MicrostockGroup
Agency Based Discussion => iStockPhoto.com => Topic started by: Catastrophe on May 21, 2009, 17:10
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RelativelyNewSubmitter: I went to upload some images on Istock, and this is what happened - the categories would not work, the disambiguation was illogical, and I had to do 10x as much work as any other stock site to upload because of arbitrary limits and unneccessary hoops to jump through. Then my image of a grizzly bear was rejected because the keywords "furry" and "animal" are apparently not acceptable. My image of a rock was rejected for "copyrighted material" and my image shot on ISO 100 with strobes and a perfect exposure was rejected for "noise". I searched for the images that were accepted, and they were found on page 1032 of 1050 results, with lots of images that did not have anything to do with my search term on pages 1, 2, and 3. Any ideas on how I can improve my results?
BrownNoser: Why are you so upset?!!! I find it a privilege to be rejected by iStock's wonderful, talented, genius, and good looking image reviewers! They are sooooo nice to me when they reject my images for illogical reasons, once they even gave me the suggestion that I should make my photos "better" - where else on earth can you get that loving kind of thoughtful feedback? Istock is #1 at everything!!!!!
CluelessNoob: The picture I took with my cellphone in a dark bar where I cut off my friend's head and used the wrong color balance was rejected too! Apparently the keywords "rocketship" and "atom bomb" are not acceptable for a picture of a guy drinking beer! This sucks! I'm quitting!
SJLocke: 200% of my pictures are accepted and featured on page 1 of best match. You are non-exclusive and therefore do not exist.
SoccerMom: I LOVE ISTOCK!!! ISTOCK #1!!!!
I<3Nikon: You people complain so much. I remember back in 1932 when Istock just started. We had to pay THEM to use our images! And they flogged us with barbed wire, and we loved it! Why don't you just bask in the glory of being in the best stock site EVAR! Who cares if your income takes a giant hit because istock refuses to fix simple problems. They are doing you a giant favor by hosting your files! All they get out of it is millions of dollars from other people's work. You should thank them for even taking the time to acknowledge you - all you do is supply their product. They are the supreme beings. You think that just because you do most of the work, that you deserve credit, or fair treatment? BAH!
RandomSubmitter: I don't post here much, but I have had the same problems. Does anyone have anything of value to offer?
IStockDiamond: you are not exclusive, so why should anyone care about your problems. If you want to be treated fairly, then all you have to do is sell your soul to Istock. It's easy. I did it, and the only problems I have are silly things like my income dropping by 80% on occasion when they randomly change everything.
IStockBronze: I just went exclusive, and I can tell you, it's the best thing that ever happened to me in my whole life! My sales went from $1.50/month to over $2.00 a month! I am so happy and fulfilled now! I'm going to save up for that (whatever the most expensive Canon is) camera now!
IStockSilver: Lisa Gagne's photos have lots of blue in them. So obviously you should have more blue in your photos. And goldfish. At least half of your photos should have goldfish, because Lisa's do. Everything anyone who has 1000+ images on Istock does is to be idolized. I love IStock!
IStockGold: You only have 200 images in your portfolio. Why do you bother asking for your images to be considered in a fair manner, when the real answer is to work harder, shoot more, and post on this forum at least 100 times a day? If 75% of your submissions are rejected for stupid and illogical reasons, all you have to do is shoot and submit 4x as many images. The answer is not to seek fair treatment, or a system that works well - the answer is to shoot more! why are you reading this, when you could be shooting right now?
SomeIdiot: ebbbbb......
AnotherIdiot: OMG. Not another thread about this. We've had four threads in the last 12 months about this very topic. Have you not read and memorized every single post on this board? What, do you actually visit sites other than Istock, or actually turn the computer off sometimes?! What is wrong with you?
FirstAdminToSeePost: thread locked.
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That is really good. Hhahahaha.
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Hilarious! :D
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Hahahaha! GREAT! And we even have someone who's category by him self! :D
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;D ;D ;D
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To the OP - You've forgotten to add your iStock link :D
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rofl i give you one heart for making my day
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Excellent __ and painfully but hilariously accurate too!
If that's not worth a 'Useful' vote then I don't know what is.
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There must be more "Wow"s and "Great"s and "Thanks IS!"
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Haha. And most of them are so very true.
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Wow.
Thanks.
You've added sense to my life, Catastrophe.
;D
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Sacre bleu :o
you have committed the mother of all grievous mortal sins against the
highest of all microstock deities. You better kneel pray for penance. May your head be full of dandruff and you scratch the mother of all itches ;D
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Woo-jay!
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Yes.
Yes.
