The Weekly Wrap-up compiles interesting articles published this week on Photofocus. This week we looked at how to find a photographic voice, gave a first look at the new Datacolor SpyderX Elite, went back in time to talk about capturing Hank Aaron's historic home run, processed tones in our landscapes using Perfectly Clear and dove into Adobe's most recent photographic trend. … [Read more...] about Weekly Wrap-Up: February 10-16, 2019
Adobe Stock
Back to nature trends
There's a great piece by Adobe on their blog about visual trends, "Natural Instincts: Finding Physical, Emotional, and Spiritual Wellness on Planet Earth." Unless you’re living under a rock (which may actually be a good thing) you’re aware of the back to nature, connecting with earth trend that is making an appearance in just about every aspect of our lives lately. Consumerism and commercialism have taken us away from some of the most basic joys of life, nature and the world around us. What does this have to do with photography? As stated … [Read more...] about Back to nature trends
Stock Photography: Shooting tips on how to avoid violating IP rights
Are you interested in shooting stock photography and video to make a little extra income? Me, too. However, don’t waste time shooting images you can’t use because your image violates intellectual property (IP) rights. Here are a few shooting tips to help ensure your images will be accepted by stock agencies such as Adobe Stock. If you are already familiar with IP, skip to the tips sections; if not, I encourage you to spend a few minutes here to understand these rights so you don’t violate them. Understanding intellectual property The United … [Read more...] about Stock Photography: Shooting tips on how to avoid violating IP rights
Adobe Stock releases 2019 Visual Trends Forecast
With 2019 only weeks away, Adobe is looking forward to what the new year will bring, specifically with visual trends. The Adobe Stock team looked around the world, from fashion runways and art galleries to the business world, pop culture and social media — all with the goal of uncovering what 2019 will bring. Natural instincts As technology increases, this has led to a shift in more people seeking a balance through nature. Artists like Adobe Stock Premium contributor Archan Nair are part of a movement of creatives taking inspiration through … [Read more...] about Adobe Stock releases 2019 Visual Trends Forecast
Don’t forget to remove the copyright watermark
A good friend sent me an image of a book she saw at a local store. The book featured pages filled with cute Adobe Stock images of children. How did I know they were from Adobe Stock? The book's designer forgot to remove the Adobe Stock watermark! Here’s how to avoid this costly and embarrassing mistake. Try before you buy A great feature of Adobe Stock is how it’s integrated with Adobe’s Creative Cloud applications — Photoshop, InDesign and Illustrator. You can download a watermarked preview of an image and place it in your layout. … [Read more...] about Don’t forget to remove the copyright watermark
Upgraded search, new collections and partners added to Adobe Stock
This morning at the Adobe MAX Conference, Adobe announced new features for both contributors and users of the Adobe Stock service, including upgraded search capabilities, new collections and partners. Upgraded search Adobe has added features powered by Adobe Sensei, designed to help you find photos, illustrations and other assets faster than before. The service has a new Find Similar Controls option, where you can take Visual Search to the next level and focus on specific aspects of image similarity — including color, content and … [Read more...] about Upgraded search, new collections and partners added to Adobe Stock
Tips to succeed with stock video
Let's continue our look at achieving success as a stock contributor for photo and video. Photofocus publisher Rich Harrington sits down with Dennis Radeke of Adobe to learn what's needed to succeed as a stock video creator. This video offers practical tips and lots of insider information right from Adobe Stock on what sells and what doesn't. Learn how to succeed as an Adobe Stock contributor. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BWbJ2rj0Yk If you missed the other videos in our series, be sure to check out: How to Become an Adobe Stock … [Read more...] about Tips to succeed with stock video
How to Create Multiple Stock Photographs Using Only One Model
Creating multiple sets of images from a single photo session is a good strategy. A little planning, lots of props and changing a subject’s mood will produce multiple looks from one model a key to having a successful stock photography session. Planning keeps cost down and yields a higher return on your investment (ROI) for creating photography for sale with Adobe Stock. Here are a few tips for your next shoot. Warm up by covering the basics Before setting up multiple lights or creating a complicated scene, warm up with a few basic shots. These … [Read more...] about How to Create Multiple Stock Photographs Using Only One Model
