MicrostockGroup
Agency Based Discussion => iStockPhoto.com => Topic started by: Allsa on December 16, 2008, 14:16
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Is it just me, or is iStock increasing the number of rejections? My acceptance rate is usually 79%, but lately most of what I upload is being rejected. I used up all of my scout tickets before the month was half over. If I'm learning from the rejections, I don't mind so much, but most of the rejections are for edges (even though I check and recheck edges before uploading), and I just got another one for artifacting, but it was for a 3D rendered illustration with no filters used in postwork.
Anyone else notice an increase in rejections? I do mostly raster illustrations and a lot of isolated images, so I'm highly "rejectable" at iStock anyway, but this is getting really bad. I'm tempted to stop uploading.
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My theory is that most reviewers are on holidays and rest of them overwhelmed so they rejecting more to keep up with load :-)
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I've seen fewer rejections the last few weeks. Figured it was just a phase or maybe they like what I'm uploading a little more than usual.
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but most of the rejections are for edges
Yeah the same for me too... but the next time I got all the same images (nothing changed in the mean time) accepted.
Some time ago it happened that the whole series of photos was rejected for artifacting, even though they were taken in different locations under different light conditions (from sunny, cloudy day outside to studio photos). In addition post proces was only slight improvements, nothing spectacular (which would cause artifacting).
EDIT: when talking about rejection for edges i had in mind 3d renders
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Touch wood; my rejections are way down after going on a complaining rampage. Hit 100% on last weeks.
Peter
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of course the rejections have increased.The total number of contributors has increased hence more files to inspect and i would imagine the rejection....not suitable as stock will increase as the library grows.
IMO there is still too many files getting accepted into the library that are not microstock although technically sound. This is being addressed in the new year with a 3 tier library.
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of course the rejections have increased.The total number of contributors has increased hence more files to inspect and i would imagine the rejection....not suitable as stock will increase as the library grows.
IMO there is still too many files getting accepted into the library that are not microstock although technically sound. This is being addressed in the new year with a 3 tier library.
That would make sense if my best images were accepted while the rest were rejected, but the rejections seem entirely random to me. It seems to have less to do with the quality of the image, and mostly to do with which reviewer happens to inspect your images. ... and having been contributing to microstock since July of 2004, and having achieved very close to diamond level at iStock, do you really think that I've suddenly become incapable of producing images that are suitable as stock?
Maybe it's just a long run of very bad luck, or maybe they've decided to discourage raster illustrations by rejecting them heavily. I thought maybe they are just rejecting more these days, so I posted hoping there were others to share my unhappiness and whine with me ;) Unfortunately they are my second highest earning site, so I just have to put up or shut up I guess.
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They rejected 13 of my last batch of 15. A personal high. Or should I say low?
Not that these rejections were totally unreasonable (meaning: when you want to find a reason, you'll find it...), but it looks a bit strange if compared to the past. Until now I had a almost steady acceptance rate of about 64%.
It may be just a random batch though...
Btw, all photos (no renders or such) and the majority of rejections for lighting. All of them nature / wildlife and the same type of lighting / post-processing (and, by the way, subject matter) that gave me a higher acceptance rate previously.
Let's wait how the next batch performs...
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of course the rejections have increased.The total number of contributors has increased hence more files to inspect and i would imagine the rejection....not suitable as stock will increase as the library grows.
IMO there is still too many files getting accepted into the library that are not microstock although technically sound. This is being addressed in the new year with a 3 tier library.
That would make sense, if the rejections were for "not stock". But they are for other reasons...
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I used to almost never get a rejection at istock. Now one or two of every batch are rejected.
I assume shank is on to something and as the collection grows they are rejecting more.
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I don't waste my time there anymore, everything that I uploaded got rejected , images selling real well everywhere else. . with it, I just stop uploading. I think they just want for you to become an exclusive.
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They rejected 13 of my last batch of 15. ...
Let's wait how the next batch performs...
