Do I ever make it into Shutterstock?

oboy · #1 (**permalink**) 04-25-2008, 02:56 PM

Here are my rejections of my 4th try:

Image 1
Composition--Limited commercial value due to framing,
cropping, and/or composition.
Poor Lighting--Poor or uneven lighting, or shadows. White balance may
be incorrect.

Image 2
Composition--Limited commercial value due to framing,
cropping, and/or composition.
Limited Commercial Value--We do not need this image at this time

Image 3
Composition--Limited commercial value due to framing,
cropping, and/or composition.

Image 4
mark as illustration

Image 5
mark as illustration

The reason the fractals had the keyword illustration, because another
agency ask for fractals to be marked as illustration. The other three
images had no complains in previous evaluation from Shutterstock.
It can be so frustrating sometimes.

sharpshot · #2 (**permalink**) 04-25-2008, 03:08 PM

At least you don't have noise problems. I have noticed some of the reviewers don't like shallow focus.

I was lucky to get in first time but that was in 2006 and they are probably more fussy now. I think the trick is to try lots of different subjects. Perhaps upload them to other sites and see if they sell there first. Try and master isolations, as those are popular. Take photos that have an obvious use for the buyers.

If you can find some people who have been accepted this year, look at their first 10 images and see the subjects they photographed.

oboy · #3 (**permalink**) 04-25-2008, 03:47 PM

Except of the fractals the images have been sold on other sites. Or at least very similar. I just could hit myself for the keyword problems with the fractals.

jimiking · #4 (**permalink**) 04-25-2008, 03:57 PM

They are also looking for variety. So I wouldn't put in more than one fractal if I were you.

In fact if you have other images to choose from I'd recommend leaving out the fractals altogether, as they run the risk of getting a " Limited Commercial Value", which of course they are.

vclements · #5 (**permalink**) 04-25-2008, 08:35 PM

1: The background is very busy and distracting.
2: I would agree with the limited commercial value - what product or service does it sell?
3: as above (nice art shot though!)
4/5 - can't comment - not an illustrator

I struggled through the same issues when I started stock.
Art and stock are two dramatically different animals.

With stock the image must sell a product or service or define an activity - or be associated with a saleable product , service or activity.

While the rusty car is indeed a very cool image - how does it fit into the above requirements?
Also - it could be me, but the images in your port look oversharpened.

From looking at your port - there are some lighting issues.
Some of the lighting is very harsh with distraccting highlights.
You need to soften the light.
From the looks of the images, you are using portable flash as a light source.

All the "strobists" will hate me and disagree, but portable flash is very tough to soften/preview/and apply decent modifiers to.
I have yet to see a 30"x40" softbox for a portable flash, yet for around the same price as a portable flash, you can get a servicable studio strobe that CAN take REAL softboxes and modifiers and make your life soooo much easier.

Gracey · #6 (**permalink**) 04-25-2008, 08:40 PM

Image 2 would be a great texture; I don't see that as limited commercial value. You need to clone out the green weed though. Don't use it on your next try, but save it to submit after you've been accepted, and submit as a texture.

oboy · #7 (**permalink**) 04-26-2008, 02:32 AM

Thank you for all your comments and tips. And in thirty days I get another try where I can put this all to work.

Kerioak · #8 (**permalink**) 04-26-2008, 07:30 AM

I think when they say mark as illustration, that is the category you must use and no others. I only discovered this as a process of eliminaton

Karimala · #9 (**permalink**) 04-27-2008, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kerioak

I think when they say mark as illustration, that is the category you must use and no others. I only discovered this as a process of eliminaton

Yep...that's it. The dirty little secret SS forgets to tell us about.

xxabi · #10 (**permalink**) 04-27-2008, 02:23 PM

same for me. 7th try, but at last, I'm in. Isolated ones seems the best to enter, reduced at 4Mp to minimize noise. No PS, only white balance and perfect isolation.

Once I've entered, I've got very few rejections, on same images rejected time after time in 7th tries...

I'm uploading 15-20 images weekly, as I want always fresh images. With 65 images online, my first month since first submission, $45. I like it, as I have many more to upload. I don't know if this is normal.