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Agency Based Discussion => iStockPhoto.com => Topic started by: alexa_adrian2001 on November 18, 2013, 13:53

Title: Wishing to get accepted on Istock
Post by: alexa_adrian2001 on November 18, 2013, 13:53
Hi there,
For the moment I have applied and I am accepted at ShutterStock, DreamsTime, Fotolia and 123rf. But I want also to get accepted at Istock. I applied once with 3 of my accepted images on SS + DS but they did not accepted.
I can show you links to my portfolios on SS and DS. Would that be all right to post on forum so you may help me decide taking 3 of my best images in order to post on IStock?
Title: Re: Wishing to get accepted on Istock
Post by: Spray and Pray on November 18, 2013, 14:12
yes, post your 3 images that you want to submit. Bear in mind you will get a mixed bag of comments but overall it will be a good source to guide you...
Title: Re: Wishing to get accepted on Istock
Post by: alexa_adrian2001 on November 18, 2013, 14:37
All right.

(http://image.shutterstock.com/display_pic_with_logo/282376/128432393/stock-photo-leaning-tower-of-pisa-in-tuscany-a-unesco-world-heritage-site-and-one-of-the-most-recognized-and-128432393.jpg)


(http://image.shutterstock.com/display_pic_with_logo/282376/155550833/stock-photo-leaning-tower-of-pisa-with-the-fountain-with-angels-in-tuscany-taken-with-cpl-filter-one-of-the-155550833.jpg)

(http://image.shutterstock.com/display_pic_with_logo/282376/126106109/stock-photo-colorful-vertical-stripes-126106109.jpg)

It seems I can not post links. Only after 5 posts. As most of my images are images taken of Pisa, Firenze, Oradea i don't have a vast portfolio of different categories. So will I have success with city images?
Title: Re: Wishing to get accepted on Istock
Post by: ShadySue on November 18, 2013, 14:39
How long ago did you apply and get rejected?
Seems unlikely nowadays you'd get rejected on files that were accepted for SS.
What reason/s did they give for rejecting you?
Title: Re: Wishing to get accepted on Istock
Post by: alexa_adrian2001 on November 18, 2013, 14:57
Status: Rejected
Admin Note:
At this time we regret to inform you that we did not feel the overall composition of your photography or subject matter is at the minimum level of standard for iStockphoto. Please take some time to review training materials, resources and articles provided through iStockphoto. The photographs provided in your application should be diverse in subject matter, technical ability and should be your best work. Think conceptual, creative and most important think Stock photography. Try to avoid the average eye level push the button perspective of a common subject. Try and impress us, we want to see how you stand out from the crowd.

We welcome you to return after the number of days specified and upload 3 fresh samples of your work and we will re-process your application. Please note that you will not be able to upload new samples until this waiting period has passed.

I applied on 5th of March this year.
I think I will try again. In the above three images instead of second image of Pisa in fact I used another one.(I missuploaded it)
It was this:
(http://image.shutterstock.com/display_pic_with_logo/282376/127888847/stock-photo-snow-tracks-made-by-ratrack-on-a-sunny-day-in-cavnic-ski-resort-romania-127888847.jpg)
Title: Re: Wishing to get accepted on Istock
Post by: ShadySue on November 18, 2013, 15:08
The standards have changed a lot since May. Surely you'll get in now with files you already have on SS and Ft.
Title: Re: Wishing to get accepted on Istock
Post by: Digital66 on November 18, 2013, 15:20
Send whatever you have on the other sites.  iStock's high quality standards are gone.  They are now accepting anything.  :(
Title: Re: Wishing to get accepted on Istock
Post by: Red Dove on November 18, 2013, 15:24
Your work is a cut above some of the stuff they are accepting these days. My only suggestion would be to substitute one of the Pisa images for something else in another category - to demonstrate diversity
Title: Re: Wishing to get accepted on Istock
Post by: Spray and Pray on November 18, 2013, 15:35
I still believe the old standards (very tough) apply on the initial test but after you are accepted they are lower thus you will need your best to pass. Also a mix of the 3 images- i.e. one portrait, one object and one landscape.  Personally, I used 3 portraits (different DOF and lighting) to pass the test which I did fail a few times as well. I gave up on landscapes for my initial tests. If you do decide to do portraits make sure you some off camera lights or reflectors/fillers to show them that you can light correctly and professionally.

