Author Topic: Help me to pass Istock initIAL test (Read 9603 times)

xxnemoxx · « **on:** February 16, 2009, 07:10 »

hello everyone, I want to upload 3 photos to Istock for the initial test.

I choosed this 3 picture, are they good enough?

or this one :

you can also check my photostreem and help me choose another 3 pictures if you don't like the above pictures http://www.flickr.com/photos/15720939@N04/ [nofollow]

thx in advance

ozbandit · « **Reply #1 on:** February 16, 2009, 07:25 »

Hi there, I would say you could have a chance with images 3 and 4 but forget 1 and 2 as they don't really have any commercial value, no offence. As a general rule iStock have some of the strictest criteria around, closely followed by Crestock. After a quick look at your images on flickr while quite nice I think you need to shoot a bit more to get into iStock anyway...

Danicek · « **Reply #2 on:** February 16, 2009, 08:05 »

I like #1. I don't say it will pass. There are many around here that may give more educated guess on that...

xxnemoxx · « **Reply #3 on:** February 16, 2009, 09:08 »

Quote from: ozbandit on February 16, 2009, 07:25

Hi there, I would say you could have a chance with images 3 and 4 but forget 1 and 2 as they don't really have any commercial value, no offence. As a general rule iStock have some of the strictest criteria around, closely followed by Crestock. After a quick look at your images on flickr while quite nice I think you need to shoot a bit more to get into iStock anyway...

commercial value??? do they take that into consideration in the initial test?...I thought that the initial test is to see how good the one is.

I have some close up picture with white background, do you think that I should upload them for the test?

MichaelJay · « **Reply #4 on:** February 16, 2009, 09:47 »

Quote from: xxnemoxx on February 16, 2009, 09:08

commercial value??? do they take that into consideration in the initial test?...I thought that the initial test is to see how good the one is.

It should be a mix of solid technical skills to build up on and an eye for commercial value. It's a stock agency, not a sharing community. The company is investing time and effort into looking pictures and this can only be paid for if the images finally sell.

By the way, it's practically impossible to see from small thumbs if the images are technically good, so everybody here's just doing guesswork. If you want real specific feedback, you might want to try iStock's Critique Request forum to get experienced contributors to analyse your images.

Judging from the thumbs I would already guess #1 will have technical issues as the dark areas are very likely to have noise or artifacts. Also it doesn't really say anything about your skills, looks more like a snapshot to me.

#2 might be worth a try - doesn't have big chances to sell later on but maybe at application it will be sufficient.

#3 is nice but the shadow on the right half is very distracting.

#4 looks like a good try at a concept shot but it seems it was shot with a wide angle, so the front part of the letters got stretched somehow. Reshoot with 50mm or higher and you should be fine. Check for potential IP issues though (no legible names).

From your Flickr stream I like the night shots of Stanley bridge. If you find some with low noise and artifact levels, they might be working great. It's quite a task to get a night shot right, so it will proof some of your photography skills.

Overall judging from your online images, you have some skills and certainly could make it. But for iStock application, you need some really solid material, the best you can shoot. Couldn't harm to specifically shoot new images for it. And add at least one people shot to the application just to show you could go beyond landscapes. ;-)

Good luck.

Magnum · « **Reply #5 on:** February 16, 2009, 13:35 »

I passed with some really easy stuff. Gravel, electricity pole, fence and a dog for example. Don´t overdo it. But be sure the quality is 100% ( in 100% zoom)

tan510jomast · « **Reply #6 on:** February 16, 2009, 13:59 »

Quote from: Magnum on February 16, 2009, 13:35

I passed with some really easy stuff. Gravel, electricity pole, fence and a dog for example. Don´t overdo it. But be sure the quality is 100% ( in 100% zoom)

and they love cats. not sure why? reject most , if not all , of my ancient architecture ,ancient mosque, mosaics, travels, etc.. ,but took all my cats in the backyard.
go figure

xxnemoxx · « **Reply #7 on:** February 18, 2009, 19:47 »

Quote from: MichaelJay on February 16, 2009, 09:47

Quote from: xxnemoxx on February 16, 2009, 09:08
commercial value??? do they take that into consideration in the initial test?...I thought that the initial test is to see how good the one is.

It should be a mix of solid technical skills to build up on and an eye for commercial value. It's a stock agency, not a sharing community. The company is investing time and effort into looking pictures and this can only be paid for if the images finally sell.

By the way, it's practically impossible to see from small thumbs if the images are technically good, so everybody here's just doing guesswork. If you want real specific feedback, you might want to try iStock's Critique Request forum to get experienced contributors to analyse your images.

Judging from the thumbs I would already guess #1 will have technical issues as the dark areas are very likely to have noise or artifacts. Also it doesn't really say anything about your skills, looks more like a snapshot to me.

#2 might be worth a try - doesn't have big chances to sell later on but maybe at application it will be sufficient.

#3 is nice but the shadow on the right half is very distracting.

#4 looks like a good try at a concept shot but it seems it was shot with a wide angle, so the front part of the letters got stretched somehow. Reshoot with 50mm or higher and you should be fine. Check for potential IP issues though (no legible names).

From your Flickr stream I like the night shots of Stanley bridge. If you find some with low noise and artifact levels, they might be working great. It's quite a task to get a night shot right, so it will proof some of your photography skills.

Overall judging from your online images, you have some skills and certainly could make it. But for iStock application, you need some really solid material, the best you can shoot. Couldn't harm to specifically shoot new images for it. And add at least one people shot to the application just to show you could go beyond landscapes. ;-)

Good luck.