I am ambivalent re this move as I 've been opting in , then out, then in. So really, it doesn't make a difference.  But I sure hope some kind of stability and confirmation to the future of StockXpert would be given to us contributors of StockXpert.
For those who followed my topic on StockXpert, you will know that things were that hot with my port over there. I WAS very open about how I felt about Stockxpert since I joined them a little of one year ago. The reviewers were great and the sales were regular even for my tiny portfolio. But these past months have been horror.

I emailed support to voice this a moment ago, and I even told them I wish Stockxpert would finally find some stability. I am not sure if this would help at all, but we can sure make a wish for a GREAT MIRACLE

I am only one year old in microstock, so really it's a bit discouraging to see it all go into the sewer with subs and or freebies.  We know that at Dreamstime  (at least, from my experience and other comments in this forum) the reviewing has been tougher and they are setting the bar higher. Also, they have been cleaning house with IP, MR, and or just getting rid of the excess fat.  I hope this means they are getting ready for some big punch up with Getty (IS, StockXpert), and Corbis (Veer).
Maybe eventually, as the standard of images go higher, we can see a return to higher commissions to somewhere much better than subs, and somewhere much lower than trad and mid stock, to give us a middle way. With buyers being told they have to expect to pay for better images, and not expect to get freebies or throw peanuts to us contributors like we are some chimpanzees they see at the zoo

Then we the contributors can be happy we stayed and the surviving sites can come out and reward us for our faith in them?
If not, oh well, we'll all go back to just shooting for fun and just throw in the towel. Not sure. I am too recent to be able to get emotional affected.
But I , like Perseus, sure like to hear what old timers have to say.

btw, I voted #2 (still hoping with FT and DT).

The best bargain out there right now is the Pentax K20D. You can have them as low as $650. It has 14MP, full weather sealing (as have a number of their lenses), one of the best viewfinders etc. The reason for the low price is mostly the launch of the new Pentax K7, which has more or less the same sensor, but is smaller but even better built and faster. Pentax makes some of the best lenses you can find, but they are mostly less expensive than Canikon.

Apart from that, all the DSLRs out there are good, although some will fit better in your hand than others.

actually it was you who got me to get the K20D. and I am crazy for it since .
also, I am basically just using one lense . the FA 50mm 1.4 ... also the one you recommended.

You don't know how incredible this lens and camera is to me. SHooting predominantly using EXtended Dynamic ISO . And most of the stuff are not even post processed other than the basic RAW photoshopping.

Thanks again Epixx !

Oh, and if sales at Fotolia keep up (Knock on wood ... more Extended licenses)...I will get that wide angle prime for my Christmas exotic tour vacation 

Fotolia is my most recent account (Nov 2008), and it has been the best site for me to date. Even with a tiny portfolio, I am half way in earning to the other Big 6 sites I have for over a year.
It's also the first site that gave me an Extended Lic sales of 6 dollar, and only a couple of days ago, one download in one view on the next day my image got approved.
I would say in my case, Fotolia is the most likely site for me to concentrate my work, would you not think so?

I am keeping my fingers crossed, as I am looking to go exclusive by 2010 with the one that does the best for me in the next 12 months.

Good to know that there is some "movements" at StockXpert, even though only massacres of your new images. maybe Getty moved some IS reviewers to StockXpert , lol.

So, I guess my port is only "sleeping" , and not "dead". Hopefully, there is still time to earn the 12 bucks for my payout . I probably won't be uploading anything new for now. No point if they don't review my work. Then again, at least they don't get massacred , lol.

Thx people for the update. Let's keep our fingers crossed for a ressurection from StockXpert. Easter's been a long time gone already.

correct me if i'm wrong, but is it not on every MR that says "the image shall not be used in any form that would embarass or is derogatory to the model", or words to that effect?

I keep checking their forum - 'Admin' has replied to some other issues but refuses to answer the '0 views' thread.  I'm not cancelling my account yet, just waiting.  At some point there will be an announcement, either of the site being straightened out or closing down.

argghhh, stockastic... don't say the words (closing down). ..
not when i need 12 bucks to get my payout. 
you don't want to see a grown man cry , do you ? 

Quote from: massman on June 10, 2009, 10:21

I was always under the impression that photographing plant life on an overcast day was preferred. No?

I thought so too.  To me, it's nice, maybe could be a bit brigher and more vivid. 

Yes, that may be so, in the sense that overcast do not cast ugly dark shadows, which a flash can cause  similar problems too.  The ideal is the sun peaking through overcast skies, which adds that dynamic lighting to pique the dynamic scale. A reflector can do that too, even a tiny torch light on a golden reflector can make the plant look a little "spunkier". It really helps to add a bit of "warm" lighting .
Of course, if it's landscape, you can do that, so that's why they brought in a cc filter or what many call a "warming" filter.
If you have a camera that has extended dynamics, ie pentax k20d or the highend Canon, you can use that too to boost your dullness. Theoretically, what it does is shoot at 2 ISO setting, one exposing for the highlights and the other for the shadows. That brings out a bit more colour than usual.

Just my own observations. I do shoot during overcast days, but I use one or some of these techniques.  A fill-flash is nice too, for closeups, but you still need to have a reflector to ensure the shadows are softened.

........extract
btw if you can pick up the latest MARKETNEWS HERE'S HOW!  vol8 No2 issue , just out a couple of weeks ago, free at most camera stores or better stores...
the front cover is the featured article SEA HUNT. many good infos on underwater photography.

YES, got mine too. Warren, I think you can check it out via the web too, if you can't find the hard copy.
www.hereshow.ca

I also have no complaints about Alamy QC.  I still have images from my 7.1MPix Canon Powershot A620 approved if they are good, clear and sharp (and that even considers a mild yet present noise in sky even at ISO 50).  I had a batch of two images rejected that I had mentioned before here (elephants in mud pool) but they weren't perfect at all.

Agreed. I started with Alamy using my 7MP Olympus and had only rejections for my very first batch. Then after I knew how to upsize properly with clean sharp and noise free images, my approval has been consistent.
I even had a couple of times uploaded some unfinished images by mistake and wrote Support which corrected my errors for me.
Another time, since I was quite new to RM, I didn't know what to do. I asked Support to help, and the lady from Support did everything for me.
If that is not excellent customer service , I don't know what is.
My biggest complaint about Alamy? Hell, I can't find anything bad to say about them 

yes, not just ftp. i upload via java html and was unable to connect all evening.

got my email from tyler a moment ago, with the opening statement that reads, "
Welcome to the first monthly(?) newsletter "

awesome, way to go  Tyler !...