You might want to take one or two rejections from this past batch to the critique forum and see what input you get. Rather than submit another whole batch, perhaps there are some ideas about the lighting issues you might be able to use in shooting/processing in the future.
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I don't waste my time there anymore, everything that I uploaded got rejected , images selling real well everywhere else. . with it, I just stop uploading. I think they just want for you to become an exclusive.
Now now MR.Istock will always welcome good stock files from contributors whether they are exclusive or not.
Your fine images on white background have had some success on istockphoto.Think more posative and start uploading your fine work again for inspection in the new year.
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The only difference in rejections I see lately is that they are more strict with the keywords (just as they promised earlier). I don't see a difference in rejections for picture quality
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I have rejected few files from my last batch and I am very surprised that reviewer sent me the problematic part of my image that caused rejection. That's awesome and I am very thankful. I didn't notice that number of my rejection icreased, but lately I started to receive precise notes from reviewers about rejection reasons. I appreciate that a lot. It's so much better than simple automatic pushing a button for "overfilterd" or "artifacting". This time reviewer sent me a piece of an image...that's really kind and very proffessional. Thank you!
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I have rejected few files from my last batch and I am very surprised that reviewer sent me the problematic part of my image that caused rejection. That's awesome and I am very thankful. I didn't notice that number of my rejection icreased, but lately I started to receive precise notes from reviewers about rejection reasons. I appreciate that a lot. It's so much better than simple automatic pushing a button for "overfilterd" or "artifacting". This time reviewer sent me a piece of an image...that's really kind and very proffessional. Thank you!
I agree, when the inspector points out specifically what's wrong with an image, and gives you the opportunity to correct and resubmit, that's great. This is where the iStock inspectors shine above the rest, and the quality of my work has shown a definite improvement, thanks to them. It's all the seemingly random and pointless rejections that are frustrating. The absurd preoccupation with edges drives me batty. I think the Scout program is a great idea - I feel much better about iStock since they have worked the bugs out of the scout system. 'Scout' has saved many of my best images from oblivion. I think the other sites would do well to adopt something similar to the Scout system, it goes a long way toward helping contributor relations.
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It seems to go in waves for me. Last month, I was having difficulty getting much of anything accepted there. This month is a lot better so far. Acceptace rate nearly 100%.
Of course now that I've said that... ;D
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I had the same experience with rejections reasons described in detail and the problematic part of image shown to me. it certainly helps a lot!
The Scout system seems to work as well, as I had two of my rejections reversed recently after they were rejected for lack of property releases. After my explanation, both rejections were reversed. The system is a bit slow as it took a couple of weeks, but it worked.
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Bad lighting rejections use to get on my bell end so i have started to up my exposure compensation to +1/2 and leave it alone and so far so good !
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They rejected 13 of my last batch of 15. ...
Let's wait how the next batch performs...
You might want to take one or two rejections from this past batch to the critique forum and see what input you get. Rather than submit another whole batch, perhaps there are some ideas about the lighting issues you might be able to use in shooting/processing in the future.
Don't know if I want to take the time, but thanks for the tip anyway.
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I don't waste my time there anymore, everything that I uploaded got rejected , images selling real well everywhere else. . with it, I just stop uploading. I think they just want for you to become an exclusive.
Now now MR.Istock will always welcome good stock files from contributors whether they are exclusive or not.
Your fine images on white background have had some success on istockphoto.Think more posative and start uploading your fine work again for inspection in the new year.
I know and they are still selling, but here lately almost every file I upload gets rejected. Well I haven't tried for awhile now. It's just frustrating for me, if I was just starting this, ok, but at this stage too much trouble. Maybe I'll follow your advice and start fresh with the new year.
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The Scout system seems to work as well, as I had two of my rejections reversed recently after they were rejected for lack of property releases. After my explanation, both rejections were reversed. The system is a bit slow as it took a couple of weeks, but it worked.
Only a couple of weeks?? It used to take months, so a couple of weeks seems speedy in comparison. :) Maybe I'll start using it again from time to time.
