Author Topic: Getting Accepted on iStock (Read 10131 times)

tab62 · « **on:** March 08, 2011, 10:40 »

Hi Stock Folks,

I am having no luck at getting into iStock at all. The first time I sent them three photos for evaluation they rejected due to be all isolated photos (different objects on white background), the 2nd time they rejected my city skyline and two isolated objects. I was rejected again for 3rd and 4th time thus I now have to wait 90 days. They told me to send in three different kinds of photos to determine if I am well balanced thus I am confused- could anyone give me an example of what three types of photos they submitted (Successful)? I must be be thick headed or missing the boat completely on my test...

Thanks.

Tom

SNP · « **Reply #1 on:** March 08, 2011, 11:57 »

hi Tom - how about posting some images so we can give you some meaningful feedback. many of us were not accepted first time. in 2007, it took me five tries over five months to be accepted.

tab62 · « **Reply #2 on:** March 08, 2011, 12:18 »

Here are my last pics that got rejected for you to review...

Thanks...

Tom

Jo Ann Snover · « **Reply #3 on:** March 08, 2011, 12:44 »

It's a lot of guesswork with only small (versus 100%) images, but I think it's technical flaws that are the problem with these three.

Even at the small size I can see a dark ring around the bell pepper - the background wasn't white and your post processing wasn't precise enough. If you can't see that dark halo, then you need to look at calibrating your monitor. Without a calibrated monitor it's all guesswork and you sometimes can't see the flaws.

The child with the chessboard was shot at ISO 400 and so may be rather noisy (can't tell at the reduced size, but with the Rebel, I wouldn't go above IS 200 for stock)

The asparagus shot was at f/2.8 and I'm guessing the issues there were focus - the sharp area is so tiny at f/2.8 that may not have been the best choice for this composition.

tab62 · « **Reply #4 on:** March 08, 2011, 13:45 »

Thank you so such! Super comments! This for sure gets me on the right track to a successful admission on my next round with iStock.

Sean Locke Photography · « **Reply #5 on:** March 08, 2011, 13:46 »

Those make me yawn.

Sorry. Seriously, you've got to step it up, technically, compositionally, subject matter.

Perry · « **Reply #6 on:** March 08, 2011, 13:53 »

Quote from: sjlocke on March 08, 2011, 13:46

Those make me yawn.

Sorry. Seriously, you've got to step it up, technically, compositionally, subject matter.

+1

tab62 · « **Reply #7 on:** March 08, 2011, 14:58 »

Just looked at SJ's iStock photos- WOW! I am light years behind! I do agree with my pics 'boring'. I just started photography this past September thus a lot to learn. To take the great shots of people what type of flash equipment is needed or do you have to have the portable lighting as well? My personal goal is to take good object photos first than branch out to people shots. I have a couple of CS5 and Camera Raw courses thus have a basic concept but as you can see still a major rookie. Let's just say my eyes are open after looking over the surreal portfolio on iStock...

Thanks.

Tom

Sean Locke Photography · « **Reply #8 on:** March 08, 2011, 15:10 »

Btw, I'm not saying you need to do what I'm doing, but there's just no spark in those, nothing bringing them to life.

Perry · « **Reply #9 on:** March 08, 2011, 15:14 »

We just don't need any more red peppers isolated on white...

tab62 · « **Reply #10 on:** March 08, 2011, 15:17 »

You are pro! I appreciate any thing you say to help my photography. I see what you mean about making the photo come a live- I need to work on my composition ( a lot more) to catch the eye. I love tennis (USTA 4.0 Singles level) thus I want to take shots on players on the court just need understand what elements I will need to be successful while shooting indoors and outdoors.

Once again thanks for taking the time to raise my level...

Tom

tab62 · « **Reply #11 on:** March 08, 2011, 15:19 »

is this better on the black background?

Jo Ann Snover · « **Reply #12 on:** March 08, 2011, 16:04 »

Quote from: tab62 on March 08, 2011, 15:19

is this better on the black background?

No.

For an application, stay away from puppies, kittens, sunsets, tomatoes and peppers - they're all a dime a dozen in the existing libraries and unless you can make a stunner, it's best to do something else.

And if you want to be Sean, you have to be in more than one place at a time

visceralimage · « **Reply #13 on:** March 08, 2011, 16:22 »

Couple things; don't compare yourself to Sean-he is at the top of the game and a bar that is hard to hurdle. Second, start with Dreamstime and Fotolia-these agencies are a bit better for beginners.

RacePhoto · « **Reply #14 on:** March 09, 2011, 02:26 »

Quote from: Perry on March 08, 2011, 15:14

We just don't need any more red peppers isolated on white...

Or sliced tomatoes? Business handshakes? Girl with headset, cell phone, perplexed look, laptop... Hey wait, there's already too much of everything!

visceralimage · « **Reply #15 on:** March 09, 2011, 04:38 »

Tom

we really are a pretty good group of people; but our humor and interpersonal relationship skills set is lacking.

seriously, you are entering a mature market filled with many talented photographers; if you want to be among the group-you will need to achieve similar results, especially for the application

you like tennis; get your thinking cap on and think of some excellent shots; ball on the top of the net, ball hitting racket, ball hitting line with multiple flash,

cathyslife · « **Reply #16 on:** March 09, 2011, 08:30 »

Quote from: RacePhoto on March 09, 2011, 02:26

Quote from: Perry on March 08, 2011, 15:14
We just don't need any more red peppers isolated on white...

Or sliced tomatoes? Business handshakes? Girl with headset, cell phone, perplexed look, laptop... Hey wait, there's already too much of everything!

Excellent point. There isn't much a beginner can shoot today that hasn't already been done.

I don't think your isolated pepper would get rejected because they have too many, it just has to be done well. Good luck with your next round. Sounds like you have time to practice and gather up some good shots.

luissantos84 · « **Reply #17 on:** March 09, 2011, 15:24 »

mainly technical issues, don´t see any problem regarding compo or subject

BImages · « **Reply #18 on:** March 09, 2011, 17:28 »

I would forget the first one, fireplace is too distracting. (You could reshoot without distracting background)
Second one seems not too bad visually, maybe the problem is at full size resolution.
Third one has too much white space. Isolated objects need to have only minimum white space around the subject. (white space can always be added by the buyer).

Good luck, hope it helps.

gaja · « **Reply #19 on:** March 09, 2011, 17:30 »

I used these shots when I got accepted: http://gajasworld.blogspot.com/2009/12/godkjent-pa-istock.html (Text in Norwegian, but the pictures are still understandable

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Author Topic: Getting Accepted on iStock (Read 10131 times)

tab62

SNP

tab62

Jo Ann Snover

tab62

Sean Locke Photography

Perry

tab62

Sean Locke Photography

Perry

tab62

tab62

Jo Ann Snover

visceralimage

RacePhoto

visceralimage

cathyslife

luissantos84

BImages

gaja

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