Stock Photography

I'm wanting to get into stock photography, but I am having a difficult time getting my photos approved by the major sites. To me, it seems like my pics are the same quality as some of the ones that they sell, but I've been rejected by istockphoto a couple of times and I'm not sure where to go from here.

Has anyone here had similar problems or have any insight on what I can do to break into this?

Thanks!

Post the pictures you are showing these 'major sites' and we can tell you if it is because of the photos, or something else..

iStockPhoto!? oy... don't waste your time!

Check out Alamy, myLoupe, and Photoshelter. Those three all have pretty decent requirement standards, and you'll see much more money from your images than you ever would at a micropayment agency.

Stock agencies all basically want the same thing in terms of the technical qualities of their submitters. No noise, no flaring, no fringing, proper exposure, proper lighting, good composition, sharp, and model/property released. Post a few samples of what you were submitting and you'll get a real quick review of what you're doing wrong.

I was actually accepted by PhotoShelter recently, which I took as a good sign. My problem then became what to charge for the images, since they let the artist set the price. I will check out these other two as well.

Here are a couple of examples of what I submitted: (this is my first time to post images on here, so hopefully this works. )

Content warning: data

Byte size: ZERO | Content warning: NOT AN IMAGE

I would say the guitar shot was rejected because the hands (the focal points of the shot, for me anyway) are soft.

shutterbugamy wrote in post #5108004
I was actually accepted by PhotoShelter recently, which I took as a good sign. My problem then became what to charge for the images, since they let the artist set the price. I will check out these other two as well.

Here are a couple of examples of what I submitted: (this is my first time to post images on here, so hopefully this works. )

HTTP response: NOT FOUND | Content warning: data

| Byte size: ZERO | Content warning: NOT AN IMAGE

Don't worry about the pricing on Photoshelter. They have some templates that you can use rather than trying to figure out every possible pricing combo. Just use the rights managed low, med or high pricing depending on how you rate the photo's value.

Shots with a lot of sky in them are notorious for getting noise rejections. They also reveal dust you may have on your lens/sensor.

I agree with sjlund on the focus of the first shot. The second just makes me wonder what it could be used for.

My photoshelter pricing is basically equivalent to Alamy's.

[edit] The white reflections on the paint could also be seen as blown highlights by some reviewers.. which is one of the quick paths for rejection at all of the micros.

Honestly, I don't see anything new or of particularly great value in either of the posted images. Both of them seem to be sort of stereotypical, all-too-frequently-shot images...

ChrisRabior wrote in post #5109569
The second just makes me wonder what it could be used for.

I was wondering the same thing when I first saw it, but isn't stock kinda like selling at the swap meet... you never know what the buyer may want?

I won't comment on the photos but I will say don't give up!
If the photo/s are unique and of good quality, you will be accepted.

I was accepted on my second try. But the reason they gave me (StockXpert) for the first rejection was understandable. And I'm assuming that the site you're trying to get on gave you a reason for rejection. Heed it and grow from it.

Also one thing to keep in mind, trademarks and logos that are noticeable, can be a problem.
Goodluck!!

I've never sold on-line before, but I have this really nice shot of a young boy in army clothes standing in a line up of soldiers saluting at a memorial service. (I'd show you, but it's on other comp)Don't know who he was and couldn't find him to get any kind of permossion....Can I still use it? (it just seems like a waste not to show / sell you know)

jb_browneyes wrote in post #5112819
I've never sold on-line before, but I have this really nice shot of a young boy in army clothes standing in a line up of soldiers saluting at a memorial service. (I'd show you, but it's on other comp)Don't know who he was and couldn't find him to get any kind of permossion....Can I still use it? (it just seems like a waste not to show / sell you know)

yes, but only on 'editorial' license.

I will confirm for you that even with the permission of the Soldiers in uniform you couldn't sell that for commercial use. That would imply that the US government supports the product and would cause all kinds of trouble. It may be a good editorial stock candidate though.