They rejected 13 of my last batch of 15. ...
Let's wait how the next batch performs...
You might want to take one or two rejections from this past batch to the critique forum and see what input you get. Rather than submit another whole batch, perhaps there are some ideas about the lighting issues you might be able to use in shooting/processing in the future.
Don't know if I want to take the time, but thanks for the tip anyway.
It sounds like your time would be better spent doing that, than wasting more and more time guessing about why you get so many rejections. I feel certain that it would take less time to post an image in the critique forum than it does to upload it and enter keywords, and then you may have some guidance so that your next batch of uploads may have a better approval rate, and the time you will have spent fixing and uploading them will have been well spent, rather than wasted.
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Rough edges. Never mind they are really like that in real life. To inspectors the world is fake and artificially rounded.
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Rough edges. Never mind they are really like that in real life. To inspectors the world is fake and artificially rounded.
:D
Also, I can tell you from experience that there are no gravelly surfaces in the inspectors' world, but plenty of "noisy" ones.
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I had the same experience with rejections reasons described in detail and the problematic part of image shown to me. it certainly helps a lot!
The Scout system seems to work as well, as I had two of my rejections reversed recently after they were rejected for lack of property releases. After my explanation, both rejections were reversed. The system is a bit slow as it took a couple of weeks, but it worked.
It has been mentioned before that the scout system isn't that good because when an image is finally accepted, it ends up way down the best match search and is unlikely to sell. I don't bother any more.
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I had the same experience with rejections reasons described in detail and the problematic part of image shown to me. it certainly helps a lot!
The Scout system seems to work as well, as I had two of my rejections reversed recently after they were rejected for lack of property releases. After my explanation, both rejections were reversed. The system is a bit slow as it took a couple of weeks, but it worked.
It has been mentioned before that the scout system isn't that good because when an image is finally accepted, it ends up way down the best match search and is unlikely to sell. I don't bother any more.
me too, better to resubmit and try again then wait for weeks to months to have to put on and then never do anything because now rated bottom of best match
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We just had 13 of 15 rejected by Is with our last upload. All 15 passed all our other sites.
AVAVA
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We just had 13 of 15 rejected by Is with our last upload. All 15 passed all our other sites.
AVAVA
It can be maddening when this happens - just don't let it get to you!
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Thanks Sharply,
I realize we are all playing on the same field. It doesn't get me down much except trying to please my agencies needs and not being able to do so. The money is not the concern it is the lack of consistency that this company provides. Once again thanks for the support.
Best,
AVAVA
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We just had 13 of 15 rejected by Is with our last upload. All 15 passed all our other sites.
AVAVA
AVAVA,
I look at your work and I just don't get this. Is there some wildly jealous reviewer that can't stand seeing such good photos? What are you getting rejected for. Artifacts on shoelaces?
Peter
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Hi Zues,
We get rejected for every possible option. The first thing people will ask on this MSG site is will you please show us your images so we can make our own evealuation here on MSG, No offense to all you concerned but I have been converting files since 95' for some of the biggest fortune 500 companies in the world as well as my staff for Getty images for ten years with a 97% acceptance rate and over 14,000 accepted images online under my name. I believe Istock is looking at these images way beyond 100% until they find a group of pixels with the same density and they are referring to that as an artifact. The reason all our images pass Gety QC is because they have highly trained individuals that understand the make up of digital files.
I submit an image at Istock that is accepted and then the very next image in the series processed and lit the exact same way with the same model in the same position ( just the woman turning to look at the camera ) and it gets rejected, same series. I get rejected for upsampling from a 22 mega pixel camera. I have the classic focus is not where we feel it is appropriate. The eye of the subject is tack sharp and that is the focal point of the shot.
