Author Topic: Uploading images to istock (Read 16162 times)

Brightontl · « **on:** June 01, 2017, 10:56 »

I have never uploaded to istock so far.
Certainly not video, because of the extremely low commissions. But I would like to try to upload some images.
I had submitted three photos a few months ago and they were accepted, but I never uploaded any other so far.
Now everything seems to have changed and I cannot log on with my password anymore.
I have seen zillions of thread here with incredibly complex things like EPS, Deep meta, Star Wars and so on. I tried to follow a few, but still I cannot make head and tail of it.
I also read strange words like "disambiguate"... What kind of place is this?
Of course I have emailed them, but I did not understand a word of what they say, beside they sent me a link to a thread in the forum that does not work.

Could somebody kindly explain me in a simple way how to upload photos to istock and go through all of this craziness?
And is it worth it?
Many thanks

cathyslife · « **Reply #1 on:** June 01, 2017, 11:28 »

I think you have answered your own questions. If it takes that much trouble to upload to and then track your earnings, I am going to say no, it is not worth it. And on top of all the hassle, you only make about two cents per image, when they do sell.

Brightontl · « **Reply #2 on:** June 01, 2017, 11:35 »

Quote from: cathyslife on June 01, 2017, 11:28

I think you have answered your own questions. If it takes that much trouble to upload to and then track your earnings, I am going to say no, it is not worth it. And on top of all the hassle, you only make about two cents per image, when they do sell.

These are the reasons why I never uploaded there so far.
On the other hand everyone and their dog seem to be on istock and most threads here regard this agency.
I decided to give a try to still images and it does take a good amount of time, so I would like to spread the effort towards several agencies (I do mostly video).
So any help understanding how this thing works would be extremely helpful

Sean Locke Photography · « **Reply #3 on:** June 01, 2017, 11:45 »

Your initial post sounds like you're not really interested in doing this, so I'd say just don't worry about uploading anywhere. It is a business and you do have to work at it a bit to see any result.

cathyslife · « **Reply #4 on:** June 01, 2017, 11:49 »

Everybody and their dog used to be on there, but a lot of us (and our dogs) left because it isnt worth it. Too much hassle for the return. I cant help with the new uploading procedure...sorry. I left a few years ago.

Brightontl · « **Reply #5 on:** June 01, 2017, 11:57 »

Quote from: Sean Locke Photography on June 01, 2017, 11:45

Your initial post sounds like you're not really interested in doing this, so I'd say just don't worry about uploading anywhere. It is a business and you do have to work at it a bit to see any result.

As I said I until a few months ago I was doing footage only.
I work a lot on it and I am quite happy with the results.
I have decided to try selling also still images, as I don't have to re shoot them, I can take them from timelapses that I already do anyway.
But I don't have much time for it, so it must be worthwhile. So far I have been uploading photos to 4 agencies and the results are relatively satisfactory.
But I have to spread the effort on several agencies, so I would like to try istock.
As I said I cannot invest too much time on it, so if the uploading is relatively simple (and sales are decent) I am happy to do it. If it is overly complicated I would give a skip

CJH Photography · « **Reply #6 on:** June 01, 2017, 14:06 »

Quote from: Brightontl on June 01, 2017, 11:57

Quote from: Sean Locke Photography on June 01, 2017, 11:45
Your initial post sounds like you're not really interested in doing this, so I'd say just don't worry about uploading anywhere. It is a business and you do have to work at it a bit to see any result.
As I said I until a few months ago I was doing footage only.
I work a lot on it and I am quite happy with the results.
I have decided to try selling also still images, as I don't have to re shoot them, I can take them from timelapses that I already do anyway.
But I don't have much time for it, so it must be worthwhile. So far I have been uploading photos to 4 agencies and the results are relatively satisfactory.
But I have to spread the effort on several agencies, so I would like to try istock.
As I said I cannot invest too much time on it, so if the uploading is relatively simple (and sales are decent) I am happy to do it. If it is overly complicated I would give a skip

IMO, it's not worth it. I do primarily editorial images and just gave up on them. I was not seeing sales and the editorial guidelines for captions were not consistent. I upload several places and have no trouble complying with guidelines elsewhere. The final straw for me was when they made it more difficult to remove work from their site.

Brightontl · « **Reply #7 on:** June 01, 2017, 19:37 »

Quote from: CJH Photography on June 01, 2017, 14:06

Quote from: Brightontl on June 01, 2017, 11:57
Quote from: Sean Locke Photography on June 01, 2017, 11:45
Your initial post sounds like you're not really interested in doing this, so I'd say just don't worry about uploading anywhere. It is a business and you do have to work at it a bit to see any result.
As I said I until a few months ago I was doing footage only.
I work a lot on it and I am quite happy with the results.
I have decided to try selling also still images, as I don't have to re shoot them, I can take them from timelapses that I already do anyway.
But I don't have much time for it, so it must be worthwhile. So far I have been uploading photos to 4 agencies and the results are relatively satisfactory.
But I have to spread the effort on several agencies, so I would like to try istock.
As I said I cannot invest too much time on it, so if the uploading is relatively simple (and sales are decent) I am happy to do it. If it is overly complicated I would give a skip
IMO, it's not worth it. I do primarily editorial images and just gave up on them. I was not seeing sales and the editorial guidelines for captions were not consistent. I upload several places and have no trouble complying with guidelines elsewhere. The final straw for me was when they made it more difficult to remove work from their site.

