Thanks for info, Tom!
Can you tell if you submit same photos into midstock as on micros or you have separate collection? As it wouldn't be fair to sell same images with so different pricing.

Hi Tom, thanks for suggestion! I didn't tried them yet, only registered with stocks from big6 except SS.
Do you have steady income from there or it's rather occasional?

This is a good news, hopefully such price change would also affect entry level dSLRs as well. As for some people prices on them still above margin.

Quote from: madelaide on March 07, 2008, 00:09
It's not that I don't like shadows - the one in the flower pot only is ok - but here it looks like you had something outside the image (maybe yourself) casting that shadow.  I mean, you have a main shadow from lighting coming from top left, but then the bottom right quarter has another smoother shadow. 

Thanks for explanation, now I see what you mean.
this shadow arise from reflection of my main shadow, the problem is that my camera have broken hotshoe so I'm using slave flash which is activated by built-in flash, so probably I didn't close well my main flash which resulted in such shadow effect.

Thanks for takestock and Adeladide!

QuoteI must say I was surprised that DT accepted that flowerpot with a shovel because of the shadows.

than you would be even more surprised when find out that the same image was accepted by FT and IS from first attempt You think it's really bad one because of shadows?
Actually I have same image without shadows but it simply don't work well in my opinion.
Thanks for warning about it as I was going to use it for my application.

Thanks for info, Adelaide! I was also wonder if they will look into description field or just use keywords and see if they present in description field and add more value to them(I think something like this was written in their guidelines).

QuoteI don't have any experience with Hugin, but if the stitching is the problem give autostitch a try, heck it is free (the only difference between the free and pay versions is the ability to handle .tiff files), it does a great job of distorting and balancing the files (

nope it's not problem with Hugin, but me Composition I've got in the end was crappy and after cropping to good one there was no real benefit from stitching. I should learn to make good final composition.
Regarding Autostitch there is no native version working under Linux and I'm not sure if it would work under Wine, need to check it out later.

QuoteI know with the one shot I worked on, a little bit more on the sides (especially the mountains to the left) would have been great.  It is a great way to take landscape photos, even at a normal aspect ratio, take a small pano series (3-4 shots, lots of overlap) in portrait, stitch them together and crop to a natural landscape aspect ratio (3:2).  The trick to good panos is to rotate about the correct point, not the sensor plane or the camera body, but the point where the aperture blades appear to be by looking at the lens (not actually are).  Doing this minimizes the parallax shift and if you nail the location, completely eliminates it.

Thanks for advices, it's really appreciated!:)

QuoteOne thing you can do to your images to get them a little bigger without upsizing the image is to add more to them.  This is especially easy for isolation shots, make your canvas a bit bigger to get over the threshold and add some more white.

Thanks for suggestion Waldo4, although I really not sure that extending is way to go, simply because I would feel uncomfortable knowing that I add to picture what wasn't there, for shot you've showed me as example it was ok since it was cropped and it helped to composition. But using same technique to raise size of overall picture isn't something I wish to do even if it bring more more cash.
As for white space I actually cut it on few my shots simply because it would look stupid to have small subject on big pure white background, it think such photo would likely to be ignored as it look weird on thumbnail also.

QuoteThe last way that I know of to make a shot bigger is to take multiple shots and let a panoramic stitching program assemble them.  Some programs can stitch in 2 dimensions automatically (autostitch comes to mind, the free version can only use .jpegs, but it really embarrasses Canon's and Adobe's stitching programs in performance).

Thanks, I've already tried this technique using Hugin for stitching, but resulting photo doesn't look as I was supposed so I didn't submit it, but I don't give up on this technique and will keep on trying to get good result.
(I have few good panorama photos which probably worth to be uploaded.)

Quote from: Seren on March 06, 2008, 14:16
iStock will refuse files that have had extra white added to images.  They refuse files that are larger than your camera is able to shoot, unless it's clearly been stitched together or multiple views in one file etc - but you should put a note to the reviewer in that case.

Seren, I've heard few times that it's good to leave comment to editors on IS but I can't see a comment field, can you please tell how it's possible to leave comments for reviewers, should they be written in description field?

QuoteIf you can't get your images accepted at various agencies just go with the others till you can afford a half decent camera.  Places like Shutterstock accept piddly little files (I shrink all of mine down for there now) and the return is very good.  You'd only need a few good shots somewhere like Shutterstock and you'd have money for a new camera in two or three months, easily.

2-3 months is too good to be true for me I'm ready to wait year or more to get good camera. Just need to learn how to make good pictures which sells and possibly not portraits, as portrait photography isn't really something I'd like to do.

QuoteEdit: I have pictures in my portfolio from a Dimage Z1 and I don't think I had any rejected for technical problems - they're a half decent range of P&S cameras.  You shouldn't have too many problems getting pictures from this camera accepted.

Nice to meet another KM user actually Z1 have less problem with noise but more with chromatic aberrations but it's very similar to Z3 in other ways. I'm going to check your portfolio now as didn't have chance to do it before.

EDIT Reason: fixed problem with quotes.

