A Humble Experience

Posted on September 17, 2016 by Helen C

northlighthouses

When I met Yan (From Hiding to Blogging), two months ago, she told me she had become a ShutterStock contributor, and she encouraged me to sign up. Later she sent me a couple of links: a link to her photo gallery and a link for signing up to become a contributor.

“Why not?” I thought. After all, what am I going to do with those flower or tree photos?

But I really enjoyed my life as it was… peaceful, no pressure, and I could do nothing whenever I liked to, so, I didn’t take any action, even though I told her I was interested.

A month ago, I suddenly had a desire of starting a new project. After pondering for a while and couldn’t come up with a brilliant one, I decided to give Shutterstock a try; So, I submitted a photo.

Right away, I was rejected with the reason: “Unnecessary release”! It took me a while to figure out that while I thought I was releasing my photo to them, I was, actually, tried to submit a model release form. Okay, my fault. I didn’t read the instruction carefully! That’s easy to fix.

Next rejection: “not focused”. Why? I had followed the instruction zooming in my photo 100% to make sure it was focused. Could it be their standard is higher?

Found a better photo and tried again, and soon received another rejection: “not focused”. Slight hand shake? I started practicing every day, holding camera this way, that way and reading my camera manual page by page (embarrassedly, first time 😉

When I was finally satisfied with my photo, I submitted again. And, again, I was rejected with “not focused”. What do they want? I got totally confused, and even started having some self-doubt… maybe I can never be a good photographer… maybe I should give up…

Seeing “someone” frustrated his wife, my husband got upset. “That’s ridiculous! Your camera wouldn’t even allow you to shoot if it is not focused.”

My husband was right. I’ve set my camera that way. But was he totally right?

After taking a two-day break, I gave a lot of thoughts on this whole situation and came up with some possibilities: hands shake after focusing, the spot I focused on was not the ideal spot, or the size of the area that I focused on was not quite right.

That did it. Things became easier after I figured out the real problem. I was finally accepted as a contributor. 😉 It didn’t take me long to find out that even as a contributor, your photo might still get rejected. But I, actually, like rejection now, because, so far, every rejection had taught me something. 😉

I am grateful to ShutterStock reviewers; I have grown a lot as a photographer from my experience. I’ve also learned something about stock photographing. There are people who make good money in selling stock photos or referring people to join, but it is not easy for sure.

So far, I only have 32 photos in ShutterStock. In case you are curious… here is the link for my photo gallery. (Sometime, ShutterStock will direct you to their home page and you have to refresh to see my photos.)

And… Yan’s photo gallery (She has 1000+ 😉
(Hope you don’t mind, Yan.)

P.S. This light house photo was rejected because I don’t have a model release. Since I don’t know the lady (she happened to be there when I took the photo), I ended up cropping her out.)

Thanks for visiting my blog.

Posted in photo, photo and thoughts | 40 Comments

CFFC: Smiles

Posted on August 4, 2016 by Helen C

CFFC: Smiles

This week Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge’s subject is smiles. I have posted so many of my grandniece and grandnephew’s smiles, so I thought I would put myself in the spotlight this time to make them feel better 😉

Cee encouraged us to use our imagination, so I tried to smile half way, smile sideway, and smile after having a glass of wine… I think I like the upside-down the best, but would that still be a smile? (Hmm… I like it so much that I may take all selfie upside-down from now on.)

IMG_5519--s

I know, I know. Smiles, with an “s” at the end, I should post more than one photo. Well, I am hoping you are smiling now and I definitely count that one. 😉

Thanks for visiting my blog.

Posted in Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge, photo | 24 Comments

One Word Photo Challenge: Child

Posted on July 30, 2016 by Helen C

One Word Photo Challenge (hosted by Jennifer Nichole Wells) : Child

We came back from D.C. three days ago, and I noticed this photo challenge. I have never participated Jennifer’s challenge before, but the theme of child brings a smile to my face.

Kearson1s

kearson3s

kearson4s

The last photo was just for fun. K drools a lot. First, it wasn’t easy for me to chase him around and focus on one tiny drop of drool. Then, in order to get the light effect that I wanted, I had to shoot from a certain angle (before he moved). So I chased him; I circled around him… I am pleased with how it turned out (and I was exhausted). 😉

kearson5s

Thanks for visiting my blog.

