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Author Topic: Change in Similars Policy  (Read 13326 times)

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« on: March 01, 2013, 17:49 »
+5
I saw the following comment by Achilles in the midst of a thread on the DT forums:

Quote
We have actually eased the similarity criteria recently for images that have sales potential. It means we will accept more similars from a series of good images (i.e. nice authentic-looking models, in good light having fun in a contemporary setup/props, a niche-but-popular subject, etc.) than from the everyday shots (think common still lives).
Given that level 0 is applied after 6 months and that the images enter the database as level 1 files there is a faster price diversification for similar images. It doesn't mean we accept anything or that we don't expect photographers to do their own selection. Folks who simply dump their cards in the FTP folder are kindly asked to make a prior selection.
I know it's not the case for most of you and again, we keep in mind the quality of the submissions at review time. If your images are very good, salable, AR is high, you have better chances to have them accepted. If they are not, it's not the end of the world. See if you can improve something or move on.

Having said these, you are encouraged to ask for a second review using the form available in the Refused files section. A senior editor is reviewing those, someone different than initial reviewer. This comes as an additional support to the resubmit feature, who goes to the same editor. Both these assume the possibility that your refusal was unjust. Please take advantage of these opportunities and if the image is still refused, trust us and move on to the next images.

We are aware refusals are frustrating. You worked for those images, you spent time uploading and we spent time reviewing. We would much rather accept everything, but we have selection criteria we need to abide in order to keep our customers happy. The number of submissions is about 40% higher than last year. We could increase the size of our database dramatically but we prefer to remain focused on quality rather than quantity.

Thanks for your understanding.


Here's a link to the thread.


lisafx

« Reply #1 on: March 01, 2013, 18:39 »
+1
This is very good news!  Thanks a lot for posting it Cypher :)

ETA:  Since the thread there is closed, I will say here that I think this is a smart move by DT, and allow a greater variety of good stock on the site. 

Still probably wise not to get carried away with uploading similars, but if you have a high value shoot and can get a greater selection of images online from it, that's a win-win for everybody.
« Last Edit: March 01, 2013, 18:43 by lisafx »

« Reply #2 on: March 01, 2013, 18:56 »
+1
Any move from the dogmatic approach they have been adhering to is most welcome.  Hope they let the inspectors know, not just us.  ;D

« Reply #3 on: March 01, 2013, 19:49 »
+1
This is very good news!  Thanks a lot for posting it Cypher :)

ETA:  Since the thread there is closed, I will say here that I think this is a smart move by DT, and allow a greater variety of good stock on the site. 

Still probably wise not to get carried away with uploading similars, but if you have a high value shoot and can get a greater selection of images online from it, that's a win-win for everybody.

I've noticed that my acceptance rate is back to almost 100%.  Glad Serban listened.  I agree, Lisa, that we still need to be smart about not submitting 5 angles of  that tomato on white.

« Reply #4 on: March 01, 2013, 19:57 »
+2
This will not change their stance on illustrations and submitting individual design elements instead of sets.

While of course it's not making much sense not to submit sets as long as they are vector based - I still don't understand their, more than, questionable position on asking us illustrators to submit sets even if the original image is non-vector (e.g. 3D) based.

I'm selling lots of design elements on any other agency which doesn't make it worth my while to upload sets to DT because I'd be undercutting myself. Well I'm not brain dead, so no changes for me - sorry DT.

Good for photographers though with models and the like.

« Reply #5 on: March 01, 2013, 20:06 »
+3
Good! Thanks Cyber for highlighting this.

I haven't actually uploaded to DT for 2 years because of ridiculous rejections for 'similars'. As a food photographer I often re-shoot the same popular subject many times over, say each year, but obviously in a different way and hopefully better than before. Unfortunately, because I'd done 'lasagna' for example before, my new and better images of 'lasagna' were being rejected for 'similars'. It seemed that any other contributor was allowed to compete against my older images of lasagna or any other subject that I'd shot before __ except me.

I might actually be inspired to upload again to DT. They currently have about 2000 fewer of my latest (and best) images than any other agency.

« Reply #6 on: March 01, 2013, 21:00 »
+4
If DT would change two other things, I might explore uploading everything to them that I upload elsewhere, but as it is, this change is a big vaguely described and the penalties for incorrectly second  guessing what they'll take make it not worth it.