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SJLocke: 200% of my pictures are accepted and featured on page 1 of best match. You are non-exclusive and therefore do not exist.
I wish. The first part, I mean. You may just be a figment of my imagination and not exist.
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SJLocke: 200% of my pictures are accepted and featured on page 1 of best match. You are non-exclusive and therefore do not exist.
Although SJLocke might be thinking that, he is much more strategic in his replies.
His reply would probably be more in the line of:
"... ranting about keyword rejections without showing the image in question is useless."
or
"Critique requires a full size image to look at."
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LOL! I love it!
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thanks for that. well done :)
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Hahahaha! GREAT! And we even have someone who's category by him self! :D
Catastrophe, are you sure you can use SJLOCKE without an Intellectual Property release? How did this get passed the reviewer? ;D
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NVM
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Welcome back, Batman ;D
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It would be funnier if half the people in this thread weren't "new members" but hilarious all the same.
But I have to say... I do miss the days when nearly every thread contained a random exclamation of "BOOBIES!!!!"
:D
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LMAO!!!...Great job ;D ;D ;D
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Thanks for the laugh.
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He he
Cattle is the cattle anyhow
;D
I have the another theory about noise in they heads. One time somehow I see they location in Calgary on Google maps widget I think and look at it about 1,266752734% of milisecond and I deeply in my mind figured that they are in triangle spot of railways which can make interference with every electornic device such as Monitor, LCD, speakers.. etc.....
Somehow this turbulence of electircity my be the reason why they are dont see correct image with they own eyes.
OK
all reviewers are not from Calgary but I am suspicious at that if the first drone nut is from noisy place, and it will trying to find other from the similar noise location eg.(Streetcar Named Desire).
When they catch up other bees by their goal from desired CV of wanabee reviewers they all has the same distortions in they heads (Noise)....
I tell my opinion and hope that I dont hurt anybody...
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Careful, the pieman might be lurking nearby ;)
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He he
Cattle is the cattle anyhow
;D
I have the another theory about noise in they heads. One time somehow I see they location in Calgary on Google maps widget I think and look at it about 1,266752734% of milisecond and I deeply in my mind figured that they are in triangle spot of railways which can make interference with every electornic device such as Monitor, LCD, speakers.. etc.....
Somehow this turbulence of electircity my be the reason why they are dont see correct image with they own eyes.
OK
all reviewers are not from Calgary but I am suspicious at that if the first drone nut is from noisy place, and it will trying to find other from the similar noise location eg.(Streetcar Named Desire).
When they catch up other bees by their goal from desired CV of wanabee reviewers they all has the same distortions in they heads (Noise)....
I tell my opinion and hope that I dont hurt anybody...
Hmmm, I don't know... I think with this post, you are giving their "nuts" a run for their money. :P
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Suljo for President!
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He he
Cattle is the cattle anyhow
;D
I have the another theory about noise in they heads. One time somehow I see they location in Calgary on Google maps widget I think and look at it about 1,266752734% of milisecond and I deeply in my mind figured that they are in triangle spot of railways which can make interference with every electornic device such as Monitor, LCD, speakers.. etc.....
Somehow this turbulence of electircity my be the reason why they are dont see correct image with they own eyes.
OK
all reviewers are not from Calgary but I am suspicious at that if the first drone nut is from noisy place, and it will trying to find other from the similar noise location eg.(Streetcar Named Desire).
When they catch up other bees by their goal from desired CV of wanabee reviewers they all has the same distortions in they heads (Noise)....
I tell my opinion and hope that I dont hurt anybody...
Hmmm, I don't know... I think with this post, you are giving their "nuts" a run for their money. :P
Bzzzz, bzzz it is so fuzzyyyy
I cant reeaadd bzzzzz
maybee my translator is not optimized for real goal of my expresion, bzzz bzzz
so I include another word which is may disambuglationjzzzz in prime nuts and drones.
Any how....
I dont know how to say but I mean King chees of all bees (iStock bees), if "she" is in deep "Noise sheet" the children of evolution "read reviewers are in the same"
For now I am noise free on iStock, but also I mean that other world is is in more big trouble, not about noise in pictures but only in noisemakers minds.
Understand you any how...
Ice age 3 is upcoming next month, maybe I will learn something about nuts...
;D
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I like this post :) lately Ive been thinking the same thing- god * it microstock contributors are a bunch of morons. Shocking...
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It would be funnier if half the people in this thread weren't "new members" but hilarious all the same.
But I have to say... I do miss the days when nearly every thread contained a random exclamation of "BOOBIES!!!!"
:D
hmm, nice,
i loveeee "Boobies" ;)
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Careful, the pieman might be lurking nearby ;)
The pieman is apparently in Spain, though he may be back by now.