Posted in photo | Tagged | 33 Comments

Developing Your Eye Day Ten

Posted on July 16, 2016 by Helen C

It’s the last day of the course ;-(

I want to thank The Daily Post Blogging University for offering these great courses; I want to thank all my wonderful readers for visiting my blog and leaving encouraging words. Now that courses are over, I am taking a week off for a short family gathering. I think I will be able to read your blog, but posting one will be difficult. Wish all of you have a happy week.

Developing Your Eye I, Day Ten: “Architecture” – Go Monochrome

architecture2s

architecture3s

architecture--bws2

I took the photo of that white church on a rainy day. It rained hard; we had to wait inside of a hotel for rain to die down. Usually, I wouldn’t bother to take photos in that situation, but I was attracted by that church.

Developing Your Eye II, Day Ten: “Triumph” – Turn Up the Contrast

“What does triumph mean to you?” – we were asked.

At this stage of my life, triumph means I have accomplished something, no matter how small the thing is. For example: when I woke up from a good night sleep, when I managed to park my car perfectly, when I took a picture I really like… Life is good when you are able to appreciate small things.

I like this following photo a lot. I am not even sure I can explain why. All I know is that every time I see it, I have a hard time to click it away.

Triumphs

I learned something interesting about contrast. For a long time, I relied on “contrast” tool to help me do the job and I was ok with the result. While working on my assignments this week, I found out that, sometime, no matter how hard I tried it just couldn’t deliver the result I really wanted. I learned to use “Dodge/Burn” to achieve the effect I was looking for. Closer to what I was looking for, I mean. 😉

Thanks for visiting my blog.

Posted in photo | Tagged | 18 Comments

Developing Your Eye Day Nine

Posted on July 15, 2016 by Helen C

I can’t believe this is the ninth day already. For the past 8 days, the first thing I would do in the morning, other than having a cup of coffee, was working on the course assignments. I am not ready to change that routine yet. 😉 Oh well…

Developing Your Eye I, Day Nine: “A Pop of Color”

The first photo came to my mind was these bird houses. I remember thinking to get one, but there were too many pretty colors to choose one.

color_s

Then, I read the tip for the assignment (probably should read it first.) It says “Keep it simple: experiment with only one color.”

color3_s

Developing Your Eye II, Day Nine: “Double”

color2_s

_HHC9957--s

Thanks for visiting my blog.

Posted in photo | Tagged | 13 Comments

CCY #23 Black and White: The Basic

Posted on July 14, 2016 by Helen C

CCY #23 Black and White: The Basic

This is the first time I am submitting to Cee’s Compose Yourself Photo Challenge (I have submitted to her other challenges many times). In this series, Cee gives us a lot good tips on different subjects. I enjoy reading them all.

We were asked to submit at least 4 to 6 photos showing the compositional rules listed in the essay. And this essay is about black and white photos. It says that texture and contrast make a great black and white photo.

It sounded easy, but when I started working on the assignment, right away, I saw some grey areas. ;-( Should I call this a texture-photo or contrast? Clearly, there is a gap between “understanding” and “really getting it”. 😉

ccybw2s

I would say this photo has both texture and contrast in it.

ccybw1s

ccy4bws

Left photo: texture and contrast; right: most texture.

ccybw3s

This photo has a lot of contrast and some texture.

Thanks for visiting my blog.

Posted in photo | Tagged | 12 Comments

Developing Your Eye Day Eight

Posted on July 14, 2016 by Helen C

For some reason, I read the course title out loud this morning, thinking this course, actually, not only has developed my eye, but also sharpened my mind. I smiled, knowing that I had gotten something extra for the price I’d paid. Oh, I forgot, it’s a free course. (Thank you!)

Developing Your Eye I, Day Eight: “Treasure”

Treasure – my first thought was my great nephew and niece. Then, I remembered that I already had posted many of their photos… what about my rock collection? Or Mom’s ring?

After drinking a cup of coffee (my wakeup call)… it became clear that what I treasure the most is those old photos.

treasure_s

Developing Your Eye II, Day Eight: “Edge” – Straighten Your Image

So easy, I thought. I have done that all the time. Then I found this photo. When I straightened the top horizontal line, the bottom line wasn’t quite straightened. When I straighten the left vertical line… I can’t believe it. (I did have similar experience before, but it was a choice between vertical and horizontal, not left vertical, right vertical, top horizontal and bottom horizontal…)

Question: what happened to this photo? What had I done? How would you straighten it?

By the way, I smiled when I saw this guy checking his smart phone at this location.

edges

Thanks for visiting my blog.

