Feedback Portfolio
Runawayphill
9 Apr 2022 13:36
Hello, everyone. I'm relatively new here on Pond5, so I wanted to ask for some feedback from you experienced users. Thanks in advance.
stevedonaldson
11 Apr 2022 15:43
I will start by saying when I give advice, please remember this is only my opinion, so you may accept or reject it as you wish without me being offended one bit. But I have sold just enough clips on P5 (this account and my non-exclusive one) to feed my obsession with videography.
First, I will say that the clips you have posted are stunningly beautiful. I am jealous that you have access to such beautiful mountains and the skill to create these clips. So I have no comments about what you have created already, except to say I like them very much.
I will say about your portfolio in general, as it is now, seems like a single topic (mostly the Alps in winter from high altitude or distance), with a few exceptions. That will limit your sales, I think. If you want to increase the probability of sales, you should expand your portfolio to include multiple topics. But if you love to shoot only these types of clips, then that is for only you to choose to keep doing this or broaden your topics.
Even drone aerials I would recommend getting lower in some clips, to show not just the beauty of the mountains but the way people live in them. I always like clips that are layered: foreground, mid-ground, and distant so that when you fly motion, you see relative motion. I've posted a clip at the end of one of my best selling shots that I did see in a documentary that demonstrates this. Also, I think the best time to shoot anything with the sky is after a cold front has passed, so there is a mix of beautiful blue sky and dramatic cloud formations. Also of course golden hour. You have some of these.
And as P5 keeps saying, if you can get people shots with signed release forms (think yourself and family first) then go for it. Of course always be thinking "who would buy these" and try to broaden that. Since you are located near the mountains, I would think of glacier melt (global warming), wind turbines, tourist shots or shots of popular tourist destinations with people, local food, crafts, music, arts, etc.
Just some thoughts you can dismiss if you like. But again, what you have posted is very impressive, in my opinion. Now, in the words of someone wiser than me, "just go shoot a thousand more."
First, I will say that the clips you have posted are stunningly beautiful. I am jealous that you have access to such beautiful mountains and the skill to create these clips. So I have no comments about what you have created already, except to say I like them very much.
I will say about your portfolio in general, as it is now, seems like a single topic (mostly the Alps in winter from high altitude or distance), with a few exceptions. That will limit your sales, I think. If you want to increase the probability of sales, you should expand your portfolio to include multiple topics. But if you love to shoot only these types of clips, then that is for only you to choose to keep doing this or broaden your topics.
Even drone aerials I would recommend getting lower in some clips, to show not just the beauty of the mountains but the way people live in them. I always like clips that are layered: foreground, mid-ground, and distant so that when you fly motion, you see relative motion. I've posted a clip at the end of one of my best selling shots that I did see in a documentary that demonstrates this. Also, I think the best time to shoot anything with the sky is after a cold front has passed, so there is a mix of beautiful blue sky and dramatic cloud formations. Also of course golden hour. You have some of these.
And as P5 keeps saying, if you can get people shots with signed release forms (think yourself and family first) then go for it. Of course always be thinking "who would buy these" and try to broaden that. Since you are located near the mountains, I would think of glacier melt (global warming), wind turbines, tourist shots or shots of popular tourist destinations with people, local food, crafts, music, arts, etc.
Just some thoughts you can dismiss if you like. But again, what you have posted is very impressive, in my opinion. Now, in the words of someone wiser than me, "just go shoot a thousand more."
bryanbush
11 Apr 2022 19:18
Runawayphill, very cool shots. I don't say this often but I think you should charge more for them. These clips of beautiful mountain views, might get used less than people shots but are not easy to get for everyone, a drone crash is also expensive, so I think try and capitalize on them a bit more, by getting a bit more for them when they are needed.
Do you live in this beautiful remote area? If so maybe also try and get some shots of what life is like in the area. The food the culture the people, even if the person is just you. My suggestion would be to keep expanding your portfolio. A wider list of relevant keywords will get your other content seen more. So the more diversity of content the better.
The clips you have are a great start though, I think you should keep at it. It is hard to be noticed in such a big sea of clips, don't get discouraged.
Do you live in this beautiful remote area? If so maybe also try and get some shots of what life is like in the area. The food the culture the people, even if the person is just you. My suggestion would be to keep expanding your portfolio. A wider list of relevant keywords will get your other content seen more. So the more diversity of content the better.
The clips you have are a great start though, I think you should keep at it. It is hard to be noticed in such a big sea of clips, don't get discouraged.