At the iStockphoto forums, people are discussing the usefulness of certain types of keywords. I was just wondering as to how useful these keywords actually are. I try to keep my keywords as focused as possible, so I'm not sure just how useful it is to use these keywords. What do you think? Here's the list:

# Insignificant People - For those blurry folks in the background.
# Nobody - To tag a shot with no humans in it.
# Selective Focus - When the foreground is in focus and the background is not, or vice-versa.
# Blurred Background - Specific type of selective focus (above).
# Blurred Foreground - Same as Blurred Background (above).
# Blurred Motion - Long exposure maps to this.
# Full Frame - When composition encompasses entire viewing area.
# Horizontal - Wide format.
# Vertical - Tall format.
# Waist Up - Top half of human subject only.
# Waist Down - Bottom half of human subject only.
# Isolated - Separated object or person done by color or background.
# Isolated objects - Separated object or person done by color or background.
# Clipping path - Isolation includes a path embedded in the file data.
# Isolated on white - Isolated on a white background.
# isolated on black - Isolated on a black background.
# Square - Square format as the name implies.
# Copy Space (Copyspace) - has designated location for copy text.
# Still Life - For example, a vase of flowers is a still life.
# Single Object - When a single subject is the only thing in the frame.
# Concepts - A photo that tells a specific story. Think metaphor.
# Backgrounds - Photo's primary use is a background, incl. patterns, etc.
# Studio shot - Photo taken in a studio or similar controlled environment.
# Portrait - Head and shoulders shot is typical.
# Head On - Straight on (no angles) from lens to subject.
# From Side - Shot taken from a side angle.
# Profile - Same as From Side (above).
# Low/Down Angle - Taken from beneath the subject or there abouts.
# High/Up Angle - Taken from above the subject or there abouts.
# Full Body - Capture entire human form, from head to toe.
# Perspective - Any unusual angle to include Low and High (above).
# Sepia - Photo given a sepia tone process to make it look old.
# B/W (Black and White) - A black and white image.
# Monochromatic - A single color tint, usually black (with white).
# Grayscale - See B/W and Monochromatic above.
# Color Image - Shot in full color.
# Full Frame - Subject comprises entire exposure area.
# Color Image - Shot in full color.
# Single Object - I guess the name says it all.
# Group of Objects - Ditto, but multiplied.

http://www.istockphoto.com/forum_messages.php?threadid=73308&page=1

If any of you installed the Microsoft update titled KB951748, then you may experience Internet problems thanks to a clash between Zonealarm and this update. To fix the issue you can either uninstall the update, change your firewall settings to medium, or switch to another type of firewall. To uninstall the update, do the following:

1) select "Start->Settings->Control Panel"
2) select "Add/Remove Programs"
3) select the 'check' box at the top of the screen that says "Show Updates" (there may be a pause for a minute or so)
4) scroll down the update list until you see the update that says "update for Windows XP KB951748"
5) Select the "KB951748" update and click on REMOVE


Just thought I would warn anyone who didn't know.

Recently, I decided to purchase the Canon 20mm f/2.8 wide angle lens. But I've noticed that it's extremely soft towards the edges of the picture. I've read that using f/11 fixes this, but I'm a bit uneasy. I'm using the Canon Xsi with it. Basically, are all wide angle lenses soft towards the edges? Or is this lens just a piece of junk? It received mixed reviews on Amazon, but most people seem to think it's pretty good. Thanks.


Here's an example:

I read something about how some individuals at Photoshelter pay $50 a month for some reason. I just want to make sure that it's free to submit your photos to this agency. Thanks in advance.

I had a rejection that said "please keep images under 25MP". It's a first for me. Easy to fix, though.

I've read that some people say think that the new Canon Xsi is more like a mid level dslr. What do you guys think?

If and when I buy this camera, will my Rebel XT lenses still work in it?

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II
Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM

Thanks in advance.

Is it worth it for me to upgrade from the Canon XT to the Canon XTi? I mainly want to do it because of the self cleaning utility that comes with the XTi, and the increased megapixels can't hurt anything. Maybe this will let me have XL images on iStockphoto. What do you guys think? Thanks.

Istockphoto deactivated two of my Canadian coin shots for copyright issues this morning. I thought coins were okay to shoot? Are they going to delete my US coin shots as well? Just curious.

I've noticed a green outlined box around some of my published images when I view them in my Featurepics gallery(only when I'm logged in). The images always have a couple of views, so am I correct in assuming that it's some sort of lightbox feature? Thanks.

For those of you that use referral links to generate money on the microstock websites, do you hide them? I've been reading about how some people think that you should hide your referral links because some people don't trust them, and others will attempt to steal your affiliate links; thus, gaining them a few bucks.  And some people even say that certain software programs, like Ad-Aware, will scramble your referral codes. What are your thoughts?

So what do you think of Fotolia since the revamp? Is it still a complete disaster? I think it's a bit better. However, I still think the site is fairly buggy.

My most recent issue is due to changing my email. For some reason, my email was validated but the process was not completed. Instead, I received an email stating that there were problems with my account and that my account would be closed if they were not fixed. The only problem I found was that it stated I was an image buyer, so I changed that. But then I checked it again this morning, and it still says that I'm an image buyer. Oh well. It's not like I earn much with Fotolia.

They have managed to at least encrypt the page where you enter your Social Security number, but I still think it's way too easy for hackers to find this number. If your account is ever hijacked then all the hacker has to do is click on modify your account, and they have your personal information(including your SS). And I do not believe that they require your Social Security number until you hit $600. That's when the IRS wants documentation of your earnings. Maybe I'm wrong.

Okay, I've written enough. What does everyone else think?