Unfortunately iS suffers from some exclusives who have a massive ego problem and like in most walks of life this minority give the rest a bad name.

You only have to visit their forums to see the usual names who mock any comment from a non-exclusive as if they are inferior, when in actual fact as we all know being exclusive is something available to absolutely anybody.

Unfortunately this also transmits to the review process, I have no doubt whatsoever that some inspectors there will and do treat non-exclusives differently to exclusives, I'm also sure that some don't understand stock photography and only inspect photos based on a 'tick box' technical requirement that has been supplied to them, this shows a lack of photographic knowledge on their part.
But there are some fantastic inspectors who really understand this business, these are the one's I feel sorry for because they are lumped into the same category as their less educated peers.

There are good reasons for and against being exclusive, and very successful photographers on both sides of the fence, iS no doubt have their own reasons for the way the exclusive images are marketed and thats their choice, their business.

Personally I believe that the exclusives should have perks they get beyond that of the non-exclusives, they've made that commitment and should be rewarded but it should no way interfere with the acceptance standards. I'm stunned sometimes when I log in and see some of the 'newest uploads' that exclusives get through, and like most I'm equally stunned sometimes when I get a rejection which clearly shows the inspector has no idea what they are doing or what this business is all about.

It's a real shame that you can't pick your inspectors based on the quality of their own portfolio some are superb.

I personally think that iS should introduce an option for non-exclusives to upload exculsive images on a one by one basis that then get an increased commission, I know other agencies do this but iS would be the only agency where I would seriously consider using it, and I'm sure I wouldn't be the only one.

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Richard