Interesting timing for this question as I have been considering exactly the same thing today and was getting ready to post a similar question.  Hope you don't mind my tacking on to your thread.  Of your list, I agree with the others that you should reconstitute Veer.

I currently use Alamy, BS, DP, DT, GL, IS, SS, Veer and 123.  Based on many rather negative comments on MSG about Fotolia, even though they're ranked in the top tier I'll likely not waste time with them.  Of the remaining agencies, which 2 or 3 would you recommend I look into?  How is Canstockphoto to work with?  Strictly photographs, no illustrations, audio or video.

Thanks

Will the strobe light work with my speed lights? I've been told to be careful on different light sources - Some run around 5k (kelvin) while others are near 6k temp. Currently, I have six LP160 Speed lights.

Thanks.

Tom

I use the Flashpoint strobes from Adorama and before I bought some wireless triggers, I used the optical sensor on the strobes and my speedlite mounted on my camera to fire them.  What I found was the output from the strobes was so much greater than the speedlite (550EX) that it added nothing to the image.  I set the strobe output with a light meter and took the picture.  I then disabled the strobes without changing the camera settings (speedlite was on manual) and took another picture.  The strobe shot was perfectly exposed.  The speedlite only shot was, for all intents and purposed, black.  So I'd think that, unless you combine all six of your speedlites with strobes, light balance shouldn't be an issue,

Actually it is still considered Beta.  It was tested for a month or so by a few selected contributors, then made public roughly a week ago.  SS would appreciate any feedback. Just use the tab on the left.

BTW, this is almost exactly the same method Yuri uses for his keywording tool.  I haven't used the dusegard tool so don't know what it is based upon.

I also had a $75 single download for this image:

http://www.shutterstock.com/pic.mhtml?id=61142929

I don't understand how "sensitive use" can apply to that particular image, but I am not complaining about the $75. On that particular day (17/12/2012) I had no less than 6 single downloads for large amounts, though not all of them $75.

An SOD sale does not mean a sensitive use application.  SOD stands for Single On Demand.  That is, it's a single image sale that Shutterstock has negotiated a special price with the buyer, usually large, high volume agencies and the like.  Sensitive use images fall under this type of sale, but so do any other type of images that the buyer has a particular need for that fall outside of the other pricing venues that SS offers.  I've had several sales of this sort, the highest being $112, but several in the $75-$90 range.  None of them could even remotely be considered for sensitive use.

Quote from: Les on December 17, 2012, 16:21

Today, one of my images (black silhouetted object placed in the middle of a white background) was rejected because of:
Composition--Poor framing, cropping, and/or overall image composition
Yes, a highly coveted isolated object just waiting to be cut out and placed on another canvass.
 
Before I resubmit it, will it be enough to move it horizontally to the left or right third, or should I offset it also vertically?

BTW, I noticed that today the SS shares dropped about a dollar. Could be, that was the real rejection reason.

Les, just make sure the object is not too small in comparison to the white area. Not from this site, but I had a rejection because the size of the object fell below the size of the acceptable image size. Can be due to lack of such a description it might have been rejected with this note. Not saying it is, but just check 

You may also wish to double check the BG just to be sure there is nothing that may have accidentally been missed.  I know this would usually be a lighting rejection, but it's possible they just hit the wrong button.  It's idiotic to reject isolations for composition unless, as CD123 points out, its for too much white (or black) surrounding the subject.  I've seen several comments about this happening recently, and not just on SS.  DT will tell you to reduce the size of the BG.  If you feel the BG is the correct size, just resubmit with a note to the reviewer that this is an isolation (or on-white if it has shadows) and that composition rejections don't apply to this type of image.  Hopefully you will get a reviewer who knows what he's doing.

Back in B-school while working on my MBA, we were introduced to the psychological concept that money was referred to as a "maintenance factor."  That is, money, by itself, was not sufficient to motivate people.  However, if the level of money an individual received was below what he/she perceived as the amount necessary to "maintain" them, then no amount of other benefits, promises, working conditions, etc. would satisfy them or motivate them to higher achievements.  In this case, it actually became a de-motivator.  If it were at or above the maintenance level, then other issues became relevant and could be used to motivate people to work harder, better and so on.  This is what iS/Getty seem to have forgotten.  By lowering commissions, changing the RC levels, etc. they are pulling everyone's maintenance levels below the point necessary to satisfy basic needs.  Thus all the anger and frustration.  And until this situation is corrected, no amount of window dressing or communications will satisfy the contributors, exclusive and non-exclusive alike.

They likely would prefer sRGB as that displays better on buyer's monitors, but will accept Adobe RGB 1998.  They definitely do not want CMYK or other color schemes.

I was beginning to think all the talk about low ball royalties on IS were fantasy ravings; but, today I got my very own $0.10 royalty to cherish and love.  I sure hope it doesn't adversely affect the bottom line in Calgary.  I'd hate to think my greedy desire for recompense for images submitted was responsible for some weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth at IS HQ by making their continued success unsustainable.  The final straw that broke their camel's back.   

Don't have all that much Christmas stuff, but I am getting a big uptick in my Easter images.

Anyone notice Yuri is no longer posting here.  His lawyers likely got to him and told him to stop.  He's likely reading what's being posted, but no longer can respond or add information.

Would it make any difference that the models supplied their own personal glasses, rather than Yuri supplying them?  How about a counter suit demanding the manufacturer include instructions to the consumer, along with the product, to the effect that this product may not be used for any commercial purpose other than the purpose for which it was designed.  Warn the consumer they may not be photographed while using the product or they could face legal action.  Lord knows there are enough idiotic warnings out there right now, such as warnings on cans of peanuts that state "WARNING:  This product may contain peanuts."

Looking back at my records for the past few years, the earliest I've been paid is the 5th of the month and the latest has been the 9th (e-mail received from PayPal).  As someone mentioned, with the hurricane hitting NY, it could be delayed by a few days this month.