Hello people, I'm sure you had enough of this. But I couldn't find a way to post Istock so I preferred to post here. (I've always been just a reader here.)

So, let me get to the point. My first 3 photos are rejected. The reason was actually confusing, I couldn't get exactly what was wrong. I want to understand what's wrong and next time solve it. But all the thing they said was something like that:

''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.''


 Would you please take time and look my rejected photos? And critique them? Thanks in advance. The problem is technical or they just didn't find those attractive?

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/54718845/P1090733_1copyistock.jpg

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/54718845/P1090929copyistock.jpg

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/54718845/P1100322copyistock.jpg

If the images have been rejected on iStock, the link won't work.
You'll need to put them up on another host, e.g. your webspace.

The first two are just walk around snaps.  The last one looks ok on first glance, although the base of whatever that thing it looks like it has hard polygonal type isolation instead of a nice smooth round edge.

Thanks sjlocke, actually took my time to take of that statue photo. The third one is isolated with pen tool, when I say ''make selection'' what number should I type? It might be because of that? So, technically  (noise, focus, expose etc.) nothing's wrong, but a strong composition needed? Also, I wanted to send three different types (I can't shoot people, so far), so for a texture photo, how much can I be creative, extraordinary?

BaldricksTrousers, thank you. The Statue is actually accepted by Fotolia and Dreamstime so I thought it would be ok. And you know what, the one thing I liked in that photo is the angle. Some of my friends told me to remove buildings, but I thought they saved the photo being another dull statue photo. Also, ı got rid of all the crowd and ugly parts of the city that way.

Yes, actually I only wanted to submit photos which don't have vital problems and didn't care about the creativity. I thought they only looked for photographs having potential. I didn't expect them to be ''great''. So, I was wrong. But do you think If I send photos technically equal to these, and yet creative / well composed, I can make it? Am I likely to break through? : )

Actually I'm more happy with product and still life photos. But unluckily they need variety.  Thanks for advice, I will stay away statues. But, For Pete's Sake, they also don't like outdoor photos. They don't find a texture photo good enough. What else can I shoot? Bugs, birds, flowers? They hate them, as well. (To be honest, I hate those, too. )

They consider isolated product and food photos as different types?

1. a lot of distractions (mainly buildings) and over exposed behind the soldier (ar conditioners on the building have some trademarks too)
2. subject (but perhaps after getting approved they might approve it, I believe they aren�t that picky anymore)
3. isolation (too rough and tons of saturation)

best of luck for the lowest royalties % in the world

Thanks people, when I search in the site and view the images at %100 size, I can see they are not that perfect! I suppose they act more restricted when it comes to the application? Am I right?

I want to have photos with people in but as I said before, I can't manage right now.   Thanks for suggestions people, I will edit photos, but of course, I won't send same photos to Istock again. : ) The overexposed area, yep. Actually that was my main concern about that photo.

About the colors, they don't seem to like colorful photos than desaturated ones?

BTW, I want to ask something else. To be honest Istock isn't my primary goal! I would love to get in Shutterstock. (Not tried yet, since they ask a passport and I don't have one. I want to get one just for SS, but not sure worth it or not.) Would you please tell me, which site is easier to get in(in this case for me)?

P.s: And the statue. Actually it was a monument more than a statue. And it's a real person monument, the one on the horse. He is Ataturk, founder of Turkey. Significant historical figure, actually. 

Try to get shots of people doing things or studying the statue of Ataturk. Maybe someone working on a sketchpad. Maybe a a child with a lollipop looking up at him. Make it very interesting and marketable. You can do it. 

Thanks people, when I search in the site and view the images at %100 size, I can see they are not that perfect! I suppose they act more restricted when it comes to the application? Am I right?

I want to have photos with people in but as I said before, I can't manage right now.   Thanks for suggestions people, I will edit photos, but of course, I won't send same photos to Istock again. : ) The overexposed area, yep. Actually that was my main concern about that photo.

About the colors, they don't seem to like colorful photos than desaturated ones?

BTW, I want to ask something else. To be honest Istock isn't my primary goal! I would love to get in Shutterstock. (Not tried yet, since they ask a passport and I don't have one. I want to get one just for SS, but not sure worth it or not.) Would you please tell me, which site is easier to get in(in this case for me)?

P.s: And the statue. Actually it was a monument more than a statue. And it's a real person monument, the one on the horse. He is Ataturk, founder of Turkey. Significant historical figure, actually. 

A lot of this has been said already.

Nothing wrong with the leaves shot particularly, just not what I'd use for application. As already said anyone can point a camera at some leaves.

Statue shot as already said, composition isn't the best. Lighting possibly a bit harsh. I wouldn't use statues as as an application shot.

Epilator? type thing. Isolation needs some work. Grey border, on curve in to base on left, various other places look slightly "off" image needs mid range brightness. Again I wouldn't use an isolation as an application shot. you're making it more difficult for yourself.

Send in three good shots, well composed, well lit, and correctly exposed with good focus. A portrait, a landscape, a still life.  They don't have to be complicated or particularly clever, just show you can use a camera. While I'd echo ShadySue's comment about not needing a PF full of people type shots, if I was applying now I'd put in a portrait. Doesn't matter what you want to do in the future.

Thank you folk, all of you. Really. You made it clear for me. Also, about epilator you're * right!! It needed a little brightness. When I appy brightness with dodge tool, in the white areas, the result was surprisingly good.

LOL RacePhoto.  I could easily get rid of flag, and pigeons but I don't know, I didn't. Well, statue is bigger than seen on photo actually. So we would have to throw rocks, but that wouldn't make sense, I suppose.  And the flag was too small to be noticed in the screen, while shooting.

Next round, I will knock down Istock! Here, I will represent my new nominees. By the way, you're great!