MicrostockGroup
Microstock Photography Forum - General => Photo Critique => Topic started by: nbiebach on February 29, 2012, 00:15
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Hey everybody, I got accepted at istockphoto a couple weeks ago (2nd try) so now i have my sights set on getting accepted at Shutterstock. I have about 20 files up on IS so far and was wondering if I'm allowed to post a link to my portfolio to and get some feedback as to which ones (if any) would be acceptable to send into SS for my application.
Edit: Link posted, please let me know if I need to post them differently.
http://www.istockphoto.com/search/portfolio/8564086#1f7a93b8 (http://www.istockphoto.com/search/portfolio/8564086#1f7a93b8)
Thanks in advance,
Nick.
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I'm not sure if the images here are strong enough to get in to ss. 'Cup filled with coffee', 'black and white sheep' and possibly the first 'tree pruning' would be good. A lot of these images may be accepted by ss once ur in, but I think you should find a stronger selection for the initial application.
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you put these up in the SS forum and got feedback. What are you after? If you disagree with critiques put them up and let the inspector decide. Not real strong images and SS is harder than it used to be.
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you put these up in the SS forum and got feedback. What are you after? If you disagree with critiques put them up and let the inspector decide. Not real strong images and SS is harder than it used to be.
I'm just trying to get an overall idea of which are my best. I got some really detailed extremely helpful feedback on the SS forum. If you feel I undermined the usefulness of the feedback I received that was not my intention at all and I'm sorry.
I'm not sure if the images here are strong enough to get in to ss. 'Cup filled with coffee', 'black and white sheep' and possibly the first 'tree pruning' would be good. A lot of these images may be accepted by ss once ur in, but I think you should find a stronger selection for the initial application.
Thanks, I think I'm starting to get an overall idea of what is good for stock. My first SS submission attempt resulting in a fail with most of the rejections being Composition - LCV so I'm trying to make my shots more usable.
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Both!
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Do some isolation shots on pure white as well plus ones that have more commercial use. I remember I used a set of car keys on white and when I passed those car keys sold four times on the first day posted there...
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Do some isolation shots on pure white as well plus ones that have more commercial use. I remember I used a set of car keys on white and when I passed those car keys sold four times on the first day posted there...
Thanks for the tip, ill do some more isolations tonight.
Any other suggestions as to which of my IS portfolio photographs might have a chance?
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19383296, 19306431, 19393640
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We have seen about seven of these on the SS critique forum already and none will pass so perhaps you need to get some new fresh shots to put up.
Even the ones luissantos84 has said to use we have seen and told you no good so be careful and listen to the big dogs on the forum if you want to make it in.
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We have seen about seven of these on the SS critique forum already and none will pass so perhaps you need to get some new fresh shots to put up.
Even the ones luissantos84 has said to use we have seen and told you no good so be careful and listen to the big dogs on the forum if you want to make it in.
I havenīt seen them at 100% etc etc but looking at his port I would pick those :)
p.s: I am always away of those topics once I think you guys are too harsh, it ainīt that hard to join SS or IS, the pictures donīt need to be that INSANELY GOOD or PERFECT! (just no huge flaws)
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have you uploaded the same photo there twice 19328721 and 19304943 or is there a problem with IS's database?
Just noticed the knife is there twice too.
If you have done it on purpose I would get those deleted asap before a member of staff notices....
Anyway, out of those I would say the knife and the coffee cup for SS. You will probably have to shoot new ones for the other 8
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Shutterstock test is now more difficult than it used to be.
A friend of mine recently asked me to help her choose her best pictures for the test.
She's doing mainly landscapes/nature; we looked at her photos - which by the way I think are beautiful - and had no difficult choosing 10 technically sound pictures. In fact, they couldn't find any flaw as well... except they failed half of her pictures on low commercial value.
To the OP: I think this is the main risk for you as well if you submit those photos (especially the flowers /eagle/grass/brick wall); you should try some other subjects.
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We have seen about seven of these on the SS critique forum already and none will pass so perhaps you need to get some new fresh shots to put up.
Even the ones luissantos84 has said to use we have seen and told you no good so be careful and listen to the big dogs on the forum if you want to make it in.
I havenīt seen them at 100% etc etc but looking at his port I would pick those :)
p.s: I am always away of those topics once I think you guys are too harsh, it ainīt that hard to join SS or IS, the pictures donīt need to be that INSANELY GOOD or PERFECT! (just no huge flaws)
If we dont get hard on them, once they do get accepted they could be in for a big disappointment when Attila the reviewer gets a hold of them.
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Barry, the reason I posted here was to get an overall feel of what people think of my portfolio. Also I dont think it would be appreciated if i posted a link to my IS port on the shutterstock forum :P.
Thanks for all the feedback so far, I'll keep trying.
have you uploaded the same photo there twice 19328721 and 19304943 or is there a problem with IS's database?
Just noticed the knife is there twice too.
If you have done it on purpose I would get those deleted asap before a member of staff notices....
