Hello July 2007! This is the first July interview in my 20-Qs series with some of deviantART's stock producers. I hope these weekly articles inspire other stockers, and I hope you feel better acquainted with the stock photographers that supply the stock that you use in your art!

This week I have the honor of sharing my discussion with Eli of =eli-stock. ("Eli" is pronounced "Ellie".)



Eli has been offering stock photos at deviantART since April 2004. Her stock photos come from all the way down under in Tasmania. (That's Australia, for those that didn't already know.)

With models from some of deviantART's other Tasmanian stock producers, Eli captures a lovely array of emotions and poses for her stock gallery. Not only does she provide photographs for you to use in your artwork, but she also poses for many of these images herself. Being a stocker in my own right, I can say that I've seen several fine art photomanipulations at deviantART that involve her stocks.

I was thrilled when this friendly and endearing deviant agreed to this interview with me. In our discussion that follows this introduction, Eli graciously opened up to me about stock photography tips, her inspirations, her feelings about producing nude stock, advice for new stockers, and much more...

1. What made you first decide that you would like to produce stock photos?

=eli-stock: After seeing all the great stock that was on Deviantart and learning what stock was for I decided that I was going to save up for a digital camera and start an account myself. Since then the madness has never stopped I just love seeing the art that people create with my photos and all of the other stock created on here every day. It just amazes me all the different things people can come up with

2. Once you decided to provide photos for other people to use in their artwork, why did you decide to use deviantART to display your stock?

=eli-stock: Well I didn't know about many of the other art sites [until] earlier this year when I thought to have a look around at the other sites. The community [at dA] is wonderful, there are so many wonderful people who create fantastic art of all types here, and it is just plain addictive! I do have a stock account on a website called SheezyArt, but the site never got me addicted. The community was nothing compared to what it is here. I just guess im a DAFanatic at heart.

3. Your photo art is at *lowey666. How do you decide which gallery (art photography versus stock photography) your photos will go into?

=eli-stock: Well most of the photos I take are for stock purposes. But when I look through them properly I think that some of them are good enough for my art photography account. I dont think I really make a choice at what goes into what account. It really depends on what I see when I look at the photo.


I took this photo while doing stock, but when I saw the results I thought it would be better off as art photography.


This was taken in one of me and *gracie-stock's big adventures. I thought it would be great as outdoor stock. There is decent lighting. Yes there is a bit too much sun in some places, but I think that adds character.

4. By viewing your stock gallery, one can easily assume that model stock is your favorite stock category when supplying your photos for public use. What makes model stock so special to you?

=eli-stock: Well by viewing people's art on Deviantart, Model stock is the most used in my opinion. I'm not all in it for the usage though. I used to have alot of self image problems, but doing model stock and seeing the beautiful art made from them really means something to me and helps me in a way. I really like taking pictures of other models (=Gracies-Stock, ~littlepinkelephants and ~ThisIsMyWorld-Stock). And because these girls are dear friends of mine, it means alot to me also to see the art made. It is also another way to express myself in different ways and to portray different parts of my personality.

5. Seeing someone use one's stock photos in art for the first time can offer a uniquely special feeling for a stock producer. What was the first piece of art created with your stock?

=eli-stock:

By ~Micia
I was so excited to see this. It was my first usage and I still love it to this day

6. Since then, what do you think has been your biggest source of inspiration when shooting stock photos?

=eli-stock: My inspiration is the other stockers and wanting to make more and better photos each time. When I go through my devwatch I always make sure to have a look at the new stocks created, and I'm constantly browsing the newly submitted stocks. I have a little book that sits next to the computer that I write all my idea's in. It just amazes me that people can turn something like a simple sheet into an amazing dress/skirt

7. Speaking of inspiration, which stock producers at deviantART inspire or challenge you the most?

=eli-stock:

=Gracies-Stock
She is full of ideas, and when we get together for a stock shoot we end up with about 600 photos in about 2 hours! If I ever feel lost for ideas I talk to her, and we come up with some ideas that will work together and with the amount of great stock that she comes up with they are very inspirational, and she doesnt mind if [I] do something similar.

*LongStock
I have been an admirer of her stock for soooo long. Her costumes, the idea's she comes up with are just pure beauty!

*Hanratty-Stock
She has a true community spirit in her, always helping people out and coming up with new ideas. Her stock is amazing and is never a bore.

~9mm-stock
She was the first stocker I saw on Deviantart, and even though she doesnt have many of her images in her account any more I love her stock and still use it Also another person that inspired me to start my stock account

...Every other stocker out there. [They] are all amazing and inspiring. If it wasn't for the other stockers on this website I dont think I would have kept going on with this account.

8. What do you feel are the most challenging or difficult aspects of supplying good stock for artistic use?

=eli-stock: Well my first challenge was the camera. I never used to have a digital camera, and just before I started doing stock I worked at a big festival held here in Tasmania each New Year. I managed to make myself enough money to get myself a 3.0 MP digi cam. It wasn't the best camera, but it was my starting point.

After doing a few different photos I realised that I needed to clear up my backgrounds by using a plain wall or sheet as a background. I have since upgraded to a 6.1MP digital camera also and want to upgrade again to an even better camera. I have also recently been getting more props as more materials, a better backdrop (even if it is an old sheet it works great!) and [I] even got myself a wig

9. Which of your stock photos do you think is used the most?

=eli-stock:


I have seen this used alot lately... and I'm not really sure why.

