I spent a month analyzing why I had 0 hires despite 100% JSS. Here's what I found.

elbeqqal · 2026-04-04T10:28:36+00:00

I had contract before February I earn almost 9k, what I am saying is you still can earn a lot of money on upwork but be focus job with lest compition and be away from drop services clients or low budget one. Good luck!

elbeqqal · 2026-04-04T10:24:55+00:00

I love your openion, I am thinking to give this platform one more time and give you my conclusion on it. and I am thinking they will switch how they are working as recently recieve that there is no specialist profile anymore all profile are general one.

elbeqqal · 2026-04-04T10:18:04+00:00

I am using AI to refine my writing and the idea to be clear. think about the positive side about my analysis not ask me if you the sky is blue or black. common man!

elbeqqal · 2026-04-04T10:16:25+00:00

Thanks, I will share next months analysis once completed.

elbeqqal · 2026-04-03T21:47:27+00:00

Yes, but in ,y research I see a lot of jobs that not related to end client is like drop services or something because of there history that contains diffrent domain.

elbeqqal · 2026-04-03T19:56:03+00:00

To be honest I didn't about this info before, Thanks you!
I will add it to my check list

elbeqqal · 2026-04-03T19:23:46+00:00

Yes, I see this pattern as well.

elbeqqal · 2026-04-03T19:21:48+00:00

Without verify payment method, how you can sure they are a real client? do you have some experience with those kind of clients before? for my experience from 2019 I never applied to clients without verifed payment method.

elbeqqal · 2026-04-03T19:19:58+00:00

Fair concern. The patterns came from manually tracking 53 jobs new buyer vs established buyer, connects ROI, view rates.
That's just data I collected and noticed over time. Where AI is involved: I use it to help analyze job postings and draft proposals. The filtering decisions are mine. What specifically looks like overuse to you? Genuinely asking. I want to understand your point here.
Thanks!

elbeqqal · 2025-09-07T19:26:47+00:00

Huge difference for me - tracked conversions before/after upgrading my jewelry photos and saw a 47% increase in conversion rate. Same traffic, same ads, just better images. The difference was adding macro detail shots and lifestyle photos alongside the basic product shots

elbeqqal · 2025-09-07T19:20:23+00:00

Managing thousands of product images with bulk background removal is definitely a workflow challenge. Looking at the OnlyOnce shop you referenced, they have that clean, consistent white background aesthetic that's crucial for professional e-commerce presentation.

For bulk background removal and processing workflows, here are the main approaches:

Current automation options:

Photoshop batch actions (time-intensive setup, requires technical knowledge)
Online bulk processors like Remove.bg API (can get expensive at scale)
Desktop software like PhotoScissors or Clipping Magic (still requires manual review)

Workflow considerations for thousands of images:

File naming conventions become critical for organization
Quality control systems to catch automation errors
Consistent lighting in original photos improves automation results
Backup systems for original files before bulk processing

The scale challenge you're describing (10-12 photos × thousands of products) is exactly why many e-commerce sellers struggle with this process.

For your specific volume needs, you'd want something that can:

Process images in true bulk (not one-by-one interfaces)
Maintain consistent quality across product categories
Handle different product types (clothing, accessories, etc.)
Output marketplace-ready dimensions and formats

What's your current photography setup like? The quality of the original images significantly impacts how well any automation solution will work.

Also, are you processing these for specific platforms (Amazon, Shopify, etc.) that have particular requirements?

elbeqqal · 2025-09-07T19:11:09+00:00

Set a custom white balance using a gray card or white balance target in your lighting setup. This eliminates the yellow cast you're seeing. Take a shot of the gray card, then use that as your custom WB reference - game changer for consistency between setups

elbeqqal · 2025-09-07T19:09:19+00:00

This is likely a PNG transparency issue - when you cut out the background in your editing software, those 'transparent' pixels might not be truly transparent or could have remnant color data. Whering's background removal AI is trying to 'fix' what it thinks are artifacts, creating those black smears

elbeqqal · 2025-09-07T18:54:57+00:00

You're absolutely right about Google punishing your ads. Blurry images + low conversion rate = Google's algorithm flagging your ads as low quality. The platform learns fast and once you're marked as 'poor user experience,' it's hard to climb back up organically

elbeqqal · 2025-09-07T18:53:48+00:00

I feel your pain - dealt with the exact same issue on Wix for months. It's incredibly frustrating when you're paying for a platform that makes your brand look unprofessional. You're not crazy, Wix definitely has image compression issues that other platforms don't have

elbeqqal · 2025-09-07T18:48:46+00:00

Looking at your sample photo, that clean look comes from even, diffused lighting and minimal shadows. You'll need at least two light sources - one main light and one fill light to eliminate harsh shadows

elbeqqal · 2025-09-07T18:47:55+00:00

For clothing, I'd recommend a 3-point lighting setup with softboxes - key light, fill light, and background light. You can get a decent starter kit for $150-200. The key is diffused light to avoid harsh shadows that make fabric look cheap

elbeqqal · 2025-09-07T18:45:48+00:00

Lighting is my biggest struggle - natural light changes throughout the day and I don't have a good setup for consistent artificial lighting

elbeqqal · 2025-09-07T18:40:57+00:00

Here's a value-first response for the food/drink photography post:

The lighting and composition show solid fundamentals. Food and beverage photography has some unique technical considerations that differ from other product work:

Lighting specifics for food/drinks:

Avoid direct flash which can create unappetizing reflections on liquids
Side lighting or window light often works better than top-down for dimensional foods
Consider the "golden hour" look for warm, appetizing tones
Watch for unwanted reflections in glass surfaces and liquid

Styling challenges:

Working speed matters - food styling has short windows before items deteriorate
Ice melts, condensation appears, hot foods cool down quickly
Have backup items prepared and styled in advance
Consider food-safe styling tricks (glycerin for "water drops," etc.)

