A couple of my early images were captured on a 6.0 Megapixel SD600. Most of my images were shot with a 7.1 Megapixel Powershot SD750. I now shoot with an 8.0 Megapixel Powershot SX100.

Mark

How long does the wait for the review of the initial application take?

After going back into "Artist Earnings" Sign-up to sell images it says "You don't need to apply again. Your application is pending and it will be reviewed within a few days."

That's the only indicator that I have that anything is happening ...

Mark

I am resubmitting my application today as well ...

From what I've seen reading the various forums is that iStock in opposite contrast to Shutterstock does not seem to want any editing or processing in the application files. No eye popping colors that work so well at other places ...

I hope this advice helps the both of us ...

Mark

Photojay,

Excellent advice ! I have been doing exactly just that. When I first started I was still shooting flowers and landscapes only. I had since expanded to TFP model photo shoots, shooting object, improving my isolation and photoshop skills, my composition skills and general photography skills, and am currently learning more about lighting. I also have a plan in place for the permanent upgrading of my equipment ...

I have now hit 300 approvals across all of my sites: DT, BigStock, FP, 123rf, CS, Albumo (based on 113 unique images approved and more being approved each week) I have come a long way in a very short period of time (3 1/2 months). My sales are starting to ramp up:  Nov.  1 Sale, Dec. 2 Sales, Jan. 10 Sales

I am still trying to get into SS, IS (I eligible to submit again today), Alamy, and my application is pending at StockXpert.

Thank you for your advice

Mark

8 January Sales on my small portfolio as follows:

6 = DT        (27 images approved)
2 = FT         (29 images apprvoed)
2 = 123rf    (93 images approved)
0 = BigStock       (57 images)
0 = FP         (49 images)
0 = Albumo (38 images and removing one a day as there is almost zero view traffice there)
0 = Crestock (4 images and stopped uploading)

Good luck to everyone with the rest of January as this is my BME with 10 sales up from 2 sales last month. Looks like its starting to further ramp up for me

Mark

Vonkara,

I've been told that ordering your keywords is very important on Fotolia. So if your title is "Sunny Beach" then put Sunny at the top of the key word order list and Beach 2nd. Another example would be "Tall Tree" with Tall at the top followed immediately by Tree.

I hope this helps improve your results at Fotolia

Mark

Camera Shy

Welcome to the group and congrats on your first sale ! Best of luck to you !

Mark

pauloresende

That is an amazing repelling shot !

Mark

Woooooohooooooo 2nd Sale at Fotolia after just having my first there this month as well

"Greenbacks"
http://us.fotolia.com/id/5847321


Mark

8 January Sales on my small portfolio as follows:

5 = DT        (24 images approved)
1 = FT         (28 images apprvoed)
2 = 123rf    (89 images approved)
0 = BigStock       (48 images)
0 = FP         (33 images)
0 = Albumo (39 images and removing one a day as there is almost zero view traffice there)
0 = Crestock (4 images and stopped uploading)

Good luck to everyone with the rest of January as this is my BME up from 2 sales last month. Looks like its starting to ramp up for me

Mark

Magic Extractor in Photoshop Elements 6.0 works pretty good for starters. Sometimes its good enough to work by itself if the background isn't too complex.

Let me know if someone needs to know how to use this tool.

Mark

Quote from: w7lwi on January 21, 2008, 03:06
OK.  If I'm reading your post correctly, it looks like you may be confusing megapixels (mp) with megabytes (mb).  It looks like you have an 8 mp camera.  So if you multiply the camera's raw output height by width in pixels, the result should be somewhere around 8,000,000 (it won't be exactly that, but should be close).  As a TIF file, the file size  will be somewhere around 20-22 mb.  Note this is not the same as the image size.  That stays at 8 mp

The only thing you need to worry about is the height and width in pixels.  I think you already know how to do that, so won't repeat it.  When you come up with a 4 mp image, the TIF file will be much smaller than the original 20-22 mb, but most likely much larger than 4 mb.  And if you save that as a JPEG, it will be smaller yet.  But it will still be a 4 mp image.

Think of it like this.  megapixels (mp) is the physical size of your image.  Megabytes (mb) is the size of the space your image will take up on your hard drive (or elsewhere).  For SS, all they care about is the physical size of the image.  The file size (in megabytes) is not relevant.

Hope this helps.  If you already knew all this and I just misread your original question, I apologize.

w7lwi

Actually your explanation helps quite a bit. Hatman pointed out that I was starting to get confused about MP and MB above. From my trial and errors working on this over the weekend while consulting this post ... combined with your crystal clear explanation, it all makes sense.

I was confused by looking at the file size (mb) on my hard drive, rather than the image size in megapixels.

Here's a summary of what I have learned from everyone's help regarding "downsizing" an image. (Note: I use PS Elements 6.0 Full Version)

#1 JPG comes off the camera (my camera does not support raw) at the highest quality and image resolution possible

#2 Save as .tiff for post-processing

#3 in PS Elements 6.0. Goto Image/Resize/Image Size and Set Pixel Dimensions to Width and Heigth to 2312 x 1734 for 4:3 images or 2460 x 1640. Also Have Resample Image Box Checked and Bicubic Sharper set in the pull down menu as "bicubic" is set as the default

#4 End result is a  a 4.009 mp (2312 x 1734 = 4.009) photo that shows as only 2.8 MB file for storage purposes on my hard drive which was created from a 39.5 MB .tiff file.

