What sells in Microstock isn't always a sure thing. Being successful in Microstock requires attention to market trends, timing, and most importantly an understanding of "purpose".
However, knowing what kind of photo sells is only the first step. You still need to take that photo, and make sure it’s perfect so that micorstock sites such as Photokore will accept it. Here are 5 tips to follow to make sure that your photos get accepted:
Tip #1: PROPERLY ISOLATE THE SUBJECT
The advantage of taking a photo against a solid background is that the subject that you are taking can later be isolated, cut out, and used in a variety of different ways (inserted into a different background, a collage , and more). However, in the example photo, the sheet of paper that the models are sitting on is dirty, whitish in some places and gray in others. This makes it extremely difficult to isolate the models. Make sure that if you take a photo with intentions of the subject being isolated, that the background color is solid.
Tip #2: USE PROPER WHITE BALANCE
Whites should be white, not grey, yellow or blue.
The easiest way to avoid this problem would be to set the white balance on your camera directly before taking the photo. Remember, the white balance changes whenever the lighting changes. If you are working in a studio with constant lighting it shouldn’t be much of a problem, but you should especially pay attention to white balance when you take photos outdoors where weather and time of day cause the lighting to change.
Don’t panic if you forgot to set the white balance and your photo’s colors look awkward, you can also fix the colors by adjusting them in an image editing program (such as Photoshop, for example) .
Tip #3: EVEN SKIN TONE & BLEMISHES
Unless you’re specifically aiming to shoot a photo that could be used to advertise skincare corrective products, clear skin is a must. You can even the skin tone and blemishes using programs like Photoshop.
Tip #4: GET RID OF REFLECTIONS AND GLARES
Reflections and glares, unless used in a meaningful or artistic fashion, are not acceptable, so watch out for reflections in a model's glasses, mirrors or windows, for example. This problem can either be avoided by using a polarizing filter (the easy way), or you can touch up the photo later (might be difficult).
Tip #5: THINK LIKE A DESIGNER
Putting yourself in the shoes of a designer is a must. "How is this photo going to be used?" "If I were to put text on this photo, where would I put it?" "What idea am I trying to convey with this photo?" Asking these kinds of questions before taking your photo will help you avoid making the same kind of errors that were made in this example photo. The more you think like a designer, the more likely your photos will sell.
Here are some examples of great stock photos found on Shadowness:
Our /stock gallery is still quite small. If you want to make your photos or illustrations available as stock material, simply add the tag "stock" to them ;)
Oct 2nd
What sells in Microstock isn't always a sure thing. Being successful in Microstock requires attention to market trends, timing, and most importantly an understanding of "purpose".
However, knowing what kind of photo sells is only the first step. You still need to take that photo, and make sure it’s perfect so that micorstock sites such as Photokore will accept it. Here are 5 tips to follow to make sure that your photos get accepted:
Tip #1: PROPERLY ISOLATE THE SUBJECT
The advantage of taking a photo against a solid background is that the subject that you are taking can later be isolated, cut out, and used in a variety of different ways (inserted into a different background, a collage , and more). However, in the example photo, the sheet of paper that the models are sitting on is dirty, whitish in some places and gray in others. This makes it extremely difficult to isolate the models. Make sure that if you take a photo with intentions of the subject being isolated, that the background color is solid.Tip #2: USE PROPER WHITE BALANCE
Whites should be white, not grey, yellow or blue.The easiest way to avoid this problem would be to set the white balance on your camera directly before taking the photo. Remember, the white balance changes whenever the lighting changes. If you are working in a studio with constant lighting it shouldn’t be much of a problem, but you should especially pay attention to white balance when you take photos outdoors where weather and time of day cause the lighting to change.
Don’t panic if you forgot to set the white balance and your photo’s colors look awkward, you can also fix the colors by adjusting them in an image editing program (such as Photoshop, for example) .
Tip #3: EVEN SKIN TONE & BLEMISHES
Unless you’re specifically aiming to shoot a photo that could be used to advertise skincare corrective products, clear skin is a must. You can even the skin tone and blemishes using programs like Photoshop.Tip #4: GET RID OF REFLECTIONS AND GLARES
Reflections and glares, unless used in a meaningful or artistic fashion, are not acceptable, so watch out for reflections in a model's glasses, mirrors or windows, for example. This problem can either be avoided by using a polarizing filter (the easy way), or you can touch up the photo later (might be difficult).Tip #5: THINK LIKE A DESIGNER
Putting yourself in the shoes of a designer is a must. "How is this photo going to be used?" "If I were to put text on this photo, where would I put it?" "What idea am I trying to convey with this photo?" Asking these kinds of questions before taking your photo will help you avoid making the same kind of errors that were made in this example photo. The more you think like a designer, the more likely your photos will sell.Here are some examples of great stock photos found on Shadowness:
Our /stock gallery is still quite small. If you want to make your photos or illustrations available as stock material, simply add the tag "stock" to them ;) Oct 2nd