I recently had some images rejected under the too similar tag, these images are part of a series which I sell thousands off on iS and the other sites but the subject is a completely different concept (all of the other sites have approved them obviously). I sent a message to support but they insisted I replied to the rejection email which then goes back to the original editor!!!!! What's the point in that? His reply to my appeal made me believe he didn't really understand about the stock business and what makes an image sellable so if he didn't understand it the first time how is appealing to him a second time worthwhile. Even the images in the series that I do have on DT are my best sellers there 

So the lesson I learnt was if you have a niche series which sells in the thousands everywhere else you can only upload one to Dreamstime, even if the actual subject concept is 100% different. Now I wonder why people are stating that their Dreamstime sales aren't keeping up with the other sites 

I sent a message to support but they insisted I replied to the rejection email which then goes back to the original editor!!!!! What's the point in that?

Richard, I admire your perseverance. But I think you'll always get the same answer "I was right the first time and of course I'm right now". I believe there is no point in arguing or trying to reason with these guys. The translated universal reply to every contributor that tries to explain them anything is "We are not what you think we are". On top of that, RPD is falling aggressively and income as well. Therefore I can't be bothered with uploading to them anymore. Every once in a while my wife sends them some images, but I really don't care what happens with them.

Therefore I can't be bothered with uploading to them anymore ... I really don't care what happens with them.

... is the correct answer!

I sent a message to support but they insisted I replied to the rejection email which then goes back to the original editor!!!!! What's the point in that? His reply to my appeal made me believe he didn't really understand about the stock business and what makes an image sellable so if he didn't understand it the first time how is appealing to him a second time worthwhile.

I think DT may have out-sourced some of their inspection process to a company specialising in it. That's probably why they just refer you back to them. It also may explain why the contractor is so rigid in applying whatever 'rules' they have been given. Of course the contractor doesn't have a vested interest in sales, either on behalf of the agency itself or the contributor, but is more concerned with keeping DT happy and retaining their services.

I wouldn't mind so much if their policy really did lead to a higher standard of images for the buyers __ but it doesn't. The default sort order produces simply awful results. Try this search on 'breakfast cooked' with the sort order set to the default of 'relevancy descending' and 80 images per page;

http://tinyurl.com/breakfastcooked

There are only 9 contributors represented on the first page out of 4800-odd results. No less than 63 of the 80 images are all from one contributor, are nearly a year old and have only one sale between them. Hardly surprising that our sales there see-saw up and down and are generally in decline. What on earth are DT playing at?

Dreamstimes new policy of 'no similars' is driving me crazy.

I shot a series of garden herbs, chives, coriander, basil, etc, etc, different bunches, and they will only accept one shot, so what if someone wants basil, chives, coriander, etc, etc and not mint. They have only let mint in. INSANNNNE! Sorry had to get it off my chest and there appears to be no appeals procedure for dreamstime, is there?

I just looked at this week's DT "featured artist" linked from the tweet in the little box here at the top of the forum, and it's nothing but similars.

When I look at their stats of 5000+ uploads and 2000+ downloads, it amazes me they can churn them out and still have a roof over their head, especially with 5 'employees'.  

Didn't one of the big shots stop uploading to DT due to "lack of professionalism"? 

Gee, I wonder why...

This is what Achilles said at CEPIC:

The price level system of Dreamstime is one of the reasons that causes rejection for submitted series of similar photos: focusing on the best ones there is a greater probability to drive them to the higher levels of price with an advantage for the agency and the photographer.

More info here - http://www.mystockphoto.org/cepic-new-media-conference-making-millions-with-microstock-part-1/

The price level system of Dreamstime is one of the reasons that causes rejection for submitted series of similar photos: focusing on the best ones there is a greater probability to drive them to the higher levels of price with an advantage for the agency and the photographer.

Translation: We only accept one (the best) shot of a series because then we will build the best library there is on the internet which will make lots of money for DT but less for the individual photographer *cough* did I just say that out loud?

Isn't it just terrific that DT is making these hard choices for us instead of simply approving technically correct images?

Approving one shot of a series of garden herbs and claiming it's the best shot of a series is just *cough* not right to make an understatement.

This is to the sole advantage of DT and not the contributors. DT will claim that this will be all for the greater good but what are the new streams of buyers good for if they want my chive image but DT only approved my cilantro...  