OP: Thanks for the post. You should write for Private Eye.
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IStockBronze: I just went exclusive, and I can tell you, it's the best thing that ever happened to me in my whole life! My sales went from $1.50/month to over $2.00 a month! I am so happy and fulfilled now! I'm going to save up for that (whatever the most expensive Canon is) camera now!
Brilliant - love this part in particular :D :D :D
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Great post! ;D
I was just reading the istock forums. I can stay until I reach the 3rd or 4th 'Awesome!' then I have to go and get a dose of normality.
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Yet no one mentions the garbage that is on the SS forum. At least iStock doesn't require you to upload 40 photos a day to keep up your income. And I found the IS review system as a non-exclusive to be very good, very helpful in making me a better photographer. I still don't like the 'artifacting' rejection, but thats just because they don't like the photo in general.
Why does no one complain about StockXpert where they just say "we don't want that photo", meanwhile its got 40 downloads on DT?
iStock is the leader, so it will get a lo of the verbal punishment, but that just means its still on-top.
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Yet no one mentions the garbage that is on the SS forum. At least iStock doesn't require you to upload 40 photos a day to keep up your income. And I found the IS review system as a non-exclusive to be very good, very helpful in making me a better photographer. I still don't like the 'artifacting' rejection, but thats just because they don't like the photo in general.
Why does no one complain about StockXpert where they just say "we don't want that photo", meanwhile its got 40 downloads on DT?
iStock is the leader, so it will get a lot of the verbal punishment, but that just means its still on-top.
iStock is the favorite target of choice around here. There's no sense fighting it. I think it relieves some of the feelings of failure and disappointment for those who aren't up to learning anything, taking an objective look at their own images, or working hard enough to make it there. (After all, shouldn't they be out shooting instead of here complaining on forums?!) It is so much more comfortable to blame someone else, and if you can get others to jump on your bandwagon, all the better. It also gives all the wannabe comedians an outlet for their angst. ;)
Of course these are caricatures, and the reason it's funny is because we have all seen examples of exactly that kind of behavior, just like we have seen examples of behavior to which my own statements apply.
But you are right... it's when they stop talking about iStock that we should worry.
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Yup completely agree with everything.
Bottom line is this though, if you aren't good enough to make it on iStock in some successful capacity, you probably are just wasting your time in microstock. And yes, out shooting is better than on the forums. Another reason I'm not online as much. I usually come online during day-job vs. times when I could be doing other stuff
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Yet no one mentions the garbage that is on the SS forum. At least iStock doesn't require you to upload 40 photos a day to keep up your income. And I found the IS review system as a non-exclusive to be very good, very helpful in making me a better photographer. I still don't like the 'artifacting' rejection, but thats just because they don't like the photo in general.
Why does no one complain about StockXpert where they just say "we don't want that photo", meanwhile its got 40 downloads on DT?
iStock is the leader, so it will get a lot of the verbal punishment, but that just means its still on-top.
iStock is the favorite target of choice around here. There's no sense fighting it. I think it relieves some of the feelings of failure and disappointment for those who aren't up to learning anything, taking an objective look at their own images, or working hard enough to make it there. (After all, shouldn't they be out shooting instead of here complaining on forums?!) It is so much more comfortable to blame someone else, and if you can get others to jump on your bandwagon, all the better. It also gives all the wannabe comedians an outlet for their angst. ;)
Of course these are caricatures, and the reason it's funny is because we have all seen examples of exactly that kind of behavior, just like we have seen examples of behavior to which my own statements apply.
But you are right... it's when they stop talking about iStock that we should worry.
You nailed it.
Back to work.
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Yet no one mentions the garbage that is on the SS forum. At least iStock doesn't require you to upload 40 photos a day to keep up your income. And I found the IS review system as a non-exclusive to be very good, very helpful in making me a better photographer. I still don't like the 'artifacting' rejection, but thats just because they don't like the photo in general.
Why does no one complain about StockXpert where they just say "we don't want that photo", meanwhile its got 40 downloads on DT?
iStock is the leader, so it will get a lo of the verbal punishment, but that just means its still on-top.
May I dare to disagree?
Probably there is not much specific discussion on the SS forums, but there has been enough discussion about threads being closed and even contributors banned for their activity on site forums of other agencies (DT, FT).
So the criticism exists on this great forum here, it is not only focused on Istock.
Maybe these other forums don't lend them as well to such a satiric view - and maybe that is due to the fact, that no other site has such a huge number of exclusive contributors, who defend and applaude almost every move of "their" agency on the agency's forum.