Five tips for adding textures to your photos
The term "texture" is a catch-all term for adding either abstract images, detailed photos, or patterns of different surfaces — like metal, cracked paint, sand, etc. — as an overlay on your image. This is a type of "compositing" combining multiple images into one finished work. Adding textures to your images can change the mood, create special effects, strengthen the composition or help better tell a story. These five concepts will help you add textures more easily, realistically and quickly in Adobe Photoshop. Finding textures While there are … [Read more...] about Five tips for adding textures to your photos
Using Keywords for Discoverability for Stock Photography and Video
Let's continue our look at achieving success as a stock contributor for photo and video. Photofocus publisher Rich Harrington sits down with Dennis Radeke of Adobe to learn how to optimize your video for easy discoverability on Adobe Stock. Learn how to use Adobe Sensei as well as manually keyword your files so they show up for potential buyers. Learn how to succeed as an Adobe Stock contributor. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TqJmFdjctxo If you missed the other videos in our series, be sure to check out: How to Become an Adobe … [Read more...] about Using Keywords for Discoverability for Stock Photography and Video
How to Create a Storyboard for a Video or Photo Shoot
A storyboard is a great way to plan your next photo or video shoot. It creates a roadmap that helps everyone on the crew, as well as the client, know what you’re trying to accomplish. Often time these take the form of a comic book like drawings that convey the look of the shot. But if you’re anything like me, drawing stick figures just doesn’t cut it (hey if I could draw comic books I certainly would)! To Make Things Easier Rather than spend a lot of time telling you how to make a storyboard template, I'll just share mine. You can … [Read more...] about How to Create a Storyboard for a Video or Photo Shoot
Get Inspired by Color Grading Using Stock Photos and Video
Sometimes you wake up in the morning, and it's hard to find inspiration. Other times it's just easy to fall into the same old ruts and continue to go the same way time after time. But looking at the work of others, especially if it's work that sells well, is a great way to learn new techniques. This is where stock footage and photography can come in. Finding Inspiration With inspiration from Adobe Stock and a little creative color grading, you can add a fresh/new/cool spin to your video projects. Let's start by understanding the term "color … [Read more...] about Get Inspired by Color Grading Using Stock Photos and Video
How to avoid Intellectual Property when shooting video for stock
Intellectual property? What is intellectual property and how/why does it matter in videos for stock? These are top-of-mind issues that all videographers want to be well aware of when capturing footage destined for Adobe Stock. Intellectual Property (IP) Simply, IP is a brand on a product, a trademarked shape or logo or even the name of a company that appears in a video. The problem is that videographers do not own the IP. The company who uses it does. Take a look at this image. Are there any brands or trademarks in it? Logos, product … [Read more...] about How to avoid Intellectual Property when shooting video for stock
Talent and property releases as well as copyright for stock
Let's continue our look at achieving success as a stock contributor for photo and video. Photofocus publisher Rich Harrington sits down with Dennis Radeke of Adobe to learn what's needed to sell your photos and videos as stock. This includes getting the necessary releases for your models and locations as well as being wary of intellectual property. Learn how to succeed as an Adobe Stock contributor. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWAK_8Oo24w If you missed the other videos in our series, be sure to check out: How to Become an Adobe … [Read more...] about Talent and property releases as well as copyright for stock
How to find stock video with visual search
More and more, video is becoming a standard for client projects. Photographers, web designers, marketing folks have all realized that motion is a great way to tell engaging stories. Sometimes though, you’ll find a gap in your video sequences when you put them together. Maybe it’s a forgotten shot or one that just didn’t turn out. Finding it just got a WHOLE lot easier thanks to Adobe Stock. Create Thumbnails The first step to visually searching is to create thumbnails. This is really easy to do as all you need are JPEGs that represent … [Read more...] about How to find stock video with visual search
