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Author Topic: Exclusivity might soon be the only option?  (Read 25075 times)

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« Reply #75 on: February 01, 2011, 13:30 »
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It makes me think that the inspection standards are partly used as a barrier to entry because there is so much similar stuff out there. The upload limits are one filter to try to hold stuff back, rejections could be another.
You night like to think so, but I've just seen (on iStock) a recent poorly-keyworded batch of accepted images, taken in poor light (my 'poor light' rejections of things which would be unique or very unusual on the site are legion, even when that is the light which is correct for the subject) of a very, very common subject (over 12000 'hits' on the main keyword), each of which is a badly-composed 'snapshot' is just mindboggling. And of course, we're not allowed to ask, "Why are these good while mine are unacceptable?"
Rumour has it that some istock submitters have extraordinary luck in getting their images to go before lax reviewers. I had a very high ranking diamond portfolio pointed out to me which seemed to fall way below the minimum normal standard. But any inspection fiddling going on will be a private matter and will be nothing to do with the general policy.

On the other hand, Bruce said two or three years ago that the rejection rate was about 50% and always had been, so if standards are rising and they still reckon to cull half the crop then the inspections will become stricter and stricter - and we do it to ourselves by getting better and thus raising the bar. 


« Reply #76 on: February 01, 2011, 13:34 »
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If it's all about the search engine then why do sites with extremely basic search functionality continue to do so well?

Perhaps extremely basic searches can work very well. I know that iStock's search (even before latest F5-up) can make correct keywording impossible by forcing things into false matches.

« Reply #77 on: February 01, 2011, 13:49 »
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I would say for those of us just starting out, trying the waters at all of the well knowns, and some of the not so well knowns is the best option. It's a fumble process. I only know enough to know how much I don't know... ::)

lagereek

« Reply #78 on: February 01, 2011, 15:02 »
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If it's all about the search engine then why do sites with extremely basic search functionality continue to do so well?

Are they? doing so very well as you say?  must have missed something?

« Reply #79 on: February 01, 2011, 15:28 »
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Are they? doing so very well as you say?  must have missed something?

Is it important for the agency to do well or us?  ;)

« Reply #80 on: February 01, 2011, 16:29 »
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"Rumour has it that some istock submitters have extraordinary luck in getting their images to go before lax reviewers. I had a very high ranking diamond portfolio pointed out to me which seemed to fall way below the minimum normal standard. But any inspection fiddling going on will be a private matter and will be nothing to do with the general policy."

As a former istock inspector I would like to point out that I have never seen or heard any of that. Of course it is possible that inspectors make a bad decision (they are only human) and that is why members can appeal to Scout to have an image overturned. Also while inspecting you usually dont look at who is submitting the image, you just look at the file in 100%. Training is pretty rigorous and ongoing.

My own images get rejected from time to time. Sometimes I agree, sometimes I send them to Scout, just like anyone else. Of course my rejection rate is pretty low, but I already had 89% acceptance before training.

For those who consider exclusivity, image rejection shouldnt really be a question. If you spend time in the critique forum you can optimize your workflow to minimize rejections. Many people have acceptance rates of over 90%, both exclusive and non exclusive, even with simple cameras.

lagereek

« Reply #81 on: February 01, 2011, 17:00 »
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The one and only way of achieving a reasonable search is in fact what the Getty-RM does. They take care of the keywording and you yourself is allowed 4 or 5, conceptual words, it certainly doesnt make it perfect but you do get rid of large percentage of spamming.

As it is now, well just have a look!  series of almost identical files and on first pages, hardly any variety at all. Theyve all forgotten the golden rule of Ogilvy, " if you got it, flaunt it".  I am sure he didnt mean 20 pairs of identical shoes.

« Reply #82 on: February 01, 2011, 17:14 »
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too bad the discussion between Elena and Sean ended.. :)

« Reply #83 on: February 01, 2011, 17:48 »
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too bad the discussion between Elena and Sean ended.. :)

Oh I have no doubts there will be more  ;)

« Reply #84 on: February 01, 2011, 17:50 »
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For those who consider exclusivity, image rejection shouldnt really be a question. If you spend time in the critique forum you can optimize your workflow to minimize rejections. Many people have acceptance rates of over 90%, both exclusive and non exclusive, even with simple cameras.

Rejections was actually what steered me away from going exclusive last year. I had around 95% acceptance, then IS changed their policies to crack down on illustrations in a series. I had already created these illustrations, so the policy shift meant that many of them may get rejected. It didn't make a lot of sense to go exclusive and have a bunch of illustrations that I'd already worked hard to create that I couldn't sell. And who knows how they would change things in the future.

« Reply #85 on: February 01, 2011, 18:06 »
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too bad the discussion between Elena and Sean ended.. :)

Oh I have no doubts there will be more  ;)

I was really enjoying, I guess I dont need to say who I agree with.. (when IS is the only agency that shrinks our uploading..)


 

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