If my approval rate falls below 80% then my uploads per week are cut (I stopped trying to upload my full port because there were too many "similars" rejections) and it reportedly hurts search position. I don't upload crap (I did in 2004, but that's another story :)) and if they would eliminate the similars rejections from the approval percentage, I'd be more willing to play footsie with their new rules.

« Reply #7 on: March 02, 2013, 01:55 »
0
it takes more than one year for them to admit a mistake and realize it is lost lost situation for everyone..

and how about the batch edit process?

even fotolia had a batch process.. nowadays a lot of ppl start as 1000k portfolio..not really just some weekend hobbies..

« Reply #8 on: March 02, 2013, 03:20 »
+1
it takes more than one year for them to admit a mistake and realize it is lost lost situation for everyone..

and how about the batch edit process?

even fotolia had a batch process.. nowadays a lot of ppl start as 1000k portfolio..not really just some weekend hobbies..
Do you use the populate button?  Makes it all a lot quicker, especially or catagories and model releases.

« Reply #9 on: March 02, 2013, 03:28 »
0
the populate button is not able to batch process multiple files same time right?

i do use the populate button to assign categories..but one need to click agree and 'submit' for every files right?

shutterstock..fotolia.. and every other site that you can move the similar files just by doing 1 time..

if you have 10 image from same situation, why need to repeat 10 times?

basically the worst submit is istock, and dreamstime is second..



it takes more than one year for them to admit a mistake and realize it is lost lost situation for everyone..

and how about the batch edit process?

even fotolia had a batch process.. nowadays a lot of ppl start as 1000k portfolio..not really just some weekend hobbies..
Do you use the populate button?  Makes it all a lot quicker, especially or catagories and model releases.

« Reply #10 on: March 02, 2013, 05:22 »
0
the populate button is not able to batch process multiple files same time right?

i do use the populate button to assign categories..but one need to click agree and 'submit' for every files right?

shutterstock..fotolia.. and every other site that you can move the similar files just by doing 1 time..

if you have 10 image from same situation, why need to repeat 10 times?

basically the worst submit is istock, and dreamstime is second..



it takes more than one year for them to admit a mistake and realize it is lost lost situation for everyone..

and how about the batch edit process?

even fotolia had a batch process.. nowadays a lot of ppl start as 1000k portfolio..not really just some weekend hobbies..
Do you use the populate button?  Makes it all a lot quicker, especially or catagories and model releases.
You are quite right about that but I have come across people that didn't know how the populate button worked and it really does make life easier.

ruxpriencdiam

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« Reply #11 on: March 02, 2013, 09:11 »
-2
Sure it is great and i could more then triple the size of my port but now I would have to go back and re-upload all of the previously uploaded files that are no longer considered refused files because they have been replaced by other similars and removed over the submission process.

I have tons of editorial car shows where similars were applied like a candy apple red 69 SS396 Chevelle gets rejected for similar because I already have a blue 69 SS396 Chevelle they may have different rims tires and I shoot them from every angle I can but theyr are always considered similar yet they are taken everywhere else?

« Reply #12 on: March 02, 2013, 09:29 »
+2
it takes more than one year for them to admit a mistake and realize it is lost lost situation for everyone....
Isn't it more like 3 or 4 years?  Nice they've finally seen sense but they've lost out to SS now and there's a danger they could end up fighting over the scraps with all the other sites that haven't provided a good alternative for buyers.  I don't mind sites making mistakes, as long as they can see they've got it wrong and make a change reasonably quickly.  It's been so long since I regularly uploaded to DT, I dread to think how much money I've lost and they've lost much more.

I'll give them another go, hopefully they can still make up for the years of stupidity but I can't help thinking they could be doing almost as well as SS if they hadn't made such an obvious strategic error.

ruxpriencdiam

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« Reply #13 on: March 02, 2013, 09:31 »
-2
So where is this so called form at?

I see no forms?

sc

« Reply #14 on: March 02, 2013, 10:37 »
0
Go to your refused files there is a tiny field to add up to five file numbers for them to reconsider

« Reply #15 on: March 02, 2013, 10:44 »
0
Go to your refused files there is a tiny field to add up to five file numbers for them to reconsider

Interestingly, I've used that before and never heard a thing back.

sc

« Reply #16 on: March 02, 2013, 10:53 »
0
Go to your refused files there is a tiny field to add up to five file numbers for them to reconsider

Interestingly, I've used that before and never heard a thing back.

