

You have a great sense of the "right" photo to capture movement/motion.

Thank you!

I just saw that the new model Nikon D500 that I pre-ordered will be released TOMORROW!!! I just hope that I get into one of the early wave of shipments. If I got it by Friday, I could take it to the show on Saturday, but that's just wishful thinking. I hope that my next post will be- IT'S HERE!! IT'S HERE!! lol

[WheresMyWhite]

Whoo-hooo!!!!!

Keep us posted. Who did you get it through?

[Racetrackreject]

Whoo-hooo!!!!!

Keep us posted. Who did you get it through?

I ordered through B&H after waffling between going through them and Nikon directly. They haven't sent any sort of notification out though, so I'm guessing mine won't be in the shipment tomorrow..lol. The last update I received was a week or so ago saying that it was still on order.

[Jan & PJ]

I'm so excited for you RTR. Looking forward to a full review

[WheresMyWhite]

Just make sure you're home to sign for it!!!

I've started having the pricier stuff delivered to a UPS store so I can go pick it up when it arrives rather than play the signature roulette if I don't get to the store on time.

Whoo-hooo!!!! Come on camera!

[Racetrackreject]

Thanks guys!

I always have everything delivered to my office, so I should be good there, unless UPS starts only coming at lunch time again..lol.

I'm kind of worried though because I read an article that said that B&H had sent out e-mails to everyone that had pre-ordered with ship dates. I have only received an e-mail today saying that the camera was still on backorder, which is the same e-mail I've been getting since the day I pre-ordered. I tried to call B&H, but the shop is closed until Monday because of Passover. I even tried to look up my order on their website, but it just says "on order". I guess I still just have to wait until Monday for an update. Boo!!

[Racetrackreject]

Ack! B&H is actually closed until May 1st, so I probably won't hear anything until at least then. Big boos! I'm trying to head a rookery this weekend for some photos and I really could have used that reach. Oh well.

[WheresMyWhite]

Who knew the camera would be released during Passover

My sympathies...

[Racetrackreject]

Who knew the camera would be released during Passover

My sympathies...

I know right? Oh well, it's not that big of a deal in the grand scheme of things. It's just that patience was not a virtue that I was born with! I'm all about instant gratification. =P

I have some different photos to post from this past weekend, roping stuff, which was interesting because I wasn't sure what to shoot so I shot everything. lol Facebook grabs below

[WheresMyWhite]

I like that middle one

If you were that into instant gratification, you would have marched right out to the local camera store and paid top dollar for it

[Racetrackreject]

I like that middle one

If you were that into instant gratification, you would have marched right out to the local camera store and paid top dollar for it

LOL! This is Texas. The closest store that would have had one is like 3+ hours away...lol. I don't have a day with 6 free hours available for quite a while. =P

thanks! I like the middle one too. I have some calf roping ones to get up as well.

[WheresMyWhite]

But still.... 6 hours is way faster than waiting for Passover

[Racetrackreject]

But still.... 6 hours is way faster than waiting for Passover

Not when it would take 3 weeks before I had a spare 6 hours to drive over! lol. That whole work thing really puts a cramp in my free time.

[Jan & PJ]

RTR, what lens are you using in your roping pics? Amazing photos! No blur on the ropes whatsoever. I'm looking for a new portrait lens (for equine photography). Just tried Nikon 18-300 DX version and it was very soft with my D5500 camera. Still looking :/

[Racetrackreject]

RTR, what lens are you using in your roping pics? Amazing photos! No blur on the ropes whatsoever. I'm looking for a new portrait lens (for equine photography). Just tried Nikon 18-300 DX version and it was very soft with my D5500 camera. Still looking :/

Thanks! I'm using a Nikon 70-200 2.8. It has VR, which I rarely ever use, but having it would be nice for portrait photography. I have a 50 mm (nifty fifty) and 35 mm that I use for portrait work. I mostly use the 35mm on my crop sensor and the 50 on my full frame. I like primes for portraits, but tons of people use the 70-200 2.8 as well.

These were taken with my 50:







And these were taken with a 70-200 2.8 (some with my new one, some with old one):

[WheresMyWhite]

RTR, nice set of photos.

Jan & PJ.

I also have the same Nikon 70-200 f2.4 as well as a nice 58mm f1.4. The 58 has taken some pretty amazing photos (although I don't do portraits). I also have the 105mm which has macro capabilities. A bit "interesting" in the macro area (enlargement is pretty much based on focal length in focus which was a comment I saw often in reviews and now understand ) but it also has taken some nice photos

I *think* the flowers above were with the 105 while the hummer was with the 70-200.

