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Author Topic: Microstock photographers and Stocksy application  (Read 26758 times)

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« on: July 03, 2014, 04:53 »
+5
I would like to ask microstock photographers what are their experiences with Stocksy.

Microstock was my full time job for few years and I was very thankful for it, although I had to adjust my photography style to their requirements. I like more Stocksy photography style and I would like to be their photographer but I found out that it is very difficult to change all microstock habits now. Preparing my portfolio for Stocksy application I noticed these difficulties:

1. I'm focusing more on technical quality than aesthetic impression and creativity.
2. I'm accustomed to details and I don't think about surroundings when I'm shooting.
3. I'm directed to microstock subjects and I feel strange when I want to put to my portfolio something different or more personal.

This is my portfolio from last application and it was declined:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/102259734@N04/
I tried to understand my mistakes and I prepared new portfolio for next application: https://mkucova.squarespace.com
I think it looks better now although I'm not sure if it is exactly what Stocksy editors want to see. I would like to ask if the other microstock photographers have to deal with similar troubles. How do you prepare your portfolio for resubmission? Are you sending the same images again or different? I will be thankful for opinion from Stocksy photographers too - I would like to know what I can improve more.


 


« Reply #1 on: July 03, 2014, 10:54 »
+3
I just applied for the first time myself so can't give you any advice but just wanted to say I love your style - gorgeous work. Good luck!

MxR

« Reply #2 on: July 03, 2014, 11:07 »
0
Uffff your images are not bad... i think they declined you because there is a great demand of people who wants be in Stocky...

I think they want people with a lot of images and social networks...

jen

« Reply #3 on: July 03, 2014, 13:20 »
0
This is my portfolio from last application and it was declined:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/102259734@N04/
I tried to understand my mistakes and I prepared new portfolio for next application: https://mkucova.squarespace.com
I think it looks better now although I'm not sure if it is exactly what Stocksy editors want to see. I would like to ask if the other microstock photographers have to deal with similar troubles. How do you prepare your portfolio for resubmission? Are you sending the same images again or different? I will be thankful for opinion from Stocksy photographers too - I would like to know what I can improve more.

I think your portfolio is nice, but if I can make a suggestion it would be to avoid photos with logos/art.  For example:

https://mkucova.squarespace.com/xaf0tm3m1g6i3y75at3ww785msg2hp
https://mkucova.squarespace.com/6eqymawcoparena7giw1ydiacnovwe
https://mkucova.squarespace.com/prpdiah3f37rz64ho2um8qkeh9eecz
https://mkucova.squarespace.com/4k0rsn6e1gbyp87xdcqfgxy3t3g4y5
https://mkucova.squarespace.com/sh7zor67m6708t01y4zn7p0a5367bu

Some of those might be alright (hard to see what's on the bathing suit, and the girls on the bikes are blurry) but I think it would be better to show them your ability to detect and remove copyright issues, and IMO it will make them look more like planned stock photos.  Just my $0.02.

« Reply #4 on: July 03, 2014, 13:50 »
0
Thank you Jen for your comment. Do you think it isn't good to have images with logos in sample portfolio? I know that I can't sell them in stock agency and I wavered if it is good idea to have them in my portfolio or not but I noticed that Stocksy has images with logos in their selection on Pinterest (http://www.pinterest.com/pin/366550857144766816/). I wonder if it is better to show them images  I like more although they aren't usable for stock or if I should use only photos without trademarks or art. Perhaps I  could try to retouch some of them.

jen

« Reply #5 on: July 04, 2014, 08:11 »
0
Thank you Jen for your comment. Do you think it isn't good to have images with logos in sample portfolio? I know that I can't sell them in stock agency and I wavered if it is good idea to have them in my portfolio or not but I noticed that Stocksy has images with logos in their selection on Pinterest (http://www.pinterest.com/pin/366550857144766816/). I wonder if it is better to show them images  I like more although they aren't usable for stock or if I should use only photos without trademarks or art. Perhaps I  could try to retouch some of them.


I'm not sure how they are choosing people, so I don't know the right answer, but personally I would avoid logos.  You know you can't use logos, but they don't know that you know that if you submit those images.  Some of those would be quite easy to retouch so that's probably the route I would take personally. 

« Reply #6 on: July 04, 2014, 08:33 »
+1
I'm not sure how they are choosing people, so I don't know the right answer, but personally I would avoid logos.  You know you can't use logos, but they don't know that you know that if you submit those images.   

Probably you are right, I deleted most problematic images and replaced them with another. Thank you for your advice.