Hi folks, with my first application I've got rejection with StockXpert. And have to wait one month before second chance.
Could anyone advice which 5 photos to use for application to StockXpert from mine DT portfolio.
If you believe that all photos aren't good enough for application, please frankly tell this, I'd appreciate such feedback and will wait till got better ones or choose from those I didn't submit yet.

PS no photos from DT were used for initial application, those which I've submitted have problems with contrast(later thanks for help to people on this forum I realized which contrast levels are correct for picture).

Thank you in advance!

basti, sorry I've somehow missed notification of your reply and spot it only once I've posted reply to topic.
I have no idea why stocks have other regulations as I've also heard the same things you're telling about currencies.
But Europe seems always have not as strict custom and some other rules as xUSSR, so maybe same thing apply to banknotes...
Not sure why stocks are closing eyes for money photographs probably editors may be not well instructed about this matter or it's really legitimate, have no idea

Quote from: sugarycandy on March 06, 2008, 03:00
Great topic, I've always this wondered myself.  I'm just like you...saving everything I'm earning from stock to put towards a DSLR. 

It's nice to hear that I'm not alone on saving for dSLR on stocks, as it's look like that most successful photographers got either dSLR or at least decent cameras with good resolution

QuoteI'm getting decent sales selling almost everything at 3.9 mp through Dreamstime.

good job, you've got some nice shots in gallery so no wonder they was bought so quickly.

QuoteIt's good by my point of view, since I only got into stock photography in mid-December.

indeed, it's seems like a good result to me, I've came into stock photography last month and submit few images when had free time, but my only downloads happen on iStock, I still awaiting for my first download on DT as right now it got biggest collection of my photos.

QuoteI've got a good camera, but I'm craving more.

can't complain that my camera is bad, I like it a lot and it suits perfectly to what I'm photographing for myself, it's quality just marginally enough for stocks, but not for me.

Quote
You have some great stuff in your portfolio, just stick with it and eventually you'll have some people buying your work.

thanks for compliment! wish that buyers would think alike and I got some sales finally

I've got my last submitted images reviewed quickly as well, so maybe it's helping a bit.
Although it could be possible to lower upload maximum to those with small acceptance rate...(or it wouldn't work as it seems that at BigStock everyone had decent ratio )
BTW uploads are accepted again

Quote from: michealo on March 05, 2008, 17:45
And dls count towards improved placement in "best match" and towards canisters, so they are an advantage no matter how little the amount

is there any source I can read more on their ranking methods e.g. how acceptance rate is affecting ranking and how downloads count improve SERPs?

Quote from: madelaide on March 04, 2008, 21:33

Quote from: sensovision on March 04, 2008, 06:50
So is price of XSmall image is fluctuating all the time or they simply pay different percentage each time, or maybe there some sort of discounts for customers?

The % is always the same (20%), but prices vary with credits packages.  If I remember it right, one credit can cost from 95c to $1.30, depending on the amount of credits purchased (more credits, cheaper $/credit).  Therefore a XS pays like 19c to 26c.

Thanks, Adelaide, you're 100% right, soon after posting this I've checked IStock forums and saw this thread which confirm your what you just said.
Thanks for response!

Quote from: Waldo4 on March 04, 2008, 19:02

Quote from: Mormegil on March 04, 2008, 18:41
What I like about IS, is they take more artistic pics

Agreed on that.  When I was hunting through their photos to see what sells, especially with certain types, I was kinda shocked that many of the better selling shots are quite artistic and not the typical FT shot.  The main place I was looking was architecture, the bestsellers at IS look nothing like the bestsellers at FT, much more artistic, most of those shots I would have expected FT to reject.

I guess that people which stands out would always sell so no wonder that bestsellers are not typical for FT.

Quote from: modellocate on March 04, 2008, 19:50
As long as someone takes your image I wouldn't worry too much. Each site has their own marketing strategy. Some of my best sellers on one site are rejected on another, and vice versa.

Thanks, modellocate, I realize that it could be marketing politic so wouldn't give up and simply try to get better idea of what and where is accepted.

Thanks for reply, folks!

Quote from: DanP68 on March 04, 2008, 07:28
That is great that you are getting images into IS and DT.  I will guess FT may be a harbinger of more difficult times ahead for you though.  Eventually the camera will hold you back, especially if it is producing visible noise.  I would not be surprised if soon you ran into similar difficulties at IS...and I doubt you'll get into SS considering their scrutiny over noise.

DanP68, I don't try myself with SS for that reason, will wait till get new camera.

QuoteDSLR is obviously an expensive next step, but you could conceivably go with a used Rebel or 30D (if you can find one), then throw on a $70 Plastic Fantastic 50mm 1.4. 

People here don't sell their equipment that frequently(we tend to buy it for life I guess) and if buy it from other place like EBay, I'll pay custom taxes as for new one

QuoteSome of the top contributors in microstock rank FT #1 or #2 in overall earnings, likely because of the high EL prices, the ability to effectively double your base image prices, and higher commission percentages.  So you should definitely be interested in making things work there if you plan to be in microstock for the long haul.

