Author Topic: Guide of Five Most Common Stock Photography Rejections and how to fix them (Read 11766 times)

Brasilnut · « **on:** September 26, 2016, 17:07 »

Dear All,

I have just put together this short guide on the top 5 reasons for rejection and how to fix them using Lightroom.

I'm working on a more comprehensive guide and if you are interested please PM me and once complete I'll email it to you.

Hope you find the guide useful and good luck with your submissions.

Best regards,

Brasilnut
www.arotenberg.photoshelter.com

axon_guru · « **Reply #1 on:** September 28, 2016, 02:36 »

Wow, thank for the guide. These happen to be my common rejection reasons too. Thanks for providing before and after fix comparison. Hopefully, we can automate some of the fixes with AxonGuru soon.

qwerty · « **Reply #2 on:** September 28, 2016, 04:12 »

?? sounds like an info-mercial

Brasilnut · « **Reply #3 on:** September 28, 2016, 06:03 »

Quote

?? sounds like an info-mercial

Why? I'm not selling anything, just trying to help newbies out and raise my profile as a photographer

Brasilnut · « **Reply #4 on:** September 28, 2016, 06:06 »

Quote

Wow, thank for the guide. These happen to be my common rejection reasons too. Thanks for providing before and after fix comparison. Hopefully, we can automate some of the fixes with AxonGuru soon.

You're welcome! I didn't include other common rejections such as Trademark, keywording, dust spots, Chromatic aberration as the article would be too long but they are still stuff we have to be careful with when submitting. I'll include them in the larger guide, just need a bit more time + energy to draft away.

Good luck,

Brasilnlut

Brasilnut · « **Reply #5 on:** September 28, 2016, 06:35 »

I forgot to include this in the guide as I think it's relevant.

This image has never been accepted into my collection for a focus rejection and I've must have re-submitted it 5 times and always rejected. It's a pity because I really like it and was a special moment. It's frustrating having to walk away for an image that perhaps isn't technically excellent but has good commercial value, it's too bad reviewers won't see it that way.

Here i've also included the 100% crop.

Brasilnut

Brasilnut · « **Reply #6 on:** September 28, 2016, 06:36 »

100% crop

qwerty · « **Reply #7 on:** September 28, 2016, 07:07 »

Quote from: Brasilnut on September 28, 2016, 06:03

Quote
?? sounds like an info-mercial

Why? I'm not selling anything, just trying to help newbies out and raise my profile as a photographer

The wording from the second poster reminded me of an advert response. Like ones where they say I use to spend hours chopping onions but with my onion pro 2000 I now have tonnes of time to relax. Thanks so much mr onion pro you're a lifesaver.

Didn't mean to offend

Brasilnut · « **Reply #8 on:** September 28, 2016, 07:18 »

Quote

The wording from the second poster reminded me of an advert response. Like ones where they say I use to spend hours chopping onions but with my onion pro 2000 I now have tonnes of time to relax. Thanks so much mr onion pro you're a lifesaver.

Didn't mean to offend

No worries, didn't offend. I think this business is making everybody, including me, so cynical as it's cut-throat.

I rather give stuff like this away for free than try to sell. This way I'm setting myself up for a bigger reward in the long run.

cathyslife · « **Reply #9 on:** September 28, 2016, 10:46 »

I did not click your link, but in all fairness, even though you are giving away the info, you are driving people to your photoshelter site, where I would assume you ARE selling images. Correct? If so, you do have an underlying motive and your information is not totally altruistic. That said, your writings might help some regardless.

Brasilnut · « **Reply #10 on:** September 28, 2016, 11:17 »

Quote

I did not click your link, but in all fairness, even though you are giving away the info, you are driving people to your photoshelter site, where I would assume you ARE selling images. Correct? If so, you do have an underlying motive and your information is not totally altruistic. That said, your writings might help some regardless.

You are correct.

My aim is to run a profitable business and I have reasonable costs that need covering. Therefore, I think it's fair that I'll give stuff away for free (which took me 2 hours to put together) and hope to drive traffic to my site where opportunities may arise (I don't sell via Photoshelter). For example, a curator may propose to exhibit my work at a gallery, or simply a buyer is interested in purchasing one of my prints.

More "free" stuff to come soon

cathyslife · « **Reply #11 on:** September 28, 2016, 11:56 »

But most on this site are your competitors. If you are looking for buyers, wouldnt your writings be geared more towards buyers, and posted on forums where buyers hang out?

Sean Locke Photography · « **Reply #12 on:** September 28, 2016, 12:20 »

He'll learn.

Brasilnut · « **Reply #13 on:** September 28, 2016, 12:32 »

Quote

But most on this site are your competitors. If you are looking for buyers, wouldnt your writings be geared more towards buyers, and posted on forums where buyers hang out?

That's a good question. I'm also posting on Linkedin, although less about technical stuff and more about the business side. My first article about how much i've earned over 3-4 years is generating a nice discussion with most photographers calling me naive and ego-driven to submit my images RF for pennies.

As for competitors, I don't see them that way. I think we should all be here to help each other and when I was starting out I would often post my images for review and got great feedback. This isn't a zero sum game.

cathyslife · « **Reply #14 on:** September 28, 2016, 13:06 »

Quote from: Brasilnut on September 28, 2016, 12:32

As for competitors, I don't see them that way. I think we should all be here to help each other and when I was starting out I would often post my images for review and got great feedback. This isn't a zero sum game.

Pauws99 · « **Reply #15 on:** September 28, 2016, 13:32 »

"This isn't a zero sum game" h'mmmmm

dpimborough · « **Reply #16 on:** September 29, 2016, 04:11 »

Another handy guide Brasilnut

By the way "Rejection reason No. 1: Poor Lighting: Image has exposure issues, unfavorable lighting conditions,
and/or incorrect white balance."

can also include blown pixels and clipped shadows (at least with Shutterstock)
even a single blown pixel will get you this rejection.