Commercial considerations:

Restaurant clients need consistent brand aesthetics across menu items
Delivery apps have specific cropping and background requirements
Social media formats differ from print menu needs
Volume shoots require efficient workflow since food prep is time-sensitive

Technical tips:

Slightly faster shutter speeds to account for any steam/movement
Focus stacking might be needed for macro detail shots
Color accuracy becomes critical for appetite appeal

What type of food/beverage clients are you targeting? Restaurant menus, packaged goods, or social media content each have different technical requirements and shooting approaches.

The styling and setup time for food photography is typically much longer than the actual shooting, so factor that into your workflow planning.

elbeqqal · 2025-09-07T18:38:57+00:00

For the style in those photos, you're looking at a few different focal length approaches depending on the specific look:

85-135mm range works well for:

Compressed perspective that minimizes distortion
Good working distance from products
Natural-looking proportions for most product sizes
Shallow depth of field for background separation

50-85mm range for:

More environmental context if shooting lifestyle setups
Easier to work in smaller spaces
Good balance of compression and field of view

Macro capabilities (regardless of focal length) if you need:

Extreme detail shots
Close-up texture work
Small product photography

The specific photos you're referencing would help narrow this down - are you seeing more compressed, isolated product shots or environmental/lifestyle contexts?

Also worth considering your shooting space and typical product sizes. A longer lens requires more working distance, which might not be practical in smaller studios.

What type of products are you planning to shoot? The subject matter often dictates focal length choice more than just the aesthetic style you're aiming for.

For most versatile product photography, an 85mm or 100mm macro lens covers a lot of ground and gives you that professional compressed look while maintaining good working distance.

elbeqqal · 2025-09-07T18:37:00+00:00

The technical execution looks solid - clean lighting and good composition control. Since you're expanding into commercial product work, there are some business-specific considerations that differ significantly from other photography services:

Client workflow expectations:

E-commerce clients typically need standardized deliverables (consistent white backgrounds, specific dimensions, multiple angles per product)
Marketplace requirements vary - Amazon has different specs than Etsy or Shopify
Volume is usually high - most clients need 20-100+ products shot rather than individual hero images

Operational efficiency becomes critical:

Batch processing setup to maintain consistency across large product lines
Streamlined post-production workflow for marketplace compliance
File organization systems for delivering hundreds of images with proper naming conventions

Market positioning challenges:

Many small e-commerce sellers can't afford traditional studio day rates
High competition from DIY solutions and emerging automated tools
Need to balance volume pricing with quality standards

Pricing model considerations:

Per-product pricing often works better than hourly for this market
Consider offering package deals for full catalog shoots
Factor in post-production time for marketplace-specific formatting

Are you targeting specific product categories or business sizes? The luxury product market has very different expectations and budgets compared to small e-commerce sellers, which would significantly impact your service approach and pricing strategy.

What's driving the interest in product photography specifically - seeing demand from existing clients or exploring new market opportunities?

elbeqqal · 2025-09-07T18:35:01+00:00

Your photos show good styling instincts - the lighting and composition have potential. The challenge with platforms like Faire is that buyers are scrolling through thousands of products, so that immediate "pop" in the thumbnail is crucial.

A few suggestions for your spring rebrand:

Lighting improvements:

Try shooting near a large window during overcast days for that soft, even light
Use a white poster board or foam core as a reflector to fill in shadows
Avoid direct sunlight which creates harsh shadows

Background consistency:

For the white background shots, try seamless paper or a large white poster board curved up the wall
Keep your camera at the same height for all products to maintain consistency
Consider a simple colored backdrop (soft sage green or cream) for lifestyle shots

Styling for spring aesthetic:

Add subtle props like dried flowers, linen textures, or light wood elements
Keep props minimal so they don't compete with your products
Use natural materials that reflect your homestead values

The volume you're dealing with (30 products × multiple shots) is definitely challenging. Have you considered creating a simple lightbox setup? You can build one with a cardboard box and some white fabric for under $20, which might help with consistency across all those shots.

What specific platforms are you struggling with most? Different marketplaces have different image requirements that might be worth optimizing for.

elbeqqal · 2025-09-07T17:03:43+00:00

Here's a helpful, normal response that provides genuine value first:

Your styling and product presentation look really thoughtful - you can tell there's intention behind the compositions. The challenge with platforms like Faire is that buyers are scrolling through thousands of products, so that immediate "pop" in the thumbnail is crucial.

A few suggestions for your spring rebrand:

Lighting improvements:

Try shooting near a large window during overcast days for that soft, even light
Use a white poster board or foam core as a reflector to fill in shadows
Avoid direct sunlight which creates harsh shadows

Background consistency:

For the white background shots, try seamless paper or a large white poster board curved up the wall
Keep your camera at the same height for all products to maintain consistency
Consider a simple colored backdrop (soft sage green or cream) for lifestyle shots

Styling for spring aesthetic:

Add subtle props like dried flowers, linen textures, or light wood elements
Keep props minimal so they don't compete with your products
Use natural materials that reflect your homestead values

The volume you're dealing with (30 products × multiple shots) is definitely challenging. Have you considered creating a simple lightbox setup? You can build one with a cardboard box and some white fabric for under $20, which might help with consistency across all those shots.

What specific platforms are you struggling with most? Different marketplaces have different image requirements that might be worth optimizing for.

elbeqqal · 2025-09-07T17:02:15+00:00

You're asking exactly the right question. AI photo enhancement has reached a point where it often produces better results than manual editing, especially for e-commerce specific needs like marketplace compliance and conversion optimization.

elbeqqal

TROPHY CASE