Looks like I better start learning how to write in sand:)

I wouldn't call yourself a professional photographer if you are not making a full time living by doing it.

I agree with the Black and white comment. BW is pretty much useless as a stock since color image is ALWAYS better (because I can make a better BW out of it in channel mixer in PS if I desire to).

So shoot more and upload more (in color).

Honestly I think the durability issue of the X0D line up compared to XX0D (rebels) is overrated. I have had the 10D, 20D and now I have 40D but if I was buying today I would buy the new 450D. My brother had the 300D and now 400D and I think it will last him just as long, I would never expect to physically break the camera.

The higher line has some nice features (like Phildate said the thumbwheel) but I feel for stock photo the 450D would be awesome (if noise is low at ISO 100,200). It is cheap, it has a enough pixels for XL at iStock and it has pretty much all the features of 40D (except the speed).

Anyway, with that said, I am waiting for the new 5D
(But that is because I have plenty of money to blow and my time is more precious than the cost of a camera).

60.0 (I think it used to be in the seventies)

I think you are both (first 2 posters) incorrect. Here is my take:

I am registered through fotolia UK and here is how I understand it:

Let's say I get one XS download and I get one credit.

For us members: 1 credit = 1 US dollar
For me (UK member): 1 Credit =  £ 0.57

So is £ 0.57 more that $1 US??? Right now yes.

SO, I get more money by being registered as UK member but the difference depends on exchange rates and during my last payout it was about 14% more.

So it is not double, but it is also not the same.

Any members from countries that have EURO?

Quote from: nickp37 on February 12, 2008, 13:28

Quote from: stokfoto on February 12, 2008, 12:23
I am actually thinking about the same but is it possible to become an exclusive videographer but remain as  non-exclusive photographer?

As maco said, yes you can choose one or both.

Quote from: maco0708 on February 12, 2008, 13:04
nickp37,

I really like your videos, what equipment do you use?

Thanks!
For timelapse i use either a Canon Rebel XT, Canon Rebel XTi or an old powershot G2. With the SLR's I have alot more control over focus and DoF, but the G2 wont wear out a shutter. I always shoot with the camera connected to a computer, and usually use regular 40 or 60 watt bulbs for continuous lighting. Compact flourescents work well too, but you have to give them about an hour to completely warm up. I'm still experimenting with flash in timelapse.
For the live footage I use a Canon HV10.

Thank you very much for the information. I also want to try time lapses some time in the future. Regarding iStock, what sizes do you sell the most?

nickp37,

I really like your videos, what equipment do you use?

Quote from: stokfoto on February 12, 2008, 12:23
I am actually thinking about the same but is it possible to become an exclusive videographer but remain as  non-exclusive photographer?

YES. You get also different icon next to your name.

I think iStock is the #1 earner for most people who match all of these criteria:
1. People who have been in microstock for at least a year.
2. People who do NOT use their upload limit in full.
3. People who do not upload very much (new uploads help in SS but nowhere else).

I fall in this category and if I could get 40% commission as diamond level contributors I would go exclusive. Right now I am bronze so it is not worth it.

I have 260 pics in portfolio and I make between $100 and $200 a month.

I looked at your portfolio on photo.net and you have great images. I think after you figure out what went wrong in your technique you will have a bright future at iStock.

I agree with the reviewer.

The image looks very bad at 100% and looks like it was taken by a compact camera. I shoot with 20D (and now 40D) and your camera should be just as good.

I think if you go out today and shoot some decent landscapes of your town and upload the Jpegs straight from the camera you should get into iStock.

I am not sure what happened during post-processing but I would look at the Jpegs if I were you.

I am hitting black diamond soon as well.

If things go well I expect it in 2015
But that assumes that iStock will keep growing the way it is now.

Quote from: Nazdravie on January 28, 2008, 01:57

Quote from: sensovision on January 27, 2008, 20:58

QuoteYou need a DSLR. Even a cheap used one from a few years ago like a D50/D40 or Rebel XT/350 would be a huge improvement.

Yeah I wish to get either Nikon D50/D40 or Pentax K100D, but any of these cameras would cost me two month salaries that's why I joined microstock.

Used Canon Rebel 300D on Ebay = $250US
Used Canon 50mm f/1.8 = $50US

Your job pays $150 per month?  Time to ask for a raise...

Not everybody lives in the USA! Cameras are more expensive and people make lot less. I grew up in Slovakia and I know people who make $300 a month.
On the other hand, I totally agree that you NEED a DSLR. If you are serious about microstock I think it would be worthwhile to take out a loan to get a DSLR, you can make $500 on microstock in less than few months if you take it seriously, have enough time and internet connection (which you obviously do).