I don't think I've ever gotten a message back - but I do think a couple showed up in my port eventually.

ruxpriencdiam

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« Reply #17 on: March 02, 2013, 11:48 »
-2
Go to your refused files there is a tiny field to add up to five file numbers for them to reconsider
I saw that and used it for probably way more then 5.

I have hundreds and this 5 at a time will take forever!

« Reply #18 on: March 02, 2013, 12:24 »
+2
"...we will accept more similars from a series of good images (i.e. nice authentic-looking models, in good light having fun in a contemporary setup/props, a niche-but-popular subject, etc.)" Achilles

I hope that the same changes in policy will also be applied to illustrations. I have created new images of new concepts using elements from previously submitted images, only to have them rejected as too similar. I never understood this. Are buyers supposed to buy my old image and somehow convert it to something like the new one themselves?

This policy of rejecting images which are accepted on other sites and sell well because they are useful for buyers has cost me money, and cost DT money also. As others here have noted, it should have been changed long ago when we first started complaining about it.

lisafx

« Reply #19 on: March 02, 2013, 13:08 »
+1
Good! Thanks Cyber for highlighting this.

I haven't actually uploaded to DT for 2 years because of ridiculous rejections for 'similars'. As a food photographer I often re-shoot the same popular subject many times over, say each year, but obviously in a different way and hopefully better than before. Unfortunately, because I'd done 'lasagna' for example before, my new and better images of 'lasagna' were being rejected for 'similars'. It seemed that any other contributor was allowed to compete against my older images of lasagna or any other subject that I'd shot before __ except me.

I might actually be inspired to upload again to DT. They currently have about 2000 fewer of my latest (and best) images than any other agency.

I think they would be well advised to accept your more recent food images.  Your work over the last year is absolutely beautiful and light years ahead of your earlier work, and most of your competitors in your niches, IMO.  :)

« Reply #20 on: March 02, 2013, 16:38 »
-1
I think they would be well advised to accept your more recent food images.  Your work over the last year is absolutely beautiful and light years ahead of your earlier work, and most of your competitors in your niches, IMO.  :)

Thank you Lisa! Coming from you that's a big lift. I think I've probably undertaken about 1000 individual food shoots by now so it's about time that I got one or two of them right. Amazon have done pretty well out my microstock endeavours too as my shelves are groaning under the weight of 150 cookery books __ they're very <ahem> 'inspiring'.

lisafx

« Reply #21 on: March 02, 2013, 18:12 »
+2
Amazon have done pretty well out my microstock endeavours too as my shelves are groaning under the weight of 150 cookery books __ they're very <ahem> 'inspiring'.

At least they are tax deductible ;D

gillian vann

  • *Gillian*
« Reply #22 on: March 02, 2013, 20:52 »
0
I do wish they'd change their email that states I "already have several similar images". To me several means 6+, not 2, which is usually as far as you can push it.

« Reply #23 on: March 04, 2013, 09:25 »
0
I made a test and uploaded some of mine good sellers to Dreamstime. But Unfortunately they all have been rejected with the reason "Please, combine all images from this series in a collage as one file and resubmit. This is not only valid for the currently refused images, but for all images (pending or yet to be uploaded) of this series which you plan to add to your portfolio."

And to be honest I can't combine them in a collage. In my personal experience nothing has changed in a "Similar Policy". It's sad because I like Dreamstime.
« Last Edit: March 04, 2013, 09:29 by mayaartist »

« Reply #24 on: March 04, 2013, 09:44 »
+9
I would only make a collage if they could be sold for more.  I know they might one day reach a higher level but I'm afraid that doesn't make me want to sell several images as one when they're sold separately on other sites.  And they're always going to be available at full size for subs commissions.  That's just not on.

I also wonder what happens to the buyers that don't want a collage and aren't good with photoshop?

« Reply #25 on: March 04, 2013, 15:39 »
+3
Quote
Posted by: sharpshot
on: Today at 09:44 Insert Quote
I would only make a collage if they could be sold for more.  I know they might one day reach a higher level but I'm afraid that doesn't make me want to sell several images as one when they're sold separately on other sites.  And they're always going to be available at full size for subs commissions.  That's just not on.

I also wonder what happens to the buyers that don't want a collage and aren't good with photoshop?

I absolutely agree with you. In my case I can't afford to make one collage with all my good sellers and make them available for subs. 

