Author Topic: Application to SS experience (Read 5578 times)

Drexxle · « **on:** September 27, 2012, 18:31 »

I thought id just let you guys know what i thought of my application process to SS which was denied. I have 30 days to make a better selection of images.

I put together a very differing range of images, ten different subjects, ten different styles. I guess that was my mistake. SS require that 7 out of 10 initial images pass QC. They also require that the front and back of you ID is scanned, there is nothing on the back of mine, but they asked for a copy of the back anyway.

3 of my images passed no problems. 1 of them was declined altogether and 6 were advised to be re post processed.

2 were suspected TradeMarks, one was a mural on a city wall of aboriginal art, and the other was a vehicle with a persons signature on it. I understand the signature, i dont understand the artwork, it was not the whole piece, and a shadow was the key subject matter not the mural.

Of the ones that needed to be post processed, they do not like wierd angles, they do not like the edges of objects going out of the frame. I have a crayon on a pad, and the pad is 45 degrees to the frame and all four corners go off the frame, its not suitable.

And the rest, complained about white balance and underexposed. I may have to check my monitors and color profiles again, it seems that all my images are a bit dull, otherwise they would have passed.

I would have passed my submission, but im sure that my computer setup has had an impact on my submission failing.

Thats my experience, i fix up my images and try again.

tab62 · « **Reply #1 on:** September 27, 2012, 19:32 »

Post pics for us to view

JPSDK · « **Reply #2 on:** September 27, 2012, 21:25 »

You could have posted here beforehand and had some critique.

ClaridgeJ · « **Reply #3 on:** September 28, 2012, 00:42 »

Quote from: Drexxle on September 27, 2012, 18:31

I thought id just let you guys know what i thought of my application process to SS which was denied. I have 30 days to make a better selection of images.

I put together a very differing range of images, ten different subjects, ten different styles. I guess that was my mistake. SS require that 7 out of 10 initial images pass QC. They also require that the front and back of you ID is scanned, there is nothing on the back of mine, but they asked for a copy of the back anyway.

3 of my images passed no problems. 1 of them was declined altogether and 6 were advised to be re post processed.

2 were suspected TradeMarks, one was a mural on a city wall of aboriginal art, and the other was a vehicle with a persons signature on it. I understand the signature, i dont understand the artwork, it was not the whole piece, and a shadow was the key subject matter not the mural.

Of the ones that needed to be post processed, they do not like wierd angles, they do not like the edges of objects going out of the frame. I have a crayon on a pad, and the pad is 45 degrees to the frame and all four corners go off the frame, its not suitable.

And the rest, complained about white balance and underexposed. I may have to check my monitors and color profiles again, it seems that all my images are a bit dull, otherwise they would have passed.

I would have passed my submission, but im sure that my computer setup has had an impact on my submission failing.

Thats my experience, i fix up my images and try again.

Make sure your calibrated monitor profile is the same and that PS is set to prepress rgb. For processing that is.

Drexxle · « **Reply #4 on:** September 28, 2012, 00:46 »

thanks for the offer of critique, i am actually researching alot of the social media industry, the stock industry is a part of that research. Being rejected goes along with that research, id like to see for myself. My main interest is not in selling my work (thats a side thing), its in how people interact and sell, and images is a big part of social media.

I have worked amongst some really great photographers, I am a little annoyed at myself for editing on a brighter monitor, i have to double check things now.

I dont know how to link directly to my gallery on Alamy.http://www.alamy.com/search/imageresults.aspx?pname=Steven%2BSpiers#BHM=foo%3Dbar%26st%3D0%26pn%3D1%26ps%3D10%26qt%3DSteven%2520Spiers%26lic%3D3%26mr%3D0%26pr%3D0%26aoa%3D1%26creative%3D%26videos%3D%26nu%3D%26ccc%3D%26bespoke%3D%26apalib%3D%26ag%3D0%26hc%3D%26et%3D0x000000000000000000000%26vp%3D0%26loc%3D0%26ot%3D15%26imgt%3D0%26dtfr%3D%26dtto%3D%26size%3D0xFF%26archive%3D1%26name%3D%26groupid%3D58685%26pseudoid%3D%7B7D7B1E15-082F-4589-AD9C-EA5A62C1F98E%7D%26userid%3D%26id%3D%26a%3D-1%26cdid%3D%26cdsrt%3D%26cc%3DGBP%26xstx%3D0%26saveQry%3D%26editorial%3D%26nasty%3D%26t%3D0%26edoptin%3D%26customgeoip%3D

microstockphoto.co.uk · « **Reply #5 on:** September 28, 2012, 01:16 »

Quote from: Drexxle on September 27, 2012, 18:31

1. I put together a very differing range of images, ten different subjects, ten different styles. I guess that was my mistake.

