Thus I am not contributor on Istockphoto or even any other micro, I've heard some designers complaining about there are many copies of works of independent authors from other sites on istock. Members of istock use other agencies to get inspired with their works and then make great money due to that.

Lately I've read some post from Akaiser who was falsely accused for 'abusive inspiration' (whatever that may mean) with comparing two similar, but not as close similar images to get such sanctions as disabling them. I am sure there are some other authors who suffer because of such twisted policy on istock.

Thank God that I am on macro agencies where this stupidity isn't happening!

Yet you are on a micro forum complaining about it even though it doesn't even apply to you.  If you don't want to be part of this, why even participate in the forum?

Hahaha macro dinosaur upsizing images for dinosaur designers. If you look around your neibourhood you will see only microstock images, from the biggest microstockers. It's normal that people copy microstock IMO

Quote from: Vonkara on October 28, 2009, 04:01
Hahaha macro dinosaur upsizing images for dinosaur designers. If you look around your neibourhood you will see only microstock images, from the biggest microstockers. It's normal that people copy microstock IMO

When i look around in *my* neighbourhood i definitely dont see only microstock images from the biggest microstockers (when i think typical microstock images i think Yuri Arcurs and his clones; and a big cheesy pool of uninspired handshakes, headsets, office and lifestyleshoots) but often very inspired , original and creative ideas and images.
There's inspiration and there's copying; i find the latter lame, lazy, cheap and much more, definitely not "normal".
Upon what do you base this "dinosaur images for dinosaur designers"?

I suppose that dinosaur is term for duying species and that is not even close to wanishing macro ;-)

Why I am concerned and why I look around?

Maybe just because I have some friends who are selling on microstock and told me to think about uploading there. Now, before I do so I do my research on some rules.

Rules on microstock are quite selective for some people and there is plenty of double standards on some agencies.

That is something I observe and trying to persuade myself that I am wrong. But, as things look like there can not be clean space regarding some stupid rules, stupid policies and false moral norms.

Copying concepts that are easy to reshoot has become the norm apparently on stock. Although the practice can be easily called 'infringement' (derivative work), it is so widespread that it is like fighting a tidal wave. Whenever you have a well selling concept, you can be sure that the lurking copycats will reshoot it and 6 months later your own shot slowly gets drowned on page 2 or 3.

It happens everywhere and in all directions, so I don't understand why you are singling out iStock exclusives. Adding to that, I don't believe designers/buyers do care for it. As long as they have the shots they want, it's just fine.

Well, there's a well established modality that consists on copying ideas adn photos from Istockexclusives an uploading them everywhere exept at istock, I suppose that in order to avoid trouble. I've been a victim of that many times.

Sounds like someone got re-ject-ed...

Feel free to post your images here for critique.

Quote from: sjlocke on October 28, 2009, 13:07Sounds like someone got re-ject-ed...

That or Wild Dingo is back.

The random group of designers overheard to be discussing/complaining about "copying" at istock seems the most farfetched part of the whole thing.

Besides, as Loop mentioned, in my experience it more commonly works the other way around.

Looking at what you all said I am a bit more determined not to upload on micros ;-)

Whew!  I'm sure we all just breathed a sigh of relief. :p

I've looked through istock search. They really have enough copies of ideas indeed on site alone. As well other micros. Seems that thousands of amateurs are learning how to shoot copying other amateurs concepts and ideas.

It is not illegal to copy ideas at all if you bring your own expression through them. But, looking at handshakes or mobile phone people shots and some other concepts there I was laughing very loud. 

Hopefully I will retain my sales on macros due to my production isn't so cheap as most of what I saw on micros. I might upload some of my crap-shots and tests on micros, just to see how it goes ;-)

Well, you are in the wrong forum... Do you really think that micro work is just a crap ? You really do not understand it, that is clear, my friend... Technical requierements are often higher than macros and people are learning fast along with muh higher micro standards. If you compare it to some macro dinosaurs, you would clearly see, how much progress did micros make over the last few years... And future development along with new products will cut even bigger piece of cake of macro segmwnt. Perhaps you even would have not been accepted to some micros, if you tried.. And as of guarrantees and copying ? As I said before, micros and authors learn fast. This will be crucial for their further success... 

