Very good advice. Easier to understand "artifact" or other vague rejection reason is better mean it to be
we don't want the picture, no thank you.

Hmm, if they didn't want my picture, then why do they allow for me to correct the artifacting and resubmit?  Not ALL pictures have the resubmit button available.  My assumption has always been, if they don't want the picture, then they don't allow you to correct mistakes and resubmitt?  Am I wrong?

Warren:

Been riding a lot lately, but still totally around microstock.  I just don't submit big batches of pictures.  I build my portfolios slowly over time.  My DT portfolio is my largest and I'm seeing a decent amount of sales there, I'm noticing you are doing well there also.  

Istock is a great agency, I do really wish I could get more of my pictures accepted there.  I get so disappointed with them, I've not sent many photos their way.  I guess I should keep trying, but fighting against something that is "nearly imaginary" or at least invisible to the untrained eye is a tough battle to win.  My biggest complaint is my photos get accepted to other agencies and they never seem to deny anything based on artifacting, my common refusal is usually for poor lighting.  I am proud to say though my acceptance rations are going UP everywhere but IS.

You know what, I've been selling photos at IS for a couple of years.  I think my portfolio still remains less than 60 images.  The pictures I get accepted there usually sell.  However building my portfolio has been plauged with the "artifact" denial.

I was told, Nikon camera's tend to produce more artifacting.  I shoot in RAW and use LR2 and CS2 for my post processing.  I find pictures with shadows or without bright light get more rejections for artifacting than any others. 

All that being said I STRUGGLE to see what they call "artifacting".  I have a brand new monitor and 5 different comptuers, but I still don't "see" what they do.  It has been a source of my Istock frustration for YEARS!!!

Go to the downloads tab and type a date range from the time you signed up until current date.  I think that should give you the info you want?

I have had 1 sale so far for .44 I have a small portfolio there as I was uploading files and getting paid .20/file, but once they stopped the promotion, I stopped uploading.  I was a totally frustrated that I had already been approved and then they took away my approval under the promotion.

I got the email too.  I'm totally confused my acceptance ratio was near 70%!  I was already accepted into the  program and actively being paid.  Reading above, it says if you've already been accepted you'll be allowed to continue, well that seems to be false!

This is really weird.  I haven't uploaded there forever.  I kinda gave up, they kept rejecting EVERYTHING.  My portfolio is small < 35 images.

BUT...

I had 4 sales today:

2@ $3.50
2 @ $1.75

All from outside of the US.  Something definitely is going on here.

Are you using Schedule C or C-EZ for your 1099 income?

I have only been sent one 1099 form this year and it was from Shutterstock.  From what I've read on the IRS site, it says companies have to report $10.00 or more of royalties paid.  It also states a company must report miscellaneous income paid out if its greater than $600.

My earnings are very small:

$100 from DT
$108 from Shutterstock
$100 from Istock

I'm going to assume DT and Istock didn't send me a 1099 because they consider the money paid to me as Misc income and not Royalties.

Here are my questions:

1. Did I make the right assumption about not receiving 1099 from DT and Istock?

2. Should I report the income on a Small Business Form ie: C-EZ?

3.  I read something about if the money if from a "hobby" or something done inconsistantly, I don't have to report this on a Small Bussiness type form.  Instead I an put it on 1040 Line 21 Other income.  I feel like I do this consistantly, but its definitely a hobby for me as I already have a Full Time job.  At what dollar figure would people consider this no longer a hobby?  I was thinking income greater than $5000/year.  Agree or disagree?

Hi Everyone,

My application was submitted yesterday, just wondering how long it takes before you know anything? A couple days?? A couple of weeks?

Just curious (and impatient  )

Thanks!

I'm very relieved to hear its not just me who always get the "artifacting" denial from I-Stock.  Most every image I submit there gets rejected for this reason.  I've been reading and gathering as much information as I can find regarding this subject.  Below are my observations and finding:

1.)  I guess Nikon Cameras are known to ALWAYS produce artifacting - so if you shoot a Nikon, like I do, just expect every image you shoot to have this problem.  (I shoot RAW - doesn't seem to make a difference).

2.)  I think I-Stock basically says they aren't interested in your photo when they don't allow you to correct the issues and resubmit the photo.  If they allow to to correct your problems, than that says your photo has redeeming qualities, fix the artifacting problem and we will accept it.  If there is not a RESUBMIT button available - then they aren't likin' what they see, so don't bother fixin' it.

3.) I have a REALLY difficult time seeing the artifacting they speak of.  So, I totally feel handicapped when it comes to fixing the issue.  However, I did run across a really COOL tutorial which uses an EDGE Mask technique and Lab Color to help rid the photo of the artifacts.  I just corrected some photos with this and plan to submit.  I will sure let others know if I was successful or not.  Here the link: (Its a two part tutorial) http://photos4u2c.wordpress.com/2009/03/30/how-to-remove-artifacts-and-avoid-istock-rejection-part-1/

I don't understand and am so very frustrated.  I keep getting EVERY image reviewed DENIED because of focus!!!!  This has never happened before.  I look at all my photos at 100%.  I just don't see it.  These are portrait pictures, headshots, etc.  Some photos of animals, where I always take care to place the focus on the eyes.  Geez!  I'm dying here, please, someone, anyone, let me know when does Atilla sleep, I need to get some photos approved!!!!???

