Too enthusiastic?

[RedGoblinz]

So, i've been into photography for about 5 months, got a dslr for 2 months.
My dad is asking me to do stock, so i sent 3 samples to iStockphoto, and denied, saying my subject matter, perspective is the same. After that, i feel that im actually not ready to go into stock.

What do you guys think? Maybe you guys can flip through my flickr to have your rating on my ability. (Not trying to get hits, thats the only site i have my photos up on)

Should i just try or wait till when im ready.
P.S. I live in Malaysia, i have only 1 flash, 1000D and 1 lens. The camera and lens is not limiting, just 1 flash i somehow think its a bit hard to get a clean white shot indoors.

[ChrisAdval]

I don't know anything about stock but the photography looks good, no mistakes most people who uses a DSLR for two months would normally have. I would say you did a very good job for 2 months usage of a DSLR.

[mshockley]

Don't get too discouraged about the Stock Images. I have many stock images at Fotolia, the first couple times I sent files my rejection percentage was terrible......for example if I sent 10 files, 8 would be denied. But it only takes a few times for you to really get a feel for what the stock agency is looking for, and now I rarely have a file declined. Also keep in mind that each agency is different and the file that is denied at Fotolia might be accepted at iStockphoto, and vice-versa.

If your interested in stock just spend some time looking at what the best sellers are at the site your submitting to.

[SwissJon]

I'm interested Michelle.. Do you make any real money out of this, or is it fairly low income?

[3bayjunkie]

I think you got a lot of good photos in just two months. especially the studio shots. you must have a lot of free time Good luck, I like your style.

[mshockley]

Originally Posted by SwissJon

I'm interested Michelle.. Do you make any real money out of this, or is it fairly low income?

Jon the stock images are in my opinion low-income earnings, especially if I were to compare it to what I would make for say a family photo session.

But here's the thing. I really enjoy doing some Food images, Macro's and Still Life types of images and all these things are being accepted by my stock agency. I figure what the heck, I like doing it, might as well send them to an agency and make a little money off them rather then have them sitting on my hard drive.

Gives me something to do when portrait work is slow.

[RedGoblinz]

Maybe i should try other agencies .

[ChrisAdval]

Originally Posted by RedGoblinz

Maybe i should try other agencies .

I assuming they denied them cause they already had them and didn't need any, or they weren't unique enough?

[RedGoblinz]

Not very sure, i'll keep trying!

[mshockley]

Originally Posted by RedGoblinz

Not very sure, i'll keep trying!

yes, you will find this with agency's. The response with a denial will be something like:
"does not meet our required level of aesthetic appeal"
"image does meet our technical criteria"

really doesn't tell you a darn thing now does it? It could be they have too many like it, it is not unique, it is not composed how they like, or it is not sharp, or it is the lighting they don;t like, this list could go on and on.

This is why I suggested that you spend time at the stock site you plan to submit to and learn what it is they are accepting, watch that Best Sellers page and go out and take your images accordingly.

Also, I have learned that you can usually get your background up to a fairly nice crisp white using a levels adjustment in photoshop. I got a lot of help on this recently when I was having all kinds of issues .......see this thread if you want to read all the suggestions I got