Seattle-based LookStat is offering a free 25-image trial of microstock keywording and uploading services. The company also offers retouching and analytics services. LookStat is used by a number of pro stock shooters, including Jonathan Ross of Andersen Ross Studios, who says “I cannot say enough good things about LookStat and their services for photographers.” (Read a recent Selling Stock profile …

The British Association of Picture Libraries and Agencies has issued a formal response to what it calls “potentially destructive and libelous accusations” by member company fotoLibra. According to a statement posted on the BAPLA Web site, fotoLibra is completely wrong in its perception of BAPLA’s future plans.

Traditional photographers contemplating trying microstock may benefit from a new tool: a free online income calculator released by German stock photographer Robert Kneschke. Available via Kneschke’s blog, the title of which translates as “Daily Life of a Picture Producer,” the calculator projects future income based on user-submitted information.

At this week’s annual meeting, the British Association of Picture Libraries and Agencies elected several new members to its board. It also announced a new business endeavor, which is not meeting with the approval of at least one BAPLA member company: Wales paid-membership stock Web site fotoLibra says the forthcoming BAPLA Academy is a rip-off of the fotoLibra business model and will be its direct competitor. BAPLA executive director denies the charge.

One of the things that is a mystery to most photographers, microstock and traditional, is the inspecting (or editing) process. Every microstock agency has slightly different standards that it rigidly enforces. Microstocksolutions founder and managing director Mark Milstein shares the workings of his micro-inspection company, which operates in central and southeastern Europe and services a growing number of microstock agencies.