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Author Topic: Too easy to get accepted?  (Read 7163 times)

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red

« on: January 25, 2010, 11:13 »
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I really don't want to be mean but am looking for some insight. Why are images like this accepted? Do all sites accept (almost) anything from new contributors just to get them hooked then hope they get a sale or two but never enough sales to ever get a payout? No disrespect meant to the image maker (I hope the artist won't see it and be offended) but I believe acceptance of images like this does not encourage them to get better before submitting other images. It also fills up the image database with stuff that doesn't reflect well on the company and clogs up searches.

(I tried to embed the image but obviously didn't. I hit the image icon and entered the url but nothing showed up, not sure why. But, I'm new here.)

Update: I hid the link which is what I wanted to do at first but couldn't figure out how. Thank you FD-amateur for your help. I didn't intend my question to be unfair or to hurt anyone's feelings. I'm just learning my way around this forum.
« Last Edit: January 25, 2010, 16:48 by Red »


« Reply #1 on: January 25, 2010, 11:37 »
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I agree, it doesn't make sense. Makes me wonder about the quality of reviewers they hire.

« Reply #2 on: January 25, 2010, 12:19 »
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Hi Red,
I might be wrong, but if you are the same 'Red' - Exclusive DT artist, hello and welcome to this forum :)
In any case I think I know what's the answer to your question.
The image is an illustration, possibly a vector.
She doesn't seem to mention it in the description and there is no additional EPS AI file, but at DT these things take time (original vector files are reviewed at a later date).
There is a big difference between submitting photos and submitting illustrations.
Vectors are reviewed much, much faster and accepted a lot easier than photos. This is true for all the agencies I submit to, not only DT.
I think the sites are trying to enlarge their vector collections.
Vectors might not be selling better but they are certainly fewer in numbers.
And if you think the image in question is somewhat lacking, you should see the vectors Fotolia accepts, day in, day out.
A green square with a yellow circle is all you need to get you in. By comparision our image in question is quite complex.  
I don't think it will ever sell, but when it comes to vectors I think the agencies' focus, right now, is probably on raw numbers.
It's not a fair deal to photographers who spend a lot of time (and money) to create their images, but this is the game we all have to play.
What if you give Illustrator a try? A square, a circle, you've got yourself a flag and you're in :)  
Don't feel bad about it, nothing to do with your images :)
Best of luck,
« Last Edit: January 25, 2010, 12:29 by Eireann »

red

« Reply #3 on: January 25, 2010, 12:37 »
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Yep, it's me. Thanks for the welcome. With so many wonderful, complex and beautiful vectors on DT I can't help but wonder why so many simple, poorly executed ones are accepted. I think it gives a bad impression of the overall quality of their offerings to buyers. It might be a good opportunity for DT to stand out in the vector arena by only accepting the really good ones. I used to work in Illustrator for package design but that was when version 6 was new. I think I'll stick to Photoshop.

« Reply #4 on: January 25, 2010, 12:38 »
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What if you give Illustrator a try? A square, a circle, you've got yourself a flag and you're in :)  


Try submitting those to IS!
I agree on the subject tho, guess some reviewer just won the lottery or something. And I don't think it's even a vector(complex pattern on gifts, if he/she could draw that she could have drawn the whole stuff better). I agree that some agencies should raise their standards when it comes to vector illustrations because stuff like this degrades the image of real vector artists(that actually know how to draw).

« Reply #5 on: January 25, 2010, 12:40 »
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I agree with Red, I do photos and vectors too, it doesn`t matter what you do, but somehow you have to judge what you upload before you do, not to mention the reviewer criteria is way low.

« Reply #6 on: January 25, 2010, 13:26 »
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You're right, all of you.
No point in arguing.
What I'm trying to say is that the only reason that image is accepted is because it is an illustration of some sorts.
I've seen it happening at other sites too - poor vectors get accepted while photos a great deal more difficult to create, don't.
This is how it is and it's not only happening at DT.

@Klaus, you're right about IS. I haven't tried them yet, (time permitting, next on my list), but their vector collection is probably the best I've seen so far.
They're doing a great job and I'm hoping DT will get there too; one day.

@Red,
I don't really want you to start submitting silly squares :)
That was a joke, trying to cheer you up a bit :)
You're doing fine, just as you are. No need to mess with your portfolio. It's beautiful :)
« Last Edit: January 26, 2010, 02:11 by Eireann »

« Reply #7 on: January 25, 2010, 13:27 »
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I also agree this is (way) below standard (and also hope the contributor in question will never find this thread because i would feel sorry for him/her), but i don't think its only for vectors.
Have you ever browsed 'newest first' on shutterstock? I keep getting baffled at the sub-par stuff that still gets accepted there daily as well....

« Reply #8 on: January 25, 2010, 13:32 »
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Generally speaking, being complex or detailed does not make a great images by itself.

« Reply #9 on: January 25, 2010, 14:11 »
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I also agree this is (way) below standard (and also hope the contributor in question will never find this thread because i would feel sorry for him/her), but i don't think its only for vectors.
Have you ever browsed 'newest first' on shutterstock? I keep getting baffled at the sub-par stuff that still gets accepted there daily as well....

FIRST, yes, I fully agree that it is a bit unfair to pick someone else's work to press our point.
It's not fair, regardless of whether it is justified or not.


you could have just said something like, "hey just go to the blog and see what they consider as best examples of good stock images... and have a good laugh.".
or something like that instead.

in fact, this one you singled out is by far much better than many i've seen in the blog of "best images ". at least it 's well done. i've seen best images that are underexposed, poor cc, laughable composition,etc..