« Reply #26 on: March 04, 2013, 19:37 »
+4
I just had a sub download today of one image with 6 full resolution objects in a collage.  These are very frustrating,  I am done with uploading collages unless they somehow change the policy that collages are a different price point.  In my case AT LEAST .35 x 6 = $2.10.

gillian vann

  • *Gillian*
« Reply #27 on: March 12, 2013, 01:36 »
0
I'm not seeing any policy change regarding similars. Have had half a dozen rejected this week under this policy. I haven't yet bothered but I guess I could make a collage with the rejected ones?

« Reply #28 on: March 12, 2013, 02:35 »
0
I'm not seeing any changes in this so call new policy either.  Today I had 6 different poses of the the same subject and they all were rejected.  Talk is cheap!!

« Reply #29 on: March 12, 2013, 04:30 »
+1
I'm not seeing any changes in this so call new policy either.  Today I had 6 different poses of the the same subject and they all were rejected.  Talk is cheap!!
If they were all rejected then surely that isn't because of similars.   If it was similars that they didn't want then they would have approved at least one.
« Last Edit: March 12, 2013, 06:51 by fotografer »

ruxpriencdiam

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« Reply #30 on: March 12, 2013, 06:29 »
0
I know they take forever on reviews but it is 10 days since resub and no answer yet.

« Reply #31 on: March 13, 2013, 07:54 »
0
I don't think anyone has told the reviewers.

 I just had one of two rejected for the "You already have several very similar images in your portfolio or approved within this batch" reason. As I don't have any of this particular subject in my portfolio, I can only surmise that two similars are still one too many.

Microbius

« Reply #32 on: March 13, 2013, 10:27 »
0
........
I hope that the same changes in policy will also be applied to illustrations. I have created new images of new concepts using elements from previously submitted images, only to have them rejected as too similar. I never understood this......

Yes it is absolutely insane. I have also created new completely unrelated concepts using a few of the same elements as some of my previous work and had them rejected. No overlap in the target audience at all. They seem to just do it absolutely methodically without any thought.  I also hope the new policy applies to illustrations.

« Reply #33 on: March 13, 2013, 12:17 »
+1
A policy like this, applied mindlessly, is just nuts.   It's the sort of thing that causes valuable contributors to just give up and leave.   I think they kicked this off with some sort of statement that this would actually benefit contributors.  Good luck convincing anyone of that today.

 

« Reply #34 on: March 13, 2013, 13:26 »
+2
DT always kicks off changes with how they will benefit contributors (at least when telling the contributors about it). When I look at my DT earnings graph the general trend is a slow rise with drastic drops for the 2 big commission cuts that were to benefit contributors followed by a slow rise again (except it has been pretty stagnant lately).

The similars policy always seemed rather poorly implemented to me anyway, it would be nice if they actually accepted things that were different instead of rejecting them as similar. At least now they are finally admitting that maybe the policy wasnt the best idea after all. It only took what? 2 or 3 years?

« Reply #35 on: March 13, 2013, 14:08 »
0
I think this has 1 real goal: reduce reviewing costs.  Every other stated reason is B.S.   The reviewer is told to pick the one image he thinks would make 80% of the sales, and dump the rest without even a close look, saving significant reviewing time.  They figure the cost savings outweigh any lost sales.  The contributor loses because he's already had to spend time on all the images, not just the one that ultimately gets in.

The stuff about increasing sales by reducing search fatigue etc. is baloney; 'search' is a software issue.  For example, 'similars' (their dismissive name for alternate poses, color variations etc) could be shown optionally, with a 'click here to see others in this series' feature on the UI.   

It's just a cold-blooded business decision. That's their right, of course, but they could skip the weasel words.
« Last Edit: March 13, 2013, 14:17 by stockastic »

gillian vann

  • *Gillian*
« Reply #36 on: March 13, 2013, 18:33 »
0
I'm not seeing any changes in this so call new policy either.  Today I had 6 different poses of the the same subject and they all were rejected.  Talk is cheap!!
If they were all rejected then surely that isn't because of similars.   If it was similars that they didn't want then they would have approved at least one.
sometimes I think they forget to approve even one. I've had that happen too, 3 images rejected as being too similar to each other, and then, oops, zero go through. you just have to laugh and move on, clearly they didn't like them enough in the first place. (a case of "we're just not that into you")

« Reply #37 on: March 13, 2013, 18:38 »
0
So I read this and thought I would try a few, you guessed it......they rejected some as being to similar and already have some that are from the same batch! So maybe only a selected few can get a whole batch accepted?


 

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