How can I remove image from exclusivity on DT?
Incidentally I have set several...

Dreamstimes new policy of 'no similars' is driving me crazy.

I shot a series of garden herbs, chives, coriander, basil, etc, etc, different bunches, and they will only accept one shot, so what if someone wants basil, chives, coriander, etc, etc and not mint. They have only let mint in. INSANNNNE! Sorry had to get it off my chest and there appears to be no appeals procedure for dreamstime, is there?

That's a typical case of shots that they would love you to combine to a collage - six or so for the price of one for the buyer! Doesn't it even say so in the reject note?

.

.

Indeed, they have a silly rules, but that's their problem.
I tried to make some collection , they accepted 3 and the rest 5 not, because these 5 aren't stock oriented - but previous 3 was. And that's just a one of the many DT absurdities
 

Indeed, they have a silly rules, but that's their problem.
I tried to make some collection , they accepted 3 and the rest 5 not, because these 5 aren't stock oriented - but previous 3 was. And that's just a one of the many DT absurdities
 

Ha yes, sounds familiar. I got too.  But I agree no good point to argue because rejection reason by reviewer is very protected to debate. It is not objective reason that can be overturn like noise artifact fringe. 10 reviewers can see noise fringe artifact white balance wrong. But when reviewer used subjective reason, is big sneak to abuse.
Me? I decide to go to IS and SS and give to them . Don't do nothing to me to bust my butt for now dl there anyway.
Only oldest stuff selling, so why bother me to give new stuff ?

I agree...it does absolutely no good to question a rejection. You get the same answer twice. I only tried it once and after the rude response I got back, I never did it again.

They are the all knowing expert inspectors who have the secret wisdom to know what sells and no one else in this business knows what they are talking about and your an idiot if you ask or challenge them to a gun fight at the ok corral inspectors.

To sum it all up....they are the idiots.

I guess what DT wants are SET pictures, place all your work in just one picture and its done! LOL

If saying 'reviewers are idiots', you can also say 'photographers are idiots', for thinking their images are the best that can be found in this world.
Both are not true of course.

.

Exactly my opinion about Dreamstime's reviewing system

I haven't seen the rejections you are talking about (I haven't been uploading much lately) but here is a positive thing that is NOT driving me crazy: I requested a payout yesterday morning and yesterday afternoon I had my money. I give a big thumbs up to that!

Quote from: holgs on June 17, 2010, 06:26

OT... but just noticed this on the DT page under "most popular searches"

Quote

luxury, *, man, arm, bed, relaxing, snow, inside, concert, help, kiss, umbrella, bread, lady, high, boobs, player, ship, professional, gift, light

Just don't send in series of pussys or boobs. Only submit your best and make a collage of the rest. 

try and use only the most relevant terms:

man, arm, inside, luxury, *

the kinky DT.... ntz-ntz.

About a month until I can disable my last image at DT. Can't wait to finally be free from that horrid agency.

Quote from: Kngkyle on June 17, 2010, 08:40

About a month until I can disable my last image at DT. Can't wait to finally be free from that horrid agency.

Is it for to be Exclusive with IS?
Can work with only disabling portfolio at DT? They don't let you delete account?

Yes it is. And no they will not cut you a break at all. I had to wait 6 months because of a mere 7 images. I even tried to buy the rights to my own images for $250 each so they would be removed. They rejected the purchase and restarted the 6 month timer.

If exclusivity to IS doesn't work out I certainly won't be submitting to DT again. Their abhorrent treatment of long time contributors is inexcusable. They are supposed to be an agency representing us, not keeping us hostage. It was such a stark contrast to all the other agencies, some of which even offered to payout my remaining earnings even though it was below their minimum amount.

Ironic because they used to be my favorite agency. I even bought some images from them. Never again. 

I had to wait 6 months because of a mere 7 images. I even tried to buy the rights to my own images for $250 each so they would be removed. They rejected the purchase and restarted the 6 month timer.

I'm not currently shooting any microstock, but I might want to do more in the future; and I might want to be exclusive somewhere; and your post reminds me that DT is apparently run by some very strange people, and I should be thinking about closing out my account there.

I don't really like IS either, but they make more sales than DT, and would pay a little more if I went exclusive.

The 6-month thing is an example of why I gave up on microstock.  Some "agency" pays me 30 cents, and then wants to impose a requirement like this, as if they were some top-ranked agent or gallery paying me big bucks.



