I see that SS appears to like very bright images.  Do they accept on white or must it be isolated ?? Still gathering images for first 10. 

Thanks

Thank you.

"On White" should not look like a badly isolated image though.

I'm new to these terms, am I correctly understanding the difference?:

On White - An image photographed against a white background and possibly white substrate (prob. slightly high key), that is inherently free from other visual distractions.

Isolated - content that was (proficiently) extracted from one or more photos and placed against a white background or even a transparent background (where PNG files are accepted).


Is that correct? 

Also, if anyone is willing to educate me, what is a "clipping path", and is it worthwhile to include one for Microstock submissions?

Thanks in advance! 

I'm new to these terms, am I correctly understanding the difference?:

Isolated - content that was (proficiently) extracted from one or more photos and placed against a white background or even a transparent background (where PNG files are accepted).

Not necessarily on white or transparent. I have images isolated on black or other colors too.
As isolated means that you have created a clipping path or a transparency mask, out of the object there in in fact "nothing", so the background can be any background you/customers want to use then.

See this thread for some sample images: http://submit.shutterstock.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=135557&highlight=isolated

If it looks like it was supposed to be all surrounded by white, but isn't, then it's probably badly isolated.

If it looks like you are supposed to see texture and shadows, and the background element just happens to be white, then it's a white bg.

Okay, thanks everyone for the responses and the link.  Much appreciated (+1 Hearts all around).  I think I get it now.  I've done pieces both ways, but want be sure I'm keywording them properly.  Here are two examples from my own port that (I think) demonstrate the difference:


The shoes were shot against white, purposely high key to blow the whitespace out to pure white (255, 255, 255), but the there are some shadows left intentionally to add dimension.  This would be "On White".


The zebra was shot outdoors under natural light with a grassy background, removed, then and put on a pure white background (Also 255, 255, 255).  No BG shadows.   This would be "Isolated".
 

I'd used "isolated" in the keywords for each.  Is that wrong in the case of the shoes?  In the context of Microstock submissions, I had an understanding that the agencies' only qualifying criteria for accepting images that contained the keyword "isolated" was if the surrounding null space was pure white (255, 255, 255), which both of these have.  This was the source of my confusion regarding the difference.   I wasn't aware there was any other qualifying criteria, nor did I know you could isolate using other colours/backgrounds.     

They are not so rigid, and nobody cares.

If you care, you might get extra sales if you write it in the description field.
Or not.
We are working for 38 cents.
Your zebra is good, that will get many sales.

I'm working for only 25 cents, but I still care, even if the agencies don't.  I don't want to annoy potential end customers by mislabeling my images. 

Thanks for the compliment.  Both have sold well by my standards, the Zebra better, but then again I figure the shoes are playing to a niche market.   

SHS,  I went crazy with trying to get every shadow out,  then I started looking at images for sale on the microstock sites, and many images have some light / soft shades of shadow when on white background.  I am now gun shy of submitting but when I compare my images to others mine are actually pretty good.   I just have to get over being too picky.

Since you are getting your ten together I would suggest no shadows at all!

Do Isolated or dont do it at all.

After you are in then try the on white with some shadows because as a newbie I think any shadow no matter how light will get you a lighting rejection.

And post what you have ready to go on the SS critique / tops / tricks forum so we can help you make sure you get it right so you wont have to wait.

Now that I opened the door,  what is the current feel of oversaturated colors (within reason) at SS.  I know they were the in thing before what about initial subm ?? 
 
Thanks