I hope that this will help the next person who has "downsizing" questions in the future.

Thanks

Mark

Thanks I'll check it out

Mark

Thanks Leaf. I'll check it out

Mark

All

I have a couple of questions about "Rights Managed" photos.

#1 Does selecting Rights Managed mean that you can no longer sell your photo RF or any other way?

#2 Could someone give me an example of theirs of how they received a fee for Rights Managed and how the images were put to use

#3 What limitations are there when you select RM and someone accepts?

Please forgive my ignorance about RM


Mark

Today I am celebrating my 100th unique image has been approved across all of my sites.
256 approvals across all sites.
11 sales (NOV =1st Sale, DEC = 2 Sales Jan = 8 Sales)

I've been working like crazy in my spare time to get my portfolio working online over the last three months.

My workflow has seriously improved thanks to all of the help I have received here on MSG and from my own personal study.

I have a long way to go, but am seriously enjoy the ride

Thank you to all for your patience and helping me see where I could make improvements in my work flow !


Mark

Updated (6th & 7th Potential Image) for Shutterstock Application List and links to samples:

All,

I'm looking for critique help here with my proposed images (that have been approved elsewhere) that I plan to submit in my next Shutterstock application.

I will post their links here and delete or add appropriately due to feedback received here on this forum. I greatly appreciate anyone's comments regarding whether or not an image I plan to submit or not will meet shutterstock's criteria and standards for my next application.

Here is the start of my proposed submission list:

Approved at DT:
#1 "Urban Living"
http://www.dreamstime.com/urban-living-v1-image3954339       

Approved at DT:
#2 "Solar Energy is the Future of Electric Power"
http://www.dreamstime.com/solar-energy-is-the-future-of-electric-power-image3954344

Approved at DT:
#3 "Seattle Skyline with Sailboat"
http://www.dreamstime.com/seattle-skyline-with-sailboat-image3925685

Approved at DT:
#4 "Travelers Blur"
http://www.dreamstime.com/travelers-blur-v1-image3726092

Approved at DT:
#5 "Isolated Hand with Scars with Key v1"
http://www.dreamstime.com/isolated-hand-with-scars-with-key-v1-image3709441

Approved at DT:
#6 "Pier at Puget Sound in Seattle"
http://www.dreamstime.com/pier-at-puget-sound-in-seattle-image3925684

Appoved at DT:
#7 "Greenbacks"
http://www.dreamstime.com/greenbacks-v1-image3905434

#8

#9

#10


Your Critique of this list for my next Shutterstock Application is greatly appreciated !

Mark 

Quote from: sharply_done on January 20, 2008, 03:52
Yes, the Flash Uploader is the best way to get images on FT.

Sharply

I'm finding that out. I'm way behind on getting my portfolio online there due to the difficult uploading process.

Mark

Quote from: sharpshot on January 20, 2008, 12:11
Had my first sale of the year but I noticed there are a few image and collection referrals.  These are small amounts but it shows sales are growing there. 

FP still needs to make a big jump in sales to come close to most of the other sites but I hope this year good things will happen.

Sharpshot

What are "image and collection referrals" at FP ?

Mark

Great shots everyone !

Vonkara I really like your stack of books !

I have a new photo tied with "Wagon Mound" in my first post for best seller. Here is the link to "Seattle Skyline with Sailboat"
http://www.dreamstime.com/seattle-skyline-with-sailboat-image3925685

Let's keep them coming as I really enjoy seeing what sells best for everyone


Mark

Two batches in a row uploaded with the "Flash Uploader." I won't go back to using the web form ... FTP will hopefully be an improvement when I get that going.

Thanks !


Mark

Naz

Thanks. I never went lower in the list as I thought I needed some other software or something. I just got through using it today and it worked for five files. I am trying another batch now.

Thanks !

Mark

Thnaks Ale.
Thanks Sharpley.
Thanks Hatman.
Thanks Race.

I do understand the math of it. In its simplest form one, height x width, and if its over 4,000,000 then it should work. What I was having problems with was the dialog box in Photoshop Elements.  I didn't understand how I could end up with a 3.2mp image from my original over over 20 when I was plugging certain things into the dialog box.

Honestly it was quite late and I was getting frustrated trying different lengths and widths. I've been looking for a table ... so if anyone has one for both 4:3 and 3:2 Images that would be great.

I'm going to give it another shot here this morning ...

Mark

What is "the flash uploader" and what system / software requirements do I need to use this as I've never seen or heard of it ...

Mark

I'm still trying to figure this out ...

I've tried 2048 x 2730 and produced 3.15 meg somehow ...

I've stepped it up 2800 2900 3000 only now I'm approaching my orginal resolution ...

Lastly I've tried starting from the final .TIF before it was converted to .jpg the first time

The example image I am using is 3072 x 2304 and says that it is 20+megs in .Tif to start so I should be able to do this with a 8mp camera ...

Mark