Like I have said our rejection rate has fallen almost 10% since we started uploading a couple of months ago and all the work was processed the same in the same controlled studio lighting. We have been trying to adjust our post production workflow through ideas people have shared and our rejections keep falling ( try downsizing just a bit before uploading, nope it doesn't work for us ). It is my choice to keep uploading and I am going to keep doing so but it doesn't mean I am not going to answer questions directly and bring our issues to the to the attention of others. No matter what Istock crowny gets on here and tells me I am wrong. Thanks for your support Zeus. I can share something that was told to us Macro producers at a big Getty meeting this last fall at photo Expo that explains it all but I would rather do it through a PM as I don't want to upset the king or Queen for that Matter.
Best,
AVAVA
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... it is the lack of consistency that this company provides. Once again thanks for the support.
Best,
AVAVA
I agree 100% - a lot of the rejections I experience at IS are nonsensical. They'll accept image A and B from the same series, but reject C and D. They'll accept isolation A and background B, but will reject image C which is comprised solely of isolation A on background B. Like I said before, it can be maddening ...
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Hard to deal with somedays huh Sharply,
I just tell myself "it's their field and If I don't want to play I can take my ball and go home ". I believe it will all change in the near future. So my ball is staying on the field. They can't run a successful business with 20 people making such a huge amount of their sales. But we are already starting to see that. I have been watching the Istock chart for over a month now and I can tell you the big players have seen some drops while some of the smaller Exclusives are starting to see a rise. Soon will be the changing of the guard to some degree. Hang in there.
Best,
AVAVA
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It has been mentioned before that the scout system isn't that good because when an image is finally accepted, it ends up way down the best match search and is unlikely to sell. I don't bother any more.
me too, better to resubmit and try again then wait for weeks to months to have to put on and then never do anything because now rated bottom of best match
I just did a search on my image that got accepted. The image was the first in the Newest First search, and it was on the 2nd page out of 8 pages of results for a best match search. This seems pretty good to me. I am not sure where new images are usually supposed to come in best match searches.
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We just stopped resubmitting rejects to Istock if they don't take it the first time then we move onto new work and stick it into the Istock reject folder ( the only reject folder we have ). We have wasted to much time in the past trying to figure out their process and fix their rejects. Like I said before I have enough images right now to keep me uploading for 6 years at Istock with their limits they have set at this time. I will deal with all the rejects the last three years. Within three years from now a lot will take place, actually much sooner than that.
Best,
J
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I can share something that was told to us Macro producers at a big Getty meeting this last fall at photo Expo that explains it all but I would rather do it through a PM as I don't want to upset the king or Queen for that Matter.
Within three years from now a lot will take place, actually much sooner than that.
Best,
J
Please share Jonathan ... you have my curiosity totally spiked ... regarding rejections of your work by IS - it's only their loss and the other sites' gain ... kind of idiotic on Istocks's part though IMHO ...
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We just stopped resubmitting rejects to Istock if they don't take it the first time then we move onto new work and stick it into the Istock reject folder ( the only reject folder we have ). We have wasted to much time in the past trying to figure out their process and fix their rejects. Like I said before I have enough images right now to keep me uploading for 6 years at Istock with their limits they have set at this time. I will deal with all the rejects the last three years. Within three years from now a lot will take place, actually much sooner than that.
Best,
J
J,
Don't fix anything, just group similar rejections together and pass them on to Scout to take a whack at them. I get a really good acceptance rate this way from rejected files. I wouldn't fix them either especially when there ain''t nothin' to fix.
P.
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THanks a lot for the advice Zeus. I will see if it is cost efficient to spend the time.
Best,
J
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Hoi Ha,
Sent you a PM.
Best,
AVAVA
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Look at it like this.
At the moment theyre trying to get rid of non-exclusives, they really dont want our shots, even if theyre unique.
So what better way to stop us, then at the very entrance. i.e. instead of finding a reason to approve, look for a reason to reject, any reason.
Looking at some of the banal rubbish submitted by exclusives that is being approved? well no wonder theyve got problems.
BTW: Ive got an 85% approval rate there, so this is no sour grapes, its fact.
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I can share something that was told to us Macro producers at a big Getty meeting this last fall at photo Expo that explains it all but I would rather do it through a PM as I don't want to upset the king or Queen for that Matter.
