DPChallenge: A Digital Photography Contest You are not logged in. (log in or register
 

DPChallenge Forums >> Stock Photography >> iStock test submission
Pages:  
Showing posts 1 - 16 of 16, (reverse)
AuthorThread
04/29/2009 09:15:34 AM · #1
hey, I just had an email notifying me of the rejection of my initial 3 sumitted files to iStockPhoto, in which they said they wanted more varied subjects (admittedly 2 were architectural), and that I should send them my BEST work - really try to impress them...

my question is - do these initial files submitted for test submission then automatically pass quality control and go on sale? or do you only submit your initial ones after the test, and the test files are literally just for that, not for sale? obviously I want to pass but also want to avoid putting my very best stuff on microstock sites for pittance per sale when they could probably be making more on macro-stock sites or through print sales..

cheers for any help ;)
04/29/2009 09:24:38 AM · #2
Only for test,
After that you'll have 0 online pictures, and you have to submit again, one by one, then work on the keywording online one by one, then submit to QC, to get rejected, and upload again, one by one ..
Really .. I find them a bet unfair, few of my best sellers on other sites like Shutterstock got rejected on IS!! you should really read the reasons for rejecting and you'd laugh your ^$%^& out
for example this shot, it is doing ok on SS, but got rejected on IS for using on camera flash :)
Any way, don't mean to put you down, but seriously, I am considering forgetting completely about IS.
All the best,

Message edited by author 2009-04-29 09:25:28.
04/29/2009 09:32:18 AM · #3
No, they are for test only. I submitted this photo to IstockPhoto as one of my samples and it passed the first time:


I thought it was a unique and slightly humorous shot that might be a good illustration for a variety of topics.

When I later submitted it for sale, they rejected it with a copied and pasted vague explanation of why it was lacking and no option to let me fix it and resubmit. It clearly hit a different person to evaluate it this time, and they were of a different opinion about my work. Not unlike voting on this site!

Message edited by author 2009-04-29 09:33:10.
04/29/2009 10:03:04 AM · #4
hehe you're probably right! one thing I've come to learn in my short time being involved in stock is that you can't take rejections personally, and that what sells on one site may be rejected on another.... when I know it's an image which DOES sell I tend to think 'your loss' (I mean, in most cases, the stock company makes a greater profit than the photographer)... and it's the luck of draw how your designated reviewer is feeling that day, seemingly!

I appreciate the comments, cheers. I'm really just starting out in this whole game, but have the beginnings of portfolios on both micro and macro stock sites. Of the micros, Shutterstock is easily making me the most and it is my understanding they are 2nd to istock in the marketplace, so I'll give it another shot when I'm allowed.

one other question regarding the initial submission though - as these aren't destined for sale, and are merely meant to impress, would you say a little sharpening is recommended for a nice crisp appearance, or should I submit unsharpened as I usually do for stock?
04/30/2009 04:45:19 AM · #5
iStock really gets picking on 'over processing' so whatever you do, don't overdo it.

iStock sales are really the best if you can get images on there. Other sites tend to generate a lot more income just because you can get more images online, but keep trying for iStock as well.
04/30/2009 07:40:04 AM · #6
ok good to know, thanks leaf ;)

I think if I do sharpen then, I'll keep it something subtle and basic like usm (85%/1px/4). I'll definitely keep trying as I have a few on other sites doing ok which I would imagine would do better on there..

As for the initial submission then I guess I'll go for something like 1 landscape, 1 architectural, 1 people shot.... and as I understand it, it doesn't really matter if it's intended as a stock shot, they're just to show how well you CAN shoot, correct? Also, would a b&w be ok as one of the initial 3? I ask because probably my best animal shot ended up in b&w:

//meowgli.deviantart.com/art/Untamed-II-98475784
would that likely be pull up on 'overprocessed'?

or would either of these?..
//meowgli.deviantart.com/art/Rocky-Sunset-89934426
//meowgli.deviantart.com/art/Ruined-II-110814707

(sorry, I haven't figured out how to do thumbs/post images in the forum here yet)

Edit: (looking at the 'fun' element in Yo_Spiff's duck shot, maybe they'd like THIS one to brighten up their review process? -
//meowgli.deviantart.com/art/Uninsured-97112846 hehehe

Thanks so much for any feedback. As far as I'm aware every time you fail, the time you have to wait to reapply doubles so I'd obviously prefer to get it right as soon as I can.

Message edited by author 2009-04-30 08:01:47.
04/30/2009 07:45:10 AM · #7
Originally posted by Meowgli:

one other question regarding the initial submission though - as these aren't destined for sale, and are merely meant to impress, would you say a little sharpening is recommended for a nice crisp appearance, or should I submit unsharpened as I usually do for stock?


Minimal sharpening is the best to do when it comes to stock, then whoever downloaded it can sharpening it as to his liking, I've got pictures with minimal sharpening rejected .. for over sharpening ..
04/30/2009 07:51:47 AM · #8
Originally posted by AmeedEl-Ghoul:

Originally posted by Meowgli:

one other question regarding the initial submission though - as these aren't destined for sale, and are merely meant to impress, would you say a little sharpening is recommended for a nice crisp appearance, or should I submit unsharpened as I usually do for stock?


Minimal sharpening is the best to do when it comes to stock, then whoever downloaded it can sharpening it as to his liking, I've got pictures with minimal sharpening rejected .. for over sharpening ..