Thank you, this is positive input, although I don't do editorial, so things might be different for me

Brightontl · « **Reply #8 on:** June 02, 2017, 05:19 »

OK, I carefully went through their website and I am under the impression that I have to reapply and send some images to be accepted, even though I went through this before the ESP thingy. Is that correct?
Obviously they do not specify how many images have to be sent for evaluation. I suppose 3, correct?

cathyslife · « **Reply #9 on:** June 02, 2017, 05:48 »

Quote from: Brightontl on June 01, 2017, 19:37

Thank you, this is positive input, although I don't do editorial, so things might be different for me

LOL.

ShadySue · « **Reply #10 on:** June 02, 2017, 05:51 »

Quote from: Brightontl on June 02, 2017, 05:19

OK, I carefully went through their website and I am under the impression that I have to reapply and send some images to be accepted, even though I went through this before the ESP thingy. Is that correct?
Obviously they do not specify how many images have to be sent for evaluation. I suppose 3, correct?

I can't help you, as I'm not currently uploading, so haven't used the ESP system.
Still, I'd be wondering why a company which can pay single digit cents per download makes it so difficult to submit. Smacks of a total disregard for contributors.

Brightontl · « **Reply #11 on:** June 02, 2017, 06:18 »

Quote from: ShadySue on June 02, 2017, 05:51

Quote from: Brightontl on June 02, 2017, 05:19
OK, I carefully went through their website and I am under the impression that I have to reapply and send some images to be accepted, even though I went through this before the ESP thingy. Is that correct?
Obviously they do not specify how many images have to be sent for evaluation. I suppose 3, correct?
I can't help you, as I'm not currently uploading, so haven't used the ESP system.
Still, I'd be wondering why a company which can pay single digit cents per download makes it so difficult to submit. Smacks of a total disregard for contributors.

I certainly agree with you.
I also have the feeling that is a company that has lost all self respect. I am sure employees don't give a * anymore about their work and are just looking for a way out

trek · « **Reply #12 on:** June 02, 2017, 07:41 »

Having the ability to edit and polish my portfolio is important to me as an artist. So important that I stopped uploading to istock when they removed the contributor upload delete function. Maybe they'll change the policy some day... meanwhile I'm working full time supplying new content to their competition.

asiseeit · « **Reply #13 on:** June 02, 2017, 13:28 »

Upload videos through ESP and photos through Qhero. Both are a thousand times better than the old system, and a bit better than deepmeta imo.

Vlad · « **Reply #14 on:** June 03, 2017, 03:15 »

iStock is the most artist unfriendly agency, it does every possible thing to make artist stop coming and uploading to them but sometimes some artist think uploading there is worth giving a try. No, a definite no to iStock. Uploading there is feeding and keeping alive the beast that eats 85% commission and humiliates the artist in all possible ways. Stop uploading to iStock and let it die!

Brightontl · « **Reply #15 on:** June 03, 2017, 04:47 »

Quote from: asiseeit on June 02, 2017, 13:28

Upload videos through ESP and photos through Qhero. Both are a thousand times better than the old system, and twice as good as deepmeta.

Qhero???!!!
What is this? Yet another interface or whatever simply to upload images? Why on hearth someone cannot simply drag and drop files like any other agency?
As for uploading video to istock, it has never even remotely crossed my mind, with the shameful commissions they pay.
BTW, i have done a few comparative searches for the same topic for video files on is and the other major agencies. It shows that quantity and quality of footage on is has gone down really a lot

sgoodwin4813 · « **Reply #16 on:** June 03, 2017, 09:16 »

Quote from: Brightontl on June 01, 2017, 10:56

I have never uploaded to istock so far.

I would stop while you're ahead.

Quote from: Brightontl on June 01, 2017, 10:56

Could somebody kindly explain me in a simple way how to upload photos to istock

Um, no, that's not possible. Their controlled vocabulary, while good in theory, in practice is a confusing mess that clearly offers no advantage to buyers and wastes the time of sellers.

Quote from: Brightontl on June 01, 2017, 10:56

go through all of this craziness?

Why would you want to?

Quote from: Brightontl on June 01, 2017, 10:56

And is it worth it?

For many years iStock was number one and it was certainly worth all the hassle and craziness. I miss the good old days when iStock could make you some money.