Another thing- was passes on one site my not pass on another site. I know Fotolia is really tough on outdoor photos but loves studio shots.  Good Luck 
Title: Re: Wishing to get accepted on Istock
Post by: luissantos84 on November 18, 2013, 15:37
Your work is a cut above some of the stuff they are accepting these days. My only suggestion would be to substitute one of the Pisa images for something else in another category - to demonstrate diversity

yep the second Pisa picture has a head at the bottom, I would remove it
Title: Re: Wishing to get accepted on Istock
Post by: ShadySue on November 18, 2013, 15:46
Agree with the others: submit three different sorts of images. I didn't submit a portrait (no point for me), but it's been suggested it's needed nowadays; don't know how true that is.
Title: Re: Wishing to get accepted on Istock
Post by: alexa_adrian2001 on November 18, 2013, 15:48
Well, i have chosen again 3 of my best sold images on SS and uploaded. They are 2 of Pisa and one abstract. They might reject again because of diversity as ' Spray and Pray' says. If they do I will try again. But: is it allowed to resubmit from old submitted images?
Title: Re: Wishing to get accepted on Istock
Post by: luissantos84 on November 18, 2013, 15:50
you asked advice and did what you had in mind before, great stuff! ;D
Title: Re: Wishing to get accepted on Istock
Post by: Spray and Pray on November 18, 2013, 15:51
yes, say if one makes out of the batch you can resubmit that one with your next batch. Good luck...
Title: Re: Wishing to get accepted on Istock
Post by: Ron on November 18, 2013, 16:05
Well, i have chosen again 3 of my best sold images on SS and uploaded. They are 2 of Pisa and one abstract. They might reject again because of diversity as ' Spray and Pray' says. If they do I will try again. But: is it allowed to resubmit from old submitted images?
YOur waiting time goes up everytime you are being rejected.

You should have replaced one of the pisa images.
Title: Re: Wishing to get accepted on Istock
Post by: drd on November 18, 2013, 16:37
I would submit the first image in 3 different photo effects: normal, retro and b/w. This is the QC standard at istock at the moment.
Title: Re: Wishing to get accepted on Istock
Post by: stockphotoeurope on November 18, 2013, 17:13
It's a lot easier now to have pictures approved than it used to be. However, for the initial test they are still a bit more selective than for the following submissions. I would submit just one of the Pisa photos, and two other different subjects, but not the illustration (although it's good, illustrations follow a different path with stricter reviews).

Once you're in, all of your pictures are above their current standards, and you will easily get near 100% acceptance.
Title: Re: Wishing to get accepted on Istock
Post by: heywoody on November 18, 2013, 17:55
I don't think standards for the entrance exam are any higher than for routine submissions - can anyone imagine the creators of some of the stuff getting accepted now being able to produce anything that would have got in last year.  The critique forum is just port reviews now and those  actually seeking help are there because they are sitting out wait time from the old regime and now suddenly have improved enough.
Title: Re: Wishing to get accepted on Istock
Post by: alexa_adrian2001 on November 19, 2013, 05:40
Well, as I was supposing: they rejected again. 7 more days to wait. :D
Title: Re: Wishing to get accepted on Istock
Post by: Ron on November 19, 2013, 07:06
Come here, go with these

(http://image.shutterstock.com/display_pic_with_logo/282376/134396654/stock-photo-young-man-playing-with-a-dog-a-dog-tries-to-get-a-bone-from-an-adult-man-s-hand-on-a-mountain-134396654.jpg)

(http://image.shutterstock.com/display_pic_with_logo/282376/159824060/stock-photo-general-view-of-old-town-in-florence-159824060.jpg)

