Welcome to the Twenty-Second issue of Stockilicious

Index
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1 - Thumbnail Feature and Stock Tips - Architectural Stock
2 - Featured Stocker
3 - Stock FAQs Explained
4 - Stock Stamps
5 - Tip Of The Week
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FEATURES AND TIPS:
Architecture is usually something you're going to find in the Places category of StockArt.

Buildings - inside and out, bridges, barns, crypts, train stations, or any other artificially constructed shelter can be classed in this category! It doesn't have to be built from wood or brick to be counted. Straw huts, rock bridges, teepees and so on can be thrown in with this lot.

The basic theme with anything architectural is that it is artificially created by man (or aliens... if you include the pyramids )



TIPS FOR ARCHITECTURAL STOCK:
With Nature: Just because architecture sounds like its just about buildings don't be fooled. Buildings can be surrounded by nature - so go outside and get the FULL picture. A lone, abandonned barn in the middle of a corn field is still just a random barn if you don't add the scenery around it. Its a barn, on a corn-farm if you add in its surroundings. Just like model stock - if you're on location show the FULL setting and give the image more character.
Ins and Outs: The wonderful thing about this theme is that you don't just have to show the outside for it to be useable. The insides are just as awesome. After all, buildings aren't just empty shells. The rooms inside also count!
Note: I don't suggest breaking-in and entering high-security, mental wards just for the sake of stock... unless you're a patient there
Bits and Pieces: It may look really pretty as a whole but sometimes people want things in more detail. Don't worry about not getting the whole room - just the staircase is fine. Maybe the rest of the room looks horrid but the fireplace is a work of art - get in close and snap away! If you're one of those people that loves the look of a church just for the stained glass windows then put it to good use. They're all meant to be features to break up the dull surroudings or to add a hint of glamour to a scene. Give them some special attention.
Crop: If you're going to take a shot of the full-scene don't forget to take a few shots of just PART of the building or PART of the room. Drawing your attention to one side can break up your photo into a 'feature' section and an 'open' section - giving the whole photo a sense that you are there and moving around. Interactive-pan! It's amazing.
Perspective: I'm not going to suggest standing on top of the highest bridge in your district or climbing on the roof just to get the perfect shot... but doing something like it? Maybe. If you can stand at the top of the stairs and aim down, or stand close to the building and aim your camera along the wall THAT is what I'm talking about. You'll give your photos an unusual depth and break up the monotony of ' point and shoot'.
Resolution: Resolution needs to be above 600x600px in the Stock gallery. Its a rule. Shooting you stock in an even higher resolution is ideal. The last thing any artist wants is to find the perfect background for their image only to find out it is way too small for them to use. If you're doing architecture - keep it OVER 1000x1000px for it to be of any real use to people. 2000x2000px and over is something to drool over. Keep your subject in mind when thinking about resolution - if its meant to be a background, think of it as the base on your canvas that you're going to add things to.
Portrait and Landscape: If the building is really tall, you're naturally going to assume you can only shoot the photo in portrait style (higher and narrower). Its not true. Don't be afraid to chop of the top or bottom of the building and start shooting a few in landscape format. If the wall is really really long, snap a few in landcsape format - sometimes the length of the wall is nothing compared to the nature (sky, powerlines, etc) around it. As I said before - give the full scene. Its not just a wall... its the place the wall is located.
Tresspassing and Copyright: Some buildings are restricted entry. Just ask `Elandria and *CausticStock If you're going trekking along the countryside and find a beautiful old, rundown building - find out if its alright to take photos first. If you ask the right people you may even be allowed inside to take photos of the innards of the place. As for copyright - some places don't let you take photos at all. The design of the building may be copyrighted and not available for display. Although this is rare - its better being safe than sorry. Asking questions never hurt anyone.


FEATURED STOCKER:
A 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: =markopolio-stock
=markopolio-stock is one of those stockers that just doesn't get enough credit and pimping for the kind of work he submits. The lucky ones out there that have found him haven't turned back, and the ones that haven't - you'll be clicking the +devwatch button faster than you can say 'LIEKOMG!!'
This lovely chum has a mix of rendered, fractal, and photographic stocks in his gallery so you've got a range of different types. When it comes to themes you'll be amazed by his awesome fantasy creatures, horrific skeletons, and more.

Don't forget to check out his WEEKLY CONTESTS that artists can enter!



STOCK FAQ EXPLAINED:
Since a lot of people, including some stockers, don't realize there are FAQs in the Help Desk I've decided to do a few mini-features on FAQ entries involving stock and explaining just what they're about.

This week: FAQ #217: What are "Stock Photos" and can I use "Stock Photos" in my submissions?
Even after just a little over 2 years on this site, doing stock, I'm still amazed by the amount of people that don't actually know what stock images are. "Must be the scraps from their photoshoot" or "Ego-inducing self-portraits" or even worse "MyspaceFace"!

To give a short description - stock is a resource for artists to use. You may want to draw a fantastic, European castle... but you live in Brazil or something and there aren't any around you. What do you do? Check the stock gallery! There are people all over the world that are willing to get the resource or reference you need to create the artwork you have in mind. Its like being in an art class in university - you are given a subject to draw and you use whatever is put out on the pedestal in front of you and use it as reference. The best bit about STOCK is that you can access it anytime from anywhere around the world.

And its free.

Artists are allowed to use stock images in their manipulations, or as reference for their paintings, or any other form of art you can think of. All stockers ask is that you abide by their personal rules. Some allow you to make money off your art, some even let you post the art you've made using their stock on their websites or for other promotional material. When it comes down to it - stockers want you to make their stock look grand and see what you've done with it.

You can just view it for the simple fact its there, as a piece of art in its own right, or you can take the inspiration given to you and work with it. Find a nice portrait in the stock gallery? Hey, it doesn't just have to sit there. Pick up your drawing pad an a few pencils and use it.


STOCK STAMPS:
Support your friendly, neighbourhood stockers by posting these stamps in your journals (subscriber feature only)!

Support a stocker, support a resourcer, or support of artform in general. Whatever you do - show us how much you love us and pimp these awesome stamps wherever you can!

General Stock Support & Stock Club:


Stocker Stamps:


The OFFICIAL Stock Art chatroom:


And for our lovely Stock Gallery directors:



MONTHLY STOCK PROJECT:
NOTE: =Project-StockART is going on hiatus for the month of November.
I have a full-time job now, and NaNoWriMo has just started - so I'll be lucky to keep posting these news articles

let alone keep submissions up on that account. Sorry

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PREVIOUS ISSUES:
Vol 13: Ready-to-Use Backgrounds
Vol 14: Technology
Vol 15: TV & Movies
Vol 16: Kids Stuff
Vol 17: Unknown Stockers
Vol 18: Stock Tutorials
Vol 19: Poster Boys (MC)
Vol 20: Stock Prints
Vol 21: Emotive Stock (MC)
Stockilicious Index!

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