MicrostockGroup

Agency Based Discussion => Shutterstock.com => Topic started by: roman on December 18, 2006, 06:07

Title: First Shutterstock Submission
Post by: roman on December 18, 2006, 06:07
Dear All,

I am considering Shutterstock, but I see that there is a lot of angry people on their forum.  Is Shutterstock worth the trouble in terms of money.  What sort of images are they looking for in the original ten submission.  Any pointers and tips are highly appreciated.  I wish you all wonderful forthcoming hoidays and a happy new year.  Thanks
Title: Re: First Shutterstock Submission
Post by: leaf on December 18, 2006, 07:17
well you could post some examples of your work here, or links and we could give some opinions.

They are SUPER picky on noise, so be very careful there.

If you upload 10 good stock images with no noise you shouldn't have a problem getting accepted.
Title: Re: First Shutterstock Submission
Post by: CJPhoto on December 18, 2006, 07:32
Yes they are worth it.  they are strict on the technical requirements.

Select your best photos (technically) on a variety of subjects.  Post them on a forum first to get comments.
Title: Re: First Shutterstock Submission
Post by: leaf on December 18, 2006, 07:42
oh yeah, forgot to mention that as well.  YES THEY ARE WORTH IT.  like cjphoto said :)

what are the people unhappy about on the shutterstock forums?
Title: Re: First Shutterstock Submission
Post by: roman on December 18, 2006, 08:55
Mostly noise when there is no noise.  The fact that they have to put their images shot at ISO 100 through noise filters and that makes their images very plastic looking.  Low acceptance rates... etc, but mostly the noise issue.
Title: Re: First Shutterstock Submission
Post by: leaf on December 18, 2006, 09:26
Mostly noise when there is no noise.  The fact that they have to put their images shot at ISO 100 through noise filters and that makes their images very plastic looking.  Low acceptance rates... etc, but mostly the noise issue.

well even though i agree that shutterstock is a tad picky, I do agree there can be significant noise in ISO 100 images.

Take a picture of a sky and there will be noise everywhere.  whereas other areas have no noise.  You need to apply noise filters selectivly.  Bring it on full blast on the sky, and keep it reduced or not at all on the details.
Title: Re: First Shutterstock Submission
Post by: GeoPappas on December 18, 2006, 10:09
...but I see that there is a lot of angry people on their forum. 

I would say that you are greatly exagerating this.  There are a few people that will write angry threads, but that is expected from any site that has thousands of contributors.  You have to remember that happy people rarely will take the time to post anything positive, while angry people are more likely to vent their frustration.

IMO, Shutterstock has the best forums out of ALL of the microstocks.  Period.
Title: Re: First Shutterstock Submission
Post by: leaf on December 18, 2006, 10:35
i agree with you very much geopappas.

shutterstock is great at letting people say what they think...
Title: Re: First Shutterstock Submission
Post by: Bateleur on December 18, 2006, 15:51
i agree with you very much geopappas.

shutterstock is great at letting people say what they think...

I third that. It's a very open forum ... good on them for allowing free speech.

As for noise, I've had a few rejected for that reason, but they've always been accepted again when I treat the image to a dab of noise reduction.

And there's always going to be people who complain like stink when their photos get rejected. I'm also a writer/editor and it's the same in that area. Some people think they're a second Shakespeare and take great offence when you tell them their work may ... just possibly ... need a bit of revision.

The best writers are the ones who take honest critical comments onboard, learn from it, and come back with the goods.