Gosh, please don't upload your crap shots.  I don't think we all could stand the competition.

while you are at it, stop logging in under different aliases and being a douchebag on this forum, dude

Quote from: Albert Martin on October 31, 2009, 08:33
Hopefully I will retain my sales on macros due to my production isn't so cheap as most of what I saw on micros. I might upload some of my crap-shots and tests on micros, just to see how it goes ;-)

You might want to check out Dreamstime's 'Editor's Choice' containing about 8000 images which they've selected to promote their new posters/prints offer;

http://www.dreamstime.com/best-stock-photos

There's some breathtakingly good imagery there and of course that's without the input of the Istock exclusives many of whom produce outstanding microstock work.

Do feel free to give us a link to your fantastic work too so that we can judge it for ourselves. Don't be shy.

Quote from: sjlocke on October 31, 2009, 12:59
Gosh, please don't upload your crap shots.  I don't think we all could stand the competition.

LMFAO XD

Quote from: Albert Martin on October 29, 2009, 10:07
Looking at what you all said I am a bit more determined not to upload on micros ;-)

more money for us!

Quote from: Fyletto on October 31, 2009, 08:53
Well, you are in the wrong forum... Do you really think that micro work is just a crap ? You really do not understand it, that is clear, my friend... Technical requierements are often higher than macros and people are learning fast along with muh higher micro standards. If you compare it to some macro dinosaurs, you would clearly see, how much progress did micros make over the last few years... And future development along with new products will cut even bigger piece of cake of macro segmwnt. Perhaps you even would have not been accepted to some micros, if you tried.. And as of guarrantees and copying ? As I said before, micros and authors learn fast. This will be crucial for their further success... 

I didn't tried to get accepted yet. I do my homework before any action I take! This thread is one part of my homework...

Quote from: gostwyck on October 31, 2009, 14:40

Quote from: Albert Martin on October 31, 2009, 08:33
Hopefully I will retain my sales on macros due to my production isn't so cheap as most of what I saw on micros. I might upload some of my crap-shots and tests on micros, just to see how it goes ;-)

You might want to check out Dreamstime's 'Editor's Choice' containing about 8000 images which they've selected to promote their new posters/prints offer;

http://www.dreamstime.com/best-stock-photos

There's some breathtakingly good imagery there and of course that's without the input of the Istock exclusives many of whom produce outstanding microstock work.

Do feel free to give us a link to your fantastic work too so that we can judge it for ourselves. Don't be shy.

6,500,000 images on that agency and only such small number of 'editor's choice'... Well, I am really pleased to see some of that work showing up on micros... But, most of other 6.494000 images aren't such quality.
I won't allow you to criticize my work because it is sold to very big companies as well to worlds top advertising agencies... It is OUT to put my work here for any sort of critic.

Quote from: sjlocke on October 31, 2009, 12:59
Gosh, please don't upload your crap shots.  I don't think we all could stand the competition.

Regarding that I've seen some of your work I can tell you do your shots very well! Thus, most of them are very cheap to produce and because of that very easy to copy... I don't do such cheap shootings for production - but, I have plenty of similar test shots I've took before real production shootings!

Quote from: Albert Martin on November 01, 2009, 14:45
I won't allow you to criticize my work because it is sold to very big companies as well to worlds top advertising agencies... It is OUT to put my work here for any sort of critic.

Well, generally it's put up or shut up. It seems hardly fair to patronise Sean, who didn't ask for your remarks, without being willing to have reciprocation.
Your choice.

Quote from: ShadySue on November 01, 2009, 15:30

Quote from: Albert Martin on November 01, 2009, 14:45
I won't allow you to criticize my work because it is sold to very big companies as well to worlds top advertising agencies... It is OUT to put my work here for any sort of critic.

Well, generally it's put up or shut up. It seems hardly fair to patronise Sean, who didn't ask for your remarks, without being willing to have reciprocation.
Your choice.

This advocating is very funny dear Sue ;-)

Added: I really like your animal shots - they are great!

Quote from: Albert Martin on November 01, 2009, 14:45
I won't allow you to criticize my work because it is sold to very big companies as well to worlds top advertising agencies... It is OUT to put my work here for any sort of critic.

Well, I won't allow you to criticize my work because it is sold to very big companies as well to worlds top advertising agencies.

So, as Sue said, put up or shut up.