Welcome to the Seventeenth issue of Stockilicious

Index
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1 - Thumbnail Feature and Stock Tips - Unknown Stockers
2 - FEATURED STOCKER
3 - Forum Activity
4 - Stockilicious Contest: WIN A YEAR'S SUBSCRIPTION!
5 - Monthly Stock Project
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FEATURES AND TIPS:
They may've been here since the beginning of time or they may be some newbies that haven't quite gotten 'out there' yet. Either as old hands or cute little newbies - there are some stockers out there that just don't receive the recognition they deserve.

It sure is hard to find some of these people, lurking in the shadows, if you don't know the right people or if they don't get out there and promote themselves. So to save a bit of the hassle of going through the 'friend of' sections of everyone EVER I've decided to do a quick feature on a few of the lesser known stockers here on dA



TIPS FOR NEWBIE STOCKERS:
Self-Focussing The Camera: If you want to focus the camera the easiest thing to do is to set it to auto-focus. Put an object where you will be standing and focus on IT. Switch back to manual focus (to lock that focal depth). Remove the object. Set the timer. BAM! Instand Self-focus.
More in-depth details are here: Camera Focus With Self-Timer
Resizing: DO NOT RESIZE!!! Really, just don't. Resizing to make it larger will lessen the quality. Resizing down means that if someone wants a larger size they have to MAKE it grainy/blurry to get the size they need. Just leave the size as-is.
^Hanratty-Stock has done a Resizing Tutorial to answer all your questions on that
Rules Writing: Don't forget to make a 'rules' journal on your dA page and put a link either on your MAIN journal, the deviation or in your signature so its easy to find. The basics you want to cover is 'Crediting, Notification and Prints'. If you want details on that, have a look at this tutorial:
Guide To Starting A Stock Account Tutorial
Getting Noticed: Just get out there. Comment on people's artwork/stock, join the Stock Forums, friend other stockers, join stock clubs... just make yourself known. You won't get any recognition if you don't let people know you're there first.
Strive Towards...: I'm not saying to stalk the other stockers - but find a stocker you admire and try and strive towards their level. If they have huge amounts of variety in their gallery then take some inspiration and try new things. If they have a solid, clean backdrop - then try and get the same thing. If they use certain programs or pre-edit their stock, do the same. Try and get the same kind of quality as them and same inspiration too.
Preparing Stock Images for dA Tutorial will have heaps more tips for you
Setting Up Your Stock Area: Please, for the love of God, get a backdrop. Even just pinning a sheet up to your wall/door will make your models easier to crop out. If you can put a sheet down on the ground too (same colour) that's GREAT! Tidy up anything messy around your 'camera viewing area' so they won't show up in your photos. Try and get somewhere with as much natural light as possible and if not - grab some lamps from around the house. Keeping things clean isn't just something your mother will nag you about if you start doing stock
You want more info? Check out this tutorial: Stock Area Set-Up
Donations & You: First off, as a stocker myself, I know its kind of hard getting donations for stuff. If you've ever heard the phrase 'I'm just a poor artist' then you'll know what I mean. We offer stock on dA for free so donations should be optional. Therefore, try offering exclusive packs or features in return for donations to make it worthwhile. Second of all - don't ask for uber-expensive stuff and ONLY ask for stuff that you can also use for your stock (unless its an emergency). If you saw that cute little dress on sale for $100 (seriously... that's not a sale) that you MUST have then don't expect people to be dropping millions of dollars on you. Keep it cheap, make sure it is versatile and can be used in many different ways and give something in return for their generosity.


FEATURED STOCKER:
A new little section to showcase a particular stocker each week. Its not just because I LOVE their stock - but because of how useful it can be and just how generally amazing it is! You will be kicking yourself if you don't take a few moments to check them out!

This week: *Deathrockstock
Good ol' Ripley and the crew, making mischief as always and creating stock that rocks my world. You've got the good old bloodied up models, 'on location' photoshoots, brides in the forest, and Misanthropy to boot! You just can't NOT love these guys. With a fantastic choice between models, their costumes AND their kick ass make-up you just CAN'T go wrong here.



FOCUS ON THE FORUMS!:

The StockArt forums are located here: StockArt Forums

A place for stockers to promote their contests, artists to request specific stock, ask for help finding stock, discuss stockart in general and much more! We go a little silly sometimes but don't let that scare you off! Just remember what we're about - STOCK!!

Trees, rejoice, a new ^ has come!: by *Cat-in-the-Stock. It may sound silly (our threads usually do ) but we are gathering around the rejoice and worship our latest Stock GD! Pop in and say 'welcome' to our old-time stocker, but newfound Gallery Director: ^Hanratty-Stock

Tips- the often missed obviousness: by *12monthsOFwinter. A little refresher for old skool stockers and some great tips for the newbie stockers - some things often overlooked by stockers on dA that are easily fixed. Check out this thread and have your say

pre-editing stock photos?: by *syccas-stock. Basically what the title says - if you could fix the grain and blur in your photos but 'lose image quality' would you still do it? Or do you know of a program out there that is made of WIN that can fix photos without dropping the quality? We want to hear from YOU! _{Yes you in the back!}.


STOCKILICIOUS CONTEST:
I'm feeling generous and playful yet again so strap yourself in for the 2nd Stockilicious Contest!!
This one is going to be a little easier and doesn't rely on whoever gets their answers to me first (to be fair to the people in different timezones).

THEME: Word Association #1 - Starstruck
WHAT TO DO: Browse through the Stock Art Gallery and find 5 stock images relating to the word above
You MUST have 1 from each of the following galleries: Objects, Model, Places, Nature, Animal. If you don't, you will be disqualified.
DEADLINE: Tuesday, September 18. I will post the answers in the next Stockilicious.
HOW TO ENTER: You must send me a NOTE with the title 'Stockilicious Contest' so I can tell it apart from my other notes
OTHER RULES: This is not a 'first come, first win' situation. This will be judged on getting the closest match to the word
You can only enter ONCE. You may not amend other entries
PRIZES: The winner will get a Years dA Subscription (can be given to another account if they wish )

GOOD LUCK!


MONTHLY STOCK PROJECT:
Whoever you are, whatever kind of resource you upload - check out and join in on the monthly challenges to both Stockers and general Resourcers. Get featured in the Monthly Newsletter, find inspiration in a simple phrase or theme and join in with other stockers in a throw-together collaboration!

This month's challenge topic was suggested by ^Hanratty-Stock (thank you, Fifi). 'What is this awesome² challenge?' I hear you ask? Surreal, baby!! That's right. Everyone is so gosh-darned obsessed with Surrealism lately why NOT make a challenge about it? Its the challenge dreams are made of.
Literally.
September Challenge closes September 30!!

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PREVIOUS ISSUES:
_{Vol 1: Perspectives (MC)
Vol 2: Lighting (MC)
Vol 3: Characters (MC)
Vol 4: Fight Stock
Vol 5: Requests
Vol 6: Portraits
Vol 7: Backgrounds (Real)
Vol 8: Nuuuuuudes
Vol 9: Stock Packs
Vol 10: Poses (MC)
Vol 11: Couples & Groups
Vol 12: Horror Hour (MC)
Vol 13: Ready-to-Use Backgrounds
Vol 14: Technology
Vol 15: TV & Movies
Vol 16: Kids Stuff}

And there we have it for another week!
Tune in for the NEXT STOCKILICIOUS... featuring Stock Tutorials!!!
Demonic