[viscountessleftfield]

RTR, what lens are you using in your roping pics? Amazing photos! No blur on the ropes whatsoever. I'm looking for a new portrait lens (for equine photography). Just tried Nikon 18-300 DX version and it was very soft with my D5500 camera. Still looking :/

The 18-300 is notoriously poor quality.

The 70-200 2.8 or 70-200 f4 would be a better bet. If low light isn't a factor, the F4 is pretty sweet.

[viscountessleftfield]

I'm still shooting but feel like I got run over by a truck.

And, RTR, the 18mm lens had some fogging which turned out to be fungus and it slipped my mind to let you know.

[WheresMyWhite]

VLF sorry to hear you're still feeling a bit rough around the edges

How many days left (in theory???)

My latest hummer photo... (with the 70-200 f2.4)

20160424-DSC_1117-1.jpg (101.59 KiB) Viewed 24238 times

[Suzon]

WMW, RTR, you're starting to make me feel inadquate.

[viscountessleftfield]

WMW I'm 32 weeks today, so 8 weeks. I see my new doc in a week and they may have a plan to take him earlier.

[WheresMyWhite]

Suzon... blush and thank you (and certainly not my intent!!)

VLF, keep us posted. I know you are excited but he sure isn't making it easy on you...

[Jan & PJ]

Thanks! I'm using a Nikon 70-200 2.8. It has VR, which I rarely ever use, but having it would be nice for portrait photography. I have a 50 mm (nifty fifty) and 35 mm that I use for portrait work. I mostly use the 35mm on my crop sensor and the 50 on my full frame. I like primes for portraits, but tons of people use the 70-200 2.8 as well.

RTR, nice set of photos.

Jan & PJ.

I also have the same Nikon 70-200 f2.4 as well as a nice 58mm f1.4. The 58 has taken some pretty amazing photos (although I don't do portraits). I also have the 105mm which has macro capabilities. A bit "interesting" in the macro area (enlargement is pretty much based on focal length in focus which was a comment I saw often in reviews and now understand ) but it also has taken some nice photos

I *think* the flowers above were with the 105 while the hummer was with the 70-200.

Awesome photos and thanks for the information. I sure see why people love their prime lenses. I think I'm going to have to bite the bullet and get that 70-200. Whichever one I can afford

[viscountessleftfield]

Suzon... blush and thank you (and certainly not my intent!!)

VLF, keep us posted. I know you are excited but he sure isn't making it easy on you...

It's been tough, but it'll all be worth it in the end. And, it's easier to say that now that the end is close!

[Racetrackreject]

:D WMW, RTR, you're starting to make me feel inadquate.

Psh, you're like a real pro and I'm a pretend to be pro..lol. Thank you though!

No worries VLF, I know your life has been crazy.

I took these this weekend. It was rainy and overcast and horrible, blah. I haven't really played with them enough to get them looking decent, but I did post a few anyway.

[SnowHorse]

Awesome photos and thanks for the information. I sure see why people love their prime lenses. I think I'm going to have to bite the bullet and get that 70-200. Whichever one I can afford

IKR!

I have serious lens and camera envy here - there's **no way** I could afford a $2K lens or camera. I just had the graphics card on my PC burn out a few weeks ago and I had to ask my husband to get me a new one as an advance b-day present...LOL

But, I try to do the best I can with the "lesser" equipment, and it has to suffice for me and what I do.

[viscountessleftfield]

Unless you guys are out shooting weddings, events, etc... consumer cameras with nice lenses are all you need.

If you start shooting professionally I do have a different opinion - I believe wedding, birth, and 'once in a lifetime' event photographers need a certain standard of equipment with on board backup capabilities. Otherwise, enjoy!

[SnowHorse]

True, I don't shoot weddings, you could never pay me enough to do that


But, my sole income is stock pics (and videos), so the quality has to be there. No noise, sharp, properly exposed, proper composition. So I'm not taking pics solely for the fun of it. However, I also refuse to shoot if it's something I don't enjoy, either - it's just not worth the pain

[Racetrackreject]

True, I don't shoot weddings, you could never pay me enough to do that


But, my sole income is stock pics (and videos), so the quality has to be there. No noise, sharp, properly exposed, proper composition. So I'm not taking pics solely for the fun of it. However, I also refuse to shoot if it's something I don't enjoy, either - it's just not worth the pain

Oh, can you tell us about the stock side of photography? I've been curious about maybe getting into it a bit. Any advice or best places to use?

[viscountessleftfield]

True, I don't shoot weddings, you could never pay me enough to do that


But, my sole income is stock pics (and videos), so the quality has to be there. No noise, sharp, properly exposed, proper composition. So I'm not taking pics solely for the fun of it. However, I also refuse to shoot if it's something I don't enjoy, either - it's just not worth the pain

As long as your final product looks good, who cares WHAT you shoot with.

