• Global community
    • Language:
      • Deutsch
      • English
      • Español
      • Français
      • Português
  • 日本語コミュニティ
    Dedicated community for Japanese speakers
  • 한국 커뮤니티
    Dedicated community for Korean speakers
Exit
0

Hi, I'd like "How To Fix" feedback on my first submission

Community Beginner ,
Jul 20, 2023 Jul 20, 2023

Copy link to clipboard

Copied

This photo was taken with my Z Fold 3 camera by hand. I'm a complete newbie, but ready to start a new hobby of posting stock photos. I read a couple of articles on editing stock photos before submission. I looked at using Canava free editor, and Adobe Photoshop Express but decided against doing edits, as I had no idea what I was doing. 

I'm looking to buy a new camera. I'm looking for a great online on-demand course. I usually take courses on udemy. Should I complete my photography masterclass before making another submission? 

 

This photo was rejected for quality issues: I'd like to know what the specific quality issues are, and how to fix them going forward.

Thanks for taking the time to respond to this post,

James

 

White Deer.jpg

TOPICS
Contributor critique

Views

319

Translate

Translate

Report

Report
Community guidelines
Be kind and respectful, give credit to the original source of content, and search for duplicates before posting. Learn more
community guidelines

correct answers 3 Correct answers

Community Expert , Jul 20, 2023 Jul 20, 2023

Greetings!

 

The first thing that I noticed was that there appears to be a white hazy blur outlining the animal when viewing at 100% view.  I think the photo could use some sharpening, and the light that is shining through the trees at the top of the frame appear over-processed in some areas.  The light spots at the top of the frame also left the some unnatural looking spots on the trees(artefacts).

 

For this sort of shot with bright sun & forest shots, it may be helpful to avoid the sky.  Ther

...

Votes

Translate

Translate
Community Expert , Jul 20, 2023 Jul 20, 2023

You absolutely need Phothoshop or Lightroom Classic to edit photos.  Not some drawing app aimed at kids.  I mean Photoshop CC, not Photoshop Express.  

 

A basic Photography Plan will cost you $10/month for 12 months and it's worth every penny.  Here's what you get.

  • Photoshop CC and Photoshop on iPad
  • Adobe Camera Raw
  • Lightroom on desktop, mobile and the web
  • Lightroom Classic (desktop)
  • Portfolio website + hosting
  • Adobe Express (free starter plan)
  • Bridge
  • 20 GB cloud storage (upgradable to 1 TB fo
...

Votes

Translate

Translate
Community Expert , Jul 21, 2023 Jul 21, 2023

Hello,

You also need to learn about white balance/colour temperature, and how having a green background can influence white balance-  especially if taken with a white subject!

White balance:
https://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/photography/discover/white-balance.html

Votes

Translate

Translate
Community Expert ,
Jul 20, 2023 Jul 20, 2023

Copy link to clipboard

Copied

Greetings!

 

The first thing that I noticed was that there appears to be a white hazy blur outlining the animal when viewing at 100% view.  I think the photo could use some sharpening, and the light that is shining through the trees at the top of the frame appear over-processed in some areas.  The light spots at the top of the frame also left the some unnatural looking spots on the trees(artefacts).

 

For this sort of shot with bright sun & forest shots, it may be helpful to avoid the sky.  There are several composition techniques for this.  Using a longer focal length would also help, which may or may not be possible with a phone camera.  It's also common for me to clone out those bright areas when I'm processing the image.

 

It will take some experimenting to know whether your phone camera produces results that are adequate for stock, which is partly the limitations of the camera and partly the technique used when shooting + editing.  It's not impossible to get decent results with a smartphone, but there are additional hurdles like having a fixed wide open aperture and a smaller sensor that doesn't handle low light conditions as well.  If you are serious about stock, you may want to consider a dslr at some point.

 

Good luck and welcome to the forums!

 


George F, Fine Art Landscape Photographer

Votes

Translate

Translate

Report

Report
Community guidelines
Be kind and respectful, give credit to the original source of content, and search for duplicates before posting. Learn more
community guidelines
Community Expert ,
Jul 20, 2023 Jul 20, 2023

Copy link to clipboard

Copied

Let me say this: yes, you should take classes.

 

You won't find any asset on stock, that hasn't been edited, and you won't find any picture of a great master photographer that hasn't been edited. It's like driving a car without paint. Even trucks get paint, because it's necessary. 

ABAMBO | Hard- and Software Engineer | Photographer

Votes

Translate

Translate

Report

Report
Community guidelines
Be kind and respectful, give credit to the original source of content, and search for duplicates before posting. Learn more
community guidelines
Community Expert ,
Jul 20, 2023 Jul 20, 2023

Copy link to clipboard

Copied

Creativelive.com is a great source of on demand photography and editing courses from some of the best practitioners and trainers in the business. It's not free though - requires a subscription. 

Jill C., Forum Volunteer

Votes

Translate

Translate

Report

Report
Community guidelines
Be kind and respectful, give credit to the original source of content, and search for duplicates before posting. Learn more
community guidelines
Community Expert ,
Jul 20, 2023 Jul 20, 2023

Copy link to clipboard

Copied

You can also go for linkedIn learning. There is a month free, if I'm correctly informed.