Quote from: yingyang0 on January 24, 2008, 17:40
Well I went exclusive. I had a 75% acceptance before going exclusive, and I now have a 95% acceptance rate. The quality of your equipment doesn't automatically give you acceptance (nor should it). It's much more important that (1)you know how to use whatever equipment you have, (2)you understand the basics of composition, (3) you understand DOF, f-stop, shutter speed, etc.

I like being exclusive, but I'd suggest to anyone not be a contributor to IS (the less competition the better  ).

I definately agree about your comment regarding the equipment. Good photographer can have very high acceptance rate from any DSLR.

I found it interesting that you acceptance rate went up after you went exclusive. Do you think that the quality of your shots went up or you think that the exclusive inspectors are easier?

Here are samples:
http://web1.canon.jp/imaging/eosd/eosdigital4/downloads/1_portrait.jpg
http://web1.canon.jp/imaging/eosd/eosdigital4/downloads/2_sports.jpg

The noise actually looks VERY BAD. I hope they fix it before they start selling.

Time will tell, in the meantime I will shoot with 40D which is great (other than the fact that it is right below the XL size on iStock).

Quote from: maco0708 on January 24, 2008, 15:24

Quote from: Read_My_Rights on January 24, 2008, 15:02

Quote from: prat on January 24, 2008, 14:59
Yes, it will.

If you can somehow get around the artifacting rejections.

I honestly think that if you shoot at ISO100 (which I do 95% of the time when I shoot stock) the files from 450D will be as good as from any SLR. So for me 450D is a better camera for microstock than 40D (which I bought 2 months ago). It makes me mad that a lower class camera will have more Mpix than 40D.
But pixels are only important for microstock, for everything else 10Mpix is more than enough.
Bottom line for me: Wait another 6 months for a 5D replacement.

Quote from: Read_My_Rights on January 24, 2008, 15:02

Quote from: prat on January 24, 2008, 14:59
Yes, it will.

If you can somehow get around the artifacting rejections.

I honestly think that if you shoot at ISO100 (which I do 95% of the time when I shoot stock) the files from 450D will be as good as from any SLR. So for me 450D is a better camera for microstock than 40D (which I bought 2 months ago). It makes me mad that a lower class camera will have more Mpix than 40D.
But pixels are only important for microstock, for everything else 10Mpix is more than enough.
Bottom line for me: Wait another 6 months for a 5D replacement.

Quote from: sharpshot on January 09, 2008, 16:18
I just read this in the IS forum from an admin.  This could make me start uploading to them again:-

People. The money you're getting is correct. As we keep saying, it's possible you will make much more money on foreign currency transactions. Go forth and celebrate. We're not taking the money away. And pretty please, everyone can stop site mailing me asking if the money is going to be taken away! It's right! Remember I told you before the price increase, we business geeks really know what . we're doing around here.

That is very interesting. I guess I don't have many foreign buyers. And the foreign buyers are getting screwed hardcore.

Quote from: GeoPappas on January 08, 2008, 17:57
Maybe it was an XLarge which costs 15 credits.

Maybe.

But also Vonkara had a large sale for $3.1 which is also too much.
Maybe they have a bug in the system.

Quote from: fotografer on January 08, 2008, 12:19
Just got 3.50$ for a large and I'm non exclusive

I am little confused.
So you got $3.5 for a large as a non-exclusive. So the customer paid $17.5 for the image. Large should be 10 credits so 1 credit cost him/her $1.75.
But the most expensive credit should be $1.3.

Anybody has an explanation?

Quote from: sharpshot on January 07, 2008, 18:55
istock now make $8.80 on those $2.20 sales for non-exclusives.  I do feel it is time they gave us a better share.

In order for that to happen they would first need to increase the share for exclusives.

But 60% for exclusives (diamond) and 40% for non-exclusives would be very nice.

$2.20 for a Large is VERY nice. (non-exclusive commission)

I still remember the days when it was $1 for a large.

We will see if is affects sales.

Probably iStock. If it keeps doing as well as now I might go exclusive.

Quite impressive with such a small portfolio!

SS is quite slow for me as well. November was the first month when I had more downloads on IS that SS (I mean number of downloads, not revenue).

But I know exactly why, I uploaded about 10 images in last 2-3 months.

That's how SS works, you upload a lot, you get a lot of sales. Stop uploading and you will get a big decline.

I was rejected ones (too many landscape shots) and then I did not try for a year.

Then I made sure that the 5 images I submitted were different (no 5 shots of the same subject).

Now I have only 24 images online and they already made me over $13 in few week so it is worth it to be there.

So I would try again and keep trying.