Author Topic: For the life of me... (Read 15860 times)

leszek · « **on:** June 27, 2008, 08:03 »

...I still can't figure out what this is that Istock wants. Over the last couple of weeks I submitted about 100 pics, got accepted about 50%. Some of the rejected ones are "not stock material" - funny, they sell OK elsewhere, and with one I went back to Scout - the image has over 140 downloads in the last 6 weeks, so I just couldn't stand it.

Other pics are "overfilterd" and of course with "artifacts". Funny again - some of them have been shot on white background, with minimum postprocessing, and were submitted in original size (no cropping), with maximum JPEG quality. How can one produce artifacts in this way - escapes me. Most of the pics "can resubmitt", but I do not bother, since there isn't much I can do with the pics to make them better (or acceptable at least). Vast majority of the rejected pics sell happily on other sites.

OK, end of rant. It is just demoralizing...

fotoKmyst · « **Reply #1 on:** June 27, 2008, 09:21 »

yes, IS is some kind of an enigma

I know what they DON'T like, after submitting even well-produced
shots that are accepted elsewhere . maybe it's their protective
rule to keep their exclusives happy.
as for "overfilterd" , yes, that is almost a standard with IS.
they really prefer clean "as is" image.
my advice is stop sending the types of images you get rejected,
and concentrate on the types they took.

it's worked for me. this saves you the trouble of uploading rejects,
and keep your acceptance percentage high.

dullegg · « **Reply #2 on:** June 27, 2008, 10:03 »

Two things I never do for my images to IStock:
1) Saturate
2) Sharpen
Actually, I don't do anything for my images to IStock,
if they are not good enough from RAW,
I don't bother submitting to IStock.
Works for me.

Sean Locke Photography · « **Reply #3 on:** June 27, 2008, 10:12 »

Ranting about rejections we can't see does no hood. Post some images for critique.

Argus · « **Reply #4 on:** June 27, 2008, 10:25 »

iStock.. i'm pretty close to giving up on that site.. the only thing holding me back is the fact that of the 8(!) files i got accepted, one of them is doing pretty good.

Other then that, they obviously do not like my images.. perhaps it's time to change my style, get dramatically better at what I do, or make the switch to illustrator.. i don't really know.

Still, it sort of hurts my pride to have about 7000 images accepted at SS, while the same images are flatout rejected at iStock. $:-\$

4seasons · « **Reply #5 on:** June 27, 2008, 10:50 »

che che.. IS is kind of adrenalin. When I feel lack of it, I'm uploading to IS. From my last batch of 35 they approved 2.
Of course, all uploaded images are best and good sellers on other agencies, but IS think they are "not stock oriented".
Though they are plain jpgs from my vectors, IS say "there is noise and artifacts".
Though they are original graphic renders, IS say "please upload original photo"...
etc.. etc.. Wacky...

One thing what they love and want, are exclusives.

epantha · « **Reply #6 on:** June 27, 2008, 10:53 »

Quote

Other then that, they obviously do not like my images.. perhaps it's time to change my style, get dramatically better at what I do, or make the switch to illustrator.. i don't really know.

I have learned in my very short time on iStock that they like good, straight, photography – natural shots of people and food that have minimal manipulation, no special effects and no composite work. They seem to love simple images that can make good backgrounds and they will take isolated pieces. They want elements for the designer to work with, not a finished design that you have done yourself. A helpful thing to do is to study the newest uploads coming through on the front page of their site.

rjmiz · « **Reply #7 on:** June 27, 2008, 11:11 »

Here try this.
http://microstockpix.com/supplies/page5/page5.html

If it don't work you at least get double your money back.

Cranky MIZ
The voice of reason

Allsa · « **Reply #8 on:** June 27, 2008, 12:09 »

The main reasons I won't even consider exclusivity with iStock is that their narrow idea of what constitutes good stock imagery would effectively kill my creativity. Eventually, microstock, for me, would become a joyless exercise in frustration - not to mention a grinding bore. If that isn't bad enough, I would also take a big cut in income.

Linda B

Roadrunner · « **Reply #9 on:** June 27, 2008, 13:12 »

After reading all your comments, I get the message. They should make it clear to dummies like me by stating up front that they want Exclusive Images only.

Now I can very easily put them on the back burner; it is a waste of thime considrering they have such an awkward upload system. It is from the pit of Hell!

