A few pictures, various genres, for C&C

[smag4life]

So I joined a few stock photography sites, which was probably a mistake since I haven't been at this very long, but I think I was overly enthusiastic and had unrealistic expectations (i.e. all the theory makes sense, so I must now be able to take awesome pictures). Yeah, that didn't really go as planned. Between bigstock.com and fotolia.com, all 35 images I have submitted have been rejected. But since the damage has been done and I now don't even want to be a part of stock photography (I have since learned of and agree with the view that stock photography takes profits away from photographers trying to sell their work for what it's actually worth), I was wondering if I could get some tips on improving my technique? I've posted a few examples for C&C. Thanks.

-AJ


Kate posing on the phone by Aaron Lott, on Flickr


Notebook and Pen by Aaron Lott, on Flickr


tree at night with moving clouds by Aaron Lott, on Flickr


Kate reading a book under a tree by Aaron Lott, on Flickr

 

[UnderThePink]

These are nothing but snapshots....composition and more interesting concepts/ideas would be a start. Not trying to be mean.....but get out of your comfort zone! Keep practicing! =D

 

[LaFoto]

I wouldn't call your concept and making of Notebook and Pen a "snapshot", far from it. That one sure has its merits, I say. The two of Kate have traits of being more snapshots than serious photography, though, the first more than the last, as you didn't look out for your background. I find it very distracting, as you went for a small aperture, so everything stayed in focus, door, wall, something red on the side of the wall, all that is to be seen and IS distracting from your subject. The natural light (I assume the first was taken with window light as your source?) is nice, but you might have wanted to walk further around her so in the end only the white wall would have been your background.

The palm tree with moving clouds is not very excitingly composed, what with the tree being smack in the middle of your photo. The bit of roof and the lens flare are distracting.

And in "Kate Reading" the bright, sunlit patch on the lawn is distracting, as bright parts do attract the eyes.

 

[fokker]

The shots aren't bad, they just scream 'ordinary' though. Don't be disheartened, keep practising because you'll improve over time but in the meantime you are not ready to sell photos.

 

[smag4life]

Thank you very much for the replies, that's exactly the kind of feedback I was looking for. Honest critique with tips and encouragement. Besides the folks here, the only ones who see my pictures are my family and friends who, I now realize, either don't like them but won't tell me or don't know what to look for so they can't give me the kind of feedback I need. Thanks again and I will keep trying new things and trying to think outside the box.

-AJ