Everything starts with a hands-on, learn-by-doing event.
Four to eight artists travel to a developing country to meet up with two to four local artist whom they’ve connected with either through the Rule of Thirds website or on of the other online stock communities. For example, here’s how photographers work together;
Equipment Sharing
The visiting artist bring with them equipment, where possible, such as lighting, lenses, computers and so forth for use by all participants during the event. In some cases, they are able to leave the equipment behind as well.
Learning together
Shoot Planning
Over 3 or 4 days, photographers shoot stock-focused images together, sharing models, locations, props, and equipment to create a few hundred images each.
Before the trip, the lead photographer works with the local artists to select models, locations and themes for the event. This is a highly collaborative process and all the attendees have input through forums and email to determine the focus for the event.
Shooting
Lighting skills, working with models, execution of concepts, basic photography principles, copyright issues, and other best practices are all covered over these days. Each photographer takes turns shooting while the other assist them in the process – its an amazingly valuable time where lifelong lessons and skills are acquired.
Each day, we shoot at one or two locations that a good for stock use – homes, offices, schools, parks, restaurants and hotels all make ideal locations. Friends, family, and co-workers often step in to become models and actors make ideal stock models since stock is more about capturing everyday life than fantasy. Themes are chosen to produce stock of value to the host culture and global tastes – it’s always a mix. Some people have never used lights or models before this and it’s really fun for them.
Processing
Following the live shoots, the photographers upload their images to computers and work through the refining process where the photographs are prepared for sale. This process includes image refinement using image processing software, preparing legal documents such as model releases, and keyword selection – all vital to creating images that will sell in the global marketplace.
If internet access is available, the artists also work together to create online sales accounts, profile creation and file upload to various online marketplaces. Within days of the event, the local photographers will have images online for sale!
Post Trip Assistance
After returning home, the photographers continue to mentor each other through forums and email, offering advice, assistance processing files, and helping monitor sales of content, making suggestions about to increase sales.
All the content created during an event can be uploaded to the Rule of Thirds site gallery and is linked to the microstock site of the artist’s choice so viewers can purchase it.
Get involved!
