Critiques Please

Hello fellow Stock Videographers,

Curious if anyone would be so kind to give me some feedback on my Stock video's. Im new to this and would love any tips or pointers you can offer. I'm currently traveling the would and hope to do this full time.

www.pond5.com/artist/seanmstudio6

Thank you,
SeanM
Studio6

Hi there!

i just started to upload stock footage here also, so I am new to stock footage, but I was working a lot with videos (mostly as editor for TV Show) so I could say something - your videos are good, but there is one thing I noticed on many of them - they seem to dark, I think you need to brighten them in post, or film them so they are little brighter, because I think that most videos especially used for advertisements and TV - they are bright looking ones.
So just keep your brightness up, and I think you will make great videos!

Ok, Thank you great advise. I'm starting to transfer out of the cinema color space (what i'm used to) and more of a video color space. I shoot all my video over 1 stop, gives me room in post because after applying the Rec 709 profile it darkens drastically. Using Davinci resolve I guess I have to brighten my levels during coloring , well more balancing. Would be great to be able to sell Native Cinema DNG files straight from camera so people who purchase can make the look they want.

Personally, I'd never upload files right from camera. You're assuming that all buyers have the knowledge or time to do professional color grading from flat or raw footage.
A few years ago I did a test with a few files and uploaded them without grading, and uploaded the same with grading.
The graded files sell while the ungraded flat video sits.
My opinion is when a buyer is looking at videos to select the eye just goes to the bright graded video.

Look at stock photos, I've never seen a flat lifeless photograph for sale as stock, why do that to video?

But again, this is just my opinion as your mileage may vary.

Yup too dark. Get a good tripod with a good fluid head. Some handheld will sell but you'll do better with lock down or smooth tilts and pans. Jake is right but don't over process with too much contrast, saturation and especially sharpness. Make them look realistic ... what the eye sees and that will give the end user latitude to process to his needs. If you want to do this full time raise your prices to a professional and not hobby level. Look at Artist resources and see what the best selling clips are selling for. You will be surprised. Very few Artists make a good living at these lower prices and many do very well at a higher fair price. All your choices, good luck.

I agree, i searched for most popular footage here on pond5 and other stock-sites. Most footage seems ready to use graded so i guess thats what sells. Also most is steady footage or smooth movements. I am new myself so i need to work on that. Got myself a tiny tripod for starters that fits in a shoulderbag with the camera and lens.

Colors seems to be the hardest part for me. Especially since the colors and light in early spring is really bad. Everything is brown and lifeless, sun is harsh and hurts the eyes. Gets better in a month or so i guess..

Thank you everyone for the great advice!!

One thing I have learned and know is true is as soon as you learn something the tech changes and you are behind again, lol. Im shooting on the Osmo RAW, not very impressed with this system as far as smooth shots, guess it will come with time and practice.After the price tag for this system im pretty much locked in to it for the time being. I agree and going to bump my prices to the average, wasn't trying to undercut by any means just thought of offering an intro special lol.

When there are millions and combined tens of millions of clips on various agencies an intro special still doesn't show up. You need to build a large portfolio of quality footage and build a reputation with buyers and producers. Plan on making all your profit on the first sale and additional sales are just a bonus. Good luck.

nice footage man, keep it up. happy traveling :)