It doesn't seem to be a problem with other agencies.

Brasilnut · « **Reply #17 on:** September 29, 2016, 05:46 »

Quote

"This isn't a zero sum game" h'mmmmm

I'm getting myself a drone soon, this will open up a new world of possibilities...until I get arrested

Brasilnut · « **Reply #18 on:** September 29, 2016, 05:54 »

Quote

Another handy guide Brasilnut

By the way "Rejection reason No. 1: Poor Lighting: Image has exposure issues, unfavorable lighting conditions,
and/or incorrect white balance."

can also include blown pixels and clipped shadows (at least with Shutterstock)
even a single blown pixel will get you this rejection.

It doesn't seem to be a problem with other agencies.

Since Shutterstock reviewers are only paid 5 cents per image they inspect, to make UK minimum wage which is equivalent to $8.70, they would need to review 174 images an hour (almost 3 images a minute)

There's a huge margin of error, especially after taking into account fatigue after hours of doing this repetitive work.

Perhaps they also have a quota of rejections they must meet (i'm speculating now).

Kipps87 · « **Reply #19 on:** October 10, 2016, 02:42 »

I would say that the question here is:

is the guide any good and helpful or is it something everyone knows? Then it is an advert

And that was of course said with a tongue in my cheek. Thank you for the guide. I am new to the stock photography and before I submit my first batch of photos I try to read everything I can.

SpaceStockFootage · « **Reply #20 on:** October 10, 2016, 03:05 »

Quote from: Brasilnut on September 29, 2016, 05:54

Quote
Another handy guide Brasilnut

By the way "Rejection reason No. 1: Poor Lighting: Image has exposure issues, unfavorable lighting conditions,
and/or incorrect white balance."

can also include blown pixels and clipped shadows (at least with Shutterstock)
even a single blown pixel will get you this rejection.

It doesn't seem to be a problem with other agencies.

Since Shutterstock reviewers are only paid 5 cents per image they inspect, to make UK minimum wage which is equivalent to $8.70, they would need to review 174 images an hour (almost 3 images a minute) There's a huge margin of error, especially after taking into account fatigue after hours of doing this repetitive work.

Perhaps they also have a quota of rejections they must meet (i'm speculating now).

174 images an hour... blimey! So that's one image every 20 seconds. Crazy! I wonder how much they get paid for video... must be based on duration I guess.

Brasilnut · « **Reply #21 on:** October 25, 2016, 15:44 »

Hey all

I need your help!

Other than shooting, I've been busy putting together a "Brutally Honest Guide of How to Make Money Selling Microstock Photography".

The draft is now at a whopping 60 pages and I think it will likely end finish at roughly 75 pages (10,000 words and 100 images).

So, would anybody be interested in receiving the latest draft? I'm looking for honest feedback (even if it hurts) including whether the text / pics flow, whether it's interesting/boring, what you like/don't like, suggestions etc. I trust the feedback will provide useful.

Please PM me if you are interested in receiving a copy.

Thanks in advance.

Brasilnut
www.arotenberg.photoshelter.com

Sean Locke Photography · « **Reply #22 on:** October 25, 2016, 22:05 »

'I've been busy putting together a "Brutally Honest Guide of How to Make Money Selling Microstock Photography". '

Why?

Brasilnut · « **Reply #23 on:** October 26, 2016, 05:01 »

Quote

'I've been busy putting together a "Brutally Honest Guide of How to Make Money Selling Microstock Photography". '

Why?

I think it's a great way to promote my talent which may lead to opportunities and help some newbies starting out.

Sean Locke Photography · « **Reply #24 on:** October 26, 2016, 06:19 »

Quote from: Brasilnut on October 26, 2016, 05:01

Quote
'I've been busy putting together a "Brutally Honest Guide of How to Make Money Selling Microstock Photography". '

Why?

I think it's a great way to promote my talent which may lead to opportunities and help some newbies starting out.

Buyers don't read ebooks on how to make money selling microstock photography.

Brasilnut · « **Reply #25 on:** October 26, 2016, 07:11 »

Quote

Buyers don't read ebooks on how to make money selling microstock photography.

That's true. What I mean by opportunities is that this book may act as a springboard to earn by writing freelance articles for microstock sites / blogs. Also, the book should drive traffic to my site.

Brasilnut · « **Reply #26 on:** November 03, 2016, 06:11 »

I'm receiving very helpful feedback.

ShadySue · « **Reply #27 on:** November 03, 2016, 07:21 »

Quote from: Brasilnut on October 26, 2016, 07:11

Quote
Buyers don't read ebooks on how to make money selling microstock photography.

That's true. What I mean by opportunities is that this book may act as a springboard to earn by writing freelance articles for microstock sites / blogs. Also, the book should drive traffic to my site.

How many mcrostock sites/blogs currently pay freelancers?

How many wannabe microstockers will buy from your site?

Brasilnut · « **Reply #28 on:** November 03, 2016, 08:44 »

Quote

How many mcrostock sites/blogs currently pay freelancers?

I don't know how many but I've been offered some freelance writing work for one of the major sites.

Quote

How many wannabe microstockers will buy from your site?

I don't know, as it depends on my marketing efforts and ultimately down to the quality of the guide. I may put it out there for as little as $5.

MicrostockGroup Sponsors

Author Topic: Guide of Five Most Common Stock Photography Rejections and how to fix them (Read 11766 times)

Brasilnut

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qwerty

Brasilnut

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Brasilnut

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Sean Locke Photography

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Brasilnut

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Kipps87

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