Now, going back to your main gist.
I think we all have to decide how far we want to stretch our tolerance to put up with this
double standard, and then decide for ourselves whether or not we want to support the site to continue uploading new images there.

Really, as some of the top sellers have mentioned already. It's really down to ourselves,
because we are the ones who scream and shout, but we are the ones who are still sending new images to the very same site we consistently get so pissed off with.

The last person and first to blame is still ourselves.




« Reply #10 on: January 25, 2010, 14:19 »
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Do all sites accept (almost) anything from new contributors just to get them hooked then hope they get a sale or two but never enough sales to ever get a payout?

well , as i recall my very first seminar attended on Marketing a loooongggggg time ago, the speaker said a memorable thing which even after 30 years I still remember this, "THE FIRST PUFF OF OPIUM IS ALWAYS FREE"

« Reply #11 on: January 25, 2010, 14:31 »
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I really don't want to be mean...

It would be better to put the hotlink to the image here, to save the contributor's face and identity. You do it like this:
Code: [Select]
[img]http://www.dreamstime.com/shopping-bag-with-the-word-sales-thumb12586719.jpg[/img]
- Right-click on the thumb in DT.
- Click "save image location" (to clipboard).
- Click here in your message on the button .
- Paste the image location between the two [] tags.
- Click "preview" to check first.

You can simply modify your original message by clicking the button.
« Last Edit: January 25, 2010, 14:37 by FD-amateur »

red

« Reply #12 on: January 25, 2010, 16:50 »
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Thanks FD-amateur, I made the change. I wanted to do it that way in my original post but when I hit Preview nothing at all appeared so knew my code was off. You've cleared it up and I appreciate it. I never wanted to be disrespectful.

And, Perseus, it seems there are problems with all the sites according to many members here so I guess if one would stop adding images it would be hard to pick a site that was perfect to upload to.
« Last Edit: January 25, 2010, 17:06 by Red »

« Reply #13 on: January 25, 2010, 17:17 »
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And, Perseus, it seems there are problems with all the sites according to many members here so I guess if one would stop adding images it would be hard to pick a site that was perfect to upload to.

so true Red, we do have a dilemma, don't we?

helix7

« Reply #14 on: January 25, 2010, 22:50 »
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There's definitely a problem with lax vector acceptance policies lately. Stuff gets through that just should not be accepted. Browse any of the "Post your latest image you think will sell" forum thread over at SS and you'll see some amazingly bad stuff. And that's the stuff people think is particularly good and they're proud of. No offense meant to anyone in those threads, by the way, and I'm not talking about everyone who posts in them. There are always a few on each page that just make you wonder what the reviewer was drinking that day.

I know this probably comes across as harsh and elitist, but I think the review policies need to be tighter and sites need to stop letting any old crap into the collections. There's no shortage of images in microstock these days. If anything, there are too many. So it's high time the standards were raised and a new bar is set for all of us. We're only hurting ourselves if we keep the industry standards so low.

« Reply #15 on: January 26, 2010, 14:14 »
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Absolutely Helix, I agree.
Lol, I know those SS threads and don't worry, you're not offending anybody and you're not coming across as elitist.
You're right, that's all.

In defense of DT I'm going to tell you a story that happened yesterday.
I submitted 5 vectors across all the sites I contribute to.
Flimsy stuff, hearts of gold, glittering fairy dust and things like that (Valentine).
All 5 were accepted, at all sites, except for DT.
DT rejected one. And they were right to do so :)
It was a duplicate vector, the exact copy of the original, plus I overlaid some type. 'Love', 'L'Amour', 'Liebe' in golden sparkly letters. You can't get cheesier than that.
I was fully aware of the problem, but still submitted it.
At DT it didn't pass :)
This tells me that they are trying to do their job, thinking about the collection and hopefully raising the bar.  
Just as you say they should.
I'm looking forward for the day when DT's loyal contributors won't feel frustrated anymore looking at clumsy illustrations getting accepted simply because they're vectors.
Right now it's a general trend, but at DT that day is getting closer.
« Last Edit: January 26, 2010, 14:26 by Eireann »

« Reply #16 on: January 26, 2010, 14:21 »
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EDITED IN JEST
There are always a few on each page that just make you wonder what the reviewer was drinking that day.

helix7, maybe they weren't drinking...
maybe smoked some bad weed  ...

i recall at woodstock and isle of wight , even jimi and mick saw bees the size of flying saucers. maybe that's how the reviewers found noise the size of golf balls,
and fringes and banding that made jimi composed his album "rainbow bridge".

weed + cheap glue can be bad most times  :D
« Last Edit: January 26, 2010, 14:26 by PERSEUS »


ShadySue

  • There is a crack in everything
« Reply #17 on: January 26, 2010, 14:44 »
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What if you give Illustrator a try? A square, a circle, you've got yourself a flag and you're in :)  

Oh well, if my sales at iStock continue their downward spiral and I have to give up the crown :-\, it's nice to know there's somewhere I could grow my Vector skills - from zero.

« Reply #18 on: January 26, 2010, 15:58 »
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I think Shutterstock should start a bargain bin similar to iStock. There is so much drek on SS; why not send some of the deadwood to a bargain bin for a short period of time, and then dump them later on?

WarrenPrice

« Reply #19 on: January 26, 2010, 22:09 »
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Isn't 25 cents bargain basement enough?

donding

  • Think before you speak
« Reply #20 on: January 26, 2010, 22:41 »
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Isn't 25 cents bargain basement enough?
My thoughts exactly ;)


 

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