IStockers/DPCers unite... - DPChallenge Forums

03/30/2006 01:44:42 PM · #3

Sure, I'd take another look.

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED

03/30/2006 01:34:11 PM · #4

Thanks for all the advice !
Sounds like shutterstock might be a better option but I'm gonna get in here too! ...
I'm really looking forward to making a few bucks on images just to tell my wife that it's not a COMPLETE waste of time :)!
I just cleaned my sensor yesterday using those really expensive sensor sticks. THere may have been some stray sensor dust that I ignored. In fact, I'm pretty sure this could have been the case on some of the images.
I usually shoot in RAW and have successfully adjusted when opening in CS2.

Looking at the images at 100% and scanning every spot is what I need to do ...
So we'll see.

I'll still send you guys/glas a link to possible images if you don't mind taking a look in a few days.
Thanks again for all the input.

photoneer

Nikon D70s

03/29/2006 11:35:31 PM · #5

Metatate, Here's what I've learned from submitting to several stock sites and dealing with rejections:

1) Always shoot in RAW and tweak as necessary to optimize exposure, lighting, etc. I know many will disagree with me here but I've found that I can often easily adjust out my mistakes with exposure, lighting, etc.

2) Get a image noise utility - I bought Noise Ninja for this - to remove the noise you can see at 100%.

3) Very carefully inspect each image at 100% and clone out any dust specs, anomalies, etc. (this is critical, especially for photos with a blue sky).

4) While at 100% zoom, be certain the image is very clearly focused.

5) Edit from the RAW file and save the image only once to JPG (max quality) as ready for upload - if you must have intermediate uploads, save in a non-lossy format such as tiff or psd.

6) As others have mentioned, sometimes their reviewers seem to be on crack. Sometimes their reason for rejection is ridiculus - images accepted by one agency may be rejected by another.

7) As for this being your last attempt, look at other photographers portfolios VERY closely to see what has been accepted for them. If you look at my portfolio (although small), my landfill photos and my Japanese Umbrellas photos have met spec with flying colors - I think the business of the images masks any issues.

8) If all else fails, move on ... try others like Dreamstime, Shutterstock, etc.

Good luck.

Originally posted by metatate:

OK - I'm not usually into embarrassing myself ... well yes maybe I am, but here's the truth:
I've tried to upload many images that might "allow" me to sell on istockphoto ...

But I was rejected so far and they told me now is my "LAst Chance".

Perhaps I just don't have stock-worthy images - but can I get a volunteer to look at my images before submitting my FINAL test images????
I realize that this might be asking a bit much but I guess I didn't realize how tight they are about accepting images - I downloaded a hand iamge from there once and looking closely, he seemed to have a rash or somehting :0

PS: my name is always metatate.

GinaRothfels

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III

Olympus 8mm f/1.8 M.Zuiko Digital ED Fisheye PRO Lens

03/29/2006 06:40:39 PM · #6

The same as here - GinaRothfels.

FranziskaLang

Nikon D100

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Nikon

03/29/2006 06:14:59 PM · #7

I'm franziskalang on all sites where I submit.

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

03/29/2006 06:04:23 PM · #8

Originally posted by metatate:

I already have a message in to these folks, because their error message really gave me no clue about whether there was too much noise-reduction or too much. Other rejection responses seem to be similarly confusing (and depressingly frequent).

For me, Shutterstock has by far a higher download rate than either Fotolia or iStockPhoto, and a better acceptance ratio as well. I think their subscription model encourages more downloads, which partly accounts for SS's (aside: love that typograph construction!) lower payout/picture.

I usually submit any new shots to all three sites; SS takes about 2/3 of them, and the other two about 1/3 each, although often different ones.

I use the same handle -- GeneralE -- on all three sites.

KevinRiggs

Canon EOS-1Ds

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

03/29/2006 05:01:59 PM · #9

KevinRiggs on istockphoto

I just started uploading to iStockphoto, tho

Pixlmaker

Canon EOS-5D Mark IV

Canon EF 24-70 2.8L II

03/29/2006 04:16:11 PM · #10

Pixlmaker over on istock, which is also my name on fotolia. For Shutterstock's forums, I'm Pixelmaker (evidently no one had already taken that name on Shutterstock before I got my mits on it). On a side note, now that I'm finally in with Shutterstock, boy am I impressed! I submitted my 10 initial images on Saturday, they approved them Monday morning, I uploaded 16 more images last night of which they already approved 14 of them (only 2 rejections--I can handle that), and I've already had 4 DLs with my initial 10 shots. I love istock, but I've got to admit that my Shutterstock account is already moving 10x faster, FWIW.

