Stock Pictures

Recently I posted about Camera Club pictures. None of my most successful photos in photographic competitions have been successful in the stock photography field. In fact, my best stock sellers would not figure in club competitions. In the main, photos that do well in camera clubs are either 'pretty pictures' or they are technically difficult pictures. Successful stock pictures are different. The main thing is that they must illustrate something. This can be an idea or simply be a picture that illustrates a point. Often the photo's artistic merit is secondary to its content. Perfect lighting is not necessary for a successful stock shot although it must be technically spot on. The picture that accompanies this post has sold several times recently. It shows a small boy (my son) putting money into a charity bucket. I am certain that it would not be in the frame in any respectable club competition but in the stock field it works.

 
Copyright © Greg Wright 2005-14 Photography from Frome - All rights reserved
¶ 21:31 2 Comments

  Photos for the In-Crowd

This is my most published picture yet. It has been printed several times but only in camera magazines. It has also done well in photography competitions within camera clubs and those run by larger organisations. I have to say, I am very proud of this picture.

It is the type of picture that does well in the 'club' environment, and let's face it, camera magazines are just an extension of this environment. It is a photographer's photograph. It is all about light and using light to make an otherwise boring subject into an interesting image. And it is all about technique. It is not the kind of picture you could take without significant input from the photographer.

But outside of the photographic community it is of limited value. It is not great 'wall art' because it does not in fact print well as there is a huge range of contrast in the picture. It is also difficult to see it being used in many editorial contexts. This is the trouble with a lot of club photography. These images have limited, if any appeal outside of the photographic community. They may well be beautiful pictures displaying great control of the photographic process but they may not really illustrate anything tangible. You may well ask if this matters, and to an extent it does not. If the photographer wants to win praise from his fellow photographers, that's great. If his aims are wider then he may have to think again. 
Copyright © Greg Wright 2005-14 Photography from Frome - All rights reserved
¶ 19:17 0 Comments

  Photographer?

These days almost everyone is at it - taking photographs that is. Even the humblest mobile photo has a built-in camera. Social networking sites allow you to upload your latest happy snaps and have your very own online gallery. So, is everyone a photographer?

I do not really think that the average Jill in the street regards herself as a photographer, and neither do her friends and family. She just enjoys taking snaps. When the urge takes me I will bake bread from scratch, but does that make me a baker? No!

To be a photographer (I will not worry about amateur or professional), the first requirement is that you think of yourself as a photographer. This must mean that you care about the images that you are making and you will have some idea of how to control that image in terms of camera settings, light, angle of view and the million and one other things that can affect on image. Eventually, if you stick at it then others will also regard you as a photographer. When this happens, there is no doubt about it, you are a photographer. 
Copyright © Greg Wright 2005-14 Photography from Frome - All rights reserved
¶ 20:01 0 Comments

  Swine Flu

One of my sons has flu. It seems that everyone who has flu these days has 'swine flu'. The online assessment decided that he was authorised for anti-virals so he is on the Tamiflu. 
Copyright © Greg Wright 2005-14 Photography from Frome - All rights reserved
¶ 20:23 0 Comments