(http://image.shutterstock.com/display_pic_with_logo/282376/124762789/stock-photo-group-of-leather-belts-on-a-street-market-in-florence-124762789.jpg)
Title: Re: Wishing to get accepted on Istock
Post by: Difydave on November 19, 2013, 07:16
Unless it's changed, and as far as I can see it hasn't, then the standards for initial application shots are still as high as they ever were.
Apart from technical ability, you need to show an understanding of what makes a stock shot, and be able to show some sort of concept.
Follow the advice already given.
The shots Ron suggests look like a good bet as long as they're technically OK.
Title: Re: Wishing to get accepted on Istock
Post by: MicrostockExp on November 19, 2013, 07:27
do not waste your time on Istock....
Title: Re: Wishing to get accepted on Istock
Post by: Kerioak~Christine on November 19, 2013, 07:32
After I got rejected with some strange comments when I first applied I got a bit frustrated, so I just went out and snapped some pictures (literally, no thought to composition or subject, only focus) and sent those in and they were accepted so they then got the ones that were rejected elsewhere.   That was quite a few years ago and I never did get over my dislike of the place with its strange and changing upload system, non-English English,  so it was one of the first agencies I sacked.  :)
Title: Re: Wishing to get accepted on Istock
Post by: stockphotoeurope on November 19, 2013, 08:28
The dog and Florence pictures suggested by Ron seem like a good choice to me.

But at the bottom of the third picture there are some belts with designs that iStock may find copyrighted.
Title: Re: Wishing to get accepted on Istock
Post by: Mantis on November 19, 2013, 08:37
Come here, go with these

([url]http://image.shutterstock.com/display_pic_with_logo/282376/134396654/stock-photo-young-man-playing-with-a-dog-a-dog-tries-to-get-a-bone-from-an-adult-man-s-hand-on-a-mountain-134396654.jpg[/url])

([url]http://image.shutterstock.com/display_pic_with_logo/282376/159824060/stock-photo-general-view-of-old-town-in-florence-159824060.jpg[/url])

([url]http://image.shutterstock.com/display_pic_with_logo/282376/124762789/stock-photo-group-of-leather-belts-on-a-street-market-in-florence-124762789.jpg[/url])


Except the dog looks like its going to fall off the edge of a cliff!!
Title: Re: Wishing to get accepted on Istock
Post by: luissantos84 on November 19, 2013, 08:46
Except the dog looks like its going to fall off the edge of a cliff!!

looking at what iStock approves these days its brilliant ;D
Title: Re: Wishing to get accepted on Istock
Post by: Spray and Pray on November 19, 2013, 09:53
"do not waste your time on Istock...."


Yeah, right! After the PP announcements last month everyone and their brother are uploading images like a mad dog!  A lot of folks, to include myself, had BME on iStock!
Title: Re: Wishing to get accepted on Istock
Post by: Sean Locke Photography on November 19, 2013, 10:08
"do not waste your time on Istock...."


Yeah, right! After the PP announcements last month everyone and their brother are uploading images like a mad dog!  A lot of folks, to include myself, had BME on iStock!

Depends what a BME really is.  Going from $10 to $12 extra or something, isn't that impressive.
Title: Re: Wishing to get accepted on Istock
Post by: Ron on November 19, 2013, 10:09
"do not waste your time on Istock...."


Yeah, right! After the PP announcements last month everyone and their brother are uploading images like a mad dog!  A lot of folks, to include myself, had BME on iStock!

Depends what a BME really is.  Going from $10 to $12 extra or something, isn't that impressive.

I went from 15$ to 90$, with 32 images  ;D
Title: Re: Wishing to get accepted on Istock
Post by: Spray and Pray on November 19, 2013, 10:19
let's see 2 over 10 is a 20% jump which impressive to me. Personally I went from $60 to over $130 with the same amount of images. I am a bottom tier compared to most of the pro's here thus I bet there was some serious $$ being made last month and we are not talking the chump change that I made  8)


Title: Re: Wishing to get accepted on Istock
Post by: 08stock08 on November 19, 2013, 10:47
I got accepted at iStock yesterday after so many attempts. I am not sure how many I tried but I had 3 months waiting period last time. It was a learning experience with attempts. Seems I came at iStock at right time when PP is being reported as BME by many contributors.
Title: Re: Wishing to get accepted on Istock
Post by: luissantos84 on November 19, 2013, 10:57
I got accepted at iStock yesterday after so many attempts. I am not sure how many I tried but I had 3 months waiting period last time. It was a learning experience with attempts. Seems I came at iStock at right time when PP is being reported as BME by many contributors.

right time for what? you really have no idea about iStock, cheer the victory of getting approved, nothing better will happen after, sorry to let you know
Title: Re: Wishing to get accepted on Istock
Post by: 08stock08 on November 19, 2013, 11:04
I got accepted at iStock yesterday after so many attempts. I am not sure how many I tried but I had 3 months waiting period last time. It was a learning experience with attempts. Seems I came at iStock at right time when PP is being reported as BME by many contributors.

right time for what? you really have no idea about iStock, cheer the victory of getting approved, nothing better will happen after, sorry to let you know

Thanks luissantos84, Lets see how it goes. It is too early for me to draw the conclusion.
Title: Re: Wishing to get accepted on Istock
Post by: dingles on November 19, 2013, 14:17
"do not waste your time on Istock...."


