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Agency Based Discussion => Shutterstock.com => Topic started by: Magnum on April 26, 2008, 03:17

Title: First submission at SS
Post by: Magnum on April 26, 2008, 03:17
How good is the chance to pass the test at SS if you upload 10 IS images?
Title: Re: First submission at SS
Post by: fotografer on April 26, 2008, 03:50
Reasonable if you give them and extra check for noise.
Title: Re: First submission at SS
Post by: Magnum on April 26, 2008, 04:16
Yeah. They seems to be extra noise intolerant. Maybe they´re sponsored by noise ninja  :)
Title: Re: First submission at SS
Post by: oboy on April 26, 2008, 08:40
I tried this before and was not successful.
Title: Re: First submission at SS
Post by: Roadrunner on April 26, 2008, 11:25
I am currently on 7 sites with sales on each site.  I have submitted eight times to SS and was rejected all 8 times.  After the third time, I do not get technical reasons any more.  I get "Though some of your images are acceptable, you have failed to achieve our Quality Standards on the required 7 images."

Do you guys and gals think I should go for a pie in the face a ninth time? ::)

I wouldn't let my experience deter you; you are probably a great photographer and I am obviously a peasant.

Good Luck!
Title: Re: First submission at SS
Post by: fotoKmyst on April 26, 2008, 12:35
How good is the chance to pass the test at SS if you upload 10 IS images?

i was thinking more of the opposite. is your chance worse because you have 10 IS images.
i noticed SS asked which other sites you 're a member of ;)

i am thinking that you stand a better chance if you say NONE.
just thinking that perharps being rejected 8 times like roadrunner  ??? ???
 has anything to do with you already being well published with the other 5 of the Big 6.
numero uno may not want that sort of inexclusiveness ::)

just a thought here, and i do not doubt that any of you are lesser photographers , or peasant like roadrunner calls it  ;D


maybe you're just * up ;)  to the top gun the wrong way PERHARPS ???
Title: Re: First submission at SS
Post by: Magnum on April 26, 2008, 12:56
Don´t think it´s working that way.  That´s what this business is all about, having your stuff at as many places as possible.  And by the way! Who specify all other agecies your on?
Title: Re: First submission at SS
Post by: cshack on April 26, 2008, 12:58
I would say that with SS you need to make sure your first 10 are VERY STOCK WORTHY images.  No real estate or landscapes snapshot looking images.  The first time I submitted at SS I uploaded all the wrong images.  I got in the second time and now have a 85% approval rate.  On the first 10 I think they are expecting to see the best you have to offer.  If they see a group of 10 just so-so images you get rejected every time even if the images are technically superior.  I guess they figure that if you're not submitting worthy stock for the first 10 then they don't need you.

I stopped using any noise reduction all together because I did a look back and it seemed to hurt more than it helps.  I use Neat Image almost daily for other stuff so I do like it but I think it's not so hot for stock.  One thing I have learned is this.  If you're having to do a lot of post processing you're chances of acceptance at SS and IS are greatly diminished.  I used to spend hours editing photos making them look great to me.  However what I like to hang on thw=e wall and what they want for stock are completely different. Since then I realized that it's a huge waste of time to spend hours post processing a not so good image for stock.  The bottom line for the top 4 anyway is to shoot with near perfect focus and exposure.  If you're not getting that out of camera then you need to figure out why.  Fix it and watch you're acceptance rate rise quickly.  I say this from recent experience.  IS changed my whole approach to post processing and it seems to be working.  I was one to slam IS for being to critical.  After calming down and taking a serious look I realized that it was me and not them.

Bottom line is this.  Take a long hard look at your work.  Then take it to the next level for stock.  What works for portraits and weddings won't work at all for stock.  I've been taking pictures for over 30 years and getting into stock has been a whole new learning experience for me to say the least.   
Title: Re: First submission at SS
Post by: etudiante_rapide on April 26, 2008, 15:24


I stopped using any noise reduction all together because I did a look back and it seemed to hurt more than it helps.... The bottom line for the top 4 anyway is to shoot with near perfect focus and exposure.  If you're not getting that out of camera then you need to figure out why.  Fix it and watch you're acceptance rate rise quickly.

Bottom line is this.  Take a long hard look at your work. ...
 I've been taking pictures for over 30 years and getting into stock has been a whole new learning experience for me to say the least.   

well said. i have years of photography under my belt too, not weddings though... mostly  product, fashion, reportage, model portfolio,etc...
and yes, it's a big difference. although the composition and quality still apply..  earmark of all photography no matter .

the other comment you made is valid too.
i spent hours rescuing my older archive shot at lower resolutions only to get slaughtered with rejects. or submitting shots with selective focus
to get "blurry" rejects  ;D ;D ;D 
then last sunday, i decided to just take the camera outside one day of serious "stock photo" shooting at the highest resolution, no post processing other than the slight levelling.
my acceptance rate shot up to only rejection based on "trademark, logos,
intellectual property".  which is not really a rejection but more of an oversight.

i can't shoot for SS though.
i can't see myself waiting at 30 day interval between submission .
i'd rather enjoy a pint of my favourite lager and shoot for the others who are not so "sticky"  ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: First submission at SS
Post by: snurder on April 26, 2008, 15:42
I would say that with SS you need to make sure your first 10 are VERY STOCK WORTHY images.  No real estate or landscapes snapshot looking images.  The first time I submitted at SS I uploaded all the wrong images.  I got in the second time and now have a 85% approval rate.  On the first 10 I think they are expecting to see the best you have to offer.  If they see a group of 10 just so-so images you get rejected every time even if the images are technically superior.  I guess they figure that if you're not submitting worthy stock for the first 10 then they don't need you.