Hi I'm hoping someone can help me on this....

I requested my first payout at I-stock on Nov. 17.  The paypal schedule said payouts for paypal payment request deadline is 11/23.  So, I got my request in before the deadline.  Then, the calander shows the actual payout date for paypal to be Nov. 30th (which is today).  Shouldn't I be receiving my payout today?

I would appreciate any insight about this subject that anyone may be able to provide.  Its my first time, so I'm sort of confused about the process.

THANKS!

What earns an image a "flame"?  >100 downloads? Just curious, cuz I've seen people talk about this term but never really understood.  My guess is it may earn some kind of an icon?

I'm bugged by the simple fact that SOOO many of my imags get refused for artifacting!  I look at them at 100%, but darnned if I can see what they are talking about. 

That being said, I LOVE the fact my images accepted there sell like crazy.  I have less than 50 photos in my portfolio, but I've had at least double that in sales!  I've even made it to payout, which is very unfathomable with such a small portfolio. 

My only wish is to have more of my images accepted so I could build my sales.

Fotolia is a site where if you can get a portfolio established there, eventually the sales will start to slowly come in.  My sales are somewhat consistent there.  I love how quickly they review images, though its disappointing how many they reject  I have the lowest Acceptance Ratio there compared to all my other sites.  I don't really enjoy the way keywording works there.  I wish I could add and delete keywords.  Overall my recommendation would be its worth trying to get established on Fotolia.  Its not an easy though, excercise patience.

BigStock has been a terrible earner for me.  However, with the annoucement of SS aquiring BigStock, my sales have suddenly been picking up.  I'm having about 1 or 2 every other day.  A phenonmenon I've never experience b4 with BigStock.



I hope this continues!  Its very inspiring!

Hi

I opened up my account today and found out I had a 13 downloads for the day, which is a really high amount for me.  Before this, my record was 7.  I was wondering if SS has a Featured Photographer Section or something similar which would lead buyers to my account today...

Just curious?

Thx

I'm new to microstock photograhy.  I've been uploading for just over 1 year.

Here's a list of the Agencies I work with in the order I joined:

1. Dreamstime
2. Fotolia
3. BigStock
4. Istock
5. Shutterstock
6. 123RF
7. Canstock
8. Snap Village --->Veer
9. StockXpert

I've only made it to one payout - at Shutterstock.  I'm within $20 from payout at DT, next comes I-Stock, then FT - both I'm trying to get to $100 and am 35 and 55 dollars away respectively.  The rest I've made less than $10.00 on.

So, I've have to say SS is my best seller.  They accept most of my images and the upload process is simple.  I usually keep 1 photo in the pending spot at all time because keeping a constant flow of new images boosts sales on this site.

DT is my second best earner, but my sales are pretty inconsistent there.  I love there site and the management team is very helpful.  IS is my third best earner, I am disappointed with how long the review process is at this site and the fact they are very strict in what they accept.  However, that being said, I'm EXTREMELY impressed with what they do accept making sales for me.  I have my smallest portfolio there (less than 50 files) but I've still earned over $65.  I like IS for the long run.  I believe my portfolio here will continue to bring sales long after my other images get burried at competitor sites.

I totally enjoy the game and have learned a lot about what type of images sell on DT.  I've only been doing this for a year, so it gave me answers and insight - 

I recently received a very detailed response to a rejection email I sent to DT.  It was about similiar images.  The email was well thought out and really helped me get a handle on exactly what I need to do to avoid these type of rejections in the future.

I have to say I'm VERY pleased with this type of attention & helpfulness.

You are a great looking model.  I would love to use you in my photo shoot if I was a big time photographer, but I can only afford to use my family, they work for free!

Best of luck to you, I'm POSITIVE someone would be interested!

I think it took me at least three times before I was finally accepted to I-stock.  Even after being accepted, its been rough going building my portfolio there.  However, that being said, I still think it was well worth it.  I have less than 40 images on line there and have made over $60.00.  Stuff that gets accepted sells! 

So, the advice I've give is send in 1 type of each photo ie: 1 isoloation, 1 wildlife and 1 travel shot.  Then, the rest of the photos need to be something different.  They are intersted in seeing that you can shoot a wide range of technically sound photos.  Once you show them you can, they will accept your application.

Don't give up, do keep trying. 

A few more questions:

1.  How many early on Downloads does an image need to have to qualify for one that initially "Caught On"?  (One which should continue to get sales later on).

2.  How many overall Downloads are needed before and image is considered "successful"?


Just Curious 

@anon~ thanks for your insight and the "skinny" its very useful to see Microstock through the buyers eyes.

@ elvinstar ~ thanks for the kudos, it was my first payout EVER since beginning my Microstock adventure last year.  I upload to around 8 different agencies, I'm really close at some of the others, but not quite there yet.  It did feel VERY good!

I second that!  What's the skinny.... please DO tell!  Please tell us "how, where and what buyers will pay"  we are all ears.  Everyone here, I'm sure, would seriously want to know this valuable information.