2. i dont understand the artwork, it was not the whole piece,

3. they do not like wierd angles, they do not like the edges of objects going out of the frame.

4. And the rest, complained about white balance and underexposed... it seems that all my images are a bit dull, otherwise they would have passed.

I think you did an honest analysis of problems, so you are on the right way to pass test next time.

1. No. Actually, a wide range of "subjects" is a good thing for first submission. Regarding "style", try to be very conservative for first submission.

2. They are very cautious about trademarks. Avoid that subject completely.

3. Yes, choose a very traditional composition for first submission.

4. They don't like natural looking pictures. Try to increase contrast/lighting/saturation but just a bit (being careful to avoid noise or blown highlights).

Drexxle · « **Reply #6 on:** September 28, 2012, 01:43 »

Cheers

I have edited for other photographers, so selection and post processing ive already experienced.

And clicking my search link on Alamy, hah apprently im a Muskateer.

ruxpriencdiam · « **Reply #7 on:** September 28, 2012, 07:37 »

Alamys review process is different then SS.

If you want to know if you can pass the initial ten post them on the critique forum on SS and let us rip into them and tell you probably what you dont want to hear!

Drexxle · « **Reply #8 on:** September 28, 2012, 07:42 »

im going to try them one by one, i have a list of 130 agencies.

Alamy was first go no probs, even got a nice comment. But they do editorial stuff, so they have a more open door policy when it comes to submissions. I put everything on there as RM, im not here to make the top 200.

Click the link above theres 19 on Alamy. I have another 11 in QC. I will use a selection of those thirty to register with each one as i go.

I am in 100% agreeance with SS process, their web form is nice, there web site is easy to understand, i give it a thumbs up, i know why i was declined, and i know what to look out for, they have done more than i expected, or could have asked for.

Poncke · « **Reply #9 on:** September 28, 2012, 08:04 »

I am sure you have a vast experience and all that, in the end it doesnt come down to what you think, but to abide by the rules of the agency. Alamy has a QC process based on random checks, they do not review every single photo. And Alamy are a lot easier to get into then SS.

If you want to have some fun with rejections, submit to Fotolia. Make sure to bring a few doses of Clozapine to keep you from going insane.

dirkr · « **Reply #10 on:** September 28, 2012, 08:15 »

Quote from: Drexxle on September 28, 2012, 07:42

im going to try them one by one, i have a list of 130 agencies.

Alamy was first go no probs, even got a nice comment. But they do editorial stuff, so they have a more open door policy when it comes to submissions. I put everything on there as RM, im not here to make the top 200.

Click the link above theres 19 on Alamy. I have another 11 in QC. I will use a selection of those thirty to register with each one as i go.

I am in 100% agreeance with SS process, their web form is nice, there web site is easy to understand, i give it a thumbs up, i know why i was declined, and i know what to look out for, they have done more than i expected, or could have asked for.

If you have those files up as RM on Alamy, you shouldn't send them as RF to the micros...

Drexxle · « **Reply #11 on:** September 28, 2012, 08:15 »

ill let you guys know the results.

Alamy did take 48 hours, and QC on each batch has been about 48 hours.

My experience is in IT, i have been influenced of course by the photographers around me, i take a good photo, but i like reportage, so its a bit difficult to say im experienced, ive worked with journalists, not studio photographers. Different game.

Saying that though, if i were to "brighten" my images, SS would have accepted first go. I thought they did the right thing, i dont think they were too harsh at all.

Poncke · « **Reply #12 on:** September 28, 2012, 11:29 »

Of course Alamy has a 48 hour turn around. They dont review all photos, only random checks, but if one photo fails, all photos/ batches fail. And what you put up as RM shouldnt be sold as RF elsewhere.

tab62 · « **Reply #13 on:** September 28, 2012, 13:34 »

a little too dark on most photos-make sure you push the limits to get them lighter.

