Useful Tutorial

[shp]

mjranum-stock.deviantart.com/art/How-to-shoot-stock-tutorial-118589322

I read through it and I'm planning to memorize quite a lot of it if not all. It was a very good and helpful tutorial, and I hope that it would definitely help me with my photography in the near future - I'm actually planning to practice it tomorrow.

The only problems?

1 - No "scrim", but perhaps using a ordinary sheet (hopefully the color wouldn't count) between the main light and the "subject" would serve alike until I get an actual scrim (I'm going to try and buy one pretty soon!).

2 - No "backdrop", but I'm sure natural backgrounds can work at times. I do plan to get some backdrops... When I get enough room to store them... The fiberglass/flooring boards thing were a good idea but I don't really see how he set it up.

3 - The "back light", the one that shines on the "backdrop" behind the "subject". All I have is a lamp... But it's got those round thingies around them so I have no idea if it would "point" because it's plastic, the thing that wraps around the light. And I actually got two, I think.

4 - "Foam protection thingie", that big grey rectangle where he blocked out the light so he wouldn't have to worry about much lens flare.

5 - That light meter thing. I forget what it's called already, but looks like it could definitely help with my aperture and shutter speed... Yet when I looked at the picture it was far different than what I'm trying to understand (there's no F! NOOO!)

I think that's about it. But yeah, the tutorial was very helpful, and I'm definitely going to try and practice some stuff. I gots loads of sheets (two blacks and one white, I think - the other one was unfortunately ruined), and there's like too much junk which could serve as subjects in my house. Now I'm off to bed so I can wake up and early. Somehow. =X.

[Saknika]

It's definitely a very good tutorial. But it might not be totally convertible for you. Take the ideas to heart, but, in the end you will be limited a bit with what you have, in the fact that I don't think the stock will be able to be sold. It might be good for photomanips, but good stock websites are picky.

[shp]

Part of the reason I'm planning to start a new stock-photo website using ProBoards. Most of the stock-photo websites, like 123RF, needs your ID and I've no idea how to upload such a thing... =X. Also, like 123RF, some requires release forms uusing ".pdf", an d I don't know how to set those up.

Other than that I'm just planning to practice what I've learned from this tutorial to the best I can, and hope that when it's time I'll do a fair enough job and know I can continue to get better. Part of me wished he said something about landscaping, though...

[Saknika]

Well (good) stock websites need your id, releases, and contracts to be signed because they're going to be licensing your photos to specific people or companies who want to pay yearly to use them. And in order to properly be able to pay you, they have to know who to send the check to and stuff.

[shp]

Yeah, there's also PayPal, and the simplest thing about it all is that all I would need to give the buyer is my PayPal account email address. Of course I don't plan to sell until I've improved, and I know I still have a lot of work to do, but I'm definitely a fast learner, and surprisingly I'm having quite a bit of fun here and there while learning! I never thought it would be like that! XD

IDs are necessary for identity so that no one would go up to the wrong guy and ask them to take the pictures, right?

Release forms are very much needed, for both models and properties...

I don't know if the dude said anything about using the scrim outside, though. That's where I'm a little confused as to how it's even possible to have "soft light" while you're outside. I tend to forget quite a bit... Grr.

[Saknika]

Do a little more research. Generally, the photographer doesn't sell or monitor the licenses, the stock agency they work with does. So there's a big legal process to it too.

And yes, you can use scrims outside. I do it often.

[shp]

Cool. RF = Royalty Free, RM = Rights Managed. That much, I know, and that RM has more restrictions than RF, or something like that.

Cool about the scrim being used outside. I just couldn't see how it would work with all that light, to be honest, but I'm sure I will find out eventually. XD. And I should be practicing, just a little off today.

[Saknika]

If you want to make a profit off stock, you have to go RM.

Scrims act like softboxes, and tone down harsh lighting.

[shp]

Cool.

Hey, how does RM work, anyway? I get confused between the two of them. Sorry that I'm asking many questions, but I'm definitely learning, aren't I? XD

[ScottWood]

You can make good money off of royalty free, I do pretty well on Istockphoto. It takes a lot of work, and your photography has to be technically very strong. Sadly, a point a shoot camera is never going to cut it from a technical standpoint.

While I like that you are forward thinking, don't get ahead of yourself. Don't think about selling stuff until you are ready. Some people get ready quickly, others never get there.