| Hot Tips and Advice
| | This section is designed to help assist in producing better photographs by giving tips and advice on how to achieve the best results possible. There are recommendations on file size, image dimensions and file format, as well as photographic advice and know how.
| | Image Size, Format, and Comperssion Recommendations
| | There are many different types of cameras used to capture the images seen here at USPhotostock.com We realize not all of the photographers who submit photos are professional or even very experienced, so here are just a few recommendations.
| | Image Size
| | The bigger the file size is not always the best, we recommend the maximum file size to be no larger than 8 MB and no smaller than 1 MB. Please realize that there will be different applications buyers have in mind, some buyers may need to make large prints for a calendar or full page ad, and others may need small prints for flyers or newsletters. Of course they can choose to buy a smaller file if the application is web based and not intended for print, but it is always best to have alarge file available for purchase. On rare occasions we may ask for a larger file than the one submitted based on a special request from a buyer. As far as image dimensions we recommend at least 1600x1200 or 2 Megapixels and as high a resolution as possible. Please keep in mind the file size.
| | Image Format and Compression
| | All of the images submitted should be in JPEG format and use minimal compression. The reasons for this are that JPEG files are commonly used in many applications, and they are the most efficient file for both saving space and producing high quality results. If you have an original file in RAW or TIFF fromat, we recommend always keeping this available if a special request should arise for such.
| | Photographic tips and tools.
| | This section is for users who wish to better their photographic skills, and we hope you use this section as a resource for help and knowledge. Please visit the forum for more discussion on this topic.
| | Here are just a few "secrets" for more succesful photos.
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- Use a tripod to steady the camera. This will provide much sharper images and will make a bigger difference than you think, especially if the image will be enlarged. Tripods are not just forlow light situations. Using a telephoto lens, even in bright daylight, will require a tripod to produce the best result. A monopod will do in some situations such as sports or candid photographs. This seems like an obvious thing but it is amazing how many times I ask if a tripod was used and most of the time the answer is no. Using a tripod will have the single biggest impact on overall quality.
- Try using exposure compensation. This can help to give a different look to ordinary photographs, a sunset for example should always be shot at different levels of over and under exposure, some cameras have an AEB or auto exposure bracketing feature, where the camera will shoot 3 or more frames of the same image in varying levels of over or under exopsure to give a choice of different looks. Under exposure can bring detail back in washed out portions of the image and over exposure can bring details back in darkened areas. It depends on what the photo is trying to convey. This is a very simple and easy to use tool, it just makes sense to try it out.
- Remember the "Rule of Thirds" for composition. It is a simple matter of where to put the point of interest, I see so many great photos wind up being rejected due to lack of basic composition skills. The easiest way to use this rule is to always imagine a tic-tac-toe grid over the scene, try to put the point of interest or subject at one the corners of the square in the middle of it. The most common mistake we see is the subject being dead centered in the frame. This makes for very ordinary looking photos, and it is extremely unpleasing to the eye. You want to make your picture look professional even if you are not neccesarily a pro.
- Use leading lines to draw interest to your subject. This is where a photographer will find vertical or horizontal lines in a scene leading up to or near the point of interest and subject. This technique will draw instant attention to your photos and will attractmore interest and ultimately buyers.
- Find subjects or scenes that have the primary colors Red, Green, and Blue in them. These colors are very attractive to the eye and also compliment each other. They are also sought after in advertising photos because often times they relate to a company color scheme or logo. Obviuously any color rich image is appealing but try to find as many of those primary colors as possible.
- Explore the use of filters in your photography. A polarizing filter for example will yield much better results not only outdoors but shooting any object that is non metallic and has glare issues. Use graduated nuetral density filters to balance overly bright areas with darker areas in a scene, Cokin makes a wonderful system of graduated filters. There are many filters to help all types of photos, even digital filters in software such as Adobe or Corel. Remember, buyer want unsual photos that stand out, use your creativity with all the tools available.
- Remember to keep detail in all or as many areas as possible in an image. It is interesting how many great photos go to waste due to underexposed areas that are critical to the technical soundness of a photo. We are not talking about minor shadows but large areas of total black or washout. Again the use of filters can be beneficial to balance bright and dark areas, but sometimesa little fill flash goes a long way, especially in closeups.
- Use depth of field to add attention to other related secondary subjects or to negate a potentially distracting background. Many times photographers forget to consider the other aspects of a scene that may add or take away from the over all quality of an image. The easiest way to control this is by using focus or depth of field to your advantage. For example in most sports or action photos the background is completely blurred to draw absolute attention to the subject. This same can be said for the opposite when the background is very pertinent to the subject. Always remember to keep this in mind when shooting.
- Never delete photos while shooting. One mistake I see over and over is photographers sneaking a peek at what they are shooting and immediately deleting the image. Now if it is obviously a bad image, blurred or out of focus, or poor exposure, delete it. But when you compare what's on the LCD to reality, reality always wins. I have a rule to not delete a potentially good image until I have seen it on a good size monitor. After the time has passed and I can see it objectively, I find lots of good photos that I would otherwise deleted had I not waited. Don't throw away a potential treasure.
- Try to tell a story with each photo. These are simply guidlines, let your creativity be the ultimate result of your photos. The rules do not always apply to every situation, there have been great images that werent necesarrily perfect in technical terms, but the sheer impact of them is enough to bring across the theme or message.
| | This is the start of a new section here at USPhotostock.com We are 100% committed to our members and hope to help those who might want or need it. We encourage those of you who have more experience in photography to share your experiences in our forum, we want to create an online community of photo minded individuals and want to enhance the quality of or products as well. We appreciate any feedback and look forward to updating the site and improving the experience of both our customers and our contributers. We simply cannot exist without your input. Thank you all for your efforts.
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USPhotostock.com Team
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