MicrostockGroup

Ah!  There you go then.  I would have thought that clean 'pluckability' ultimately trumped 'purity of background' in the criteria for isolations (even though they are commonly on pure white backgrounds).

Live and learn... live and learn.

Thanks MikLav  

Attila!  We meet at last! 

Thanks so much for the clarification 

Seems that on DT it is clear enough, whether I agree or not, and whether anyone here agrees.

White Space: We are trying on our end to deliver to our clients what is advertised. If we say our minimum file is 3MP, then we make sure the buyers get their 3MP. If you isolate an object, then it should be cropped closely around the boundaries of the object, in order to not make the designers pay for empty space. There are always exceptions though - if the image is useful and it is on the borderline of minimum MP when properly cropped, we allow for some white area just to make it into the minimum. Always try to compose these objects in such a way, that they will fill most of the frame (diagonally, in this case), and/or get as close as you can. (sell pictures not inflated puff fill to make them bigger)

Isolated: "Isolated" in Microstock Language means plain, shadowless, easy to remove background. So, when you're using this word in your title, description or keywords, you must ensure that you have submitted a well-lit and good contrast subject on a plain, solid color background. (my opinion this means on DT, no shadows, no reflections, isolated object on a plain background)

I don't agree with the second one, the strict Catholic (or is it Orthodox Druid?) version of Isolated... but so what. I don't run their agency. 

We don't make the rules and appealing for Attila to change the rules or DT to change it's mandate, is fairly useless. They have made the decisions for a reason, not just something that they decided at the water cooler a few minutes ago as an new idea. It's strict because that way, it's easy to understand, clear and simple. Nothing most people hate more than vague decisions and guidelines. DT has spoken! Good for them.

As for the similars, I think they have gone overboard. I do agree that every angle and elevation of that isolated sliced tomato is too much, their view that one is all, no landscape and portrait, seems a bit severe and extreme. Maybe more people should consider square so they have two options for buyers, or wait, will we get, too much white space rejections then?    But for people who want to remove the wasted non-sellers, the first place to look is the redundant inch by inch, similar images that could be filling a buyers need with a few, not a dozen of the same set-up.

It's hard to tell - are those blobs on the wall specular highlights from the flash?  If so, the overlay doesn't really work too well with them.  Also they accentuate that her face is underexposed while her hand is very hot.  And you've got something in the bottom left.

I hate to say it, but there are much better versions of this kind of thing out there.