- Pretend you are making a 12 month calendar to sell to people who live in your area. What would they expect to see.
- Now think of making that calendar to sell to people who have never been there.
- Similar to calendar: What kind of images would generate tourism in your area? What would buyers want to put in a brochure?
- What would the locals say are “Must See” places while you are visiting?
- What is the lifestyle? Calm and relaxed? Busy and fast-paced? Friendly and inviting?
- What about seasons?
While this theme is quite artistic in nature, be on the lookout for stock, we’re trying to sell stuff here.
Please find below a compilation of the tips from the I-Stock posts – The most recent posts are first
(From Peter(Replying to Sylvia)) Id say do both, but the shopping center could be tricky to get through IS. Youd have to do it in such a way to miss the shop logos, identifiable people etc, Perhaps low angle shots of trolleys and feet?
(From Sylivia) Yes, there are interesting landmarks, but shall i take a picture of a former coal mine or a pic of a huge new shopping mall which was built just on the place where was steel produced when i was younger? That is someting i have to think about. Maybe both?
(From Mouse Ear) Hmmmm. A pole won’t do it. This is a big landmark. A kite, though. There’s an idea. And my boss is mad on kites. And they’re power kites. Maybe his biggest can carry me aloft with the camera. Or maybe I could get myself a big hawk.
(From Ben) Don’t need a heli. Check these out:
(From JeanellNorvell) I’m taking an approach with a bit of a differient twist to the challenge. I’ve chosen certain landmarks and am doing a black and white more old style process (for example old houses look move like haunted houses in that style). I’m pushing my processing skills on this one. We’ll see if any make it through.
(From Mouse ear) One thing I keep passing without stopping to photograph is the defunct Woolworths. Well, more like 20 defunct branches of Woolworths round these parts. Each one is a little different. Might make an interesting project – collecting as many as you can.
(From Susan Daniels) Some things we do have in my hometown is a high rate of alcoholism, the death of the corner shop, lots of pubs, fly tipping (at the moment it seems to be mattresses), and the local council covers up all the nasty streets with hanging baskets and tubs
(From Dawn) So far, from your conversations in here, it seems you (in general) are getting stuck on what to shoot for July’s theme. It doesn’t have to be famous or a landmark to anyone but you.
(From Dawn) Susan – I don’t know anything at all about Wales. A quick read through Wikipedia on Wales gives a couple of ideas:
Since 19th century, Wales acquired its popular image as the “land of song”
- Monarch government
- There’s some prehistoric sites (not nec. stock)
- Christianity
- Rugby & Football
- Cuisine
- Dafodils
- This quaint adorable type street
- What about people there? What do they wear? Is their some stereotypical dress that an old man wears?
- Hopefully that helps a bit?
(From Carole Gomez ) Me too!!! I’ve been burning brain cells to come up with a stocky angle for unripe fields of wheat (that’s all I’ve got in the way of local landmarks!). I’m getting a new (second hand) tilt and shift lens today, I’m relying on it to have magical powers of inspiration and instant stockiness
(From Ben) Regarding LBs, Dawn has a great suggestion: please create an LB of your own that contains photos for the contest. Then sitemail me the LB link. Alternatively, if you have less than 5 images, just sitemail me the images themselves all in one email please. Creating your own LB is the easiest for me, because I can just add all images from that LB to the themed LB. I hope we’re not asking for too much here. Your participation is greatly appreciated.
(From Dawn) In order for you to be added to the lightbox, you will need to create your own lightbox (if over three or four indiv images) and sitemail Ben with link (if under, just sitemail image numbers). Ben will be in charge of telling you that you are out of line on your images (they may not fit the theme, but there is no limit. Make it easy – a one or two time request of adding your images per month for him!) and will refer to me if he has a question. Ultimately I am ze “scout” of the LBs. I love being ze scout but if anyone else wants this responsibility, please sitemail me
(From Dawn) Barns are awesome, as are rickety picket fences (those cow-type fences, not just little white ones 
) rural homes are also fabulous. If you remind me after a couple days if I don’t remember to do it tomorrow 
I’ll post some ideas on real estate photo ideas. I buy that.
(From Pete) Dont forget that what might seem commonplace to you might be original and different to someone else. As Parker said above, Barns could be interesting, if you have a defining architectural style.
And if youthink Wisconsin is defined by Cows, the go right ahead and shoot cows.
(From ParkerDean) how about barns? being in iowa, i might shoot these as well, but they are such a beautiful landmark of sorts in the midwest of the usa. there are so many different varieties and settings. just a thought…
(From Dawn) Ryerson, I had an idea for you: Since I’ve never been there and can’t picture 3a with the sun shining down – what would it look like in your town (assuming you have a “town center” type area?)? Does it look kind of like a ghost town? nobody around, lights are off but sun is shining?
(From Dawn) It’s not necessary to be famous. Maybe think of it: if you were going to show a friend what your area looks like, what kind of pictures would you show them?