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Author Topic: ISTOCK - Pleeeeease help me choosing 3 samples  (Read 10979 times)

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« on: June 26, 2011, 15:21 »
0
Hi everybody,
I'm a regular contributor to different stock agencies such as Shutterstock, Fotolia and Dreamstime; but I have not been able to enter Istock; I have been rejected 6 times in the entrance exam (submission of 3 samples) starting form Jan 2010!!!!! Below you can find some of the files that I have entered previously for this test:

http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/8202/rejectede.jpg [nofollow]

I think they are not really that bad and are selling well in other agencies, but not even one of them has been accepted in Istock entrance exam!!! (They all are crisp and noise-free in full size). I really do not know what Istock fellows are looking for!!!

Please help me to pass the test this time; otherwise I'll have to wait another 6 months or maybe one year for another try!!!!! Please take a look at the following pics and choose 3 photos for submission and let me know if none of them are appropriate!!!!

Night: Urban landscapes

1-  http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/2038/inthearch.jpg [nofollow]
2-  http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/3711/arcdetriomphed.jpg [nofollow]

Day: Architecture - Monuments

3-  http://img820.imageshack.us/img820/3028/barsu.jpg [nofollow]
4-  http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/6921/mosqueo.jpg [nofollow]
5-  http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/8985/gargoyley.jpg [nofollow]

Portraiture

6-  http://img64.imageshack.us/img64/9771/laughf.jpg [nofollow]
7-  http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/9029/owlman.jpg [nofollow]
8-  http://img803.imageshack.us/img803/2803/backlitportrait.jpg [nofollow]
9-  http://img851.imageshack.us/img851/5982/behindwindow.jpg [nofollow]

Still life: Food

10-  http://img828.imageshack.us/img828/4001/strawberrycakes.jpg [nofollow]
11-  http://img863.imageshack.us/img863/143/tomatoes.jpg [nofollow]
12-  http://img718.imageshack.us/img718/7109/chocolatecake.jpg [nofollow]

Other subjects

13-  http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/7466/inthepool.jpg [nofollow]
14-  http://img42.imageshack.us/img42/641/colorfulboats.jpg [nofollow]

Help and opinion of all the Istock contributors and stock experts would be highly appreciated.
Best regards: Borna


« Reply #1 on: June 26, 2011, 15:38 »
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Have you tried getting feedback from the istock Critique forum? Especially your final selection I would submit it there for Peer review before uploading.

Here is an example:
http://www.istockphoto.com/forum_messages.php?threadid=330680&page=1

My favorites are the owlman, strawberrycakes and the woman in the pool with the hat. But this is my personal taste, I have no idea, if this will satisfy the reviewers.
« Last Edit: June 26, 2011, 15:43 by cobalt »

« Reply #2 on: June 26, 2011, 17:52 »
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not an expert here but I like your pictures.. mostly the architecture/landmarks.. mosqueo, gargoy, arch, triomph.. food and stuff are nice but not the perfect isolations like some missing pieces on the cup.. the portraiture pics, the issue is lighting.. they arent bright and doesnt look tack sharp too..

like the pool picture too, there are some famous pictures like that, which I believe sell well too but dont know about sending it as exam..

sending 3 is kind of hard, honestly they should see this thread here and say, you are IN! :)

I believe you deserve it thats for sure and it does show that you can do it!

mosqueo, gargoyle (or triomphe as editorial once I see ads at the right and some car plates too) and perhaps chocolatecake

inthearch is stunning too but maybe a little late on hour, sky is black..... but I do enjoy it
« Last Edit: June 26, 2011, 17:55 by luissantos84 »


« Reply #4 on: June 26, 2011, 20:46 »
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3. trhe focus is soft on the cathederal
5. not sharp
6. is soft
7. Not sure about composition and lighting
8. Soft and lighting a problem, as well as distracting leaves
9. Eye not dead sharp. Better than other shots of girl
10. Lighting is iffy
11. Lighting could get a rejection. These sort of shots have to be perfect. Maybe try with more dof. f16 rather than f11?
lack of dof lighting and texture in cloth a problem. Why group all together?
12. dof not enough and highlights . Why the tilt?
14. coke bottle should not be there. Need more dof. Soft first boat is a distraction. Loos overprocessed. Do not shoot at 200 iso

