Anyone having success selling their pics online? I know that I am far from being a pro, but I would have thought surely these pics would be of good quality. I get compliments on these...

Perry Loc: Washington Michigan

I know that I am far from being a pro, but I would have thought surely these pics would be of good quality. I get compliments on these and other pics in facebook, but they have been rejected by 2 different sites. Can anyone give me some suggestions on what I am doing wrong, or how I can improve the focus? That seems to be the most common reason for rejection. I am submitting 2 of the same pics in their full size before and after editing to provide a contrast. Perhaps I am hurting more than helping by "over processing"?

Here is the specs on this one. ISO 400, f4.5, 1/1600, 0.00 ev. I used my Nikon D3100 with a 55-300mm lens, and it was at 88mm. I forgot to reset from "Cloudy" to Auto white balance but I can't imagine that would have produced the "focus problem", or ISO issues that were spoken of.

Any tips would be appreciated.

Thanks

Goose on a rock untouched

Goose on a rock edited

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

OK - first - the compliments you get on Facebook are 100% meaningless. Everyone fawns over everyone else's stuff figuring if I like yours, then you will like mine. God forbid we are ever honest and call crap what it is. Not to suggest yours are in that category - that is just an overall observation. Sometimes I wonder if anyone really knows what good photography looks like.

The goose image - in my opinion is much better in the untouched version. The second one looks overexposed. The second point is that it is not a very good photo to start with - it is dead center, the reflection is cut off, and the subject is not interesting. I can see why no stock agency would post it - it would not sell.

Carioca

In any photo of animals or birds, you should have a good focus on the eye. Your photo seems to be more focused on the bird's body.

The original version looks much better, in regard to color and contrast. Black and white birds are especially difficult, because either your blacks are too dark, or the whites are terribly overexposed.

donrent Loc: Punta Gorda , Fl

And this makes 3.......

robert-photos Loc: Chicago

I hate to pile on and mix metaphors but CaptainC hit the nail on the head.

watchwinder Loc: Churubusco, Indiana

Ditto....but a nice pic none the less. Some cropping might add....would have been great if you were lucky enough to get the full reflection of the bird

robert-photos wrote:

I hate to pile on and mix metaphors but CaptainC hit the nail on the head.

bhfranklin Loc: Boston Area / Cape Cod

What they said....like # 1 best. BUT listen to the Captain!

Perry Loc: Washington Michigan

CaptainC wrote:

OK - first - the compliments you get on Facebook a... (show quote)

Thank you for your honesty. What suggestions would you give me on that if I were to shoot a simular one? I will be careful to observe the rule of thirds more carefully, and perhaps it would be a good idea to zoom out a little more to take in the bank to show where the reflection ended? I agree the first shot looked better, (at least it's my preference as I felt it looks more vibrant).

I guess I was hoping to get a more technical response to how my camera should be set up? The photo agency didn't mention your objections for the reason they rejected it, (perhaps that would have came next.)

Perry Loc: Washington Michigan

Carioca wrote:

In any photo of animals or birds, you should have a good focus on the eye. Your photo seems to be more focused on the bird's body.

The original version looks much better, in regard to color and contrast. Black and white birds are especially difficult, because either your blacks are too dark, or the whites are terribly overexposed.

Thanks for the tip, I agree that I have too much focus on the goose's body. I think Captain's objection about the rule of thirds being voilated will be taken care of more by focusing on the bird's eye.

Perry Loc: Washington Michigan

watchwinder wrote:

Ditto....but a nice pic none the less. Some cropping might add....would have been great if you were lucky enough to get the full reflection of the bird

robert-photos wrote:

I hate to pile on and mix metaphors but CaptainC hit the nail on the head.

Thanks everyone for the honesty. I am not seeking "praise" but how to improve my pics. I also am aware that my facebook audience aren't photographers, trust me some of the pics they post of themselves are horrors, but I wouldn't pick their postings apart because they aren't posting their pics as "art", such as we do. I have a few more I would like to submit for tips on howI can shoot them better, any suggestions on how I can get a better focus as well? That seems to be the chief concern with these submissions.

A toy speed boat at the park

This one was shot at dusk.

watchwinder Loc: Churubusco, Indiana

I'll let others do the technical side of things, but you do have a talent for finding great photo ops!!!! Keep working at it, I have been for twenty plus years.....and figure I'll get really good at it someday

Perry Loc: Washington Michigan

watchwinder wrote:

I'll let others do the technical side of things, but you do have a talent for finding great photo ops!!!! Keep working at it, I have been for twenty plus years.....and figure I'll get really good at it someday

Thanks Windwatcher. I do seem to get good photo ops, but I wish I knew more about how to maximize the oportunity.

I feel almost like the dog that chases cars, and don't know quite what to do with it once the car stops... LOL Does he pee on the tires or bite the owner or greet him?

Here is a wild tom turkey at dusk strutting.

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

Let me ask you a question - are the images you are posting images you think would sell by being online? If they are, you are going to wait a long time for a check. The little boat is not really interesting at all, the turkey is not composed well and is waaay too busy. Is it a shot of a log with a turkey behind it or a shot of a turkey with some stuff around it? If you want a photo of a turkey, the bird needs to be dominant in the image. You need to be a LOT closer and lower - looks like you were standing up when you took it.

Go to iStockPhoto.com, type in Wild Turkey and see how it is done - and what you have to compete with.

The white bird (Egret?) is a nice shot-good composition and it looks like there is detail in the white. But the angle is not good as it is going away from you and the head is dark with no light in the eye. It is, however, by far the best image.

I am not trying to be harsh, but realistic. And you did ask.

Carioca

The toy boat is the best one you've posted, IMHO, though it should be in focus.

You need more than just a technically correct image, to sell it. Think about how many other people are out there taking photos of birds, and ask yourself how to make yours better than all those others.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Perry wrote:

I have a few more I would like to submit for tips on howI can shoot them better, any suggestions on how I can get a better focus as well?

A minor thing, but I'd like to see more water in front of the boat - more of a landscape format, rather than square.