I'm guessing you don't need equipment that can shoot in dark venues, shoot fast, and deal with all we get thrown at us in a regular wedding day!

[Racetrackreject]

^^^^ What VLF said!


So, I was finally able to get in touch with B&H. They've sent out all of the cameras that they received and do not know when they will receive more. They said they are at the mercy of Nikon and could get multiple shipments within a week or not get another for a month or more...... OFF WITH THEIR HEADS!!!

The CS rep did say that he thought my camera would go out in the next batch of cameras received, due to my purchase date, but without knowing how many they will receive in a shipment or when that shipment may appear, he really couldn't help me.

Sad, sad day....lol

[WheresMyWhite]

But, my sole income is stock pics (and videos), so the quality has to be there. No noise, sharp, properly exposed, proper composition. So I'm not taking pics solely for the fun of it. However, I also refuse to shoot if it's something I don't enjoy, either - it's just not worth the pain

Oh, can you tell us about the stock side of photography? I've been curious about maybe getting into it a bit. Any advice or best places to use?

I'd be interested as well in your stock photo experience(s)

Where do you sell them??? FineArtAmerica or somewhere else? Can you really make $$ doing this with all the photographer wanna-be's out there? How do you market your photos???

I as well... no weddings (even if I was more abled)

[Jan & PJ]

I do some outdoor equine portrait photography and really want those nice quality photographs. I had a fairly inexpensive 200mm zoom lens that was working for me but left it in the rain one day. I may just get another one to replace it but have really wanted that 70-200 for a long time and think it would make a great portrait and wildlife lens.

I too would be interested in the stock photo info and how you market those.

[viscountessleftfield]

^^^^ What VLF said!


So, I was finally able to get in touch with B&H. They've sent out all of the cameras that they received and do not know when they will receive more. They said they are at the mercy of Nikon and could get multiple shipments within a week or not get another for a month or more...... OFF WITH THEIR HEADS!!!

The CS rep did say that he thought my camera would go out in the next batch of cameras received, due to my purchase date, but without knowing how many they will receive in a shipment or when that shipment may appear, he really couldn't help me.

Sad, sad day....lol

If you can cancel your order, I believe Dodd Cleveland still has some and will ship to you. Their pricing is usually in line with B&H.

[Racetrackreject]

Jan and PJ, those are great!!!

If you can cancel your order, I believe Dodd Cleveland still has some and will ship to you. Their pricing is usually in line with B&H.

I contacted them, but they were out already. Thanks though! They said they would contact me when they received the next shipment in case I had not received my other one yet.

[viscountessleftfield]

Jan and PJ, those are great!!!

If you can cancel your order, I believe Dodd Cleveland still has some and will ship to you. Their pricing is usually in line with B&H.

I contacted them, but they were out already. Thanks though! They said they would contact me when they received the next shipment in case I had not received my other one yet.

That sucks! They just posted about them coming in on Facebook!

[WheresMyWhite]

Sounds like those hot commodities are selling fast!!!

[Racetrackreject]

Yeppers! The reviews that I have seen have been wonderful, except for one guy who said it was basically the same as a 7100-7200. The next 50 reviews basically called that guy an idiot who must not even own a camera...lol.

I want my camera now!! *throws self on floor and kicks and screams*

I'm going to e-mail Nikon and see what I get. It probably won't amount to anything, but who knows, it's worth a shot. lol

[WheresMyWhite]

I want my camera now!! *throws self on floor and kicks and screams*

This post is worthless without pictures or, better yet, video

Having to wait after reading positive reviews must be so hard...

[SnowHorse]

What one makes in stock depends completely on the quality of work you put in.

Some people submit 1000s upon 1000s of pics, yet make next to nothing. Some other people submit absolute quality (think images in very high end publications and such), and even with a portfolio of mere 100s of pics they make good money.

All stock image agencies have their very own quality control systems, and the requirements vary accordingly. Some are very hard, some are easy. Some, you get a small sale once in a blue moon, some, you get a steady flow of them.

In a bigger scheme of things, most pics go to websites, and are purchased at lower resolutions, which means you get PENNIES per sale. That's right, not dollars, but pennies. Starting out, it's usually in the 20-25 cents per sale. Of course there are some bigger sales, and on some sites you can make even a couple of hundred per sale, BUT those sales are few and far in between. A $30 or so sale is, in general, a lucky strike, and anything beyond that is more like a major jackpot in terms of luck.


The typical way to start in stock is just to sign up and submit your pics for the agency's review - most have a process where they check them out, and if they meet their quality requirements, you're in. Then, every time you submit images they get reviewed - some get approved, some rejected, depending on how well or badly you did your job.



