Stock Library Photographs - What do I need?

[Mad Dave]

Hi All,

Ive signed up to iStockPhoto and want to start submitted photos - but I dont want to give them my best Landscapes (I want them to be a bit more exclusive and so will probably put them with Alamy as rights managed) so I plan to start taking shots like UKBobs - food, household items, that sort of thing. So, what do I need to buy? I have an SB800 with brolley attachment and that works well as a single light but I was thinking ill probably need a bit more than that. Ive been looking at getting a cheap light tent, and possibly directing a halogen light at the back of it to illuminate the back (and thereby hopefully exclude harsh shadows) and using my SB800 with brolley on a tripod as the main light. What do you think chaps? I'd love to sort out a proper full studio outfit but I just dont have the space

Any tips would be much appreciated.

Thanks

Dave

[poah]

really what you want is nice, well lite images. you'll be best bouncing your flash to give the flatest possible light. make sure your colour balance is good and just start snapping away. you';; kind of know yourself what is good and what is not.

[Platinum]

Most of my photos I shoot in my homemade light tent, with a desk lamp either side. Remember to set the white balance.

As well as iStock you could try:

Shutterstock
Dreamstime
Bigstock

In the very short time I have been with SS, I have had the same number of downloads in a day, that I have had from the other two put together in one and a half months...

Edited by Platinum on Sunday 20th August 19:26

[poah]

whats your link to your pics

[Platinum]

poah said:

whats your link to your pics

Clicky

[poah]

I've been trying a few things for bob SS comp. here is my set up for the kitchen.

430ex on stand with brolley
tripod
camera
off camera shoe cable
remote release
Flash meter

[crmcatee]

like the use of the counterbalance

[Mad Dave]

Thanks chaps - its good to know you arent all using full home studio setups Ill have a crack at it with the kit I have

[poah]

I've got proper flashes but not needed for that kind of shot

[Ed_P]

I've been experimenting with a suitable setup for trying stock photographs. I also don't have any special lighting kit and have been trying window light. These four shots were done that way, with a 90mm Macro lens on my 350D. You obviously get some reflection and shadow. The reflection can add some interest to the shot (I think so, but stock agencies may not!) and the shadow can be minimised with white reflector card.






Also, I've yet to submit anything to a stock site, so cannot vouch for this approach! Several stock sites have been mentioned on PH, but surfing around, I see there are two newish sites; PhotographersDirect and LuckyOliver. Anyone had experience of these?

Not to be outdone, I've added a couple of onion shots too!

Edited by Ed_P on Monday 21st August 15:55

[poah]

try using some kitchen foil to bounce light into the shadow areas

[poah]

togsdirect don't allow you to upload images which are already on microsites like istock and SS. it looks not a bad thing if you can take photos that are suitable for the clients that ask for stuff.

[Platinum]

What are your SS sales like stock photographers?

4 sales in 3 days from 8 pictures.

[poah]

got 7 sold. all ass pics LMFAO

Edited by poah on Monday 21st August 19:15

[Ed_P]

Makes my pestle & mortar look a tad uninteresting ...

Although, Lee Frost in his book "Photos That Sell" reports earning over £500 from two pictures of his MR2 and over £100 on a picture of a couple of slices of bread!

Edited by Ed_P on Monday 21st August 19:31