I'm a serious iStock exclusive, in general very happy. I have some questions about the Vetta collection, but I'd like to ask that anyone posting who simply wishes to rant or complain about iStock, please start your own thread and be courteous enough not to hijack this one.

Vetta has me at a loss. I am looking at the collection and trying to understand why some of the files have been accepted into Vetta. many of the files in Vetta are outstanding, and I can truly understand why they were chosen for a collection I believe is meant to highlight iStock's most exceptional images.

but many of the files in Vetta are embarrasingly mediocre. this seems unfair and inappropriate since iStock are working so hard to promote Vetta. I have a few files in Vetta, but getting anything else in seems to be rather tough.

given the variety of file quality accepted into Vetta, I have not been able to identify some common attribute. I don't want to point out the mediocre files, but it would be appreciated if an iStock admin or inspector or someone would explain what is being looked for. I think the Vetta collection is an excellent conception, and the sales seem to be going very well. but standards for the collection are extremely confusing and I wish someone would just admit that some truly boring and even bad shots have been accepted into the collection. we're all talking about it but no one will admit it. a clear standard would be appreciated since so many of us are very eager and excited about Vetta.

I'm not overly concerned about my own exclusivity, that decision was made and continues to be the best choice for me, but I am curious how some of the recent big site changes have affected contributors still considering it.

don't think I need experience at SS to ask why some of you are angry about subs/partner venture at istock, but in the same thread you are happy with the SS model? why you would be cool with SS if you're so concerned about devaluing your work overall in microstock? Lisafx - if the income per sale offered was higher, would you opt in? is the business model the problem or the royalty percentage out of curiousity.

Lisafx - I agree on price point. the $ offer should be better at IS, especially for independents. but if we don't nickel and dime and instead look at the big picture, the overall message seems to be that the sub model is fine as long as IS doesn't go near it. I doubt Getty is trying to turn PAYG sales into sub sales. instead, they seem to be looking for a competitive edge against SS. SS also requires constant uploading. photos.com won't require constant uploading as far as we know. so if you take the little bit extra you're getting from SS, and divide that across the hours of extra work you put into uploading fresh meat to SS...those extra pennies start to matter less. I don't think SS is a villain. I think they are brilliant. but I'm surprised to see them held up as an example when Getty/IS are being torn apart for screwing contributors. you're right though, I haven't worked with SS.

using SS as an example of a site that treats its contributors well is a first. the economy is beginning to rebound, slowly but surely. the recession is temporary and would not be used as a springboard into deflective or reactive restructuring of business models that worked before the recession.

<deleted post, wrong thread, sorry>

I'm an exclusive - the announcement is a bad deal for independents. if you hold out for a better deal and are successful, that's good for exclusives in the long run too. Most contributors have already made their decisions and aren't going back to those threads. expecting anyone to stand up for anyone in an istock thread is unrealistic. the alliances shift so much, it's like watching Survivor.

don't agree that a poor or mediocre image will sell if it gets continuous exposure. algorithm changes can put a file that did not get initial exposure back in the game overnight. it can take off well after it was uploaded. an obviously inferior file that gets exposure won't sell enough to keep it afloat, and inevitably it will fall back in the results as better, newer files fill best match 'new file' slots and compete with it.

shoot on a day that is not overcast or use a copper reflector to warm up the subject