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06/26/2008 08:26:18 AM · #1426 |
OK - I have followed peoples stories of getting accepted at Alamy and have decided it is time to give it a go!
Just created an account, so will now have to select some images for upload to QC!
I am quite surprised at the regular sales some of you guys manage to achieve, so I have convinced myself that it has got to be worth a shot!
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07/01/2008 06:01:51 AM · #1427 |
Originally posted by pix-al:
OK - I have followed peoples stories of getting accepted at Alamy and have decided it is time to give it a go!
Just created an account, so will now have to select some images for upload to QC!
I am quite surprised at the regular sales some of you guys manage to achieve, so I have convinced myself that it has got to be worth a shot! |
Update - Failed QC, TWICE....
They are being ultra picky, IMO.
First Batch, one image was failed due to "Film Rebate/not cropped"?
I questioned this as the image could not possibly have any film rebate as it was taken with a digital camera (as per the exif data!). I got a response to advise the wrong reason code was selected by their QC guy...
Next batch, one image failed on "Interpolation Artifacts/Soft or lacking Definition".
This too I was surprised at as the shot viewed at anything below 100% looks great - Really sharp, though at 100%, it obviously lacks a little definition, though not enough to fail it IMO. It was of the same standard as the others in the upload. It deffinately didn't have any interpolation artifacts either, I looked over all four images quite intensley!
So - Is ALAMY being ultra picky, or are they struggling to keep up with supply, so failing here and there to speed up their workflow?
On their own forum, there are many posters complaining about rejections recently, even seasoned contributrs who have not ever had a fail in over 200 images! |
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07/01/2008 07:16:02 AM · #1428 |
hmmm.. bizarre -
How are you upsizing.
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07/01/2008 08:10:06 AM · #1429 |
Originally posted by leaf:
hmmm.. bizarre -
How are you upsizing. |
CS2 "Bicubic smoother", as per their guidlines.
Results have surprised me to be honest, as files need to be upsized to a smidge over 5000 pixels on the longest side, which is a fair stretch! |
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07/11/2008 11:48:23 AM · #1430 |
Hated to go the microstock way, so did try Alamy. I have been making some photo sales here and there, directly from my website.
First try 5 months ago and I failed miserably in 2/4 due to "interpolation artifacts" (I was upsizing carefully my 350D photos with Genuine Fractals). I said "never mind" and left it...
Then here comes June 2008 and say to myself "let's try again".
Different set of photos (from my Venice gallery this time mostly, shot with a 40D), ultra picky for absolutely minimal noise, passed through Noise Ninja, upsizing etc. Result? Failure no.2 ! This time it's "Soft/ Lacking definition".... I am suspecting the Noise reduction done with Noise Ninja was the reason but not sure!
In any case I have been disappointed and started thinking going the way of microstock. I am puzzled now!
Regards,
_________
Yannis
//www.larios.gr
Message edited by author 2008-07-12 15:50:35. |
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07/11/2008 06:10:44 PM · #1431 |
Firstly, Alamy QC check images at 100%. Not a little under but exactly 100%. Be your own sternest critic. If an image seems soft to you at 100% of submission size don't submit it.
Secondly, chances are that yes, running the image through noise reduction programmes will result in softness. Unless you are shooting at high ISO you shouldn't need to do that.
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07/11/2008 09:25:28 PM · #1432 |
This Photo
sold last week for $563.95 one time use in a 3/4 page ad in a UK newspaper. :D
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07/17/2008 05:23:04 AM · #1433 |
Hi All,
It's been awhile since I posted (21 months ago..) and sales have been steady with Alamy. I have been real slack on submitting any images, last lot was about 2 years ago...(I must get around to sending some New Zealand shots of home in).
This year-to-date I have sold approx $1299.82 and overall (since 10th May 2005) from about 1600 images of "snapshots" whilst touring through Europe and the Middle East, sales have totaled approx $4252.82
I'm happy. It's paid for my two new lenses, and when you start buying L Canon gear you need plenty of $$$.
This link jumps into an Alamy Lightbox where I have a portfolio of sales from Alamy...
//www.alamy.com/lbx.asp?202840
Keep Clicking
WGF |
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07/17/2008 09:04:25 AM · #1434 |
So after having this on my todo list *forever*, I finally submitted my 4 images for QC and promptly got rejected on all of them. The reasons were "interpolation artifacts" and "soft or lacking definition".