I'm not going to leave them yet, although they seems to provide lowest exposure for images from all agencies I use.

Quote from: peep on March 04, 2008, 11:08
Do you really want to say you have more problems with Fotolia? They accept almost anything of mine. On the contrary Istock refuses about half of the pictures I send there and they are really choosy. And I only send them pictures accepted at DT and Crestock.

Hi peep, that's right, I've exactly opposite situation

Quote from: Seren on March 04, 2008, 11:11
I've only had a few rejections at fotolia.  One was strange though.  Something about their customers buying for books, magazines and web use so my picture wasn't appropriate for that sort of market.

Hello Seren, several of my rejections have same statement, and my bestseller image on IS was also rejected for same reason

Quote from: fullvalue on March 04, 2008, 15:15
It's not the camera; they reject newer files shot with the Rebel as quickly as the older files.  I've been thinking it might be a European vs American market thing because files they say won't sell do quite nicely elsewhere. 

fullvalue, I also thought that European market have different demands, at least it sound plausible to me. Now I just need to change my thinking from American to European one and get right images (Just for reference I was born and live in Easter Europe all my life).

Quote from: UncleGene on March 04, 2008, 15:59
FT and IS are around the same for me, but at least I can understand IS's rejects

Exactly, IS seems to be more consistent in given reasons and if problems was corrected images get accepted.

Quote from: madelaide on February 27, 2008, 22:44
The lowest I got was 19c, and gladly that was unusual.  Most of my XS are getting me now about 24c

So is price of XSmall image is fluctuating all the time or they simply pay different percentage each time, or maybe there some sort of discounts for customers?

I also got one image sold two times with period in few days with different price:

QuoteSunday March 02, 2008, 12:57 PM      XSmall     Regular     0.18
Wednesday February 27, 2008, 07:41 AM    XSmall    Regular    0.23

After reading these forums and articles on the web I've got feeling that IStock have much strictest rules in images' acceptance, but seems I was wrong, I don't have problems in getting my images to IS, DT and rest but Fotolia is really mean to me for some reason
Most of my images are get rejected in time they are accepted everywhere... (maybe because of my 4mp camera and matter that for other sites I downsize my noisy pictures but for FT my resolution is marginally accepted so submit images as is).
Wonder am I alone in this or I've just got wrong initial impression and Fotolia is more picky to images than others?

(I'm not including SS as doesn't register there and don't have any experience with them).

Quote from: madelaide on February 29, 2008, 21:51

Quote from: rustyphil on February 29, 2008, 10:01
I just sold my third "russian flag" over a few weeks.  Looks like a piece of camouflage material to me, and doesn't have russian or flag. once was funny, 2nd time odd, now its weird  

I also have one image in which the same unrelated keywords appeared in three consecutive dlds.  I believe the two last ones were those in which search keywords are not available, and the system shows the last known keywords.

Regards,
Adelaide

Actually it's very easy to check if keyword in cookie appear in the profile for downloaded image and if not doesn't display keyword in statistic, not sure why DT programmers wouldn't take care of this...
And if keyword wasn't found they could display for example in which category image was found.

my pleasure As for rating it's really worth it, I didn't seen many images of flames photographed so nicely.
you've did good job!
Wonder what kind of fuel you've used for photo or it was natural burning?

Really great photo, man, no wonder it got 501 downloads already. My congratulations!

Great job, Waldo! You're right eyes are really magnified to spray which is the main subject. It's totally change the picture and make it look much better IMHO!
Can you tell if you used only free transform tools for getting more sky above spray or some other tools also?

Thanks once again for example I have to admit that I didn't imagined it this way before I saw it, it's really helped!

just got another download which was only 0.23$ but I doesn't feel bad actually

Wonder for which reason they downloaded so small picture 400x300pixels only, is it for evaluation purposes of for some articles?

I think that GIMP have similar free transform functionality although I'm not sure if picture would look as good as before(in terms of quality) but I'm going to check it out.

As for person I also don't like where it's now but I don't try to make such serious image manipulations as try that photo would look good from beginning and if it don't, I'm trying not to spend too much time for correcting this.

not sure if GIMP using same algo(which is actually my graphic editor which used for preparing photos ) guess I should read something about different algos. I see few types of interpolations: None, Cubic, Linear, Sinc(Lanczos3).

QuoteI always wonder how the MS sites treat stretching and warping.  I know most say that you can't upsize a file, but stretching in PS uses bicubic resampling to smooth, which is no different than upsizing.  Then again, no matter what size I look at a picture, I cannot find traces of bicubic resampling unless it is an extreme effect (100% upsize etc..), at the small #'s they are talking about, ~5%, I have no idea how it could be spotted at anything less than 4-500% viewing, even then it would take some very tough inspection to spot.  I don't know if I could even do architecture the way I do without stretching, it is needed to correct the perspective distortions inherent in every architecture shot (I guess I could get a super expensive tilt/shift).

I think that finally understand how you advised to crop picture, at least I hope so You were suggesting to stretch parts of picture and I've missed this somehow

Thanks once again for info, I'm going to check about types of interpolation used in GIMP and are they similar to PS or not.