And about the rejections, just look in the current discussions on DT, there are many people complaining. Again, it's not all about Istock.
To me it just seems (but correct me if I'm wrong) that some Istock exclusives are obviously only interested in discussions about Istock. And so they miss similar discussions about other agencies.
So I would disagree with whatalife as well, Istock is not "the favorite target", it is one target amongst others.
And yes, where I do agree: If they weren't that big in the business, there would be a lot less discussions.
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btw , who is pieman ???
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May I dare to disagree?
Probably there is not much specific discussion on the SS forums, but there has been enough discussion about threads being closed and even contributors banned for their activity on site forums of other agencies (DT, FT).
So the criticism exists on this great forum here, it is not only focused on Istock.
Maybe these other forums don't lend them as well to such a satiric view - and maybe that is due to the fact, that no other site has such a huge number of exclusive contributors, who defend and applaude almost every move of "their" agency on the agency's forum.
And about the rejections, just look in the current discussions on DT, there are many people complaining. Again, it's not all about Istock.
To me it just seems (but correct me if I'm wrong) that some Istock exclusives are obviously only interested in discussions about Istock. And so they miss similar discussions about other agencies.
So I would disagree with whatalife as well, Istock is not "the favorite target", it is one target amongst others.
And yes, where I do agree: If they weren't that big in the business, there would be a lot less discussions.
Let's just say that IStock is one mother of a dysfunctional family
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Yet no one mentions the garbage that is on the SS forum.
You're barely on iStock after yelling like a drama queen over all other sites that didn't let you go, and you already got the "right" istock attitude. Congrats, but I think I'll ploink you. Yack.
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Yet no one mentions the garbage that is on the SS forum.
You're barely on iStock after yelling like a drama queen over all other sites that didn't let you go, and you already got the "right" istock attitude. Congrats, but I think I'll ploink you. Yack.
ANCIENT "CHINESE" SECRET...
polishing them rice bowl, la! ;D
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Ok, that was pretty funny. Good post! ;D
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btw , who is pieman ???
Lobo. He is known for having a love of pies.
Not in the "American Pie" sense though. ;)
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btw , who is pieman ???
Lobo. He is known for having a love of pies.
Not in the "American Pie" sense though. ;)
But we could start that rumor. ;D
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You are just too bad, both of you. I just spilled my tea all over my keyboard :-)
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Yet no one mentions the garbage that is on the SS forum.
You're barely on iStock after yelling like a drama queen over all other sites that didn't let you go, and you already got the "right" istock attitude. Congrats, but I think I'll ploink you. Yack.
I'm on iStock because I don't want to deal with the other sites. Its not the "right" istock attitude, its the right attitude in general. I didn't just go exclusive on a whim, I went exclusive because it makes sense for me and a lot of other people think the same way too. And SS doesn't have exclusives and most of the contributors are much worse with the "thanks SS" or "I love you SS" when they announce they will be sending out checks or their stupid threads designed to stir up commotion or their members peddling 'photo excursions and classes'. I started on SS and their forums and I've grown to dislike the way the forum is. I'm very happy this forum has remained very good. Hate iStock for being well-run, but at least it is a well-run organization.
I complained about 1 site being stupid about not letting me go. And I still think that 6 month policy is crap. Plus I went exclusive so that I could avoid having to listen to people like you and concentrate more on actually taking photos, not posting in forums and uploading to 15 different site when I could make 90% of my non-exlusive income with 10% of the time invested uploading or making bad avatars.
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It’s called humour ichiro! Don’t take yourself so seriously ;)
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its not good humour then. its just annoying now ...and it was before too
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Welcome back, Batman ;D
Ya think... atleast two of them schizos... There should be some kind of id control for new members. I bet 50% is just fake-lurkers.
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Welcome back, Batman ;D
Ya think... atleast two of them schizos... There should be some kind of id control for new members. I bet 50% is just fake-lurkers.
I moderated a forum that uses this same software, so I'm certain that Leaf knows exactly who possesses multiple identities. As long as they aren't stirring up too much trouble, he has no reason to use the "ban IP" function. :D
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I find this text a very laborius try, but really weak and full of clichés to be a good piece of humor. Try again.
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Oh man, I havent laughed this hard in awhile. :D
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SJLocke: 200% of my pictures are accepted and featured on page 1 of best match. You are non-exclusive and therefore do not exist.
I wish. The first part, I mean. You may just be a figment of my imagination and not exist.
*whew* And here I was thinking "Is he Chuck Norris?" ;D
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btw , who is pieman ???
Lobo. He is known for having a love of pies.
Not in the "American Pie" sense though. ;)
But we could start that rumor. ;D
lobo the wolf? when he's coming?