Bottom line is this.  Take a long hard look at your work.  Then take it to the next level for stock.  What works for portraits and weddings won't work at all for stock.  I've been taking pictures for over 30 years and getting into stock has been a whole new learning experience for me to say the least.   

A total rethink on overall content is what got me in. The images that I submitted were carefully thought out technically of course, but in reality they really were just about on a similar level technically with previous submissions. I also broadened the range - some illustration work, holidays photos that popped, some isolated objects. It got me past the 6 out of 7 malady that many suffer, and now my acceptance rate runs about 90%.

I have the sneaking suspicion that if the reviewer is easily bored by the content, they are more quick to mark things off.

Rethink that content, even f it means shooting specifically for the application process. A well thought out apple in the hand is worth much more plain old birds in the bushes.

Right now my small portfolio of 57 has 160 DLs I think since Mar 29. In the next month I will work on getting the number of images up. Have been a little short on stock shooting time the past few weeks.
Title: Re: First submission at SS
Post by: takestock on April 26, 2008, 17:20
I think when it comes to getting your first submission right you could "stay up all night and all week" trying to get it right!
And with reviewers, as we all know, there is just no telling.

So! - I said I'd give it a shot.
I didn't hang about - picked 10 ( as varied as possible and with good concept) which I thought were technically OK and had done well elswhere.

If I failed - so what!, there would be another time.

Anyway, got in with 8 out of 10.

That's my story for what it's worth!
Title: Re: First submission at SS
Post by: Magnum on April 27, 2008, 02:23
Thanks for all answers guys. 

This is my 3:rd time so I´ve been through a lot of what you describe above.  if I look back a long long time, lets say 2 month:), I´d laugh at what I submitted.  I´ve been learning so much since first SS submission.

When it comes to equipment I´ve found out that my favorite lens Nikkor 80-200 2,8 is not sharp, The AF locks about 14mm in front of the subject, at 200mm, shot from 2m distance.  And it cant be set in the house D300. If anyone succed let me know.

I´m also afraid my sensor is faulty, cause I saw some picture Rinder posted at SS with white crap around the edges.

My monitor is to cheap, to be able to see noise.


And so on...... But it´s fun/....... on the edge to possession.



Title: Re: First submission at SS
Post by: Roadrunner on May 01, 2008, 14:16
Go ahead bro; go for it!

BYW - Has anyone taken more than 8 tries?  I'm still trying to get the pie out of my ears from the eith time.  ;D
Funny thing is; I got accepted by iS.  However They have rejected 100% of my isolations.  More pie!  ::)

Any way -Good Luck!!
Title: Re: First submission at SS
Post by: michealo on May 01, 2008, 14:39
Try resizing to the min 4 mega pixels
Title: Re: First submission at SS
Post by: Magnum on May 02, 2008, 12:13
I did my third try a few days ago.   had 2 rejected for keywording.  tragic. with those 2 I would have made it.  The worst part about it is that after the rejections for keywords they wrote: change keywords and resubmit.  So I thought I had a chance to fix this since it was such simple matter.   I uploaded the 2 and chatted with a member about it. He said NO it has to be a full batch. Crap!!! I uploaded 10 pictures again and thought that they would understand.    Now I have 12 images waiting for review. It´s hilarious:)  And I have to go trough hell to get them deleted before next submission.

But why do they write resubmit when they don´t mean it. Cant they have separate rejections for first submitters. I´ve also read that regular submitters get the 7/10 rejections from time to time:)    A bit mixed up.

Title: Re: First submission at SS
Post by: Dreamframer on May 04, 2008, 10:08
IS and SS have totally different standards by my opinion. So, I am not sure if this is going to be good solution. Let's leave the technical quality aside...The most important thing on SS is good, clear concept. O IS looks like the most important thing is technical quality. So, make images with instantly recognized concept, make them noise free and with good lighting and warm colors, downsize them to 4Mpix, and cross your fingers. Leave some nice note to reviewer, it doesn't hurt and ALWAYS post your images in their forum before submitting and correct them as many times as needed. After first acceptance everything goes smooth and much easier
Title: Re: First submission at SS
Post by: Adeptris on May 04, 2008, 14:03
My two best sellers on IS were SS rejects, so I would say be picky in what IS images you use.

