MicrostockGroup

Ah, old hippie hit one heart!   

I can't tell what they look for, but I would do the same as in any other site: variety, sharpness (original), color, exposure.  If I remember it right, I sent architecture, animal, flora, landscape.

Hippy didn't hit one because I knew of Alamy since I journeyed into Micros. That site has also come up a few time in one of the Online Photo Boards I am on as a place to make money so its been on the back burner for me. I wont stop doing Micros so Hippy missed on that. Alamy will be alongside with different photos.

Still not sure if I even want to try out Getty.

Thanks Race. I am 37 so I have enjoyed 2 Record sizes... 8 Tracks .. Cassets... CD now MP3 and MP4. My first record was Snoopy vs. the Red Barron...lol. Wish I still had that for a Collectors Item.

Remember the Original DVDs? Laser disk as big (or bigger) as records.

He didn't ask that question?  Maybe my fault for assuming someone read the submission guidelines.

But if he had, I'd say 48.2 is absolute minimum. If you make them 48mb the file will be 47.8 and you'll fail before it gets to the review.

There is some debate on how big. Some members say they get better sales with bigger photos. (which isn't an option for those who have to upsize to start with) but Alamy says there is no sales advantage to making larger than needed photos. If you make your photos 48.2 to 50mb photo file size, not file size on disc, you'll be fine.

While we're adding. They say don't sharpen at all, but that's with a wink of the eye. The truth is, minimal sharpening is allowed, but not so much that it can be seen. For first submissions, don't do it!

Weeeee..... made it in first try. 2 of the shots I thought would be knocked out for being soft. Guess not. I am in the club now....lol.

Welcome to the club.

Cheers.

The Getty thing is what I read about them. Not sure if I want to try them with they they operate.
The Softness thing was not sure how sharp they wanted..like all over because I dont have an infinity setting (I have Kit Lenses). They get a little soft towards the edges or at max zoom. I guess some lack of confidence in there too. Never know until I try. Now I  see they were good enough upsized (and remaining sharp enough) for the QC People. Its more about learning Stock Shooting at this point for me but with the possibility  of earning some money.  

So when do I learn the secret handshake?

According to Alamy's "Prepare Images" page (http://www.alamy.com/stock-photography-guide.asp) they actually check ALL four images for your test submission, and "a sample" of each subsequent submission - so you can't rely on it being just the first shot of the batch.

So congrats and welcome, you passed!