« Reply #7 on: July 04, 2014, 10:14 »
0
but i didn't understand something...The application consisted in sending 25 images and a link to your portolio right?

i THINK that they will judge on this 25 image submission, and then they chek your portfolio...but i think you should just avoid logos in the 25 image sample and not in portfolio....but this is just my idea

« Reply #8 on: July 04, 2014, 11:00 »
+2
i THINK that they will judge on this 25 image submission, and then they chek your portfolio...but i think you should just avoid logos in the 25 image sample and not in portfolio....but this is just my idea

I don't know their way of processing applications but I found articles with recommendations for photographers after I sent them my images. Now I know that I didn't choose the most appropriate 25 images so I hope they will take a look at my portfolio also and I would like to have it the best possible.

gillian vann

  • *Gillian*
« Reply #9 on: July 09, 2014, 06:38 »
+1
they do also look at your other portfolio links, this is why the process can take so long. good luck.

« Reply #10 on: July 09, 2014, 07:20 »
+2
Thank you, Gillian. I'm waiting over 20 days but I'm thankful for this time because I improved my portfolio. I think it looks better now although I haven't an idea if Stocksy editors will like it too :-\  It is very difficult to choose the right images.

« Reply #11 on: October 13, 2014, 09:15 »
+2
Here's a look at some work from the newest contributors, if you want to get an idea of what they're looking for: http://www.jengrantham.com/2014/10/10/friday-favourites-new-stocksy-members/

Nic99

« Reply #12 on: October 13, 2014, 09:54 »
-2
The majority is same as microstock photos but with a filter? Ok.

« Reply #13 on: October 13, 2014, 10:15 »
+2
The majority is same as microstock photos but with a filter? Ok.

Yes, that's exactly what it is.  Thanks for summing it up.

« Reply #14 on: October 13, 2014, 11:03 »
+4
The majority is same as microstock photos but with a filter? Ok.

Forget the two dimensional thinking and try to find something outside the image like ideas, dynamics, depth, feelings and emotions...things like that :)

OM

« Reply #15 on: October 13, 2014, 20:43 »
+3
It's a frame of mind........and I fear that my mind is too old to get into that frame. It's a shame, although I get the 'levitation' that the images bring. Thanks Sean for the Jen Grantham link.
« Last Edit: October 13, 2014, 20:45 by OM »

Mark Windom Photography

« Reply #16 on: October 13, 2014, 22:20 »
0
The majority is same as microstock photos but with a filter? Ok.

What's a 'microstock photo'?.  Ok?

Nic99

« Reply #17 on: October 14, 2014, 02:23 »
+2
The majority is same as microstock photos but with a filter? Ok.

What's a 'microstock photo'?.  Ok?
4 girls walking down a road. a collection of berries. a pot of coffee. a  girl with candy cotton. Ok.

« Reply #18 on: October 14, 2014, 16:03 »
-1
You must be looking at a different page than I am.

« Reply #19 on: October 15, 2014, 02:22 »
+1
4 girls walking down a road. a collection of berries. a pot of coffee. a  girl with candy cotton. Ok.

Stocksy sells stock photos so they have stock and commercial topics. I think the difference is that it isn't the most important and the only requirement.  They also concentrate on light, composition, colors, mood I like they allow their photographers to have their own style. Some Stocksy portfolios are very inspiring for me, I love to look at them.

Nic99

« Reply #20 on: October 15, 2014, 04:04 »
-1
   colors, mood
done in post with a filter. you can take any photo and make it look like that

MxR

« Reply #21 on: October 15, 2014, 04:10 »
+4
The worst of stocksy is that they dont want me...  :-\

 

« Reply #22 on: October 15, 2014, 04:57 »
+1
done in post with a filter. you can take any photo and make it look like that
Yes, appropriate filter can improve a photo but it's necessary to think about the colors before shooting. It's too late to to choose color scheme when photos are ready. If the colors don't match at all, filter can't help too much.

The worst of stocksy is that they dont want me...  :-\

Yes, it is :( I was also rejected, but I noticed that I'm thinking about my photos more than before and it helps me to improve.   

« Reply #23 on: October 15, 2014, 05:10 »
0
Still waiting for the verdict ... don't know if this is good or bad, but last year I also have a delay answer and "reject" was the word.

« Reply #24 on: October 15, 2014, 06:47 »
+10
I am very sorry for those who didnt get in and all those that are still waiting. I sincerly hope that stocksy grows their business by 10 000% so they can include many more artists. There are so many talented people in the community.

And the more artists join stocksy, the more the other agencies will have to treat people well, otherwise all the best work will "go stocksy".

« Last Edit: October 15, 2014, 06:53 by cobalt »


 

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