In need of
Dec 11, 2011 23:16:11 #
In need of advise, honest opinion, of what I might be doing wrong. I love sports photography. How can I improve my shoots, or even my sales?
If you find the time please check out my site and let me know. If need be, be Ugly/Honest, all I ask for is the truth. I can handle it!
www.shutterbugrainey.com
If you find the time please check out my site and let me know. If need be, be Ugly/Honest, all I ask for is the truth. I can handle it!
www.shutterbugrainey.com
Dec 11, 2011 23:27:27 #
Well....do YOU think you need improvement ? I looked at a lot of your shots....the only ones I wasn't crazy about were the recent shots of the cheer leaders....they looked a little under exposed and kind of bland in the color....the rest of your shots look good....colorful, nice at catching the action ! Maybe someone else will have different thoughts !
Actually, I just went to look again....only shots #21-25 of the cheer leaders didn't agree with me ! Looks like you tried to do something different with those!
Actually, I just went to look again....only shots #21-25 of the cheer leaders didn't agree with me ! Looks like you tried to do something different with those!
Dec 11, 2011 23:33:37 #
nyweb2001 wrote:
Well....do YOU think you need improvement ? I look... (show quote)
Thank you!!
I agree on the cheerlearders, bland. I'll keep trying!
Dec 11, 2011 23:40:20 #
Your rodeo shots capture the action fine ! Tractor pulls were a little dark...night shots like that are the toughest....how fast of a lens are you using there ?
Dec 12, 2011 00:00:49 #
nyweb2001 wrote:
Your rodeo shots capture the action fine ! Tractor pulls were a little dark...night shots like that are the toughest....how fast of a lens are you using there ?
Tractor pulls I used a 50mm f/1.8
the rest I used a 55-250mm
Dec 12, 2011 00:04:12 #
Well the "plastic fantastic" should be fast enough....it's just tough when you're that far away with low lighting !
Dec 12, 2011 00:14:07 #
I don't see anything consistently lacking...are you feeling dissatisfied with your work? If you are, it will effect your sales. To sell your work you need to be excited about it and CONFIDENT in the quality of it.
Your work looks good to me, not 100% of it, but no one person will ever like 100% of anything!
Keep on keepin' on, buddy, you're on the right track!
Your work looks good to me, not 100% of it, but no one person will ever like 100% of anything!
Keep on keepin' on, buddy, you're on the right track!
Dec 12, 2011 08:41:48 #
Danilo wrote:
I don't see anything consistently lacking...are you feeling dissatisfied with your work? If you are, it will effect your sales. To sell your work you need to be excited about it and CONFIDENT in the quality of it.
Your work looks good to me, not 100% of it, but no one person will ever like 100% of anything!
Keep on keepin' on, buddy, you're on the right track!
Your work looks good to me, not 100% of it, but no one person will ever like 100% of anything!
Keep on keepin' on, buddy, you're on the right track!
Thank you!! :D
I agree, it's all about the Confidence! No I am not dissatisfied with my work. BUT, I am asked are you going to be at the game or an event to take pictures if so will you take some of my son/daughter, and thats where it seems to stop. So I thought I was missing something.
Dec 12, 2011 12:21:28 #
If I could offer a tip or two. Remember who your customers are. They are the parents. As photographers it is easy for us to get caught up with the composition of the photos we take. Parents don't care that much about it. If you are selling it to a magazine, that's a different story. But for parents they want to see little Jimmy or Sara. Fist thing I would do is try to get better isolation on the participant. (shoot tight / crop tighter) You want the photo to say something about the subject and nothing more. You can also close down your lens. Try shooting at f4.0. Play with the f stops. You should be bluring the background somewhat. With the subject and background all in focus it makes a very distracting photo. Remember it is all about little Jimmy. Let you photos reflect that. Just my thoughts. Hope it helps.