However, I stopped uploading there over 2.5 years ago when the returns were just not worth the effort of uploading. Instead of spending time on the iS disambiguation nonsense, I can process more images that will make much more on SS and other agencies. DeepMeta makes it less onerous but it still takes more time than it is likely worth. If they simplified uploading to something more like the SS system I would have considered uploading again, but now that you can get a couple of pennies per download - or even less - it simply devalues images too much to make it worth uploading at all. If they simplified the system - got rid of the idiot CV and reduced categories - AND if they set a reasonable minimum royalty then I would resume uploads, but without both of those it is not worth the effort. Time is better spent preparing more images for other agencies. I am keeping my account open in the - most likely vain - hope that they will see the light and improve, but will not be holding my breath.

Brightontl · « **Reply #17 on:** June 03, 2017, 09:33 »

Quote from: sgoodwin4813 on June 03, 2017, 09:16

Quote from: Brightontl on June 01, 2017, 10:56
I have never uploaded to istock so far.

I would stop while you're ahead.

Quote from: Brightontl on June 01, 2017, 10:56
Could somebody kindly explain me in a simple way how to upload photos to istock

Um, no, that's not possible. Their controlled vocabulary, while good in theory, in practice is a confusing mess that clearly offers no advantage to buyers and wastes the time of sellers.

Quote from: Brightontl on June 01, 2017, 10:56
go through all of this craziness?

Why would you want to?

Quote from: Brightontl on June 01, 2017, 10:56
And is it worth it?

For many years iStock was number one and it was certainly worth all the hassle and craziness. I miss the good old days when iStock could make you some money.

However, I stopped uploading there over 2.5 years ago when the returns were just not worth the effort of uploading. Instead of spending time on the iS disambiguation nonsense, I can process more images that will make much more on SS and other agencies. DeepMeta makes it less onerous but it still takes more time than it is likely worth. If they simplified uploading to something more like the SS system I would have considered uploading again, but now that you can get a couple of pennies per download - or even less - it simply devalues images too much to make it worth uploading at all. If they simplified the system - got rid of the idiot CV and reduced categories - AND if they set a reasonable minimum royalty then I would resume uploads, but without both of those it is not worth the effort. Time is better spent preparing more images for other agencies. I am keeping my account open in the - most likely vain - hope that they will see the light and improve, but will not be holding my breath.

Thanks, this is a very useful reply.
I think I will once again give istock a skip.
It seems to be too much of a hassle for very little reward.
Also, they don't give me good vibes

Stockmaan · « **Reply #18 on:** June 07, 2017, 02:24 »

I uploud now some images through ESP page and images are automatically Accepted/Published !!! No review at all ... Is this new?

jonbull · « **Reply #19 on:** June 07, 2017, 12:44 »

Quote from: cathyslife on June 01, 2017, 11:28

I think you have answered your own questions. If it takes that much trouble to upload to and then track your earnings, I am going to say no, it is not worth it. And on top of all the hassle, you only make about two cents per image, when they do sell.

last month i made much more than dreamstime fotolia and all the other micro agency excluded ss in istock
after the merging with getty my sales triple this year....my earning per sale is stable at 0,56 higher than any agency
the sale below 15 cent are minimal, 1% maybe....
at least they change in better and increase volume of traffic...not like all other agency.

HughStoneIan · « **Reply #20 on:** June 07, 2017, 14:58 »

Quote from: cathyslife on June 01, 2017, 11:49

Everybody and their dog used to be on there, but a lot of us (and our dogs) left because it isnt worth it. Too much hassle for the return.....

This says it all. Not worth it anymore. Their glory days are long gone...very long gone.

dpimborough · « **Reply #21 on:** June 07, 2017, 16:47 »

Quote from: jonbull on June 07, 2017, 12:44

Quote from: cathyslife on June 01, 2017, 11:28
I think you have answered your own questions. If it takes that much trouble to upload to and then track your earnings, I am going to say no, it is not worth it. And on top of all the hassle, you only make about two cents per image, when they do sell.

last month i made much more than dreamstime fotolia and all the other micro agency excluded ss in istock
after the merging with getty my sales triple this year....my earning per sale is stable at 0,56 higher than any agency
the sale below 15 cent are minimal, 1% maybe....
at least they change in better and increase volume of traffic...not like all other agency.

I don't get why you are happy you get 15% royalties.

Do you not realise Getty keep $85 out of every $100 you earn them?

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Author Topic: Uploading images to istock (Read 16162 times)

Brightontl

cathyslife

Brightontl

Sean Locke Photography

cathyslife

Brightontl

CJH Photography

Brightontl

Brightontl

cathyslife

ShadySue

Brightontl

trek

asiseeit

Vlad

Brightontl

sgoodwin4813

Brightontl

Stockmaan

jonbull

HughStoneIan

dpimborough

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