1) What brought you to dA originally?

I was first brought to dA just to look at the art of others better than I was! To see if I could improve and learn with a much wider selection of artists than say you'd find in a school.

2) Why stock, and not regular photography?

At the time of opening my account I didn't know much about photography at all - I just wanted a stock account to see what could be made and as this account has gone on I have found myself enjoying photographing things more and more -especially trees.

3) When you look at stock for DDs, what do you personally like to see?

Trees.
No, I joke, I personally like to see stock that is of a large and clear size - it has to be a usable piece in my eyes and fit the guidelines that have been set. I especially like landscapes and nature photos - most of them can be seen as stand alone art and I sometimes think that people forget that stock is art.
There are also different level of experience in the stock gallery - you have the massively popular stock artists and the people just starting out - both are equally worthy of a DD if they are truly trying their best to help the stock gallery move forwards. Saying that people must remember that it's only a 24 hour feature - it's not life or death!

4) Any areas of dA's stock gallery that you'd like to see get more submissions/use/notoriety?

I'd love some more male stock - especially male costume stock. There seems to be a massive amount of female but not that much male which is a shame. Also as silly as it sounds just general things that can possibly contributed into other peoples works - people seem to think because there is already a photo of say, a shoe, that there doesn't need to be anymore. Variety is the key, different people have different ideas and a simple photo can bring that out of someone.

5) Are there and changes in dA's stock community that you'd like to see?

To be honest I really like the community at the moment, yes it has its moments - but this must happen across dA so that can just be seen as a minor hiccup. I'd like to see the artists working together on things and interacting more with other stock artists rather than just submitting their stuff and forgetting about their account. Also I'd like to see less stock users saying the photos they submit is "only stock" as that bugs me!
I'd also love to see resources and stock working much close together as we're basically aiming for the same thing - providing images and resources for others to use

6) What do we have to look forward to from AR in the stock department in the future?

Ooo there are a lot of exciting things coming like contests! And a general clean up of the gallery, get it all looking spanking and showing the rest of the community what we're made of! Of course ^LawrenceDeDark myself will still be promoting it like hell and trying to increase everyones awareness of stock and it's uses. It's a great time to be on dA as so many things are going on that are really quite spiffing.

7) Any current issues you think need to be addressed with the stock community and gallery on dA?

I think people need to realise that we have guidelines now - and stock not meeting up to them will get relocated to scraps. It's not a personal thing or an evil admin being an arse thing - it's what we are here to do - so there is no use mouthing off in journals or being nasty as that wont help. If people are unsure of to why something has been removed they should contact the ladies at Help Desk and go from there, we're just trying to keep it tidy.

8) Hypothetical situation: Your friend is joining dA as a stock provider. Any tips for them to get noticed and used after they join?

I would just tell them what I tell all new stock providers - read up on tutorials from withing dA, know a little about your camera and make sure you submit stock that can be used. As for getting noticed just be active - comment on things, join clubs and stuff like that. A good way to get to know your community is by following news and AR Updates to see what is going on - come into the stock forum and even better the chatroom (#arstock) and actually meet the people.

9) Any last words of wisdom?

Take everything in your stride and don't take yourself to seriously - and never be afraid to bug the GD's - they love it.

10) Obligatory last question: What are you wearing?

A "Dont hassel the hoff shirt" - what else would you expect I'd wear?



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