I just had an image rejected by Dreamstime with the message "We do not accept images of children with cigarettes."

I found this an interesting decline reason.  As a parent I don't disagree with the premise.  This image isn't loaded with commercial potential so I'm not all up in arms about it.  It is however a shot of a child in a costume with a toy cigar.  Seems harmless enough so I guess it just took me by surprise.  I wonder if it was a moral issue for the reviewer specifically or if that is an actual policy. 

Here is the image in question:  http://us.fotolia.com/id/34969274

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I have gone through the re-approval process with SS.  From what I recall I had to simply re-upload and attach a link to a photo of my photo pass for the event in the editor note box.  You will be better served by doing it the first time as they don't seem to have a system in place to add the pass after it's been reviewed.  Like I mentioned before, I usually leave a note mentioning who issued my credentials and have a cell phone pic of the pass uploaded somewhere to confirm it for them.  Here is an example of a link I sent the last time:  http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151155614913707&set=a.266244318706.142413.784688706&type=1&theater

They just want to make sure we are legit is the impression I've got.  It doesn't need to be too in depth.

-Mat

Just add a note stating who your credentials were issued through if you don't have a physical pass.  I would speculate that motorcross events won't be as stringently monitored as NFL, MLB and major music acts. 

I've been issued the NFL vest too but they also give you a lanyard with the date and game info on it for security check points. 

As for writing directly to promoters and asking for credentials for nothing other than the sake of taking pictures....good luck.  You have a better chance of winning the lottery I've found in my experience and I do have a lot of experience.  In order to get legit credentials for events you need to have a publication apply on your behalf.  In other words, there needs to be a benefit for the promoter such as media coverage.  Someone mentioned buying a photo pass for an event..I've never seen or heard of that before.  They are always non-transferable and the will call counter holding the passes will undoubtedly ask for your ID.

Oh My Gosh!  That was friggin awesome!  I have got to try it!

If I were to have a batch of similar images that I wanted all approved (not a big stretch right?) I would consider uploading them at separate times, keywording them at separate times and submitting them at separate times.  Do you really think the editors are going through your entire portfolio when reviewing?

You can only submit 70 images per week anyway..might as well switch it up.

Though it could be connected to the Kennedy assassination.  Maybe he has the Kenyan Obama Birth Certificate?  Just a thought.

Mat

Sometimes people bite back, and you have been criticizing me endlessly during the last couple of years. So let's look at your arguments, Sean.

I have to say Yuri that I am incredibly impressed with the patience you have shown this far.  I kid you not, every time you make a post here I predict an over/under on how long it will take Sean to chime in and turn whatever you say (or anyone who praises your work for that matter) into something negative and ugly.  For me, I simply feel sorry for him.  "Me, Me, Me!" is a sad way to go through life in my opinion.  It can be argued by the darkest pessimists of the world that there is no true altruism.  Even if you were to turn around and give every penny you earn back to the community you would receive a good feeling therefor a form of reward.   It is simply impossible to make everyone happy.

As for your original post I agree on all counts.  I've had a large number of images sitting in the queue at Dreamstime waiting week to week for me to keyword.  I'll get out of the uploading mode so it turns into about 70 images every 6 weeks or so for me.  Not very profitable.

SS is paying me pretty OK and their upload/review process is 2nd to none making it a much more pleasant experience in general.

IS I just cannot justify uploading to.  15% is scandalous at best and a little piece of me died inside every time I tried to upload through their archaic, unintuitive system.

I truly wish you the very best of luck Yuri.  I understand that if you allow other photographers to contribute to Peopleimages your income flow from the other sites would have to be shut down.  I predict that you are going to do it anyway down the road when your customer base increases so count me in as an eager contributor.

All the best,

Mat

I agree with the others.  You stole from a fellow contributor and are now looking for sympathy about not being paid for your thievery?  Good luck with that.  Your forum name is appropriate in my opinion.

Mat

There are complaints on the Fotolia forum about the loss of extended licenses. The Moderator says he's looking into it.

What I am seeing different is that in the traditional upload process you cannot opt out of offering extended licenses.  However, in the mass index program you still can.  Also, the default does appear to have changed to yes when asking about free images. 

As soon as I hear back about whether this is a short term glitch or an intentional change I'll post in the FT forum.

Mat

This is a disappointing practice to say the least.  That being said, I think it pales in comparison to 123rf's practice of deducting promotional credits from the purchase price and ultimately commission. 

We as contributors have no say whatsoever in how many credits they choose to give away and based on my royalty rates I'm finding after breaking out the calculator my assumption is that there are more giveaways than purchases. 

they don't "kill more people than any other animal in Africa". That dubious honour belongs to the Plasmodium parasites.

In defense of my poorly written script, I don't consider Plasmodium parasites to be animals.  Admittedly, I had never heard of a Plasmodium Parasite until I just googled it. 

On a side note, when I was in Tanzania I had so much fear of mosquito's going in...malaria pills, I brought nets, all kinds of thought and effort went into preventing a mosquito bite.  I saw a grand total of 1 mosquito.  1.

Hi guys,

I've been working on updating my personal work web site (again).  It's a dramatic change from my old flash site.  It's not complete by any means and I don't expect it ever will be as it should be evolving fairly regularly as new shoots come in to play. 

Any initial thoughts?  Love it, hate it, could care less either way?  I'd like your opinion.

www.mathaywardphoto.com

Thanks,

Mat