As a photo manipulator, it is extremely frustrating to find a piece of stock that is perfect for your current project, but almost useless because of the extra time and work required to get the image clean enough for proper use. Here are some tips that show what I look for, when hunting for a photo.

1. Background

Perhaps the most important thing of all. I want a back ground that is clean and uncomplicated, preferably a solid color. I suggest an off color, something that isn't in your costume or any other part of the photo. (Like a green screen in a movie) Hanging up a sheet is and excellent thing, especially one that is fresh with minimal wrinkles. A wall is great too, but it often helps to put down a sheet on the floor so you have a solid color as a background.
For outdoor stock, Backgrounds that are simple are best. Try to avoid lots of trees, or a busy street, or anything complicated, unless it is specifically part of your stock. When shooting outside, make sure you don't have anything covering your model. (E.G. Grass crossing the face, a branch covering part of one arm, etc.)

2. "Supporting" Props

These are props that support the body when the picture is taken. (E.G. Beds, stools, ladders, etc.) If you are going for the "floating" look, it is much less hassle on an artist using your stock, if you cover this with a sheet the same color as your background. (For floating, you can also lay on the ground and take photos from above, that way you have no extras to mess with.) If this is not possible, for safety reasons, at least try to make your backgrounds neat and tidy. (See #1)

3. Lighting

This is probably the thing I reject photos the most for, bad lighting. Bright light is the best, (An artist who wants a photo darker can change that in their art program) coming from above the subject of the photo, and possibly behind or next to, the camera. Even if you have lights next to your subject for the stock, (E.G. X-mass lights, lamps, or otherwise) please do NOT let that be the lighting of your entire photo. It will be too dark to be of any use.

4. Subjects

I find it a shame that I had to put this in here, and I know most of you out there don't do this, but I find it more and more common when a second model is introduced into the scene. NEVER cut off part of one model, even if he/she isn't the main focus of your photo. I have alot of trouble with great pictures, where the top of a subject's head has been snipped off. Please avoid this if possible. (This of course goes for single subject photos as well) When doing portrait, or anatomy shots, include a little extra in your photo than you expect to be used. (E.G. For a head, cut off just below the base of the neck, for a hand below the wrist, Etc.) This is enormously helpful, as it allows room for mistakes.

5. Resolution

This may not be a possible thing for many people, I have never tried to make stock, and I honer that it is probably a little on the difficult side. High resolution photos are best, as high as possible actually. You can NEVER get too high of resolution. However, this often means that you resize your image for DA, and require that artist download the image for maximum resolution. We are quite happy to do so!

6.Props

Props are wonderful, I love them. But a few things need to be said about props, especially large ones. (E.G. Long bows, Umbrellas, staffs, etc.) It is extremely difficult to use this stock when part of the prop is cut off of the top of the photo. Please take care to include all of the prop in the picture if you are going to use it.

That's really all there is! I know that not every photo manipulator agrees with me, as no too of us are the same, but this will most likely improve the quality of your stock photos. I hope reading this was worth your time! :3