I submitted upsized versions of these images (without borders):
   
I don't know if the issues are due to a flawed upsizing process or what but I want to try again.
1. Is it normal to resubmit the same images that were rejected?
2. Are the images evaluated by people or some automated filter? If I resubmit, will a different person look at them and maybe OK them?
3. If I need to make changes, what did I do wrong? I used Photoshop bicubic smoother to upsize in a single pass.
4. I have a Canon 10D, only 6MP. Is this sufficient to upload quality images to Alamy or am I screwed?
5. Biggest question - how do you pronounce Alamy? Is it Al-a-may, Al-a-mee, Al-a-meye (long I) or what? :)
Thanks in advance for all replies - I'd really like to get on board with them.
Dave |
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07/17/2008 09:54:07 AM · #1435 |
Originally posted by dsa157:
.....
I don't know if the issues are due to a flawed upsizing process or what but I want to try again.
1. Is it normal to resubmit the same images that were rejected?
2. Are the images evaluated by people or some automated filter? If I resubmit, will a different person look at them and maybe OK them?
3. If I need to make changes, what did I do wrong? I used Photoshop bicubic smoother to upsize in a single pass.
4. I have a Canon 10D, only 6MP. Is this sufficient to upload quality images to Alamy or am I screwed?
5. Biggest question - how do you pronounce Alamy? Is it Al-a-may, Al-a-mee, Al-a-meye (long I) or what? :)
Thanks in advance for all replies - I'd really like to get on board with them.
Dave |
1.If you can correct the flaws they will get accepted.
2.AFAIK they have people looking at your images.
3.Bicubic smoother is what I use. Do you shoot RAW? Upsizing a JPG could produce the artifacts.
4.I have plenty of images from my Rebel 300D which is 6MP, so the 10D is good enough. Although I have to admit that not one of my shots from my 5D have been rejected, the files are that good that you don't get some of the artifacts that you can get from the 300D or 1D II even.
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07/17/2008 10:30:03 AM · #1436 |
I'm in the same boat as you. I signed up for an Alamy account last week and am very hesitant to attempt to submit my 4 images for initial QC.
A few questions for you which may lead to your issues:
1. As  doctornick mentioned, are you upsizing the raw file? If not, you're going to magnify any JPG artifacts to the point of them being somewhat obvious.
2. Are any of those images cropped? With a 6MP sensor and the 48M Uncompressed size needed, any cropping is going to reduce your pixel count to the point you'll really have to work to get good clarity.
3. I've heard different stories about upsizing -- one pass, multiple smaller passes, etc... I don't think you're out of luck with your current 6MP camera. I do think you'll have to be very careful during the upsizing process not to soften images too much.
Good luck! I'm sure I'll be here in a week or so (hopefully) with questions as well. I just have to get around to doing it (and get up the courage).
Oh ya. One final thing. I think I've heard that they will reject the whole batch of 4 as soon as they find one of them that doesn't meet their standards. Therefore, there may only be a problem with one of the images and not all four. Unless you've heard differently that is. |
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07/17/2008 11:04:44 AM · #1437 |
Originally posted by mjwood0:
Oh ya. One final thing. I think I've heard that they will reject the whole batch of 4 as soon as they find one of them that doesn't meet their standards. Therefore, there may only be a problem with one of the images and not all four. Unless you've heard differently that is. |
That's true. I recently uploaded a batch of about a dozen images that were all rejected. After closer inspection I agreed with one of them and deleted it, then re-uploaded the rest. They all passed.
This was my first rejection and all my images are with the 6mp D70.
- John
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07/17/2008 05:54:44 PM · #1438 |
Originally posted by doctornick:
3.Bicubic smoother is what I use. Do you shoot RAW? Upsizing a JPG could produce the artifacts.
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so I should convert RAW to TIF in Lightroom, upsize the TIF in Photoshop and edit it and then convert to JPG?
Dave
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07/17/2008 06:31:52 PM · #1439 |
Originally posted by dsa157:
so I should convert RAW to TIF in Lightroom, upsize the TIF in Photoshop and edit it and then convert to JPG?