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My feeling is that istock started as a community and became a business, and the community aspect is still very strong, almost to the point of being a cult. The others all started as businesses.
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strong community = cult
that's even funnier than the original post. ;D
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strong community = cult
that's even funnier than the original post. ;D
Some contributors have become very dependent on istock, and have very emotional responses to the apparently whimsical changes wrought by TPTB. Not a cult maybe, but close...
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strong community = cult
that's even funnier than the original post. ;D
Some contributors have become very dependent on istock, and have very emotional responses to the apparently whimsical changes wrought by TPTB. Not a cult maybe, but close...
Yeee, it's like a drug, and there's some highly addicted person there. Some of them tend to become very aggressive on weekends, when sales are lower. ;)
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...and don't forget the secret gatherings called istockalypses (now open only to exclusive
cultists members) where, by all reports, bachanalian orgies occur. Istockalypse...certainly has a religious ring about it to me.
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"iStock is the favorite target of choice around here. There's no sense fighting it. I think it relieves some of the feelings of failure and disappointment for those who aren't up to learning anything, taking an objective look at their own images, or working hard enough to make it there. (After all, shouldn't they be out shooting instead of here complaining on forums?!) It is so much more comfortable to blame someone else, and if you can get others to jump on your bandwagon, all the better. It also gives all the wannabe comedians an outlet for their angst. ;)"
this is really funny....perfectly said. I needed a good laugh tonight, thanks :-)
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Great post Catastrophe :D
Ummmm... you didn't just copy/paste it from the IS forum, did you :D :D
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...and don't forget the secret gatherings called istockalypses (now open only to exclusive cultists members) where, by all reports, bachanalian orgies occur. Istockalypse...certainly has a religious ring about it to me.
lypses aren't always exclusive only, for example Malta wasn't - but the take up by non exclusives was low (3)
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Malta wasn't actually marketed as a 'lypse was it?
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21 hearts for you already catastrophe ! looks like you're on your way to get that cash bonus. woo hoo
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Malta wasn't actually marketed as a 'lypse was it?
There are all kind of Lypses, big ones and small ones. Usually they call them "Minilypses" There is a whole forum on istock where you can announce your event and team up with other istockers. Most events have both exclusive and non-excusives. They take place all the time all over the globe and many people use it as an excuse to travel the world to attend these events.
"istockalypses" are the ones organized by istock HQ, but there are many, many more Lypses -The "Stiff´upperlypse" in London, the "Eclypse" in Spain etc...
http://www.istockphoto.com/forum_threads.php?forumid=79
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Not a cult maybe, but close...
A sect? A religion? Everything that starts with an "I", like iPod and iPhone is a sect. Except the Mac, that starts with an "M". That's why it's a religion and not a sect. :P
Istockalypse Now: I love the smell of rejections in the morning. ;D
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There is an iMac, too, of course :P
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There is an iMac, too, of course :P
iReally? I thought that was just an iBox with fancy iCons around a PC inside. 8)
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Whenever I see those announcements and threads about lypses, they remind me of trekkie meetings. I even laugh at the idea there is some equivalent to the salute "live long and prosper". ;D ;D ;D
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Well, have you ever been at some Lypses, you would now that they are photosessions with professionals settings, models and equipment and some time to enjoy yourself, if you want, and get to know others photographers you only knew by their work. A good opportunity to learn from others that know more than you, as well. Minylipses are exactly the same thing than organising sessions with some other photographers sharing costs and expenses. Black masses and any kind of "cult" are reserved for the fantasies of these who love to have fantasies without knowing the real thing.
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I think that there must be a lot of learning that goes on at lypses, because over the years I can think of many examples of people attending one and afterwards their work (lighting technique, model posing etc. ) shows a marked improvement.
I hate to travel or I would have been at one that allowed non-exclusives. Keep thinking there has to eventually be one in Florida. As it is I have managed to meet up with a number of contributors when they are in central or western Florida vacationing. Standing offer to get together with any others too :)
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Hi Lisa,
if Florida was any closer, I´d love to shoot with you. And spend a week-end at Disneyworld ;-)
Of course lypses are just normal photosessions, they just have fun names, that´s all.
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I even laugh at the idea there is some equivalent to the salute "live long and prosper". ;D ;D ;D
Oh, yeah, there is: Our standard salutation is "Shoot, upload, repeat"
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I even laugh at the idea there is some equivalent to the salute "live long and prosper". ;D ;D ;D
Oh, yeah, there is: Our standard salutation is "Shoot, upload, repeat"
MichaelJay , that sounds like a firing squad: FIRE... RELOAD... FIRE ! ;D