I'm in no way a critic, but plenty here are. Why not put watermarked versions of your submitted images online and let them guide you? What reason/s were given for your rejections?
They say that you should have three different sorts of photos in your submission.
As to whether it's worth it or on its way down, who knows? Anecdotal evidence is not all in one direction, and there is only a tiny proportion of submitters reporting. It's far harder to get downloads nowadays than it was e.g. five years ago, partly due to competition increasing (the site has grown hugely in that time) and higher prices. It's now a much more complex site for customers to navigate, with images at all sorts of different price bands.
Certainly, if you're not there, you can't get any downloads from there.

I am not as optimistic as Freedom about iStock's future, but I think if you're interested in the money you make from stock you absolutely should contribute to iStock.

There are a few exceptions - some of the folks doing very successful raster illustrations have a hard time getting them accepted at IS as they have some rather odd rules in that area. You don't need to do only "natural" images - take a look at my portfolio for examples of pretty highly processed images that passed at IS. For your application, probably best to stick to basics - well exposed, good color, even lighting and sharp while not sharpened.

Their upload process on the web site is a wreck, but DeepMeta (which is done by a contributor but supported by IS) makes most of that go away. And even with IS's crappy royalty rates for independents, last month they beat SS's monthly total for me (it varies; sometimes it's SS).

Im not optimistic at all about the IS future!  I am sure Getty has plans for IS that doesnt suit the microstocker at all. They are going more and more towards macro, RF, etc and the Getty admin cares more for IS, then the IS admin themselves.
Further more, whats the point in joining?  you will be fighting with a million photographers and 20 million images and your own images arent even up to scratch
Nowdays, especiall if you plan to turn it into a living,  Its a pointless execise joining any of the big four with just ordinary generic stuff, theyve got it in millions. Many of us here are even hard pushed to sell specialized material. Thats how tough it is.

best.

Quote from: Lagereek on June 28, 2012, 00:46

Im not optimistic at all about the IS future!  I am sure Getty has plans for IS that doesnt suit the microstocker at all. They are going more and more towards macro, RF, etc and the Getty admin cares more for IS, then the IS admin themselves.
Further more, whats the point in joining?  you will be fighting with a million photographers and 20 million images and your own images arent even up to scratch
Nowdays, especiall if you plan to turn it into a living,  Its a pointless execise joining any of the big four with just ordinary generic stuff, theyve got it in millions. Many of us here are even hard pushed to sell specialized material. Thats how tough it is.

best.

People like you is why I hate forums sometimes, you can never ask a normal question without someone taking a jab from behind their computer when they are safe and sound, without any instigation. I bet you dont talk like that to people in real life. If you were out to get a reaction, here you have it. Feel better?

Sad sad person you are. DNFTT from here on out.

Huh?
That's LR being honest and realistic - he's often much more gratuiously annoying. I'm sure that's exactly the advice he'd give you face to face, as many would.
Why ask a question if you don't want honest opinions?

One of my CN was forced to take an extended break from uploading, and after c18 months - 2 years SM'd round his CN asking for advice on how the scene is nowadays. I guess the feedback was negative: he hasn't submitted anything since the round robin.

Famously an iStock contributor, ShankAli, took many submissions to get accepted, and often the advice was, "Why not just enjoy your photography". He eventually got accepted and is doing OK over there:
http://www.istockphoto.com/search/portfolio/2168260#a666a85
That said, note that:
1. That was five years ago, and things are definitely getting tougher on iStock.
2. He has some released specialist people shots, in 'real', not 'studio' situations.
3. He posted his rejections for critique, and asked for comments about his proposed submissions.

Quote from: ShadySue on June 28, 2012, 05:25

Quote from: Poncke on June 28, 2012, 05:13

Quote from: Lagereek on June 28, 2012, 00:46

Im not optimistic at all about the IS future!  I am sure Getty has plans for IS that doesnt suit the microstocker at all. They are going more and more towards macro, RF, etc and the Getty admin cares more for IS, then the IS admin themselves.
Further more, whats the point in joining?  you will be fighting with a million photographers and 20 million images and your own images arent even up to scratch
Nowdays, especiall if you plan to turn it into a living,  Its a pointless execise joining any of the big four with just ordinary generic stuff, theyve got it in millions. Many of us here are even hard pushed to sell specialized material. Thats how tough it is.

best.

People like you is why I hate forums sometimes, you can never ask a normal question without someone taking a jab from behind their computer when they are safe and sound, without any instigation. I bet you dont talk like that to people in real life. If you were out to get a reaction, here you have it. Feel better?

Sad sad person you are. DNFTT from here on out.

Huh?
That's LR being honest and realistic - he's often much more gratuiously annoying. I'm sure that's exactly the advice he'd give you face to face, as many would.
Why ask a question if you don't want honest opinions?

One of my CN was forced to take an extended break from uploading, and after c18 months - 2 years SM'd round his CN asking for advice on how the scene is nowadays. I guess the feedback was negative: he hasn't submitted anything since the round robin.

Famously an iStock contributor, ShankAli, took many submissions to get accepted, and often the advice was, "Why not just enjoy your photography". He eventually got accepted and is doing OK over there:
http://www.istockphoto.com/search/portfolio/2168260#a666a85
That said, note that:
1. That was five years ago, and things are definitely getting tougher on iStock.
2. He has some released specialist people shots, in 'real', not 'studio' situations.
3. He posted his rejections for critique, and asked for comments about his proposed submissions.

Cheers Sue!  can you imagine, the lad cant even take a bit of serious advice here in a forum for contributors and he wants to join IS ?  He probably expected every post here to be a dance on roses with a golden horizon smacked all over it.
What a plonker.

best.

I'll take any advice, but not from some * who hasnt seen my work. Why do people her criticise ports when a: They haven�t seen it, b: without being asked to criticise. But I wont be submitting to istock considering the general thought is that its not worth the hassle for pennies.

thread locked.

Watch your language and show a little respect for each other.