ShadySue · « **Reply #14 on:** September 28, 2012, 14:51 »

X3 on what's been said above. If you have files set as RM on Alamy they must not, by Alamy's T&C, be submitted as RF anywhere else.

Also, re trademarks - not long after I started at iStock there was a famous thread whereby someone got a rejection because with a following wind at, it was just about (but arguabley) possible for someone to make out YKK on a zip pull. That's the sort of thing you'll need to get used to checking for, I guess it's the same on SS - although 'incidental use' does not break copyright, the micros are uber cautious about it. Even on Alamy, that sort of thing would be a 'needs PR', 'no PR' subject - which puts the responsibility for use onto the buyer.

Drexxle · « **Reply #15 on:** September 28, 2012, 16:42 »

Im happy to delete things that go against any contract that i may have inadvertently signed. To be honest, i have never like the RF model, going back before micro, i never liked this model. And look what it did, saturated the market with the mediocre.

Im going to be going down my list from RME, RM, RF, CC and ill look into other models offered. I likely will delete some images i pass first tests, and i may not use the image agency again after the initial test.

Poncke · « **Reply #16 on:** September 29, 2012, 02:15 »

Quote from: Drexxle on September 28, 2012, 16:42

Im happy to delete things that go against any contract that i may have inadvertently signed. To be honest, i have never like the RF model, going back before micro, i never liked this model. And look what it did, saturated the market with the mediocre.

Im going to be going down my list from RME, RM, RF, CC and ill look into other models offered. I likely will delete some images i pass first tests, and i may not use the image agency again after the initial test.

There is loads and loads of RM crap out there as well, its not limited to micro. Dont make it sound worse then it is. In fact, I think micro has higher quality standards these days day then RM on Alamy which is still a dumping ground for every photo that has no dust spots.

Drexxle · « **Reply #17 on:** September 29, 2012, 04:08 »

i think the negative is in the levelling of models all to RF, which in essence has taken value out of the market. A flood of images, probably hundreds of millions across agencies has also caused massive impact.

I dont believe its all bad. I think now is a time to be a middle tier agency. If you can keep customers happy, cull crap, keep standards high. Then your on a winner. They have learnt alot from the early sweep of micro sites, and also whilst watching getty gobble all the half decent agencies up.

My thought, we are on that turning point. Getty just got bought for 3.3Billion by the Carlyle Group and they reckon that it was severely overvalued. They had an interest in upsetting a marketplace, contributors didnt matter, they wanted higher value for resale.

Lets hope when we get to the top Getty doesnt run over everybody on the way down the next hill.

Poncke · « **Reply #18 on:** September 29, 2012, 05:07 »

I do agree with you that loads of photos submitted to micros 7 years ago no, found on HDDs and submitted just because they could, have below par standards. But what was accepted 7 years ago under certain conditions, shouldnt be deleted as per default. Some people might still be making money out of it. And you never know what the buyer is looking for and you might just get a 120$$ SOD sale on SS for it.

However, I wonder how people would respond if agencies would run a script that would delete everything that hasnt sold yet and is older than 5 years.

Mantis · « **Reply #19 on:** September 29, 2012, 08:06 »

Quote from: Poncke on September 29, 2012, 05:07

I do agree with you that loads of photos submitted to micros 7 years ago no, found on HDDs and submitted just because they could, have below par standards. But what was accepted 7 years ago under certain conditions, shouldnt be deleted as per default. Some people might still be making money out of it. And you never know what the buyer is looking for and you might just get a 120$$ SOD sale on SS for it.

However, I wonder how people would respond if agencies would run a script that would delete everything that hasnt sold yet and is older than 5 years.

Dreamstime already does.

Poncke · « **Reply #20 on:** September 29, 2012, 08:52 »

I know, I meant across the board

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Author Topic: Application to SS experience (Read 5578 times)

Drexxle

tab62

JPSDK

ClaridgeJ

Drexxle

microstockphoto.co.uk

Drexxle

ruxpriencdiam

Drexxle

Poncke

dirkr

Drexxle

Poncke

tab62

ShadySue

Drexxle

Poncke

Drexxle

Poncke

Mantis

Poncke

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