Anyway, out of those I would say the knife and the coffee cup for SS. You will probably have to shoot new ones for the other 8
Yeah, that was done by accident, I'll delete one of them. Thanks for letting me know.
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Barry, the reason I posted here was to get an overall feel of what people think of my portfolio. Also I dont think it would be appreciated if i posted a link to my IS port on the shutterstock forum :P.
Thanks for all the feedback so far, I'll keep trying.
understood and no it wouldn't go over well on SS thanks and dont give up keep on plugging along
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We have seen about seven of these on the SS critique forum already and none will pass so perhaps you need to get some new fresh shots to put up.
Even the ones luissantos84 has said to use we have seen and told you no good so be careful and listen to the big dogs on the forum if you want to make it in.
I havenīt seen them at 100% etc etc but looking at his port I would pick those :)
p.s: I am always away of those topics once I think you guys are too harsh, it ainīt that hard to join SS or IS, the pictures donīt need to be that INSANELY GOOD or PERFECT! (just no huge flaws)
If we dont get hard on them, once they do get accepted they could be in for a big disappointment when Attila the reviewer gets a hold of them.
May I ask who the "big dogs" are on the SS forums?
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We have seen about seven of these on the SS critique forum already and none will pass so perhaps you need to get some new fresh shots to put up.
Even the ones luissantos84 has said to use we have seen and told you no good so be careful and listen to the big dogs on the forum if you want to make it in.
I havenīt seen them at 100% etc etc but looking at his port I would pick those :)
p.s: I am always away of those topics once I think you guys are too harsh, it ainīt that hard to join SS or IS, the pictures donīt need to be that INSANELY GOOD or PERFECT! (just no huge flaws)
If we dont get hard on them, once they do get accepted they could be in for a big disappointment when Attila the reviewer gets a hold of them.
May I ask who the "big dogs" are on the SS forums?
"gotta be" dave and rinder
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We have seen about seven of these on the SS critique forum already and none will pass so perhaps you need to get some new fresh shots to put up.
Even the ones luissantos84 has said to use we have seen and told you no good so be careful and listen to the big dogs on the forum if you want to make it in.
I havenīt seen them at 100% etc etc but looking at his port I would pick those :)
p.s: I am always away of those topics once I think you guys are too harsh, it ainīt that hard to join SS or IS, the pictures donīt need to be that INSANELY GOOD or PERFECT! (just no huge flaws)
If we dont get hard on them, once they do get accepted they could be in for a big disappointment when Attila the reviewer gets a hold of them.
May I ask who the "big dogs" are on the SS forums?
"gotta be" dave and rinder
Dave is food
Rinder is fancy people
Both very good.
But......it's the same two every time. Unless you include fifi's dad, then it cancels out those two and makes it a kindergartners forum.
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I made it in last week and been uploading since. Just wanted to say thanks to everyone who responded to my post :)
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As said before. Some of them don't come across very strong. Maybe a little snap shot look.
I get a little lost with some of the concepts too.
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Limited Commercial Value.
Even if you make it in, you will see very few sales with these, so it won't be worth the effort.
I am not trying to be harsh. This is important advice that will be very valuable if you take it to heart. Shoot subjects that people need and you'll be rewarded. And of course, be unique, create your own style that isn't easily duplicated, and create images that jump off the page even as a small thumbnail size and demand to be downloaded. Picture how the image might be used... how many such applications could there be in a given day... if it's hard to imagine or quantify, then you need to change gears and consider more marketable subject matter. Unless you're doing this for fun and just want to shoot what you enjoy shooting... but still, the agencies will be sending you lots of "Limited Commercial Value" rejections because they don't want to spend their resources on hobbyists.
Again, I'm not trying to be mean... just don't want to see you knock yourself out trying to get into SS then end up wondering why the sales aren't coming. Best of luck in getting into ss and seeing lots of sales!
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I made it in last week and been uploading since. Just wanted to say thanks to everyone who responded to my post :)
Great news :)
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I made it in last week and been uploading since. Just wanted to say thanks to everyone who responded to my post :)
Great news :)
Thanks!
Limited Commercial Value.
Even if you make it in, you will see very few sales with these, so it won't be worth the effort.
I am not trying to be harsh. This is important advice that will be very valuable if you take it to heart. Shoot subjects that people need and you'll be rewarded. And of course, be unique, create your own style that isn't easily duplicated, and create images that jump off the page even as a small thumbnail size and demand to be downloaded. Picture how the image might be used... how many such applications could there be in a given day... if it's hard to imagine or quantify, then you need to change gears and consider more marketable subject matter. Unless you're doing this for fun and just want to shoot what you enjoy shooting... but still, the agencies will be sending you lots of "Limited Commercial Value" rejections because they don't want to spend their resources on hobbyists.
Again, I'm not trying to be mean... just don't want to see you knock yourself out trying to get into SS then end up wondering why the sales aren't coming. Best of luck in getting into ss and seeing lots of sales!
I really appreciate the advice. I made in about a month ago and have seen a steady but slow increase in sales as my port size goes up. I'm really getting a better understanding now as to what sells and what doesn't.