Posted in photo, Photo Question | Tagged | 7 Comments

Developing Your Eye Day Seven

Posted on July 13, 2016 by Helen C

A year or two ago, I was frustrated with the photos I took and a couple of blogging friends (great photographers) advised me to put more thoughts into my photos. They told me “try to shoot from different angles”, “don’t rush to press the release button”… etc. I understood what they said and I knew their advice was exactly what I needed to do, but most of the time, I felt like I had only one second to take the photo and there was no time to think.

While working on the assignments for this course, to my surprise, I did put a lot of thoughts into each photo, and I had taken photos from different angles. I suddenly realized that instead of not having time to think, my problem, the real problem, was that I wasn’t able to see things from a different angle. Deep down, I thought I had taken the photo from the best angle; there was no better angle as far as I knew.

Of course, I was wrong. Now I know. 😉 And I enjoy photographing more after I finally got it. I am sharing this with you hoping it will help some people, even though I am not sure how much it will help. (And I do recommend the course. 😉

Developing Your Eye I, Day Seven: “Big”
big2_s

I have taken at least 15 photos of this Kuan-Yin, but never got a good one. This morning, I opened the front door to let light come in. I think I like the result.

Developing Your Eye II, Day Seven: “Glass”

Before my brother Shao passed away, he had been bedridden for many years. I tried many ways to keep him busy during the day. In one attempt, in year 2008, I gave him a blank note book because I knew he liked to draw.

A week ago, my nephew came to visit me, and gave this notebook to me. He said Shao had written me a letter.

So, I read Shao’s letter, 6 years after he wrote it, 6 months after he passed away. I had a mixed feeling and I feel sad… just like that withered flower.

glass2_s

Let’s end this post on a positive note (I mean photo). After drinking a glass of wine, this great-aunt got an interesting photo. 😉

Glasskearson--s

Thanks for visiting my blog.

Posted in photo, photo and thoughts | Tagged | 17 Comments

Developing Your Eye Day Six

Posted on July 12, 2016 by Helen C

Thank you to those who have answered my question on my previous post. I really appreciate it. For me, the most frustrating part of learning is when you’re circling around and don’t see a direction to exit. Your comments are very helpful.

When I signed up for the class, my goal was taking more photos and I did that for a few days. Then it rained one day. ;-( You know the rest of the story, I am sure.

At first, I was disappointed that I didn’t shoot any new photo for my assignments, but now I am quite ok with it because I have learned a lot by staring at one photo and trying to do my best to make it a photo that I really like.

tree2s

This is one of our favorite trees. For the theme “solitude”, I think it would be better if the tree is smaller and surrounding field is bigger… hmm… maybe I was thinking “lonely”. (You see what I mean? It’s like playing a never-ending game. 😉

fishman3s

At first, I cropped this photo to portrait format. I didn’t like it that much, so I changed his vest to red. And I still didn’t like it. After I changed only the top part of his vest to a different red, I like it better, but, still, something bothered me. I finally realized that I really like it in landscape format. 😉 Add a little red will probably help, but I am exhausted by now.

Developing Your Eye II, Day Six: “landscape”

IMG_3774s

Thanks for visiting my blog.

Posted in photo, photo and thoughts | Tagged , | 28 Comments

Developing Your Eye Day Five

Posted on July 11, 2016 by Helen C

Developing Your Eye I, Day Five: “Connect” – Tag Your Photo

I admit that I haven’t done a good job in tagging and to be honest, it is not on the top 10 items of my priority list. But this exercise makes me think, and “I think” I will pay more attention on tagging from now on.

hands2

Developing Your Eye II, Day Five: “Moment” – Capture Motion

The only motion you can tell from the following photo is from my nephew’s hand. Maple seeds look OK – because it was moving in a slow speed?

Since I was focusing on kids, the sky turned white. Question: would you color the sky blue? I couldn’t make up my mind. On one hand, (light) blue sky will add a little color to the photo even though that day was a cloudy day. On the other hand, I kind of like the white background, so viewers would focus on the main subjects. Any thought will be appreciated!

Slow shutter speed, tripod… would make the photo more interesting, but kids running around in light speed (to a senior person, it seemed like in light speed). I only had a split second to raise my camera, didn’t have enough time to focus… so it is what it is. 😉

_HHC9065--s

Thanks for visiting my blog.

Posted in photo | Tagged , , | 7 Comments