How to shoot lifestyle and fitness scenes for stock photography and video
While attending the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) conference in Las Vegas, I had the chance to attend an Adobe Stock workshop at a ghost town near Nelson, Nevada on shooting photographs and video for sale as stock. Participants were split into teams that rotated between six stations—each one teaching a variety of skills. The entire hands-on event was so informative — especially the “How to shoot Lifestyle Fitness Stock Photography and Video” station. Here’s what I learned. Keep the camera from moving Blurry photos or shaky video … [Read more...] about How to shoot lifestyle and fitness scenes for stock photography and video
Creating custom backdrops for your photos using stock images
To me, the backdrop or background of a photograph is its foundation. The backdrop sets the stage, the tone and reveals or hides things that might add or detract from the subject respectively. The go-to backdrop is seamless paper in its myriad of colors. Many companies sell custom painted backdrops on canvas or muslin for the "old master" look. Still, others, use big printers to make backgrounds. Backdrops can be made in Photoshop. Then the subject can be inserted in front of it. Rather than shooting backgrounds yourself, there is a vast library … [Read more...] about Creating custom backdrops for your photos using stock images
Motion graphics templates: Downloading MOGRTs from Adobe Stock
MOGRTs are a valuable resource for videographers who don't have the time or budget to create high-quality, eye-catching graphics for their productions. A great solution is motion graphics templates. They are available in both free and paid versions on Adobe Stock. This video shows how to download MOGRTs right into Premiere Pro CC. https://youtu.be/fJlp_wAcKIM … [Read more...] about Motion graphics templates: Downloading MOGRTs from Adobe Stock
How to prepare your photos and video for Adobe Stock
Let's continue our look at achieving success as a stock contributor for photo and video. Photofocus publisher Rich Harrington sits down with Dennis Radeke of Adobe to learn what it takes to prepare your content for Adobe Stock. This will help you get your content online so you can start earning. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lvfcNJTxi8 If you missed the first video in our series, be sure to check out: How to become an Adobe Stock contributor What subjects to shoot for stock video and photography? … [Read more...] about How to prepare your photos and video for Adobe Stock
All about motion graphics templates (MOGRTs) from Adobe Stock
Hidden in plain sight on the Adobe Stock home page is a world of free templates for making graphics that move. A very large number of these MOtion GRaphic Templates (a.k.a. MOGRTs) are free. The paid versions are available as fully editable watermarked previews. Templates Click the Templates button in the nav bar at the left of the Adobe Stock home page to go to the Templates section. There, you'll find templates for Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign and MOGRTs. Choose Motion Graphics Templates to get started. I searched these templates for … [Read more...] about All about motion graphics templates (MOGRTs) from Adobe Stock
Adweek Webinar: Video storytelling the impact of motion
Video is a force in advertising. From television to social media, motion impacts the message for products and services. Adweek, the voice of the advertising industry is presenting a webinar featuring Adobe Stock Content Development Manager Dennis Radeke and Photofocus publisher Richard Harrington. Dennis and Rich will present insights and practical advice on being a better storyteller by using the impact of motion. July 24, 2018, 1:00 PM EDT Register Now Video expectations are reaching new heights as audiences become more sophisticated. … [Read more...] about Adweek Webinar: Video storytelling the impact of motion
Contribute to Adobe Stock and get a year of Creative Cloud Photogs Plan free
Adobe Stock announced that the first twenty thousand (that's 20,000) contributors that have 300 approved files online this year will receive a code good for one year of the Creative Cloud Photographer's Plan for free. This is a great value. The code will extend existing plans for Creative Cloud subscribers. Contributing video clips and still photos to Adobe Stock is easy. Here's a detailed article to get you started. There is also more information on the Adobe Stock section of Adobe.com. You can also watch a video. The Adobe … [Read more...] about Contribute to Adobe Stock and get a year of Creative Cloud Photogs Plan free
What Subjects to Shoot for Stock Video and Photography?