Yeah, right! After the PP announcements last month everyone and their brother are uploading images like a mad dog!  A lot of folks, to include myself, had BME on iStock!

Depends what a BME really is.  Going from $10 to $12 extra or something, isn't that impressive.

It's all relative isn't it?
Title: Re: Wishing to get accepted on Istock
Post by: fritz on November 19, 2013, 19:40
I got accepted at iStock yesterday after so many attempts. I am not sure how many I tried but I had 3 months waiting period last time. It was a learning experience with attempts. Seems I came at iStock at right time when PP is being reported as BME by many contributors.

right time for what? you really have no idea about iStock, cheer the victory of getting approved, nothing better will happen after, sorry to let you know

The grass isn't greener on the other side. I have a friend started a year ago and he is already doing 3x better($) than SS with the same port size on both agencies.
I imagine everyone's experience is different....
Title: Re: Wishing to get accepted on Istock
Post by: luissantos84 on November 19, 2013, 20:05
I got accepted at iStock yesterday after so many attempts. I am not sure how many I tried but I had 3 months waiting period last time. It was a learning experience with attempts. Seems I came at iStock at right time when PP is being reported as BME by many contributors.

right time for what? you really have no idea about iStock, cheer the victory of getting approved, nothing better will happen after, sorry to let you know

The grass isn't greener on the other side. I have a friend started a year ago and he is already doing 3x better($) than SS with the same port size on both agencies.
I imagine everyone's experience is different....

how many "friends" do you have the other way?
Title: Re: Wishing to get accepted on Istock
Post by: fritz on November 19, 2013, 20:19
I got accepted at iStock yesterday after so many attempts. I am not sure how many I tried but I had 3 months waiting period last time. It was a learning experience with attempts. Seems I came at iStock at right time when PP is being reported as BME by many contributors.

right time for what? you really have no idea about iStock, cheer the victory of getting approved, nothing better will happen after, sorry to let you know

The grass isn't greener on the other side. I have a friend started a year ago and he is already doing 3x better($) than SS with the same port size on both agencies.
I imagine everyone's experience is different....

how many "friends" do you have the other way?

It seems there is always someone venting their frustrations for everyone to see. They complain about...
Think positive be positive, hatred does not cease through hatred.
Title: Re: Wishing to get accepted on Istock
Post by: luissantos84 on November 19, 2013, 20:30
that is not correct Alex, I am talking about the experience for/from most indies, as we know most are doing well at SS and poorly at IS, its not hate or negative attitude towards IS/GI but the average in this forum and for sure outside too

anyway I am not venting, I gave up back on March 2012, glad you are still doing well and happy providing them
Title: Re: Wishing to get accepted on Istock
Post by: mlwinphoto on November 20, 2013, 00:12
that is not correct Alex, I am talking about the experience for/from most indies, as we know most are doing well at SS and poorly at IS, its not hate or negative attitude towards IS/GI but the average in this forum and for sure outside too

anyway I am not venting, I gave up back on March 2012, glad you are still doing well and happy providing them

I'm doing much better at SS than iS.    :)
Title: Re: Wishing to get accepted on Istock
Post by: shudderstok on November 20, 2013, 01:22
I got accepted at iStock yesterday after so many attempts. I am not sure how many I tried but I had 3 months waiting period last time. It was a learning experience with attempts. Seems I came at iStock at right time when PP is being reported as BME by many contributors.

right time for what? you really have no idea about iStock, cheer the victory of getting approved, nothing better will happen after, sorry to let you know

The grass isn't greener on the other side. I have a friend started a year ago and he is already doing 3x better($) than SS with the same port size on both agencies.
I imagine everyone's experience is different....

everyone's experience is different. IS and the GI combo works wonders for me and i would not even consider  going indie.