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Agency Based Discussion => iStockPhoto.com => Topic started by: erictretusen on May 04, 2011, 13:18

Title: Clipping paths missing?
Post by: erictretusen on May 04, 2011, 13:18

Hi, any info on this would be appreciated:

I have had some buyers contacting me saying that the clipping path I included in my uploaded file is missing. I have re-checked my original file and the paths are there.

I even bought one of my contested files myself in size small, and sure enough, no clipping path. Digging around the forums I find some people saying the clipping paths are only included for the largest size - is this still the case?

Is there any workaround to this? Anybody else with the same experience?

Any information much appreciated!

Title: Re: Clipping paths missing?
Post by: rimglow on May 04, 2011, 13:49

I phoned iStock and they assured me that they are included on all sizes there.

Title: Re: Clipping paths missing?
Post by: Jo Ann Snover on May 04, 2011, 13:50

Funny IS told you that on the phone - I do remember there being something in the forum that said the clipping path was only available in the largest size (whatever you originally uploaded).

You could offer to send the buyer a photohop file of the full size image with clipping path but with the background white. They can then resize to match what they bought and move the path from one file to the other. I don't think there's any way to do that via IS

Title: Re: Clipping paths missing?
Post by: rimglow on May 04, 2011, 13:54

Quote from: jsnover on May 04, 2011, 13:50

Funny IS told you that on the phone - I do remember there being something in the forum that said the clipping path was only available in the largest size (whatever you originally uploaded).

Some sites strip them out (Dreamstime), Some don't (iStock).

Title: Re: Clipping paths missing?
Post by: rimglow on May 04, 2011, 14:07

It really stinks that a site would go to the extra trouble of removing the clipping path for lower resolutions. I wonder what their reason is. Bait and switch? There doesn't seem to be any warning, for the customer, that clipping paths are only included with the highest resolutions on some sites. I can imagine the phone calls to customer service with disappointed buyers, and having to explain this absurd policy. Seems like bad business to me.

Title: Re: Clipping paths missing?
Post by: erictretusen on May 04, 2011, 14:26

The problem is some disgruntled buyers take to giving 1-star reviews for good-selling images and writing nasty comments without contacting me. Frustrating when I check my original images and they all have the clipping paths. I always get in touch with disgruntled buyers and try to resolve any issues, and most of the time it is fine - however the ones that just write "DONT BELIEVE THE LIES NO CLIPPING PATH!!" often never get back after a sitemail and just make my files look bad.

Not sure about what to do about this situation - perhaps the best thing is to stop saying files include clipping path altogether?

Title: Re: Clipping paths missing?
Post by: rimglow on May 04, 2011, 14:45

"Not sure about what to do about this situation - perhaps the best thing is to stop saying files include clipping path altogether?"

I don't agree with that tactic. Clipping paths are much desired among graphic professionals. The search term shows up in some of my downloads. When I'm given a choice between 2 similar images, and one has a clipping path, I buy the one with the clipping path. It just saves time.

Title: Re: Clipping paths missing?
Post by: luissantos84 on May 04, 2011, 14:52

another great IS move  ;D

Title: Re: Clipping paths missing?
Post by: rimglow on May 04, 2011, 15:05

Just to be clear, iStock does not strip the clips. I give them credit for that.