Framing the Microshot
 How to frame the microshot
Looking out for micro photo opportunities takes a lens inside the mind. The eye should be scanning new environments for surfaces, textures, and patterns that furnish deep detail at the Micro level. Adjusted lensing, different angles, and better lighting will develop a better and more salable image. This lamp was sitting in a corner?
The camera can grab detail that can be edited to stand alone as a theme or subject. This is key to remember when looking for micro material. I plan to revisit this object in better light and composition conditions. I can already tell that on a black and white accented setting and with perspective the map panels will really look dramatic. This makes a stunning picture accent for black and white themed websites and invitations, brochures or articles.
This lamp had some detail that sang “Art Deco” to me. The juxtaposition of the panes of the lamp alone make a compelling photograph. You don’t need to know the definititon of art deco style or decoration to know that this is it. Often people are looking to see pictures so they can get an idea for a project they are working on. Classification of style or type confuse people and thus they go to to Internet to fill in the gaps.
Now, to market. The market for things like this can be large because often people are simply looking in image searches for what something looks like. Rarely will anybody look through a 5,000 Wikipedia article when they can scan a few images and make up their minds for themselves. The tags that accompany the image will bring the traffic. Unfamiliar words or proper styles or definitive design or art detail gets curiosity traffic.
Part of the microstock photographer’s playbook is to learn how to compose shots in the field for aftermarket composition and editing. With an identified contrast color used as as a contrast technique, the edge becomes an attraction that sets off the entire website design. Perhaps one of the microstock sites will have 50 other images with a similar toned group of images. but maybe one of them will not have a pattern with keywords attached. That’s filling a niche.
One technique when looking to package legal images online for sale is to think about the border appeal. Is the rim color of the most of the photo in shadow, blurred, or predominantly one color? Does the image need a border? Does the impact of the image draw the viewer in, make them ask questions? If you can answer yes to these concepts, your microstock image micro shot may have sales value.
