If you want to build a microstock portfolio, you don’t have to shoot people. Many people think they have to, but if you prefer shooting other things, that’s exactly what you should be doing. And there’s a big market for these pictures as well. Architecture is great for real estate material, and tranquil landscapes or personal accessory still life shots are useful for spas and well-being brochures. Just to mention a couple.
Obviously, there is a huge difference between shooting landscapes and studio still life. Each has its own techniques and requires its own set of skills, but if we look at them from the perspective of a microstock photographer, they do have a few things in common. Here are five tips for shooting all sorts of photos with no people in them.
1. Start with a concept
Planning your shoots is the first step towards going from snapshooter to photographer. If you’re setting out to shoot landscapes or cityscapes, start by brainstorming the kinds of shots you want. You may want to think in terms of concepts as well as compositions. Consider what your location has to offer and try to imagine what kind of stories, you can tell with your photos. The more stories you can tell, the more useful the image will be. Concepts for outdoor photograpy could include things like “Tranquility in Nature”, “Rush Hour Traffic” or “First Home Real Estate”.
If you’re setting up a home studio and gathering props for still life, you are not bound by your location so much, as you are by these accessories. In this case, you will want to brainstorm before you go shopping. Make a theme for every session (such as “Back to School” or “Gardening Season”) and list all the props you can think of. Then scratch the ones that are too big to fit in your space or too expensive to purchase, simply for the sake of a photo shoot. Don’t forget that sometimes you have to spend money to make money, and if you end up buying something, you can’t really use, you can always give it to someone who can. Once you have a list of items, make a list of all the shots you can do with them. Chances are that some props will be more versatile than others, so you need your list of shot-ideas to prioritize which ones to get first.
2. Straighten the lines
One thing that almost all kinds of stock photographs have in common, is that they have a clean look to them, and when you’re shooting outdoors, getting that look can sometimes be challenging. However, there is help to be found in post processing. There are a number of tools you can use to straighten the lines in your photos, which will add a whole lot of cleanliness to your finished image.
What are the lines I am talking about? Horizons for one. If the horizon in your photo is slightly slanted (as opposed to straight or even “creatively angled”), it gives the photo a sloppy look. Like you weren’t really paying attention, when you were shooting it. Crookedness doesn’t always come from sloppy work though. Things like lens distortion (wide angle lenses have a tendency to bend things around the edges of the photo, yet they lend themselves well to landscapes because they are, well, wide) and where you were standing, when you took the picture, can play a part in how the lines look.
I have an article on iStockphoto about some of the tools you can use to fix the problems with crooked lines.
3. Watch your scale
So, you went to the Grand Canyon and took some photos. Good for you. However, it is very likely that the vastness of the landscape is lost, because there is nothing small in the photo to compare it to. Just like those really tight macro shots, where they put a match in so you can see how tiny the subject really is, the same goes for huge and vast subjects. You have to have something that shows the viewer of the photo, what size we are talking about. If there’s a small house nearby, an abandoned car or something else that has a size we all know and can relate to, then try to include that in your photo.
If you are shooting something really small, and you don’t want to toss a match into your picture, consider other things, that might show the actual size. An espresso cup looks just like any other coffee cup, but if you add a few beans around it, it becomes obvious that it’s actually smaller than a normal cup. Items to scale with is something else to include in your planning, when you’re brainstorming your next session.
4. Get creative
Let’s face it. Anyone can take a picture of a sunset or of a stack of books. And tons of people do all the time. So, if you want to stand out, you gotta get your hands dirty. When you’re thinking up new shoots, don’t hold yourself back. List everything and anything, that might make your take on whatever the subject is unique. It might be a combination of lighting and props, location and props or different angles than usual.
Using color is a great way to make your pictures stand out. Whether it’s in the form of colored light or how the background and foreground compliment each other. You can also tweak your lighting in post processing, which can add all sorts of dramatic effects (just don’t overdo it - nobody likes an over filtered image).
5. Watch for logos
You would be surprised to learn how many things are either trademarked or copyright protected. You can take a picture of the Eiffel Tower and upload it to your portfolio. But if it’s night and the lights are on it, you can’t, beause the lighting is protected from commercial use without a special license. You want to take a picture of an open bottle of wine? Excellent, just as long as you know that in all likelihood, the little decorative symbol on the side of the cork is copyrighted. Interior decoration shots can be awesome - but make sure you take all the art off the walls before shooting. Skylines? Lots of skyscrapers have logos on the top.
There are protected bits and pieces everywhere these days and it’s your responsibility to make sure, you have the right to use whatever you shoot commercially. I highly recommend doing a little research, if you think your subject might be protected. Google it and check out any related and official websites. If there is a phone number you might want to give them a call and ask about royalty free use of your subject.
If there is artwork in your shots, you might be able to secure a property release from the artist (not whoever bought the artwork, copyright will be with the original creator), allowing you to use it in your photo. Another way to deal with this issue, is to only shoot generic brand and vintage stuff. But don’t limit yourself to these, just because you’re too lazy to do the research or too afraid of a lawsuit. If you do shoot something with a logo in it, chances are that the image inspectors will catch it and send the image back to you for logo removal.
Set Yourself Apart
The great thing about microstock is that anyone can do it, but not everyone will be equally successful. What makes the difference between those who try and those who succeed, is taking your work beyond just shooting and uploading. Putting a little thought and a little effort before, during and after the actual shoot can help set you apart from the masses. It’s really not so much about gear as it is about originality. Therefore, and I think, I’ve mentioned this before as well, the best thing you can do in preperation for any shoot, is to check out what’s already out there.
Check out what sells and (just as importantly) what doesn’t, so you know what works and what to avoid. Just remember to not copy other photographers. Give things your own twist and end up with a unique, useful and original product.
This post is part 13 in a series about my experiences with stock photography, tips and pointers, meant to offer a little inspiration to those interested in such things. Next up: A closer look at shooting and directing models for stock-type portraits. For a complete and chronological list of articles and a lovely donation-button, check out the Microstock Photographer’s Guide.
