The End of Stock Photography: http://blog.johnlund.com/2010/03/jim-pickerell-interviewed-end-of-stock.html

iStock already gets a low percentage of my clips because their existing process is time consuming and it takes them so * long to review anything... With this new method, all that extra work means I'll rarely upload anything there...

Ive been researching sliders myself heres a list of links ive collected, hopefully you find something inspiring in this

DIY

IndieSLIDER

GlideTRACK - this is what i think im going to purchase your tripod head sits on top so u should be able to lock the camera in portrait mode

I have the IndieSlider for my footage work and it has been invaluable.  And very much worth every penny.  I also built one of those DIY track dollies that runs on garden hose or PVC pipe depending on my needs.

I "work full time" at MicroStock (50-60 hours a week), but I definitely do not make a full time living from it... yet.  I do keep drawing closer.  If my numbers are consistent, I'll be there by the end of the year, but just barely enough to cover all my bills (mortgage, 2 car payments, children, etc...).  And I live in Kansas, so my cost of living is not as high as someone in New York or California.

Actually, I'd be there now if I could just blow off the IRS... the taxes for being self-employed are so * high.

Okay, iStock does not accept releases with digital signatures.

I bought and tried out the app and the interface is nice, but it crashes a lot.  And it only has a model release and property release.  No other types of releases and the existing ones can't be modified.  The author states a future update will include modifiable releases.

I was reading through the existing reviews and found reference to an app called "Photographer's Contract Maker" which is currently $2.99, so I bought it.

It has Photo Shoot, Model, Copyright and 2nd Shooter releases.  And all releases and templates can be modified.  You can even modify a release "in the field" of someone has issues with a particular part of the release.  So far I'm really liking it.

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/photographers-contract-maker/id356115074?mt=8

My highest level at DT is three.  And since the two level three images reached that level ... NO SALES!!!   

I'll be honest, I only buy level 1 (and occasionally level 2) images on DT.

Mr Stock...  One problem with putting up a central spot that goes through everything related to shooting stock video is that whomever does it is essentially creating competition for themselves.  They are making it easier for other people to fill up iStock, Pond5, etc.. with clips that effect their visibility on those sites.  So nobody is actually *crazy* enough to do it, unless they're hoping to make more money FROM the information than actually using the information.

That said... You might want to check out ""Microstock News", an aggregation of stock related sites:  http://www.microstock-news.com/

You'll find several listed there which are more specific to stock footage than photography.

However, I will repeat what was already said in this thread:

Quicktime .MOV using the PhotoJPEG codec for footage is acceptable on all known stock footage sites.  Some sites will accept H.264, but not many yet.  So use PhotoJPEG if you want to make it easier on yourself.  75% quality is the bare minimum and I rarely dip below 80% quality.  I will review my clips very carefully and re-encode as high as 95% if there are quality issues. My average length of clip is 15 seconds and if it's valid to the subject, I will go as high as 30 seconds, though some sites reject anything above 20.  On sites that accept it (and it's relevant to the clip) I will leave the sound, but most sites do not so for easiness, I'd remove the sound.

How well you do is determined by several factors...  Number 1 is quality of your clips.  If they look like crap, they won't sell (obvious, right?).  I will often shoot the same subject a dozen times to make sure I get 1 good clip out of it.  Number 2 is uniqueness.  Most amateurs today are out shooting flowers, sunsets, full moon time-lapses, cloud timelapses, etc.. that are already there.  If you shoot any of that stuff, you are NOT going to stand out and it's not gonna sell.  UNLESS!!! you just happen to do it better than anyone else.  I still shoot sunrises, cloudscapes, etc... but so far none of it looks any better or different that what's there, so I don't bother submitting it.  I am still hopeful I'll get lucky and find a unique shot.  Number 3 is volume.  I can't tell you how many people upload 20 or 30 clips and expect the sales to start rolling in...  If you are just starting now you missed the boat.  You need a hundred clips online before you'll sell 1.  You'll need several hundred before you sell 1 on a regular basis.  You need THOUSANDS of clips online before you generate any kind of significant revenue.

So if you don't have a lot of patience, don't get started... You'll only quit in frustration.

Good luck!

Personally, I am never sorry to read someone claiming you can't make a living in stock anymore.  For the vast majority of people that is probably true.  Kind of like other creative professions like actor and musician.  Yes, a few lucky folks strike it rich, but for most, it is advisable to have a day job to fall back on.

I have to agree there...  The more people that believe/understand that they can make a few bucks as a hobby, but not a living without SIGNIFICANT investment of both money and time, the easier it will be for those who do put in the effort and investment to succeed.  I would highly encourage ANYONE reading this to quit MicroStock and take a look a the lucrative business of the illegal drug trade.

If their release supports video and stills, I'm sold.  There have been several times when I've been out shooting and forgot to check my camera bag for releases.

I ordered this:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/674547-REG/Cinevate_Inc_CNADNA000021_Canon_EOS_to_Nikon.html

This image was accepted at Dreamstime, Fotolia and iStock, but DepositPhoto rejected it for poor lighting:

http://www.dreamstime.com/royalty-free-stock-photo-valentine-image12737615

It's a 3D render.  I couldn't find any way to ask them for clarification, so I thought I'd ask here for suggestions.

FYI, even if you have to repurchase an app (e.g. you deleted it by mistake in iTunes), you will get it for free (if you use the same iTunes account).

You just need to buy it and you get a message "You have already purchased this app. Do you want to download it for free again?" (more or less). This is also true for inApp purchases.

Nice to know, thanks!