On second thought - I should take them off the burner completely.

Allsa · « **Reply #10 on:** June 27, 2008, 13:28 »

Quote from: Roadrunner on June 27, 2008, 13:12

After reading all your comments, I get the message. They should make it clear to dummies like me by stating up front that they want Exclusive Images only.

Now I can very easily put them on the back burner; it is a waste of thime considrering they have such an awkward upload system. It is from the pit of Hell!

On second thought - I should take them off the burner completely.

That might be a mistake - iStock is a pain, but for me they are well worth the trouble - iStock is my best earner. I'd never go exclusive, but I wouldn't drop them, either.

jeffclow · « **Reply #11 on:** June 27, 2008, 13:58 »

I share your frustration - recently a majority of my photos have been rejected for noise/artifacts after having an approval rate of 65% plus for a couple of years.

I appreciate others sharing their ideas of how to avoid this - I've now uploaded several photos without any sharpening or retouching whatsoever to see if they will be accepted or rejected.

But is is VERY frustrating to see shots turned down that sell so well elsewhere.

Lizard · « **Reply #12 on:** June 27, 2008, 14:13 »

What really frustrates me lately , is rejections for "We have reasons to believe the image was created with components or brushes that are not originally yours" or something like that.

I contacted scout few times and clearly stated that I never used a single brush that was not created by me and from my photos , that I can prove them that by sending them the brushes set or photos and scans of my textures or something , and they have been approved then. But they keep rejecting stuff for that reason , and I cant be constantly complain.

Sean Locke Photography · « **Reply #13 on:** June 27, 2008, 14:32 »

Quote from: Roadrunner on June 27, 2008, 13:12

After reading all your comments, I get the message. They should make it clear to dummies like me by stating up front that they want Exclusive Images only.

Now I can very easily put them on the back burner; it is a waste of thime considrering they have such an awkward upload system. It is from the pit of Hell!

On second thought - I should take them off the burner completely.

Still not interested in posting samples?

rjmiz · « **Reply #14 on:** June 27, 2008, 14:39 »

Why so you can make fun of them?
Don't tell me because your interested in lizards images.
...or that perhaps you want to offer constructive criticism.
I get very suspicious of people with big egos who prey on us little people in microstock.

I think Lizard is well to leave the images unposted.

Cranky MIZ
The voice of reason

bittersweet · « **Reply #15 on:** June 27, 2008, 14:52 »

Quote from: Roadrunner on June 27, 2008, 13:12

After reading all your comments, I get the message. They should make it clear to dummies like me by stating up front that they want Exclusive Images only.

Now I can very easily put them on the back burner; it is a waste of thime considrering they have such an awkward upload system. It is from the pit of Hell!

On second thought - I should take them off the burner completely.

This is just patently untrue (except the pit of Hell part). If it makes people's whose images have been rejected by istock feel better to believe such stuff and nonsense, then whatever. It still doesn't make it any more than a fantasy.

Concept: iStock is not out to get you.

epantha · « **Reply #16 on:** June 27, 2008, 15:31 »

Quote

Concept: iStock is not out to get you.

I will sometimes reshoot worthy subjects that have been rejected by iStock and in many cases end up with a much better photo for my portfolio and for them to sell. I have learned so much, so fast by going through their inspection process and really appreciate the constructive criticism.

nruboc · « **Reply #17 on:** June 27, 2008, 15:42 »

Quote from: Roadrunner on June 27, 2008, 13:12

After reading all your comments, I get the message. They should make it clear to dummies like me by stating up front that they want Exclusive Images only.

Now I can very easily put them on the back burner; it is a waste of thime considrering they have such an awkward upload system. It is from the pit of Hell!

On second thought - I should take them off the burner completely.

I agree with you 1000%!!

Sean Locke Photography · « **Reply #18 on:** June 27, 2008, 18:20 »

Quote from: rjmiz on June 27, 2008, 14:39

Why so you can make fun of them?
Don't tell me because your interested in lizards images.
...or that perhaps you want to offer constructive criticism.
I get very suspicious of people with big egos who prey on us little people in microstock.

I think Lizard is well to leave the images unposted.

Cranky MIZ
The voice of reason

You're the guy with ego issues. I'm one guy with a camera and a bunch of downloads. People who rant about how great their images are but don't back that up with some examples... Well, saying ss accepts them doesn't lend a lot of credence.