ABAMBO | Hard- and Software Engineer | Photographer

Votes

Translate

Translate

Report

Report
Community guidelines
Be kind and respectful, give credit to the original source of content, and search for duplicates before posting. Learn more
community guidelines
Community Beginner ,
Jul 20, 2023 Jul 20, 2023

Copy link to clipboard

Copied

Hi George,

Thank you for your response. You're right I do need to purchase a DSLR
camera, and I do need to learn about all of the lighting
conditions and settings you mentioned in your reply.

This is all a learning process for me and you've helped me with figure out
my next steps. I'm going to take my time and learn about shooting and
editing, and purchase a better camera before I submit any more photos.
You've been a great help.

Enjoy the rest of your day,

James

Votes

Translate

Translate

Report

Report
Community guidelines
Be kind and respectful, give credit to the original source of content, and search for duplicates before posting. Learn more
community guidelines
Community Expert ,
Jul 21, 2023 Jul 21, 2023

Copy link to clipboard

Copied

My advice: 

  • first learn photography. To start with, any used camera, allowing for raw takes and manual settings will do. Even my old 20D (nearly 20 years old by now) would be good to understand photography. Use all manual settings. You won't be fast to take your pictures, but you will learn a lot. For the first shoots, the raw developer program coming with the camera, will do.
  • then learn editing. Buy a subscription of the Adobe Photography plan (20gB of cloud space) and use Lightroom Classic and Adobe Photoshop for editing. You may use only Photoshop with Adobe Camera Raw, but as you get Lightroom Classic too, you can use that tool for raw developement and Photoshop for additional editing. Adobe has some very nice tutorials for all of there programs for free. 
ABAMBO | Hard- and Software Engineer | Photographer

Votes

Translate

Translate

Report

Report
Community guidelines
Be kind and respectful, give credit to the original source of content, and search for duplicates before posting. Learn more
community guidelines
Community Expert ,
Jul 20, 2023 Jul 20, 2023

Copy link to clipboard

Copied

You absolutely need Phothoshop or Lightroom Classic to edit photos.  Not some drawing app aimed at kids.  I mean Photoshop CC, not Photoshop Express.  

 

A basic Photography Plan will cost you $10/month for 12 months and it's worth every penny.  Here's what you get.

  • Photoshop CC and Photoshop on iPad
  • Adobe Camera Raw
  • Lightroom on desktop, mobile and the web
  • Lightroom Classic (desktop)
  • Portfolio website + hosting
  • Adobe Express (free starter plan)
  • Bridge
  • 20 GB cloud storage (upgradable to 1 TB for $10 extra).
  • Free software updates & upgrades for as long as you subscribe.

https://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/photography.html

You will also need courses in Photoshop & Lightroom as the learning curve is steeper with pro-level software.  But these are the tools that separate amateur snapshots from commercial-ready photography suitable for Stock.

 

Finally. start saving now for a good entry level DSLR camera and lenses (new or used).  What you ultimately buy will depend on your skills as a photographer and your budget.   Mirrorless cameras are nice but they also cost more.  As a beginner, you'll learn your craft just as well with a decent DSLR.

https://www.techradar.com/news/best-entry-level-dslr-camera

 

Hope that helps. 🙂

 

Nancy O'Shea— Product User, Community Expert & Moderator

Votes

Translate

Translate

Report

Report
Community guidelines
Be kind and respectful, give credit to the original source of content, and search for duplicates before posting. Learn more
community guidelines
Community Beginner ,
Jul 20, 2023 Jul 20, 2023

Copy link to clipboard

Copied

Hi Nancy,

I'm greatful for your response. Your suggestions are spot on. I've taken a
class years ago in Photoshop when I was in school. I know there's a steep
learning curve and I was hoping to avoid that by finding something simpler
to make edits to my photos with. You've laid it out great, I need to take a
course on Photoshop and Lightroom. I need to purchase a DSLR camera. I need
to differentiate myself from smartphone amateur to commercial photographer
and that's not going to happen overnight.

Thank you for your straightforward advice,

Have a great evening,

James

Votes

Translate

Translate

Report

Report
Community guidelines
Be kind and respectful, give credit to the original source of content, and search for duplicates before posting. Learn more
community guidelines
Community Expert ,
Jul 22, 2023 Jul 22, 2023

Copy link to clipboard

Copied

LATEST

You're welcome.  Best of luck!  🙂

 

 

Nancy O'Shea— Product User, Community Expert & Moderator

Votes

Translate

Translate

Report

Report
Community guidelines
Be kind and respectful, give credit to the original source of content, and search for duplicates before posting. Learn more
community guidelines
Community Expert ,
Jul 21, 2023 Jul 21, 2023

Copy link to clipboard

Copied

Hello,

You also need to learn about white balance/colour temperature, and how having a green background can influence white balance-  especially if taken with a white subject!

White balance:
https://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/photography/discover/white-balance.html

ï––

Votes

Translate

Translate

Report

Report
Community guidelines
Be kind and respectful, give credit to the original source of content, and search for duplicates before posting. Learn more
community guidelines
Community Beginner ,
Jul 22, 2023 Jul 22, 2023

Copy link to clipboard

Copied

Hi, Thanks Ricky,

I'm putting all of the feedback, tips, and links I'm getting into a
Google Doc. so I can use this as a learning tool.

I appreciate your feedback,

James Munir Perry

Believe you can accomplish great things, and change the outcome of
your life.

Votes

Translate

Translate

Report

Report
Community guidelines
Be kind and respectful, give credit to the original source of content, and search for duplicates before posting. Learn more
community guidelines