Best,
AVAVA
Oh, no, please do share this secret here with everyone. I'm sure we'd all like to know without taking up your time with numerous PMs.
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I do read some tripe about istockphoto on this forum.Banal rubbish by exclusives getting accepted as opposed to class imagery being rejected from non-exclusives being the latest.
EVERY CONTRIBUTOR supplying files to istockphoto will be dealing with inspection inconsistencies as it's a human process.
So your a none exclusive contributor and you get 13 out 15 rejected on istock.You upload to another four sites and all are accepted. Now you have 62 images being viewed by five different groups of buyers....
I have 13 out 15 rejected by istock and i have 2 images being viewed by one group of buyers...
I am happy so why can't you be and stop complaining........
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I didn't notice increasing in rejections on IS. I can't say I submit too much lately, but rejections seem as usual to me...
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I don't think you would beleive it anyway Sean,
There were over 50 people in the meeting in N.Y. if they had wanted you there you would have been invited. No, I only share my knowledge with others that share with others. You will have to find your answers somewhere else. Isn't it you that made it clear to me to not share with the people on this site that I was only making it worse for you and other successful shooters and you didn't appreciate it.
If I want to share my stuff I am allowed and your efforts to stop me are futile ( a little Star Trek thrown in ). I am sure your sales although slipping will find there way back to the top. If you want me to share info with you that would help you plan your future than try being nice. I sent you a PM to try and clear the air and make friends and you were not interested.
Why do you keep telling me to share this advice with everyone then turn around and send me PM's telling me I am ignorant in my sharing of this kind of information, you are very confusing at times. Last time you blamed me for getting a Buzz out of sharing, like that is a bad thing. Try it sometime I think most people will say they get a buzz out of helping others that is the payback. You made it sound lie the buzz is a selfish thing. It's all good SJ you just don't get it. Lots to go around for everyone here.
Love ya,
Jonathan
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Shank Ali,
'Banal rubbish' - you say.
Non-exclusives complaining about rejections.
Last time I uploaded to Istock (more than 2 months ago) they rejected one of my files with the following reason :
'Clipping, Path' - keywords, not relevant to an image with a clipping path included!
Please fix and resubmit.
I have never done so. Not once.
Instead I stopped uploading.
Now you tell me, can an exclusive get a rejection based on such a motive?
3 days ago IStock waiting list was 20.100 files.
Same day on DT - waiting list over 64.000
Last week on SS - number of new files - 60.000
Numbers, numbers, they say it all.
From a buyer's point of view, IStock simply doesn't look good.
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Hi Shank_Ali,
I am only replying to what was asked of me by Zeus, isn't this his site. If a person on this site asks me a question I am going to answer to the best of my knowledge. If you read my posts and disagree that is your prerogative but to tell me to quit complaining is shortsighted and rather disrespectful considering I was answering a question from another poster. It is through open communication that some of these problems can be solved. Through our dealings I have always tried to show you respect. When you wanted the video of Hitler taken down I obliged immediately with concern that I might have offended you. Maybe you could just try a little harder to treat people here with a bit more respect. We are all on the same team and it is a very small playing field.
Regards,
AVAVA
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A bit of crystal ball gazing here - I wonder if the istock premium collection is about to become Gettys new dollar bin.
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Last time I uploaded to Istock (more than 2 months ago) they rejected one of my files with the following reason :
'Clipping, Path' - keywords, not relevant to an image with a clipping path included!
With all due respect, I'd like to point out the comma in your entry here, designating that these are two separate words, which you entered in as two separate keywords. They did not say that the key phrase "clipping path" was not relevant; they said that the words "clipping" [which maps in the CV to "cutting (moving activity)"] and "path" [which includes three choices in the CV, only one of which remotely relates to a clipping path] were not valid. The appropriate entry on your part should have been the recognized key phrase "clipping path" which maps to the correct meaning you were going for.
I'm not questioning whether you have all kinds of other valid problems, only offering a suggestion that might explain this particular situation.