I know your feelings are hurt because I don't like your PS work, and neither does istock apparently, but that doesn't automatically apply to anyone else.

rjmiz · « **Reply #19 on:** June 27, 2008, 18:38 »

You mentioned something about BIG egos?

"I'm one guy with a camera and a bunch of downloads"

Hmmmmm seems to me your your own worst enemy!

Cranky MIZ
The voice of reason

chellyar · « **Reply #20 on:** June 27, 2008, 18:52 »

Hurro,

Don't loose heart with IS, I've got a 79% acceptance ratio there with a very 'general' portfolio.

If you take a look at my stuff you'll see it's not the best stock in the world, but it is simple in the sense that I don't process stuff for any of the sites I upload to, if I can't get it in the camera I don't bother.

Having said that I've had some mystery 'artifacts' rejections in the last week or two, which is weird for raw images with default conversions.. Whatever, I just move on, it's still better that fotolia who seem to reject pretty much everything these days...

I'm not endorsing my portfolio as something to follow though, as not a lot of the newer stuff seems to sell these days, all my selling images on IS are the older ones... Such is life.

I'm just saying that it's not that hard to get images on there if you're making simple, clean images.

Cheers, Me.

Susan S. · « **Reply #21 on:** June 27, 2008, 18:55 »

Quote from: Lizard on June 27, 2008, 14:13

What really frustrates me lately , is rejections for "We have reasons to believe the image was created with components or brushes that are not originally yours" or something like that.

I contacted scout few times and clearly stated that I never used a single brush that was not created by me and from my photos , that I can prove them that by sending them the brushes set or photos and scans of my textures or something , and they have been approved then. But they keep rejecting stuff for that reason , and I cant be constantly complain.

The easy way of getting around that is to upload in the model release field a screen shot of the brush and the texture source from which you derived it. Argument over before it starts, no need for scout. I do it with all my hand painted vectors and I've never had a rejection for that reason. (It's a good idea to have that documentation available in any event for all sites in case someone wants to argue the toss about the source of a component)

Sean Locke Photography · « **Reply #22 on:** June 27, 2008, 19:12 »

Quote from: rjmiz on June 27, 2008, 18:38

You mentioned something about BIG egos?

"I'm one guy with a camera and a bunch of downloads"

Hmmmmm seems to me your your own worst enemy!

Cranky MIZ
The voice of reason

Thats not ego, that's just the truth. Just me, my camera, and my downloads. Sometimes I have no idea what you're talking about.

Suljo · « **Reply #23 on:** June 27, 2008, 19:21 »

Isolation
always been problem at iStok,
they always replay with two errors
1st is isolation and second is overfitered or oversaturated but the very thin border border of this is flatt dull colors.
After that when you fix that "problems" they say that image is no stock image???
But not always. They always complain on two complement side so they in that way may dont make mistake for they boss after you eventually complain for that image.
So If you want to complain to someone just try and thats it. (In my language Fart in the Pot)-for better sound.
Anyhow they are want to sell youre audiostreams and they see or hear noise to, over sharpened of overuse of noise programs.
Best one is post of my video rejections to explain them how I do that???
Another way in my language iStock means CATTLE with little teeth.
So how I can explain to my self.
If I am not they exclusive this means that I am not CATTLE.
If you are not CATTLE you have not place in they barn.

leszek · « **Reply #24 on:** June 27, 2008, 19:29 »

Well, sooner or later I will figure this out. I always do. I am not questioning Istock standards: it is just that I can't put my finger exactly on what the problem is.
I have no exagerrated sense of how good my pics are: each and every one of them could use some improvement, and today I would not even try to submit some images I was happy with 6 months ago.
Well, live and learn...

http://www.istockphoto.com/resubmit_rejected_file.php?RejectedFileID=6416725

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Author Topic: For the life of me... (Read 15860 times)

leszek

fotoKmyst

dullegg

Sean Locke Photography

Argus

4seasons

epantha

rjmiz

Allsa

Roadrunner

Allsa

jeffclow

Lizard

Sean Locke Photography

rjmiz

bittersweet

epantha

nruboc

Sean Locke Photography

rjmiz

chellyar

Susan S.

Sean Locke Photography

Suljo

leszek

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