If you work online, illustrations, images, and videos are essential, but they can be difficult to come by. That is why stock content platforms, such as iStockphoto, can be extremely beneficial (or just iStock). But, before you decide to use this platform, you may be wondering: is iStockphoto free, is it safe and legitimate, what exactly does it offer, and is it even worth it? All of these are critical questions to have answered before joining any stock content platform.
It is one of the world’s leading stock content marketplaces, according to iStockphoto (or simply iStock). It is owned by Getty Images, which you may have heard of if you have ever looked for stock content. iStock was founded in 2000, so it has been around for a while, which is a good sign in some ways. However, this is insufficient to determine whether or not it is the right platform for you to join.
If you work online or need images in general, you’ve probably looked into stock photo platforms because it can be difficult to find enough high-quality images otherwise. One of the main services provided by iStockphoto is royalty-free images. The site claims to have millions of stock images to choose from but does not specify how many. You can either use the search bar to find relevant images or browse the various categories for ideas.
The collection is extensive, and it is simple to locate relevant images. This can be a bit overwhelming, as you spend a lot of time browsing through the collection to find the right images for you. This is a good problem because having too many options is preferable to some platforms where it is difficult to find high-quality images. The stock photo section of iStockphoto is expansive and provides excellent opportunities to access illustrations and vectors in addition to actual photos. There are a TON of illustrations to choose from with a convenient search bar. Having access to stock videos can be a real time saver depending on your needs. iStock also has a sizable stock video section. To get ideas, you can use the search bar or browse through the categories. There are numerous categories from which to choose. The videos are of exceptional quality. The majority of them last between 10 and 40 seconds. As part of your video projects, some of these videos will undoubtedly enhance their appearance.
If you use Photoshop, Illustrator, or InDesign, iStockphoto has a plugin that you might find useful. It’s known as the Adobeî Creating Cloudî plugin. It enables you to connect any of these programs to iStock, eliminating the need to leave them to search iStock for the images you require. It’s compatible with Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign CC 2018 and later. It can be useful to access your files and images from any device. That is why cloud-based services are gaining popularity. If you use Dropbox, you can connect it to iStockphoto. This gives you access to all of your files from any device that you log into Dropbox on.
Of course, any stock platform requires contributors who create content. If you take photos, draw illustrations, or make videos, you can become an iStock contributor and earn money by selling your work here. If you are accepted as a contributor, you can upload your work and earn a percentage of the sale price. To become a contributor, you must first apply. This is done via the Getty Images App. The following step is to upload samples of your work. They will then review your work and notify you whether or not you have been accepted as a contributor. To apply, you must be at least 18 years old.
As you can see, iStock offers a wide range of options. However, it is also critical to know if it is a secure platform to use. To begin with, Getty Images, one of the major players in this field, is behind the platform. That is a good sign that the company is legitimate. Second, as long as you adhere to the license terms, it is a secure platform. In fact, according to their terms, every file you download with a license comes with a legal guarantee.
Of course, the cost of a stock platform should be considered before joining. You may have also seen iStock advertised as a free option elsewhere. To determine whether iStock is right for you, you must first understand how the pricing structure works and which parts of the platform are free. So, let us begin with the free option. You can sign up for iStockphoto for free. However, as a free member, you will have very limited options. However, some files are available for free. You can get one illustration, one image, and one video for free every week.
Just keep in mind that these aren’t files you can pick and choose from. It is a set of files, and new ones are added every week. So it doesn’t provide much flexibility, but it’s still nice that they provide some files with the free membership. The files included with the free membership are also of high quality. However, if you want to browse and select from iStock’s millions of files, you must purchase a license. There are several options available here.
So, first and foremost, you should be aware that you have the option of purchasing a subscription if you require files regularly, or simply purchasing credits if you require files only occasionally. Each file is classified into one of two categories: essential images or signature images. The Essential Collection is a low-cost option that includes files with standard photos, vectors, and illustrations. The Signature collection includes files from a premium collection as well as files available only on iStock.
The more credits you purchase at once, the lower the price per credit. If you buy 300 credits, you can get it down to $8 per credit. The cheapest images are 1 credit. Images from the Signature collection, on the other hand, cost at least three credits. As long as you use the platform at least once a year, the credits will never expire. According to the site, you only need to log in once a year to keep the credits active. If you need images regularly, you can sign up for a monthly subscription. The price here is determined by whether you want access to all images or just the Essentials collection. And whether you want to pay monthly or annually, as well as how many monthly images you want access to. Please keep in mind that videos are not currently included in any subscriptions.
iStockphoto CANCEL GUIDES
Get together the following account information:
First Name
Last Name
Phone Number
Email Address
Username
Password
Billing Address
City
State/Province/Region
ZIP/Postal Code
Country
Reason for Cancellation
Last 4 Digits of Card
Date of Last Charge
Amount of Last Charge
Web Form
Follow these steps:
In a browser, goto https://www.istockphoto.com/customer-support
Give the rep your account info
Pick the option labeled Submit
Phone (Live Agent)
Follow these steps:
Contact customer service at 866-478-6251
Advise the rep that you need to cancel
Be sure to get a confirmation number or email for the cancellation
Be sure to keep the email and/or confirmation info about the cancellation
