Author Topic: Finally Got Accepted to IS (Read 2059 times)

johnnydao · « **on:** June 27, 2011, 00:30 »

I finally got into IS. It was tough. All the other "Big 4" and "Middle Tier" wasn't so bad to get accepted.

I just started microstock less than a month and it's been a huge learning curve. So far, I've only sold 3 photos from SS. What's funny is SS has more rejection rate than the others. Yet, on the other microstocks, I haven't even sold 1. I guess I'm going to expect a high rejection rate on IS.

lagereek · « **Reply #1 on:** June 27, 2011, 00:46 »

Congrats! but I hate to say this, unless you plan to go exclusive with IS, its a total waste of time. If you have followed all their troubles lately you know what I mean.
Although if youre doing this for "fun" and especially with IS, it doesnt really matter and BTW, reviewing is tougher at Shutterstock, they deamnd higher quality nowdays, which is good! IS, is quite happy with the odd generics, as long as its technically correct.

best of luck.

johnnydao · « **Reply #2 on:** June 27, 2011, 01:14 »

Thanks lagereek,

Yeah, right now, it's just for "fun" and getting to know the ropes. I'm taking photos and doing PP on my spare time while working full time here in Kuwait doing 60 hrs. a week. But, once I'm outta here and back in the States (or elsewhere), I'll get hardcore in photography. In the meantime, I'm learning as much as I can so it'll be easier for me once I done with Kuwait. Every piece of information here on Microstockgroup.com have been great.

Mantis · « **Reply #3 on:** June 27, 2011, 07:37 »

I wouldn't get too discouraged about sales at this stage of the game. I see you have 24 images on Dreamstime. When you get 2400 then you will see trends, generally speaking. Collections are growing at monumental proportions and making money is getting harder and harder due to simple supply and demand principals. At IS you really have to have something unique and useful to make any recurring income. Otherwise as an independent you get pushed so far back into the collection once you get images accepted that you are lost and forgotten almost instantly. Most agencies are making getting submissions accepted harder and harder, too. Dreamstime and Shutterstock have both "changed their standards" and most of us regulars are seeing new rejections every time we upload.

This is just a snapshot of reality. If you're getting into this to make a "quick buck" it's probably not for you.

lisafx · « **Reply #4 on:** June 27, 2011, 13:55 »

Congratulations Johnny. You have cleared a major hurdle, being accepted at Istock. Christian (lagereek) is right about the shenanigans over there, but still nice to know your work is good enough to get in.

I will second what Mantis said about it not being possible to make a quick buck in micro anymore. Even difficult to maintain the levels already achieved. But if you are doing it strictly for fun you should enjoy the journey.

johnnydao · « **Reply #5 on:** June 28, 2011, 00:58 »

Thanks for the word of wisdom from you guys. I know I have a lot to learn. Not just clicking the shutter button. That's why I'm trying out microstocks. Money is not a problem for me. I'm not doing this for a "quick buck". I'm only on to learn the whole environment of microstocks. What does it take? How can I better myself? And best of all, get critiques from others who have been doing microstocks for years, even decades. Nothing better than listening and learning from the experienced photographers.

cobalt · « **Reply #6 on:** June 28, 2011, 05:48 »

Congrats Jonny,

you have the right attitude! Although it is more difficult to have images accepted than in 2005 the money you get per sale is a lot higher. We started out with 10 cents a sale...

I think if you pay close attention, learn from your mistakes and finally discover a niche or two you can still make some serious money in stock. It just takes hard work and patience, like any business.

Good luck and enjoy the journey!

Sean Locke Photography · « **Reply #7 on:** June 28, 2011, 06:08 »

Quote from: lisafx on June 27, 2011, 13:55

Congratulations Johnny. You have cleared a major hurdle, being accepted at Istock. Christian (lagereek) is right about the shenanigans over there, but still nice to know your work is good enough to get in.

Also, watch out for the tomfoolery, the hooliganism and the skullduggery!

Gannet77 · « **Reply #8 on:** June 28, 2011, 06:32 »

Just to add - I see you haven't opted in to the Extended License Program.

I realise you have no images yet, but IMO you should opt in. And check the box when uploading as it doesn't do so automagically, unless you use DeepMeta.

About the only thing iStock have stated about the best match is that files offered on Extended License have better placement... so it should help, even if you never get any.

microstockphoto.co.uk · « **Reply #9 on:** June 28, 2011, 06:33 »

Tests used to be quite easy and pretty useless just a few years ago, but it's not so easy any more.

The fact that you passed test on major sites means you are on the right track. Don't worry too much about low sales for now, just continue to upload when you'll have time and sales will come. You seem to have the right attitude, unlike 99% of newbies which just come here to whine about rejections.

a-b-foto · « **Reply #10 on:** June 28, 2011, 07:17 »

i got accepted to IS on my third trial. funnily enough the 3 images that got me accepted were all rejected afterwards...

because of this and due to the tedious upload process i only have 11 images with them online... but to my great surprise 3 of them were sold last week for the grand total of 4.44$. of course that´s nothing to shout about - but it equals roughly 18 sales on shutterstock.

michealo · « **Reply #11 on:** June 28, 2011, 07:22 »

Quote from: sjlocke on June 28, 2011, 06:08

Quote from: lisafx on June 27, 2011, 13:55
Congratulations Johnny. You have cleared a major hurdle, being accepted at Istock. Christian (lagereek) is right about the shenanigans over there, but still nice to know your work is good enough to get in.

Also, watch out for the tomfoolery, the hooliganism and the skullduggery!

and the sjlockery ;-)

Noodles · « **Reply #12 on:** June 28, 2011, 07:26 »

Quote from: johnnydao on June 28, 2011, 00:58

Thanks for the word of wisdom from you guys. I know I have a lot to learn. Not just clicking the shutter button. That's why I'm trying out microstocks. Money is not a problem for me. I'm not doing this for a "quick buck". I'm only on to learn the whole environment of microstocks. What does it take? How can I better myself? And best of all, get critiques from others who have been doing microstocks for years, even decades. Nothing better than listening and learning from the experienced photographers.

Just had a peep at your website. Nice photos. You have a good eye for colour and balance. Your style could adapt easily into IS Vetta and/or freelance commercial work.

johnnydao · « **Reply #13 on:** June 28, 2011, 08:47 »

Thanks Noodles! I got serious in photography since November 2010. I had no formal training and no clue how to use PS CS5 (only used LR for about a year). All I did was watch a crap load of free podcast (Photoshop User TV, Photoshop Killer Tips, D-Town) and read magazines like crazy. Also, I joined a local photo group here in Kuwait. They’re all Filipino and have an interesting way doing photography and PP.

Thanks for the info a-b-foto. That’s hilarious that the 3 photos for your initial application got rejected for your portfolio.

No, I’m not a whiner when it comes to rejections. Photos are subjective. I don’t take it personally if I get rejected. I try to learn from it and improve. I love to hear a pro give me a genuine critique on what they would of done different or what I could do to fix my photos.

lisafx · « **Reply #14 on:** June 28, 2011, 10:30 »

Quote from: sjlocke on June 28, 2011, 06:08

Quote from: lisafx on June 27, 2011, 13:55
Congratulations Johnny. You have cleared a major hurdle, being accepted at Istock. Christian (lagereek) is right about the shenanigans over there, but still nice to know your work is good enough to get in.

Also, watch out for the tomfoolery, the hooliganism and the skullduggery!

Not to mention assholery