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I was actually quite surprised the last batch of stuff that I put through IS; 22 for 24 when all was said and done.... much better than the 50-65% that's been going as of late. The part that was surprising me the most was the 3 to 4 day review times as opposed to the typical 10 day review times that have been experienced lately.
My theory was they really liked 'em :)
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A bit of crystal ball gazing here - I wonder if the istock premium collection is about to become Gettys new dollar bin.
That would be fun. I can see the notice now:
Dear sjlocke,
We are pleased inform you that your stellar image with its far superior implementation and obviously off-the-hook production costs has been excepted into the elite iStockphoto Premiere Collection. It will be assigned a licensing fee worthy of its position in this special collection.
You should be proud to have your image right alongside the likes of many of our most experienced Getty photographers. Their special assortment of images, featuring such valuable content as cellphone bricks and classic 80s hairstyles, will certainly complement your work.
Thank you again for all that you are to us.
Mmmmmwah!!
istockphoto
:D
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A bit of crystal ball gazing here - I wonder if the istock premium collection is about to become Gettys new dollar bin.
I wondered the same thing on another board and got some very offended responses ;)
Remains to be seen, but it happened on Fotolia, so it is certainly possible.
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Hi Shank_Ali,
I am only replying to what was asked of me by Zeus, isn't this his site. ...
Nope, it's leaf's site - he's currently away on a travel adventure.
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Thanks Sharply,
I always get those two mixed up. Thanks again for the correction. In regaurds to my post then, I was answering a question asked me by Zeus, In my studies the last person I want to upset is ZEUS I don't need any lightening bolts thrown in my direction. ;D
Best,
AVAVA
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LOL!
Easy mistake to make Jonathan - Zeus may not run this site, but he has been running the world from Mt. Olympus for thousands of years so you have to give him respect! ;)
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Nope! Getty used to have quite a few name photographers but they mainly came from the old Image-Bank.
Theyre long gone.
Todays Getty photographer is all into lifestyles etc, setting up shoots, using expensive models. Many work on "commissions" via Getty. In short it can "cost" a lot to generate a lot. A pal of mine will spend 10K in order to earn 20K etc.
This is NOT anything for your average micro photographer.
I cant help feeling a bit sorry for a few IS photographers that kind of been lured into this pretentious sweet talk, but, but, there you go.
merry X-mas to all.
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my approval rate has gone up a bit a IS the last month, but then I done a lot for my own interests and it is stuff that wont sell real well :(
(so of course the other sites rejection rate has gone up)
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Diatribe snipped...
Ho, ho, ho, you're quite the character Jonathan. Have a nice holiday.
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I can share something that was told to us Macro producers at a big Getty meeting this last fall at photo Expo that explains it all but I would rather do it through a PM as I don't want to upset the king or Queen for that Matter.
Please share Jonathan ... you have my curiosity totally spiked ... regarding rejections of your work by IS - it's only their loss and the other sites' gain ... kind of idiotic on Istocks's part though IMHO ...
Could you please share with me too?
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I'd also be very interested to know - and I'm happy to receive the information privately if that's what you'd prefer.
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Thanks Sean,
You have a good holiday as well. I was thinking of maybe a Dictionary or a Thesaurus for you. What sounds best? I would love a new joke book myself. ;D
Peace and Happy Holidays,
AVAVA
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IMO.The best way to deal with any rejection on istock is to read the rejection notice carefully and check your email notification as well as your site profile page as it's only your email addy for your istock account which will have any thumbnail image the inspector has sent highlighling any problems in your file.
If that fails do what i do after a few rejections..visit a local farm and enjoy the animals ;)
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Just send me a PM if you would like to hear what was said in the meeting. But just to put you at ease it was not directed at Micro shooters it was directed at Macro shooters involved in Micro. So don't worry and run to Wall Mart to buy the extra big Tank with the realistic battle sounds for your kid :D. Or you can PM me if you can't bare it.
Best,
AVAVA