Comments on: iStockphoto requires you to delete images in your portfolio. Otherwise…

By: John

John — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 20:27:44 +0000

Pssst. they don’t pay a lot anyway. Look into the other sites where photographers aren’t taken advantage of by making only 20% vs. 50% from other popular photo sites.

By: Istock_leaver

Istock_leaver — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 14:12:08 +0000

I finally decided to remove all my images from Istock, and also not to buy anymore images. Allthough I never got any rejected files, I wasn’t happy with the ranking in their searchengine and the royalties they pay to contributors, it’s a shame.

Since Istock became part of the Getty Images, they only became more expensive for everybody who buys images. So, that isn’t it worth either.

By: Mark Goodwin

Mark Goodwin — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 16:24:55 +0000

I’m with David here,
My main source of income-and has been for the past 20 odd years – as a Management & Training Consultant specialising in Marketing. Photography has always been a second string.
If I had to work with iStock, and the above was an example of how the management team handled their communication with their contributors, I would be seriously worried. There can be no excuses for such ‘so called’ errors of communication, quote “the email discussed in this post was sent out by a mistake and they apologize for the misunderstanding.”
First impressions normally will account for 90+% of the recipients perception at that time. If I had received the email, I would have cancelled my account with them immediately, based upon that email, and I’m sure that many photographers will. (Unless they are the great unwashed suppliers of digital diarrhoea that is being thrown up by the digital revolution).
iStock need to get a grip and start acting like a ‘professional company’ you know the type, the sort of company that has managers who know how to manage and how to train their staff etc. And how to communicate effectively. Does anyone remember the Gerald Ratner story of how he single handily demolished his company by calling their product ‘crap’ in a speech he was giving at a private dinner?

By: Rich

Rich — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 15:20:52 +0000

The largest area of issue I have seen at Fotolia is in the images of cars. Do you think Ferrari, Lamborghini, Mercedes etc. would appreciate people selling/profiting from images of their very expensive copyright cars? Is this not in violation?

By: David

David — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 08:36:03 +0000

@Rich

As far as I saw Fotolia manages a good collection of images, on par with any other top microstock. Is there any specific copyright issue with their images that you can point me on?

By: George

George — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 15:46:25 +0000

I got the same message from iStock. I wasn’t offended as they were all old files that had never sold. I don’t blame them really. Besides, they have done a lot worse stuff than this. I have my ups and downs with them but they remain my best source for sales.

By: Rich

Rich — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 00:18:58 +0000

I think their “attitude” is very professional. If you want some of your less than desirable images to have a chance to be sold. Sell them on Fotolia where crappy images and copyright issues run free.

By: David

David — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 22:15:36 +0000

Dear Rich,
I am affraid I did not put myself clear enough on this matter.
I am not talking about a couple of my images.
I am talking here about iStockphoto’ attitude to their contributors. This is in fact what that email was about.
And I explained above what I think about such an attitude.

By: Rich

Rich — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 17:47:15 +0000

Are you done crying that one or two of your images are getting the boot, ProStockMaster? Need a tissue?