In summary shots look great. Use those not mentioned and check carefully at full size for CA and artifacts. Good luck

« Reply #5 on: June 26, 2011, 21:09 »
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While i like a lot of your shots, i think you can improve them by thinking about the composition more. Example is the red umbrella and the cathedral in your first subitted collage. While i love it visually, there is an issue i have with the light pole and the church not creating a good negative space. I think this is the key to improve your shots. Focus on the negative shapes.  The picture would be better if you lowered your vantage point and shot on your knees. That way the top of the light pole would in the sky and not inside the church...It would also help if the red umbrella person wasnt so close to the pole (if she moved more to the right) but this cant be helped if she isnt your model. The pool picture would be my favorite if you can clone out that distracting line in the floor.

« Reply #6 on: June 26, 2011, 21:30 »
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Be careful, everything you summit must be perfectly focussed at the right place.

« Reply #7 on: June 26, 2011, 22:39 »
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IMO if you get it worked out with the focus and the lighting I would skip the microstock business and ask Jonathan Ross how to start in macro.

I think some of your images are really good.

« Reply #8 on: June 27, 2011, 10:55 »
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Thank you everybody for your comments.  ;D  Thanks for the kind words and many thanks for the critiques, I will go with these 3 files and will let you know about the results:

1- In the arch
2- Owlman
3- In the pool

Wish me luck  ;)

Microbius

« Reply #9 on: June 27, 2011, 11:01 »
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A lot of those are really beautiful, I hope you get in!

« Reply #10 on: June 27, 2011, 11:02 »
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I like 5, 10, and 13.

Good luck.

PS.  Would love to see them at Cutcaster.com.   ;D

« Reply #11 on: June 29, 2011, 11:36 »
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I GOT REJECTED AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ALL 3 OF THEM...

The iStock administrators have asked that you upload new samples based on the feedback provided below. You're welcome to return in 365 days, upload some new samples and we'll re-process your application.

Comments from the iStockphoto Administrator:

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.

« Reply #12 on: June 29, 2011, 11:40 »
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OMG this was your 7th attempt?.. honestly I dont understand.. you do have nice pictures! how long it will be this time? I am starting to think that luck has major importancy too..

« Reply #13 on: June 29, 2011, 13:11 »
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I am thinking - maybe they want to see more images done in a studio? To prove that you understand professional lighting technique?

Did you ask for feedback on the istockforums? The admins there will be more familiar with what they are looking for.

« Reply #14 on: June 29, 2011, 13:48 »
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There has got to be som little detail that you are missing, because your pictures are much better than mine, and I got accepted with much less hassle. Are you sure there is no noice, and that they are absolutely in focus? Could there be artifacts, dust or something else trivial that is putting up road blocks for you?

Maybe you should go with the tomatoes, a portrait and something outdoors to get more variety? I love your portraits!

« Reply #15 on: June 29, 2011, 14:51 »
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You are very artistic. Your compositions are superb.

What got your images rejected were likely the technical aspects. I can see noise and CA in some of the images. Some over-blown areas. In your portraits, sometimes the focus (the eyes) was not sharp enough. iStock is very exact on these things.

What camera and lenses are you using?
« Last Edit: June 29, 2011, 15:19 by Freedom »

lisafx

« Reply #16 on: June 29, 2011, 15:00 »
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I GOT REJECTED AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ALL 3 OF THEM...

The iStock administrators have asked that you upload new samples based on the feedback provided below. You're welcome to return in 365 days, upload some new samples and we'll re-process your application.


Am I reading that right?  365 days!!??  Please tell me you don't have to wait a whole year to upload more samples. 

That is really harsh.  I guess 7 tries is the limit before getting kicked to the curb. 

Sorry to hear you didn't get in.  If it's any consolation, sales aren't what they used to be there.

« Reply #17 on: June 29, 2011, 16:37 »
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Thank you guys for the feedback  :)

Quote
What camera and lenses are you using?

some of these pictures have been shot with Canon 450D (little girl portraits and etc.) so they may have some noise included, but the last 3 samples that I sent were shot with Canon 5D MarkII and Canon L lenses, they were dead sharp and completely noise free.
Quote
Am I reading that right?  365 days!!??  Please tell me you don't have to wait a whole year to upload more samples.
I gave up trying to enter IStock!!! If they don't want me, that's ok, I'll sell my works where I'm welcomed!!! 7 tries is more than enough!!!!