Quality requirements are usually as follows -

your images will be inspected at 100% size, and they typically have a minimum size (megapixels, which is *not* the same as size in MB, but width X height in pixels)

Focus - at 100%, the image has to be in focus at the important part of the image - for people and animals, that's the eyes, for flowers, typically the center / stamen

Narrow DOF is a gamble - it may be OK if it's done well, otherwise you may be wasting your time

Composition - the pic has to have a good composition. Typically, rule of thirds is your friend. Don't crowd anything too close to the edge.

Noise - typically most agencies frown on noise - some are more lenient about it. Noise is caused by underexposure.

Blown highlights - you don't want them! Nor do you want deep shadows where no detail is available, UNLESS it completes the image somehow (silhouettes, for example).

Chromatic Aberration - fix it in PS

dust spots -remove in PS

Anything that has a trademark / copyright can't be used, or the identifying feature has to be edited out. For editorial shots, it has no relevance.

Model releases for people, always. If they can recognize themselves, you need a release.

Property releases for property - there is also a long list of things / places that are restricted for commercial use. Event photography requires credentials.

Also, do NOT try to sell same images as Rights Managed and Royalty Free, that'll land you in hot water. Typically what agencies sell are RF, but there are some exceptions. Keep your ducks in row.


agencies:

iStock.com (easy to get in nowadays, they had a fallout years ago and they take anything, used to be hard)

Fotolia.com (soaring nowadays due to adobe buying them)

Bigstockphoto.com (owned by Shutterstock)

depositphotos.com

dreamstime.com (you can choose to sell the rights, but then you have to remove the same images from other places)

Alamy.com (easy, has RM and RF, be careful)

shutterstock.com (usually the best for sales, but has stricter quality requirements)

..and some others I don't remember.


Fineartamerica.com isn't much good for most people. I wouldn't sell images as stock there, only as prints.


You can sell the same pics at all these places provided you remember the RF rules.


Any additional marketing is up to you. If your images get approved, they're for sale.


I'll add more if I think of something else.

[Racetrackreject]

I want my camera now!! *throws self on floor and kicks and screams*

This post is worthless without pictures or, better yet, video

Having to wait after reading positive reviews must be so hard...

I was alone, so alas, no hard evidence of said tantrum..lol.

I did find this review with some 12000+ ISO photos from the D500 vs the 810, and some other information. The high ISO photos have given me giggle fits...lol.

https://photographylife.com/the-nikon-d ... iso-photos


OOOh, interesting Snowhorse! I'm sure I'll have specific questions, let me think. What about Getty Images? I think I have a invitation thing from them in my e-mail, I'll have to check, but it seems I saw one not long ago.

[SnowHorse]

RTR - iStock is owned by Getty.

I've never been impressed by iStock - their image submission system has always been cumbersome, and then some years ago they tried to pull the carpet out from under people's feet and a lot of their exclusive contributors quit there. I only had a handful of pics there then (due to the cumbersome system, I didn't want to waste my time on it), and I deleted most of those. I left half a handful of crappy pics there...LOL

That said - I've never looked at the "Getty" side of it - or if there is one, not sure how that works - simply, not interested --- but, I'm not saying you should not try if you think it's worth it.




A few other things that came to my mind while I was pulling weeds out of my flowerbed ---

Commercial Value -- obscure images that have to be explained won't fly. Low commercial value is a thing, and you don't want to submit such images.

Your best bet is always a clear image that either has a concept that's easy to see, or tells a story. Back in the day my personal reminder for stock was "clinically clean, and pristine" - be careful with your backgrounds and subjects, don't have anything in the frame that doesn't belong there, or doesn't support the subject. Frame it right so you don't need to clean it up and waste a lot of time on it.


Ego - check it at the door.
You will get rejections, and you can learn lots from them - explaining them your way doesn't do any good. Embrace rejections, lose that ego. All of it, LOL!


Artsy stuff -- not really for stock -- REALLY!!!! -- aim for less artsy, especially at first when you're learning the ropes. Just make clean images. You have time to experiment with artsy after you know how it all works and how to implement it while keeping up to the quality standards.


Hard part usually for new people is keywording. You have to come up with LOTS of relevant keywords that help the buyer find your pics. NO keyword spamming, i.e, using keywords that are not directly in the image - it's a big no no. There are keywording tools available, but even using them, you have to read them through and make sure you're not adding irrelevant words.
Keywording = your marketing!



I've been doing this for about 6 years now, so I have a slight idea how it works

If nothing else, stock CAN improve your technical skills. If you gain the skills then you can use them in your advantage where ever you need - more technical skills and precision is always a plus.