Author Topic: Help with Trying to get Accepted Istock 2nd attempt rejected reason, composition (Read 3853 times)

marceloaft · « **on:** March 17, 2012, 22:32 »

First thank you all who spent time reading and replying to my first post and also this one, it's really important to me (and surely others) that we can have this help. Thanks a lot!!

this was my second attempt to enter Istock.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/67370988/IMG_1651.JPG
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http://dl.dropbox.com/u/67370988/IMG_3618.JPG
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http://dl.dropbox.com/u/67370988/IMG_3719.jpg
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Reason given to the rejection was composition.

Any thoughts how I can improve any of those if should I use any of them?

Cheers
Marcelo Tropea

click_click · « **Reply #1 on:** March 17, 2012, 22:41 »

Don't submit any of these!

The first one is plain boring and lifeless - despite the many people that are in the image.
I understand that shooting against the sun has it challenges but you barely have any colors going on here. Shooting against the sun is just making it worse/harder. The over sharpness is well, not there - the image is terribly soft. There is not real concept to grasp. What kind of product or service could this image promote? Think about that.

The second image... I can't even really see what you photographed? Spices, seeds? Remember in stock photography the viewer has to understand the photo's content instantly! I had to look 3 times before I could start thinking what the subject is. Also not in focus.

Never ever submit an image of a seagull as an application photo. It's nothing special, the subject is dead center there is noting exciting going on. The seagull is completely out of focus. You need to submit sharp images!!!

I suggest you should take a step back and not worry about applying to iStock right now! First work on your skills in terms of proper focusing to get sharp images! After that work on composition.

Send us more pictures when your quality has improved, then we can guide you towards an iStock application but you're not quite there yet!

Sorry to be so blunt, but the best way is to take the bull by the horns and wrestle him down (is that actually a saying? - lol). I'm sure if you are determined, you will learn and improve to get into iStock but it does require some practice! Good luck!

EDIT: Sorry, I just read that these were your second attempt images. I hope the feedback helped you though.

ShadySue · « **Reply #2 on:** March 18, 2012, 05:19 »

You've been the victim of a lazy reviewer - composition isn't the issue. Like click-click said, it's focus, on all of them.
I disagree that you shouldn't, in principle, submit a 'seagull' (ouch!) as a submission image - but it would need to be sharp and in focus.
Spend time on perfecting your basic techniques before submitting again, and maybe post here before uploading to iStock.

Difydave · « **Reply #3 on:** March 18, 2012, 06:37 »

Three shots, three different types of subject. Good composition, lighting (natural or artificial) exposure and focus. Show that you know how to use the equipment to get the best results from it.

If it was me I'd avoid anything that might be "difficult" like the things you have here, backlit subjects, extremely shallow DOF, or fast moving subjects unless you really are an expert at taking them.

Turn off all in camera processing like sharpening, de noising, or other "improvements". Use single point focus, and use spot metering on the subject. (I see you're already doing most of this.)

Get the exposure right in the camera, (expose "to the right") and don't rely on post processing to "save" under exposed images.

Post back here when you have some more images. Good luck!

cobalt · « **Reply #4 on:** March 18, 2012, 06:51 »

Have you considered taking a class in studio lighting? Among other things the reviewers want to see the level of your technical skill. A photographer is a master of light, you should be able to handle strobes and set up a shot in a studio environment.

So my suggestion would be to include at least one very good image that was done with professional lighting.

The other thing when looking at your pictures - you are shooting stock to make money, right?

Well what customers where you shooting for? Who were you expecting to download those images 1000 times?

There is a big difference between shooting for yourself and having fun and shooting for money.

Maybe take a timeout, improve your skills, create new images and suprise the reviewers with something of very high quality. Something so good and exciting they simply cannot turn you down.

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Author Topic: Help with Trying to get Accepted Istock 2nd attempt rejected reason, composition (Read 3853 times)

marceloaft

click_click

ShadySue

Difydave

cobalt

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