  

I'm not currently shooting any microstock, but I might want to do more in the future; and I might want to be exclusive somewhere; and your post reminds me that DT is apparently run by some very strange people, and I should be thinking about closing out my account there.

Just as a reminder: exclusives on DT can't sell anywhere else, not even as Macro/RM. IS exclusives can sell Macro/RM, as their exclusivity requirement only concerns RF.

The 6-month thing is an example of why I gave up on microstock.  Some "agency" pays me 30 cents, and then wants to impose a requirement like this, as if they were some top-ranked agent or gallery paying me big bucks.

The 6-month lock, I would agree, is over the top for a micro agency. But I wouldn't use that as a reason to give up on microstock all together. There are a few other agencies that don't have locks at all.

But I do know what you mean. It's always something with all of them. 

I really don't see what the big deal with the 6 six month lock.. If you wanna go exclusive you just wait 6months, I guess DT isn�t a problem here, as I read here from other photographers, the partners from stock agencies are worst to remove pictures and so on...

The only thing I can complain is the slow reviews , once I am far away from going exclusive

...the funny (better sad) thing is that you can take a look to the latest pictures accepted on dreamstime and still find series of 5 and more pictures which are really almost identical... hmmmm

Because it's your content.  You should be free to control its use as you wish.  That's why people don't like it.

But isn't it the case that many 'macro' agencies have lock-in clauses for 3-5 years? It costs an agency money to both accept content and usually also to remove it too. Images can spend months in a customer's lightbox and then they get angry if it subsequently becomes unavailable.

If I ever started an agency I would insist on at least a six-month lock in too. A content provider who can't even commit to a six-month business relationship is exactly the sort of content provider that I wouldn't want to be wasting my time with.

But in this case you cannot change rules during this period.
When I started with DT there were no subscriptions, they paid 50% commissions. Then they changed rules but not 6 months lock in - this is taking contributors hostage.

Agreed. I'm sure if you'd insisted on closing your account with DT due to a major unilateral change in the T&C then you'd have been well within your rights. The truth is of course that 99% of contributors to DT also upload to SS so any objection to subscriptions, at least in their case, seems inconsistent.

Astonishingly crap review times lately - they make IS look like a rocket ship in comparison.

The similars rejection thing I can understand, to some extent, but I don't think their reviewers get it - definitely a lack of consistency there.

And the community makes me cringe. I cannot,will not read any more threads like "I have a difficult decision to make (about exclusivity)" from people with 50 files and 7 dl in a year.  Or along the lines of "Dreamstime is the bestest most perfect site in the Universe and I go to sleep at night knowing I am part of a loving, sharing wonderful community of fellow artists. Sigh." ......makes them sound like besotted teenagers. Retchworthy.

But I earn real folding money out of them so, hey ho.

Truth be told -- my Dreamstime portfolio is selling very well, and money talks to me more then rejections.  I made more on Dreamstime last month then I did on iStock.  
  

wow... that blows my mind. my sales at DT suck.   IS and SS still fight it out with me...   IS larger images(money)  and SS subs by the pound.. in the end... it's still a battle that IS usually wins with top dollar, but SS has been known to beat them once in awhile.  Right now, not counting Thinkstock (who does).. DT is my lowest sales. =tom

Knygle,
strange...
Dreamstime used to be your favourite agency. But then, one day, you decided to go exclusive with IS. Suddenly Dreamstime became a horrible place to be. 'The' most horrible agency.
Quite a sharp turn around I would say.
Was it because of the 6 months lock in?
But you were a long time contributor. Weren't you aware of it already?

People are blinded by personal conflicts, but the reality is that Dreamstime is a reliable, solid agency.
I like them and I sure hope they stay this way for a long time to come.

I think like that too Eireann. allso Dreamstime new review is sometime mystery too  expecially when new reviews
use mostly subjective reasons. but no big deal for me. My sales are good for the oldest stuff and no sales for new stuff, so no reason to worry for new uploads because I don't give new stuff anymore.