10. What are some of your favorite ways that you've seen this image used?

=eli-stock:

by ~MistressYami
I'm not sure why I like this one so much. I think [it's] just because I can stare at it for so long.

by ~sumasiapa
I love vectors The detail of the smoke... everything...

by ~susan-chan
This is just so elegant and fairy like. The detail is awesome, and I love everything about it

11. If someone asked you for advice about starting a stock gallery at dA, what important words of wisdom would you share with them that you wish someone would have told you when you first started out?

=eli-stock: Know your limits and stick to them. If you are not comfortable with a request or photoshoot idea, don't do it.

Try different things. Don't always wear the same clothes and have the same expression.

Also try to have a plain background. If you have a blank wall somewhere use that, or even chuck up an old sheet or material as a backdrop

If you dont have a tripod and have no one to take the photos for you try and use a table, chair or something similar.

And try not to do MySpace [style] piccies people. DA has enough of them.

Last but not least... be yourself.

12. What is a typical stock photo shoot with you like?

=eli-stock: I usually do my stock by myself, so I will tell you how I do the shoots.

I use my spare room for the moment. I start off very patiently trying to put my backdrop up (very fustrating at times). Then I rummage up all of the clothing and props I intend to use and have them close by. I grab my chair to put my Mini Tripod on (Thanks ~littlepinkelephants!) and line it up with the backdrops. Then the running around begins. I use the self timer when I am by myself, so I am constantly running back and forth from the camera trying not to trip over everything. (Unsuccessfully at times!)

When I do a shoot with someone else it runs alot more smoothly. We usually sit around at first and come up with ideas with what we want to do. (Sometimes we don't think too well before a shoot, and I end up wrapped up in a duct tape corset!) We then set it all up if the shoot is going to be inside. Then it is just a constant click of the camera. I think sometimes the random shots can be great! We also do a fair few outdoor shoots, which either consist of one of us freezing our privates off or getting glass stuck in out foot But we always make the shoot fun. Good photos come from a good time doing it.

13. How has stock photography helped you improve your art photography?

=eli-stock: I think about my photos differently now. When I [do] stock, lighting is one of the most important things. So when I [do] my art photography I am trying to get the right lighting the right angle and it tought me to take more than one of the photo to make sure one turns out. Because there is nothing worse than getting home and looking at the photo on your computer to realise it didnt turn out.

I upgraded to a Kodak Easyshare c663 just over a year ago, and it is a fantastic little camera. I never leave home without it. It is great to take photos with, but if you don't have the right lighting the photos can turn out not the best. I am hoping to upgrade to a Kodak easyshare p880 *drools*

But I have learnt that it is not just the camera that makes the picture; it is the person behind the camera. I have so many photos that I love that I took with my first digital camera (which was a Dick Smith Electronics brand 3.0 mp)

14. What stock photo in your gallery makes you most proud?

=eli-stock: That would have to be my DD. I wasn't sure about uploading these images because I wasn't sure of the response I would get. I really liked them and I bit the bullet and did it. And much to my shock I got a DD out of one of them.


(My DD.)


I also really love this photo. Not sure why, but it stands out to me amongst the rest

15. Let's assume you have an unlimited amount of money for this question. If you could capture only one final photo for your stock gallery, what would you photograph?

=eli-stock: I wouldnt be able to go to just one place. I would have to travel all around the world with a brand spankin new camera. Take a couple of my friends there and just go nuts!!! I would love to go to India or Seattle one day.

16. What kinds of stock photos can we expect to see in your gallery next?

=eli-stock: Well I have about 500 images up upload. Some old, some new. So watch out people, you never know what will be in your devwatch box next

17. What three things will we never see in your stock gallery?

=eli-stock: Full Frontal Nudity. Yes I have nudity in my gallery, but I will never show more than I have. In none of my nude photos can you see privates other than my bum or the occasional glimpse of a nipple that slips out

My Old Stock. I am slowly getting rid of my old cluttered stock and redoing them. I don't think they are the best of quality, and I know I can do them better now

Not sure on the third.

18. Which piece of art created with your stock has made you most proud to be a stocker?

=eli-stock:

by *st-frantic
I love *st-frantic's art and I have had the honour of being used in a few of his art works lately. He puts alot of detail into his work but never over does it

by *pincel3d
This is just stunning. The detail, the idea. So simple but so beautiful.

by *TheJasmineDragon
And last but not least - this I truely love also. I am a HUGE Final Fantasy fan, and for someone to use my stock inspired by FF I am honoured. The detail and everything is just perfect

19. If you had to choose only one, which of the following would you prefer to do: only art photography or only stock photography?

=eli-stock: Well really they are nearly the same thing. But if I HAD to choose I would choose stock because in its own way it is art photography. And you get alot more out of stock in the end than just an image. You end up with wonderful arts created from that image.

20. When you decided to do this interview (thank you again), what else were you hoping I'd ask you? And what would your answer/s be?

=eli-stock: Hmm... well... ummm...

Oh yes. My Contest with =Gracies-Stock. For those who don't know, me and =Gracies-Stock are holding a joint contest. The full details about it [are] in my main journal. [It ends on] 31st August, and there are some great prizes!

Thank you, Eli, for taking so much of your time for this interview!

=eli-stock: Thanks for letting me do this


_{Previous Interviews:
20 Questions with LadyEdanaStock (June 25, 2007)
20 Questions with Cookiekitty-Stock (June 18, 2007)
20 Questions with Hanratty-Stock (June 11, 2007)
20 Questions with Resurgere (June 4, 2007)
20 Questions with LDD-Stock (May 17, 2007)
20 Questions with Markopolio-Stock (May 14, 2007)
20 Questions with Gracies-Stock (May 7, 2007)
20 Questions with AlinePotter-stock (May 3, 2007)}