Dave |
Yes -- that would be a "safer" workflow. Making a JPEG file should always be the very last step before printing or uploading a file. |
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07/18/2008 05:03:10 AM · #1440 |
Originally posted by dsa157:
so I should convert RAW to TIF in Lightroom, upsize the TIF in Photoshop and edit it and then convert to JPG? |
For what it's worth, I now upsize in Lightroom when I export. |
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07/18/2008 06:52:46 AM · #1441 |
I recently took the plunge and joined Alamy too. My first batch were also rejected, as was my second and third, everytime for lacking definition. I was using my 18-55mm Eos kit lens and realised it was actually not good enough. Since changing lenses, my images have been accepted. My basic workflow is as follows:
Shoot in Raw
Adjust colour temperature and saturation if necessary
Convert to tiff and open in Photoshop
Remove dust at 100% zoom
Adjust levels
Interpolate to 49.6 (5100 pixels on the longest side)
Save as jpg and submit
The minimum size for submission is 48M so I try not to go too much higher than this as I have had rejections for lack of definition due to size. |
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07/20/2008 01:13:19 PM · #1442 |
Time to throw one more hat into the ring.
Sorry I have been absent for a while and I believe the hiatus was needed.
I will be posting updates on my blog about my progress.
It's kind of refreshing to get a clean start as I have decided that NOTHING in my past shooting is acceptable for Alamy.
You can follow my progress at //jasonfredin.com (Please excuse the mess, the site is new and still under construction.)
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07/20/2008 09:46:34 PM · #1443 |
After my first "run through" of my workflow on my blog and I am uncertain of my image quality.
On my blog I have posted three trial pics and links to 100% cropped samples.
Could someone please let me what's wrong with the photos (or if there is something wrong).
I shot these with my Canon XTi and either the Canon 50mm 1.8 or the Sigma 17-50mm.
Any help would be appreciated.
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07/21/2008 12:30:42 PM · #1444 |
I can't work out where you have your 100% crops?
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07/21/2008 12:45:56 PM · #1445 |
Originally posted by jfredin:
Time to throw one more hat into the ring.
Sorry I have been absent for a while and I believe the hiatus was needed.
I will be posting updates on my blog about my progress.
It's kind of refreshing to get a clean start as I have decided that NOTHING in my past shooting is acceptable for Alamy.
You can follow my progress at //jasonfredin.com (Please excuse the mess, the site is new and still under construction.) |
I'm pretty sure "tidbit" isn't spelled "tit-bit" {upper right) I could be mistaken. Good luck with Alamy!!
Message edited by author 2008-07-21 12:54:36. |
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07/21/2008 05:32:15 PM · #1446 |
Sorry about the Tit-bit mistake,I will fix it soon. As hopefully you can see it was what was included in the template. ( hence the Lorem ipsum stuff under it).
And for Kavey I will make the link a bit more obvious. I almost don't have any storage on the server. they are also at drop.io/fredin
Edit: problems fixed!
Message edited by author 2008-07-21 18:27:51.
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07/21/2008 06:12:52 PM · #1447 |
Hi J
Well, I had a look.
Firstly, I find your colour temperature *very* unnatural. Is that a deliberate effect? If so, I would recommend against it and suggest processing to more neutral, natural colours. Your three images are extremely green/blue.
What sells as fine art (with arty colour toning) is not generally what is required for stock.
Secondly, the third image in particular seems to lack sharpness though none are particularly sharp. The other two might pass on that front but it's marginal as increasing file size really does emphasise any softness in the original.
Did you hand hold them and if so, what was your shutter speed and focal length?
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07/21/2008 06:15:02 PM · #1448 |
Originally posted by jfredin:
Sorry about the Tit-bit mistake,I will fix it soon. |
Actually, in England it would be titbit not tidbit! |
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07/21/2008 06:39:04 PM · #1449 |
Thanks Kavey, you found my weak spot. I don't normally color correct my own photographs. I am actually color-blind. Maybe that's the reason I lean towards black and white. Yes I did hand hold these (on a windy day).
Strawberry - 7.1 @ 1/50 w/50mm
Cucumber - 1.8 @ 1/4000 w/50mm
Hosta - 2.5 @ 1/250 w/50mm
Maybe I will re-post with proper color.
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07/22/2008 03:51:06 AM · #1450 |
Hi J
Ouch, colour blindness will surely make it hard to colour correct your images.
However, if you're shooting in RAW I find the auto white balance setting in Adobe's convertors (whether Lightroom or Adobe Camera Raw) pretty good much of the time.
Please do repost with proper colour but also shoot some more images using tripod just to see whether you can improve sharpness.
Good luck!
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