Dec 12, 2011 12:54:52 #
[quote=pheintz]If I could offer a tip or two. Remember who your customers are. They are the parents. As photographers it is easy for us to get caught up with the composition of the photos we take. Parents don't care that much about it. If you are selling it to a magazine, that's a different story. But for parents they want to see little Jimmy or Sara. Fist thing I would do is try to get better isolation on the participant. (shoot tight / crop tighter) You want the photo to say something about the subject and nothing more. You can also close down your lens. Try shooting at f4.0. Play with the f stops. You should be bluring the background somewhat. With the subject and background all in focus it makes a very distracting photo. Remember it is all about little Jimmy. Let you photos reflect that. Just my thoughts. Hope it helps.[/quot
Sounds great, will take the advise to the next game and try it. ;D Thanks
Sounds great, will take the advise to the next game and try it. ;D Thanks
Dec 13, 2011 17:59:08 #
pheintz... I disagree in part with the first part. Yes parents think they don't care about composition but they do, they just don't know why. If you have a picture thought out composed croped and all the other things we do they will like it much better but not necesarly know why. This is what sets up apart form snapshots.
Shutterbugrainer only post your best shots on your site. Posting not so good shots bring down the realy good ones. Every one has bad shots and not so good shots. Look at the top notch sites you see only their best work. As you get better you use to be great shots become not as good, so keep your site and portfolie up to date.
Shutterbugrainer only post your best shots on your site. Posting not so good shots bring down the realy good ones. Every one has bad shots and not so good shots. Look at the top notch sites you see only their best work. As you get better you use to be great shots become not as good, so keep your site and portfolie up to date.
Dec 13, 2011 22:51:39 #
normsImages wrote:
pheintz... I disagree in part with the first part.... (show quote)
Thank you!
I do need to clean some out.
Dec 13, 2011 23:36:48 #
For what it is worth:
There is nothing wrong with your images with the possibility of showing too many similar images. I used to do a lot more sports stuff than I do now - too many moms and dads with good cameras to make it profitable any more.
But at one time I did a lot and attended some really well-done sports photography workshops. Here is some advice I learned and it is the KEY to good sports photography.
For the IDEAL shot:
You must show the eyes (some of your rodeo shots,the kids are looking down - no eyes.face)
You must show the ball if it is a ball sport
Show the peak of the action if at all possible.
Yes, there are exceptions, but those three things are the ideal.
Your big problem with sales is not the quality of your work - it is selling online. I know that is the way you have to sell this stuff, but it is hands-down the WORST way to sell. After people look at the images for a while, they are satisfied - or bored - or can't decide so they just quit.
Today, the only sport I still shoot is swimming because it is one sport the parents cannot even get close to getting the images I get. I do not shoot random - but parents have to ask me to shoot their child at a specific heat and lane. I send them proofs of the images by email. It still has the boredom and can't decide problem. but since they specifically asked me to take the shots, the sales percentage is quite high. The personal contact also allows me to work closely with mom to choose the best images and sizes.
So if you can pick far fewer sports, develop a relationship with the parents of just a few teams, I think you may find sales improve. Right now you are sprayin' and prayin'. Get to be a specialist - they always make more money.
There is nothing wrong with your images with the possibility of showing too many similar images. I used to do a lot more sports stuff than I do now - too many moms and dads with good cameras to make it profitable any more.
But at one time I did a lot and attended some really well-done sports photography workshops. Here is some advice I learned and it is the KEY to good sports photography.
For the IDEAL shot:
You must show the eyes (some of your rodeo shots,the kids are looking down - no eyes.face)
You must show the ball if it is a ball sport
Show the peak of the action if at all possible.
Yes, there are exceptions, but those three things are the ideal.
Your big problem with sales is not the quality of your work - it is selling online. I know that is the way you have to sell this stuff, but it is hands-down the WORST way to sell. After people look at the images for a while, they are satisfied - or bored - or can't decide so they just quit.
Today, the only sport I still shoot is swimming because it is one sport the parents cannot even get close to getting the images I get. I do not shoot random - but parents have to ask me to shoot their child at a specific heat and lane. I send them proofs of the images by email. It still has the boredom and can't decide problem. but since they specifically asked me to take the shots, the sales percentage is quite high. The personal contact also allows me to work closely with mom to choose the best images and sizes.
So if you can pick far fewer sports, develop a relationship with the parents of just a few teams, I think you may find sales improve. Right now you are sprayin' and prayin'. Get to be a specialist - they always make more money.
Dec 15, 2011 12:26:09 #
CaptainC wrote:
For what it is worth: br br There is nothing wron... (show quote)
Agree, Thank you so very much!
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