Quote from: totony on January 26, 2009, 18:29
I tried for the first time to apply to SS early december. 10/10 rejected. Same early January. Grrrrrr.
Next try comes soon, but I wonder if it's worth trying with my current portfolio that's not very stock oriented (see my fotolia for a better idea).
I got some strobes, background, etc, and start practicing studio lighting at home. I guess this kind of work has an easier time going through acceptance at SS (better lighting).
From my fotolia, would you say it's worth trying with those, or I'd better wait a couple month and submit a "studio" batch ?

1) Diversity - a variety of shots, different lighting, different subjects
2) Downsize - make them just over the minimum acceptable size to remove potential problems
3) Don't give up

That's all you need to do. Same advise that people gave me when I started and it was right.

It is extremely easy to get accepted submitting raster illustrations. If you know how to use photoshop just create 10 crappy illustrations and submit them. www.pixel2life.com might have some good tutorials to make them at least look somewhat decent. But with illustrations there is no lighting issues or noise which account for like 99% of the rejection reasons.

I think it is almost a must to post your images on SS forum for critiques. They helpemd me select my first ten. It took mr quite a few posts there and it takes time to prepare all the images with watermarks and 100%crops, but I think it's worth it. It took me a few weeks to figure out what to select with the help of others, but in the end I got accepted from the 1st try.

Good luck!

I know that they have gotten extremely choosy the last couple of years for the first initial 10.  I think I joined 3-4 years ago and they accepted mine on the first try... they were not even that good.
I make some good money from them... well worth your time!

Ok i'm In!!! I made 10/10 it was my 4th attempt!

and i made already 6 sales in my first day? Is it normal? 5 subscription 1 on demand...

Congratulations! 6 sales on the very first day including one on demand is definitely great! I only had one sale on the first day with 8 pics online. Wish you many sales in the future!

Quote from: emphimy on February 02, 2009, 04:48
Ok i'm In!!! I made 10/10 it was my 4th attempt!

and i made already 6 sales in my first day? Is it normal? 5 subscription 1 on demand...

It is normal, but unfortunately it doesn't last long. I made 18 sales on day 2, but soon realised that you have to keep feeding the beast.

those 6 sales could be mine, but you had to spoil it, and took it yourself! now you owe me 2 bucks! 

Quote from: Peter on February 03, 2009, 10:58
those 6 sales could be mine, but you had to spoil it, and took it yourself! now you owe me 2 bucks! 

He's at 0.25$ ... or did you also mention interest rate?

Quote from: Xalanx on February 03, 2009, 11:32

Quote from: Peter on February 03, 2009, 10:58
those 6 sales could be mine, but you had to spoil it, and took it yourself! now you owe me 2 bucks! 

He's at 0.25$ ... or did you also mention interest rate?

he had one OD sale, so that counts too. . And I am generous, I should ask 3 bucks! 

Quote from: Peter on February 04, 2009, 10:13

Quote from: Xalanx on February 03, 2009, 11:32

Quote from: Peter on February 03, 2009, 10:58
those 6 sales could be mine, but you had to spoil it, and took it yourself! now you owe me 2 bucks! 

He's at 0.25$ ... or did you also mention interest rate?

he had one OD sale, so that counts too. . And I am henerous, I should ask 3 bucks! 

OD?? Blasphemy! Now he owns me 2 bucks too... 

lets beat . out of him! 

(gone to look for my baseball bat with words "SS newbies welcome tool" on it )

LMAO!!!! 

Quote from: emphimy on February 02, 2009, 04:48
Ok i'm In!!! I made 10/10 it was my 4th attempt!

and i made already 6 sales in my first day? Is it normal? 5 subscription 1 on demand...

Glad you stayed with it.
Now the hard part. You got to keep uploading good work to keep sales going. If
not sales will slow down.

Quote from: JerryL5 on February 04, 2009, 13:12



You got to keep uploading good work to keep sales going.

no he does not!  sales will come all by themselves! there is really no need to upload a lot of images. seriously. 

and every once in a while review your portfolio and delete photos that don't sell   

The clincher with SS is that for the first 2 months... your sales are the best you will ever do.. so upload as much as you can right away. I am not sure but is like you get more exposure the first month or two then it dies down... I have seen it happen over and over with people.. and myself as well when I started.
All I can say is that when you join SS.. upload everything you have! Good luck and enjoy being a newbie!