Quote
I am thinking - maybe they want to see more images done in a studio? To prove that you understand professional lighting technique?
I've sent Studio pictures in my previous efforts!! Even one of them actually had some special lighting technique (See the pumpkins in the file titled "Rejected" in my main post above)

Quote
Did you ask for feedback on the istockforums?
I tried but it's not possible to write a post in Istock forums before passing this sample test!!!! Maybe it has been possible before, but now it is not!!!!

Quote
There has got to be som little detail that you are missing, because your pictures are much better than mine, and I got accepted with much less hassle.
I hate to think like this but I'm from Iran and maybe they prefer not to accept new members from Iran, because Paypal and Moneybookers do not provide their service to Iranians due to silly international sanctions,  and stock agencies may have some problems with Iranians when it comes to payment!! (But there are other methods of payment that I'm using with other agencies!!!!)
I can't accept that there is not even one good image in 21 images that I've sent for them during my 7 tries!!!! or maybe I'm wrong ... but during my searches in different forums, I've found a lot of weak shots with obvious photographic faults that have been accepted recently as 3 sample submissions!!!!!

Anyway I'm thankful to you all , for your comments and kind words. It's really appreciated.
Good luck: Borna

« Reply #18 on: June 29, 2011, 20:04 »
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Your photos are certainly eye-catching compositions. However istock is very picky about images passing without technical flaws when looked at at 100 per cent (and the images you have posted here are at less than 100 per cent of full size so it's hard for  us to pick up all the potential issues such as chromatic aberration, oversharpening etc- looking at them I suspect they may be oversharpened for istock's taste, but without full size it's hard to tell). Istock are also not fond of harsh dramatic lighting with blocked out shadows and slightly overexposed highlights, and some of your images tend in that direction. Personally I like them, but probably they aren't istock's cup of tea.

« Reply #19 on: June 29, 2011, 20:38 »
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istock has contributors from all over the globe, ages, religion...etc...I sincerly doubt your location means anything to them.

I think buyers can post in the forums. Have you tried buying a few credits so that you can post? Maybe check with support, but if it is possible, spending 10 dollars is worth it.

I have heard that istock has become more strict, you are very brave to attempt it 7 times. However, I do believe we are missing something in these rejections, maybe something only visible at 100%.
« Last Edit: June 29, 2011, 20:41 by cobalt »

« Reply #20 on: June 29, 2011, 21:10 »
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I GOT REJECTED AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ALL 3 OF THEM...

The iStock administrators have asked that you upload new samples based on the feedback provided below. You're welcome to return in 365 days, upload some new samples and we'll re-process your application.


Am I reading that right?  365 days!!??  Please tell me you don't have to wait a whole year to upload more samples. 

That is really harsh.  I guess 7 tries is the limit before getting kicked to the curb. 

Sorry to hear you didn't get in.  If it's any consolation, sales aren't what they used to be there.

I can't believe they won't let you try again for a year! I thought it was 60 or 90 days, which is bad enough. Wow. Sorry you didn't get in. Lisa is right, and it might be a blessing in disguise. Good luck to you, I hope you don't give up. Have you tried other sites? (sorry if you already mentioned this...I skimmed through the posts and didn't see where you said).

« Reply #21 on: June 30, 2011, 21:42 »
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the owlman I thought had composition and lighting probs (as stated in feedback). The other two were good. I believe if one photo is rejected you do not get in The year wait after rejection is due to you applying many times? Many of your photos are soft and you need to fix your technique. I do not believe Istock gives a * what country you are from. For your application you need three photos showing your skill set. All need to be great and technically perfect. After all they are your "best" .

« Reply #22 on: July 14, 2011, 23:46 »
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Read this tutorial by Yuri Arcurs:

http://www.arcurs.com/microstock-agencies-an-overview-for-beginners

It contains common faults which lead to microstock agencies rejecting photos. I thought some of your rejected photos were quite nice.

Hope next time you get accepted.


 

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