Dear Reader,

Here’s this week’s photo tip, with three of photographer Shelly Perry’s favorite shots from the Photo Challenge...

Lori Allen
Director, AWAI Travel Division

P.S. Remember: Our Get Paid to Travel Teleconference is coming up next Monday evening. Listen in as freelance writer Jennifer Stevens talks with writer and “freebie queen” Steenie Harvey, prolific writer Roy Stevenson, and a surprise special guest, about just how easy it is to start exploring the world, meeting new people, and enjoying the freedom and independence of an income, no matter where in the world you choose to live.

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June 24, 2009
The Right Way to Travel, Weekly Photo Tip
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FROM GOOD TO STOCK
By Shelly Perry in Portland, OR

As an official stock photo inspector, I’m trained to look at every little detail in a photo. And every month, while sorting through the Photo Challenge submissions, I come across some shots that are really good, but could still be improved in one small way or another.

Three of this month’s submissions stand out for me as great shots that could use just a little tweak to make them stock-worthy.

Here’s the first shot…

The only thing I would suggest for this photo is a little processing. Here it is with a small levels and curves adjustment (more on how to adjust levels and curves here).

 

Notice how these two simple adjustments give the shot more “pop” with a little more contrast and brighter colors.

Here’s another one…

This shot, called "Mutual Comfort," is a darling photo. Shots like this, with a strong human-animal relationship element, can be high sellers for stock. In this case, since the person in the photo is not recognizable, a model release would probably not be required.



My only suggestion for this shot might be to get in a bit closer and put the puppy a bit further, placing him on the right Thirds Line, like this:

 

In this third shot, below, I get the feeling that the photographer kept taking photos and trying different approaches as she watched her children playing -- something I always advocate doing.



I suggest running it through some processing and possibly giving it an even tighter composition. Placing the hands on the thirds line would make the composition stronger and leave good space for editorial copy:

 

Note: Lightroom and Photoshop instruction videos come with the Turn Your Pictures into Cash program.

ENTER TO WIN!

This month’s Photo Challenge theme is Body Language. If you have a picture to submit, log on to our website and click on the Enter to Win tab. (Note: First-time users need to register on the "register" link on the right side bar first. Once you have a username and password, click "Enter to Win" to upload your photo. Only one photo per applicant will be considered. No purchase necessary to register.)

The “Body Language” Challenge photo submission due date is extended to 8:00 a.m. EST, Monday, June 29, 2009.

[ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Shelly Perry from Portland, Oregon, specializes in people photography, what she calls documentary or lifestyle portraits. She is known especially for her imaging of children. Shelly’s concern for people is reflected both in her sense of purpose and the images she produces. Her images have been seen all over the globe on music CD covers, books, magazines, catalogues, web sites, ad campaigns and even on TV. Her work has also appeared in several local exhibits and gallery shows. You can meet Shelly in person at the Ultimate Travel Writer's Workshop this July in Denver. ]

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