Let's continue our look at achieving success as a stock contributor for photo and video. Photofocus publisher Rich Harrington sits down with Dennis Radeke of Adobe to learn what subjects sell best as stock video and stock photography. This is an inside look at the trends and topics that can help you reach a broader audience and monetize your photos and videos. https://youtu.be/VGNiRbsQffU If you missed the first video in our series, be sure to check out: How to Become an Adobe Stock Contributor … [Read more...] about What Subjects to Shoot for Stock Video and Photography?
Rick Ray, Documentarian & Adobe Stock Contributor
Rick Ray is a documentary filmmaker who has traveled all around the world making video stories. His work ranges from "The Soul of India" and "Raise the Bamboo Curtain: Vietnam, Cambodia, & Burma" to his 2006 "10 Questions for the Dali Lama." Learn why he contributes footage to Adobe Stock. https://youtu.be/ohH6A00lvC0 … [Read more...] about Rick Ray, Documentarian & Adobe Stock Contributor
How to Become an Adobe Stock Contributor
Making money as a creative professional can often be a challenge. Recently Adobe unveiled a new program that helps creative folks sell their photos and videos to a much broader audience as stock footage. In fact, the ability to reach people is built right into Adobe apps and is even available inside other tools like Microsoft office. In this first video in our series, Photofocus publisher Rich Harrington sits down with Dennis Radeke of Adobe to learn how to sign up as a stock contributor. This is a great way to earn more from your … [Read more...] about How to Become an Adobe Stock Contributor
Sunday Comics: Happy Easter & April Fools Day too!
Thanks to Adobe Stock and Kevin Ames for today's greetings … [Read more...] about Sunday Comics: Happy Easter & April Fools Day too!
Go from Drab to Fab by Replacing Skies
In Michigan, we get a lot of gray days. But as photographers, we can't let the weather hold us back. Let me show you how I used Luminar 2018 to replace the sky and make my image more engaging. Preparing Your Image In my case, I had already had an image that I processed in Luminar. I did some clone stamping and really played around with the tones, making for a blue-ish, cool tone. But the sky was completely flat, despite using the blue tone present. Choosing a Sky While I loved how my photograph turned out, I knew I wasn't getting any … [Read more...] about Go from Drab to Fab by Replacing Skies
Creating a Business Card with Adobe Stock
(Editor's note: it's easy to use a template available on Adobe Stock to create a logo for your business as Bryan Esler shows in this article. There is one issue with using Adobe Stock or most any stock for that matter to make your business's logo, it cannot be trademarked or copyrighted. This is because the creator of the template owns the copyright already. Adobe Stock’s contributing artists retain all copyrights to their images. For more visit: https://helpx.adobe.com/stock/kb/adobe-stock-known-issues.html That said, most small businesses do … [Read more...] about Creating a Business Card with Adobe Stock
Creativity in Motion
(Editor's note: This guest post is from Adobe Stock Video expert Dennis Radeke. The photograph above was created with Adobe Stock.) Last year, we launched a brand new content type on Adobe Stock: Motion Graphics templates. These templates, made in After Effects, are easily accessed in Adobe Premiere Pro to create animated transitions, titles, and lower thirds, enabling video creators to add a polished, finishing touch to their video projects. https://youtu.be/P2vlCeW8RoI We’ve sourced our collection from the world’s leading motion … [Read more...] about Creativity in Motion
How to Create a Logo Using Adobe Stock – Updated
(Editor's note: it's easy to use a template available on Adobe Stock to create a logo for your business as Bryan Esler shows in this article. There is one issue with using Adobe Stock or most any stock for that matter to make your business's logo, it cannot be trademarked or copyrighted. This is because the creator of the template owns the copyright already. Adobe Stock’s contributing artists retain all copyrights to their images. For more visit: https://helpx.adobe.com/stock/kb/adobe-stock-known-issues.html That said, most small businesses do … [Read more...] about How to Create a Logo Using Adobe Stock – Updated