-Don

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

03/29/2006 02:25:59 PM · #11

Thanks for the support ... I'll aim for Monday to have 3 images for you guys/gals to look at.
I was kinda frustrated so it will help a great deal if you take a close look at them.

Tate

--

Originally posted by nova:

Originally posted by metatate:
Perhaps I just don't have stock-worthy images - but can I get a volunteer to look at my images before submitting my FINAL test images????

Oh good night, Tate, I took a look at your DPC portfolio, and you are head and shoulders above my level... five shots on your profile page above 6.5, and one over 7! You are plenty talented enough for istock.

Please do post a link before you submit for your "Last Chance" at istock. I and others I'm sure would like to see you get over that little hurdle.

Ray

nova

Canon EOS-6D

Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L USM

03/29/2006 01:57:03 PM · #12

Originally posted by metatate:

Perhaps I just don't have stock-worthy images - but can I get a volunteer to look at my images before submitting my FINAL test images????

Oh good night, Tate, I took a look at your DPC portfolio, and you are head and shoulders above my level... five shots on your profile page above 6.5, and one over 7! You are plenty talented enough for istock.

Please do post a link before you submit for your "Last Chance" at istock. I and others I'm sure would like to see you get over that little hurdle.

Ray

nova

Canon EOS-6D

Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L USM

03/29/2006 01:50:43 PM · #13

On istock I use steps ... great idea to link up over there, Doug!

leaf

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

03/29/2006 01:50:32 PM · #14

leaf for me on istock.

thilom

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

Canon EF 28-135mm F/3.5-5.6 IS USM

03/29/2006 01:43:30 PM · #15

Great idea!

Heres mine...Thilom

dswebb

03/29/2006 12:54:15 PM · #16

Let me (us) know when they are there.

Doug

suemack

03/29/2006 12:53:47 PM · #17

Post the link when you've got them up Tate.

03/29/2006 12:45:13 PM · #18

Sorry to Flop this Forum around a little:

On my last submission:
+ LAST CHANCE +
Please view your images at 100% prior to upload and make sure they are clean, sharp focus, noise free, compression free, unfiltered, diverse and interesting samples with a visual impact. If you need more information please visit the iStockphoto training manual located at //www.istockphoto.com/tutorial_2.0_quality.php or read over some of our articles on photography located at //www.istockphoto.com/articles.php
==========================================================

+++ We would like to see 3 NEW samples. +++

fish image: We could not find a clear center focal point or the focal point was too shallow and we found this image to be out of focus.

For more information regarding focus, please see: //www.istockphoto.com/tutorial_2.1_focus.php

trivial shadow: Unfortunately this image contains undue artifacts when viewed at full size. Artifacts are most commonly caused by over-compression but may be a result of other factors. Be sure your camera is at its highest quality setting and remember to also save your JPEGs at the highest possible quality (level 12).

For more information about over-compression or artifacting, please see: //www.istockphoto.com/tutorial_2.3_noise.php

*** Please delete the samples from the uploads page and try again with (3) new samples so we may continue to review your application. Thank You. ***
_________________________________________________
Thank you for your time and effort.

Best Regards,
iStockphoto.com

--
Honestly, I didn't go in and clean up these images that much ... And I think I could successfully enter images - but since it's my last chance i'd like to run them by another person to verify that i hadn't missed anything.
I have an FTP / web site but I won't have images ready 'til next week (NO RUSH)

dswebb

03/29/2006 12:39:56 PM · #19

Don't know if it would be worth anything, but sure, I'll take a look at them. Is there somewhere I can get to them at their full size?

What was their rejection reason? Focus? Noise? Copyright? "Not suitable for stock"? That'd help too.

You could also search for some of the usernames on this thread there, to get an idea of what other people have that sells.

Doug

03/29/2006 12:34:47 PM · #20

notesinstones

Nikon D200

03/29/2006 12:32:44 PM · #21

I don't have much up there yet - but its Notesinstones - just like here.

suemack

03/29/2006 12:31:07 PM · #22

Same as here, suemack

CreativeFlyPhoto

Canon EOS-5D Mark III