Diamond – at iStock
Most microstock agencies employ some kind of level system. That means that contributing photographers will be “promoted” once they have reached a certain amount of pictures sold. At the “grand old agency” – that is iStock – the levels are called “canisters” and go from “base” (harmless) up to “black diamond” (elite).
I just hit diamond with my portfolio at iStock, the second highest level, which requires 25.000 sold pictures. Not terribly bad for a weekend shooter who started late in the revolution. I must confess, however, that only a short time ago I thought my whole life would suddenly change and I would feel distinctively different once I reached the semi-god level at iStock. But it just happened without much additional noise. I try to take this as a good sign though: I convince myself that I have outgrown the need for outside motivation and derive the pleasure and the high I get from the act of creating itself.
That is, I think, a very good thing.