I agree, and all the pictures I actually submit for sale are completely unsharpened, I was just wondering about the test submission as it's not due on sale... I guess it makes sense to just leave it unsharpened though.. my initial 3 were unsharpened and didn't get rejected for softness or anything. Out of interest, when you had a picture rejected for slight oversharpening, did it specifically say so? In my short experience it's always been a blanket response like "noise/artifacts/oversharpening"..

and btw I really like the graphic effect of that pencils shot... surprised it didn't make the cut!

Message edited by author 2009-05-06 07:37:49.
05/06/2009 08:08:55 AM · #9
ok I'm back with a couple more quick questions!... really appreciate the help so far, maybe someone who has a little experience with iStock could lend a hand for a minute?

today I can try again with my initial upload of 3 sample files and pretty sure I've settled on 2 out of 3.. (sorry, no porfolio here, links are to the only place my images are where you don't have to log in)

if you're interested these are the two I've already kinda settled on.. 1 landscape, 1 architectural:
1: //meowgli.deviantart.com/art/Autunnel-102729737
2: //meowgli.deviantart.com/art/Ruined-II-110814707

but where I really need help is deciding on a 3rd.. I'm thinking it should be an animal or people shot for diversity and narrowed it down to these ones:

A: //meowgli.deviantart.com/art/Untamed-97813585
B: //meowgli.deviantart.com/art/Untamed-II-98475784
C: //meowgli.deviantart.com/art/A-Stroll-on-the-Beach-92419371
D: //meowgli.deviantart.com/art/Vantage-Point-99679248 (this one I might reprocess with a boost in saturation)

which of those do you think stands the best chance of passing?
I'm really keen to pass this time, all opinions and suggestions warmly welcomed!
thanks

Message edited by author 2009-05-06 08:15:40.
05/06/2009 09:21:10 AM · #10
Just a few ideas

Originally posted by Meowgli:


but where I really need help is deciding on a 3rd.. I'm thinking it should be an animal or people shot for diversity and narrowed it down to these ones:
A: //meowgli.deviantart.com/art/Untamed-97813585

Too much going on behind the horse/unsuitable background for a stock photo.

Originally posted by Meowgli:


B: //meowgli.deviantart.com/art/Untamed-II-98475784

Better than the first, but also not really something I have the feeling stock agencies look for.

Originally posted by Meowgli:


C: //meowgli.deviantart.com/art/A-Stroll-on-the-Beach-92419371

That's the one I prefer.

Originally posted by Meowgli:


D: //meowgli.deviantart.com/art/Vantage-Point-99679248 (this one I might reprocess with a boost in saturation)

Not so sure with the background here as well. Also too much processing is more frowned upon than welcome with stock agencies.

My impression on getting through the process is that to some extent it's luck.

With shutterstock, much to my own surprise, I passed at once with my first 10 pictures, while iStockphoto took me weeks, with the times between submissions getting longer and longer.

Let us know how you did with your pictures, please.
05/06/2009 09:42:27 AM · #11
thanks for the reply bjoern ;)

regarding A, yep, that's the only thing which bugs me about that photo.. that a horse appears to be coming out of its ass! B I just think is one of my best shots but would never submit it for stock (just REALLY trying to pass the initial test at the moment and I understand the initial 3 don't go online automatically)

I've decided to go with your choice as I agree this is probably the most 'stock' out of those 4 (having said that, 'A' is already on Alamy..)...so, we'll see how this batch fares and I'll pop back to let you know how it went when I get notification.. cheers again!
05/11/2009 09:02:38 AM · #12
ok back with a little update, took a few days but I just had a reply on my application..
the cathedral one they thought was a bit overfiltered (fair enough, that version was a subtle hdr)
the autumn tunnel was pulled up on artifacts (again fair, but on close inspection I think it was excessive neatimage which did it)
the one suggested by bjoern passed ;)

I can resubmit in 3 days... so... would you say I now just submit 2 new files?
or do I submit another 3, making sure to include the one which passed?
cheers for any help, I'll get there eventually..!

*update - waited my 3 days, submitted another 2... 1 passed, 1 failed.
so now I'm at 2/3 and gotta try to get one last one accepted after a week's time =)

Message edited by author 2009-05-14 10:22:57.
06/05/2009 09:47:30 AM · #13
back once more for a final update... as of late last night, I'm in ;)
06/05/2009 11:07:15 AM · #14
Congrats Adam. What's your username there?
06/05/2009 11:40:30 AM · #15
same as on here ;)
I have just uploaded 15 initial files so just gotta wait for QC before my gallery is established.. what's an average wait time? I'd imagine they'd be fairly organised and rapid..
06/06/2009 05:28:14 AM · #16
Regular submission review have been going pretty quick lately so it seems they are not behind too much. It shouldn't take too long.
Pages:  
Current Server Time: 03/29/2024 09:41:41 AM

Please log in or register to post to the forums.


Home - Challenges - Community - League - Photos - Cameras - Lenses - Learn - Prints! - Help - Terms of Use - Privacy - Top ^
DPChallenge, and website content and design, Copyright © 2001-2024 Challenging Technologies, LLC.
All digital photo copyrights belong to the photographers and may not be used without permission.
Current Server Time: 03/29/2024 09:41:41 AM EDT.