Shutterstock is opposite. New stuff get download instant. So I like balance with Shutterstock for today and Dreamstime for 2 years older pictues in port

wow, i just found a portfoglio on dreamstime with 7000+ pictures. it's amazing: it seems like it's more than full with duplicates. also the latest uploads have tons of similar shots. this makes my rejection (i posted on top of this page) even look much more ridiculous. they're really not similar and only 2 shots!!!

i guess i should not post the link to that portfoglio here (don't know about the forum rules) but i am really asking myself how this submitter can get all the shots accepted again and again

It depends on when they uploaded them. This similar policy is something fairly new. I dare say the port you speak off got started early in microstock especially if it has that many pictures in it. In other words you'll find a lot of similar shots from early on already on there.

And ... the larger your portfolio the more weight your voice carries in the complaints department.   

so true, sir.   there is no shortage of hypocrisy in microstock.  the rules seem to change with the direction of the blowing wind.  however,  it is what it is. that's how they play the game.  we can play, or take our ball and go home.

another item I found very humorous from DT...    they called me on a few old pix that have never sold.  told me, they would do well in the free section, be used alot and give attention to my port...   ha ha ha ha... 
my thinking is,  if the pictures suck that bad that someone won't pay 35 cents for the things...  I don't think 'free' will make a heck of a difference.  ha ha ha ha.   if it isn't worth 35, it ain't worth zip.   =tom

I've decided to stop uploading there and to FT until after the first of the year.  After I quit uploading my sales went up on both sites.  Which is weird to me.  I'm a little under $25 away from my first payout at DT (took payout from FT last week) which is why I quit uploading to begin with.  Needed to reasess if the sites are worth it in relation to how many files get downloaded and how long it'll take me to reach my first payout with them both.  Since I recently got EL's on both sites I'll probably start re-uploading there in January.

Last month I uploaded several hundred new images, increasing my port by about 10%. Naturally I hoped that this would help sales and I anticipated a significant boost with it being September too. Wrong __ I'm staggered to find that revenue is projected to be 25% down compared to August. What on earth is going on at DT and how come they are down (at least for me) this month when every other agency is enjoying a substantial seasonal boost? Bizarre.

Last month I uploaded several hundred new images, increasing my port by about 10%. Naturally I hoped that this would help sales and I anticipated a significant boost with it being September too. Wrong __ I'm staggered to find that revenue is projected to be 25% down compared to August. What on earth is going on at DT and how come they are down (at least for me) this month when every other agency is enjoying a substantial seasonal boost? Bizarre.

I am sure buyers like choice, DT have taken a lot of that away by rejecting most of the images in series, even only selecting a landscape version and not the portrait version.  If I was a buyer, I would be looking at peoples portfolios elsewhere to get a better choice.

Of course the ones they rejected (presumeably using a dice or something to decide) were some of the most popular elsewhere.

Yes, they have an unfathomable skill at that.

I hate DT's refund policy. I wish they'd at least let us know what the reason for the refund actually was, instead of just firing off an email with a list of every possible refund reason known to man. If I'm going to have $15 yanked from my account (as was done earlier today) I should at least get a decent explanation as to why.

That and I hate that credit card fraud is one of the possible given reasons. In what other business is it acceptable to change fraudulent credit card charges back to the supplier of the product. I doubt that if I go to Sears and buy a Toro lawn mower with a stolen credit card that Sears can charge the loss back to Toro.

Fraudulent credit card charges should be eaten by the company, not the contributor.

http://www.dreamstime.com/assignments_more-latest-adition_pg2


i notice dreamstime had their own portfolio? and sort by latest upload..and i saw numerous of office people shots.. like trying creative angle...but the color looks very weird..with a halo that created by flash around those people..and white balance is simple funny..there are even 2 similar shots that different white balance.

i am speechless.

click the link, the 'username' is 'assignments' and there is another 'studio'..

the 'assignments' account said it is owned by contributors but all copyrighted as dreamstime, this 'assignments' even compete in the assignments contest too..ha.

Given the URL, it looks as though that's their assignments folder.

I don't know much about that, as I've never participated in their assignments, but perhaps someone else knows more about that folder.

oic..so some of the images are from assignments that contributors had sold the right..thanks.

but those office shots are still too creative to be passed in any microstock agency..

When you enter an assignment on Dreamstime, you are given the option to either escalate the image (if accepted) to level 5, or to cash $25 immediately, and transfer the rights to Dreamstime.

Sometime after the assignment closes, Dreamstime transfers the image to the "assignment" portfolio. They then get the royalties over the sales of those images. If the image in question wins, the original photographer still claims the prize.