There are different rules it seems, my SS rejections were for "where the focus point should be", thay had a clear focus point but different views from site to site
Title: Re: First submission at SS
Post by: Adeptris on May 04, 2008, 14:15
Funny thing is; I got accepted by iS.  However They have rejected 100% of my isolations.  More pie!  ::)


I had problems with missing tiny area's of isolations, that you could hardly see ay 100%, so I tried a few, and now I have a good rate of acceptance for isolated shots on IS, this is my workflow, it is quite easy and quick, try it on a couple of shots! :)

http://www.adeptris.co.uk/PS2Tutorial/tabid/136/Default.aspx (http://www.adeptris.co.uk/PS2Tutorial/tabid/136/Default.aspx)

David
Title: Re: First submission at SS
Post by: Adeptris on May 04, 2008, 14:17
Funny thing is; I got accepted by iS.  However They have rejected 100% of my isolations.  More pie!  ::)


I had problems with missing tiny area's of isolations, that you could hardly see at 100%, so I tried a few different workflows, and now I have a good rate of acceptance for isolated shots on IS, this is my workflow, it is quite easy and quick, try it on a couple of shots! :)

[url]http://www.adeptris.co.uk/PS2Tutorial/tabid/136/Default.aspx[/url] ([url]http://www.adeptris.co.uk/PS2Tutorial/tabid/136/Default.aspx[/url])

David


I keep pressing Quote and not Modify  :-[
Title: Re: First submission at SS
Post by: toneteam on May 05, 2008, 04:04
I told you my experience, my first and only one try at shutterstock has been horrible, 0 out of 10, but i have any noise rejection, I use filter on phshp and resized to the minimun acceptable size at ss that is 1800x2400.
But as i read on this topic, the commercial value and great light in your pics is extremely important, that my problem in all archives i submitted.

Poor lightning and composition these are the clues, us¡ng the filter and resizing no porblem at all with noise.

Best regards
Title: Re: First submission at SS
Post by: Magnum on May 05, 2008, 17:32
Thanks for all help guys! I won´t give up:)
Title: Re: First submission at SS
Post by: Dreamframer on May 07, 2008, 17:57
Magnum:
1. Don't you ever give up
2. Delete those 2 extra images and live only 10 because they will reject all again. You can read that you HAVE to upload 10 and only 10 images
3. Strong, instantly recognized concept
4. Good lighting, good composition and no noise

and you will pass. I passed third time
Title: Re: First submission at SS
Post by: Magnum on May 08, 2008, 15:40
The day I make it in there in 1000 years...

First submission: thought it was like a cellphonepics site or so. failed 9

second: 4 photos ok and 3 vectors rejected for Ill8 compatibility. I new about that but faild to save it correct.

third: keywordsproblem on 2, 2 for comp, 1 rejected that was approved earlier.

I´d be happy if it was about imagequality...

Always look on the bright side of Life...


Title: Re: First submission at SS
Post by: RacePhoto on May 10, 2008, 01:13
Magnum, it is about image quality. You just haven't been there yet. Once you get accepted you'll see the difference yourself, between your first photos and the ones that got you accepted, and they will all be your own photos.  :)

Look at what stock is and what's up in the top photos. Don't copy, just get a feel for what they want.

Submit a variety of photos, not all the same type. That means try some food, close cropped, an isolation or two, something that can be used by a designer, with some white space up top, but not too much.

By all means reduce to the minimum size, which will reduce the noise without using noise reduction.

Not an absolute but if you have soft focus, make it to the rear of the subject, not in front. More preferable for approval submissions, have the image sharp front to back.

Once approved you can upload the ones that you first submitted and some will be accepted.

Think stock content, with an eye on best quality, sharpness, variety... no noise! You're in.

Good Luck, you'll get in soon.
Title: Re: First submission at SS
Post by: a.k.a.-tom on May 10, 2008, 07:19
Perfect example of why I love this forum!!!!!   A ton of great advice for a newbie to micro's.  No cut throat competition here,  ...more a brother/sisterhood!!   Right on!!!   Leaf, you created a wonderful thing here!!  Thanks one more time!!

 8)=tom
Title: Re: First submission at SS
Post by: Magnum on May 11, 2008, 12:27
Agree. What a warm and welcoming bunch we got here! Group-hug!!!!!
Title: Re: First submission at SS
Post by: Alatriste on May 11, 2008, 13:35
Magnum,
I would use the "comments for reviewers" box for anything you have to say about your images for example:
"this image was previosly rejected for keywording but now it is fixed only with relevant keywords".
Also, try not to insult them  ;D

When you get accepted, take benefit of the initial sales and try to upload regulary to mantain sales high

Good luck
Title: Re: First submission at SS
Post by: Magnum on May 16, 2008, 13:02
Congratulations - your first batch submission to Shutterstock was a success and you are now allowed to upload as many photos as you would like. Please continue with the level of quality that your first batch has shown.

:)

Thanks for the great support!!!!!
Title: Re: First submission at SS
Post by: trucic on May 16, 2008, 15:07
Congratulations!! :) I`m newbie there, too..and know that feeling,  after leaving that after me! Now hurry,  pump up your portfolio with some new photos! It`s very, very addictive! :) Cheers