In light of much discussion about who belongs on RB, and what sorts of images should be uploaded, I have converted all my current images to be available as Cards Only. It was so easy when uploading, to keep the boxes ticked and simply upload as everything, but really I’m not in the big league, nor do I have the appropriate equipment, training, style etc to make my images available as anything other than cards.
I have seen some of my images made up as cards, and the quality of the cards themselves is very high, and my images don’t look too bad on them either.
I have also added “cp” on many of my images – meaning “critique please”. Please feel free to comment on all images not just those with cp in the tag. I expect those viewing my images with the intent to purchase will include my family and friends, and they won’t be put off by any comments, negative or otherwise. Apologies to the RB’er who posted the original idea of cp, I can’t remember who it was, but I like the idea.
ECFTBH
There really isn’t anything wrong with your work. I really like it and it doesn’t look unprofessional to me. You shouldn’t take other peoples comments to heart so much! Admittedly, there are some pretty average “snapshot-ish” work on here, but yours isn’t included as far as I’m concerned.
Michelle422
Actually I have your page opened up on another screen at the moment so I can browse your work while I read these blogs. I agree with ECFTBH. I enjoyed a lot of your work.
I am not an “artist”, professional photographer, or whatever but I consider my opinion is just as legitimate as the next person. I joined to upload writing.
Funny that the writers on this site don’t complain about the “poetry” that gets uploaded here from self confessed new writers.
I am sure that if someone would like your images in a format other than cards then they can request that you make it available.
I am about to “hide” my green tree frog as it was meant to be an illustration for a piece of writing and it is not of a high resolution.
These debates are making us all think long and hard about our pics.
trickyruby
can i let you into a little secret?… i dont have a fancy pants camera, photographic training or class myself as big league either, but what I and you do have is a flair for style, good concept of a good image, an eye for detail, creativity and artistic flair.
i understand how some recent posts make you re-evaluate your work and yourself and question your ability and right to be on here, ive done it myself. I must admit i agree with some recent posts, happy snappers seem to be uploading things which i personally class as the snaps to keep in a family album. This site is not about seeing your pets or your mums birthday party etc, its a wonderful free site that enables us to show our creativity to a wider audience and if we make a sale then yippee!, other people on here just think “hey its free lets upload as many cruddy images as we can” (well maybe they dont think at all) and i can assure you you are not one of them! your work is good, there is a thought process that goes on in your brain, try and have a little confidence in yourself and your work, you deserve too, and hey if ECFTBH likes your work (and hers is outstanding!) then your onto a winner!.
botanicfanatic
Until RedBubble themselves start deleting accounts, then I reckon we’re all free to use this site as we choose. Nobody appointed me or anyone else to be the style/quality police! Goodness knows there’s a huge variety of work here, but I’ve personally had no problem finding things that I’d buy. My own photography has improved since joining and learning from others here, so I like to encourage others too. I genuinely like your work and agree that you don’t need to be so hard on yourself, dabble :)
I’ve created a second account for ‘wall art’ but that’s mainly because I need a separate pricing policy from the cards (different percentage markup). Like you I’m also not as confident that my photography is worthy of being offered as art… looking forward to the stainless steel ego I ordered for Christmas. :)
botanicfanatic
ps the cp tag is a good idea!
Adriana Glackin
ECFTBH – thanks for your kind words. All this talk about Art vs Photography (as in happy snaps) has actually been good, as it’s forcing me to examine what I upload, and that’s a good thing. I certainly want to see RB maintain a high level of art so that the ones who rely on RB as a selling vehicle can sell their work with minimal distraction.
Oh, if you’re ever in Sydney and you’re in a “Norman Lindsey” phase – then I’m your gal! : )
Michelle422 – “These debates are making us all think long and hard about our pics.” Yes, I agree wholeheartedly and if it means I need extra patience and spend more time on photoshop, then the results are sooo worth it – can’t believe I was cursing the bloody software about a year ago – I’d be lost without it now!
trickyruby – “i dont have a fancy pants camera,” I must admit, I’m pleasantly surprised at some of the results I’m achieving, disappointed in a lot more, but this whole debate is making me much more selective with what I keep and play with and then finally upload.
Alison Broome – “personally had no problem finding things that I’d buy” . I also agree, if I put my buyer’s hat on, then I would use keywords to find an image I’m interested in or simply view the popular section of RB. A buyer, I feel, really won’t be distracted or put off by poor images, as they really don’t even need to click on them, they simply bypass them. If they are distracted by them, then perhaps they’re very finicky buyers to begin with and would have been distracted by anything.
thanks for your comments, if all this means I improve my skills, then hip hip hooray!
Deri Dority
I honestly really like your work and am surprised that you even thought that you are not in a league to have wall art. You don’t have anything that anyone could come close to considering a “snapshot”. The “snapshots” are pretty obvious, but it amazes me how many people have thought that people were referring to their work.
I do think that we all need to examine what we upload, I have deleted several of my photos to keep the quality up on my portfolio. I also think that all of us have self doubts about our work, it comes with the territory. Your work is beautiful, keep on going with it!