Author Topic: PRESS RELEASE: Canstock Photo Inc. Acquired; Now An Affiliate Of Fotosearch (Read 31292 times)

SStevenson · « **on:** November 12, 2008, 05:10 »

Press release issued by Canstock on 11-12-08 as follows:

Stock Photography Company Can Stock Photo Inc. Acquired
(Halifax, Canada – November 12, 2008) – As the result of an acquisition, microstock innovator Can Stock Photo Inc. is now an affiliate of stock photography pioneer Fotosearch. As part of the new relationship, Fotosearch will distribute Can Stock Photo imagery, allowing Can Stock Photo’s contributors access to the robust worldwide distribution network Fotosearch has built over the past 10 years. Can Stock Photo contributors will be able to present their stock photos to millions of Fotosearch visitors every week.
Contributors to Can Stock Photo will further benefit by having their images marketed as prints and their best content licensed in a professional brand. “It’s only been a few days and we’ve already had a tremendous amount of interest from photographers in adding new content to Can Stock Photo as a result of this relationship with Fotosearch,” said Can Stock Photo’s founder, Duncan Enman.
Can Stock Photo will continue to operate as a separate company, and its already easy-to-use upload process has been improved to accept vector files. Further enhancements to the site will be made in the near future, including the acceptance of footage content. As a result of the new owner’s growth strategy, Can Stock Photo will be marketing its website more aggressively to attract even more stock photography buyers. Enman, who created Can Stock Photo while a university student in Nova Scotia, Canada, will remain involved with Can Stock Photo.
Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
About Fotosearch®
Publitek, Inc., dba Fotosearch, is one of the largest stock image agencies in the world, representing more than 100 royalty free agencies and more than 4 million photos. Fotosearch’s impressive client list includes international magazines, newspapers, and publishing companies, as well as thousands of major advertising firms in the U.S. and abroad. Visit Fotosearch Stock Photography at http://www.fotosearch.com to Find the Perfect Photo Fast™.
About Can Stock Photo Inc.
Can Stock Photo™ is a microstock agency founded by Duncan Enman in 2004. Can Stock Photo represents more than 800,000 stock images and has more than 30,000 members. Visit Can Stock Photo at http://www.canstockphoto.com.

peep · « **Reply #1 on:** November 12, 2008, 05:24 »

Since when has Canstock Photo been a microstock innovator

I must have missed it! :-)

leaf · « **Reply #2 on:** November 12, 2008, 06:27 »

will be interesting to see if they get any more customers. They are one of the older sites, but have one of the poorest sales records...

leaf · « **Reply #3 on:** November 12, 2008, 06:33 »

And I wonder how pricing will works. Images on fotosearch are priced as follows

Web Resolution
501 KB / 72 dpi / 4.7" x 7.2" / RGB   USD $49.00

Medium Resolution
13.7 MB / 300 dpi / 5.9" x 9" / RGB   USD $199.00

High Resolution
24.3 MB / 300 dpi / 7.9" x 12" / RGB   USD $269.00

Ultra High Resolution
51.1 MB / 300 dpi / 11.4" x 17.4" / RGB   USD $319.00

will the canstock photos be sold at those prices, or will they be lower? and what will our share be. It is a bit of a bad deal if they sell them for those high prices and give us a measly 50 cents

grp_photo · « **Reply #4 on:** November 12, 2008, 06:37 »

LOL Canstock its time to make my own Stockphoto-site it seems you just need to wait long enough and somebody is willing to buy even the worst non-producing garbage.

grp_photo · « **Reply #5 on:** November 12, 2008, 06:38 »

Quote from: leaf on November 12, 2008, 06:33

And I wonder how pricing will works. Images on fotosearch are priced as follows

Web Resolution
501 KB / 72 dpi / 4.7" x 7.2" / RGB   USD $49.00

Medium Resolution
13.7 MB / 300 dpi / 5.9" x 9" / RGB   USD $199.00

High Resolution
24.3 MB / 300 dpi / 7.9" x 12" / RGB   USD $269.00

Ultra High Resolution
51.1 MB / 300 dpi / 11.4" x 17.4" / RGB   USD $319.00

will the canstock photos be sold at those prices, or will they be lower? and what will our share be. It is a bit of a bad deal if they sell them for those high prices and give us a measly 50 cents

Yes this issue need some research anyone already asked this on the forum?

madelaide · « **Reply #6 on:** November 12, 2008, 09:06 »

Quote from: leaf on November 12, 2008, 06:33

And I wonder how pricing will works. Images on fotosearch are priced as follows (...)
will the canstock photos be sold at those prices, or will they be lower? and what will our share be. It is a bit of a bad deal if they sell them for those high prices and give us a measly 50 cents

My guess: it will be a subcription site as a second-line collection, maybe selling CD collections. There are many images there that most sites would not accept (mine included).

Regards,
Adelaide

jsnover · « **Reply #7 on:** November 12, 2008, 11:13 »

Quote from: peep on November 12, 2008, 05:24

Since when has Canstock Photo been a microstock innovator I must have missed it! :-)

I left CanStock before I went exclusive at IS (poor performance) but I had been there since very shortly after the site started (started June 2004 and I joined at the end of October 2004), and I think it's actually fair to describe the site that way.

Duncan implemented image zoom before any of the other sites had it (he took it away again during a later upgrade). He also implemented a great series feature for images from a shoot, and their upload stuff was always getting improvements of one kind or another. He also started out with a very generous pricing model (prices did get cut later to try and compete although it didn't work out) - I remember getting $4 or $4.50 for a large image commission back in 2004/2005 when it was 60 cents at IS.

Doesn't mean the site was overall a success, but I do think that's a fair comment.

Kngkyle · « **Reply #8 on:** November 12, 2008, 11:19 »

Image Subscriptions
Tier Downloads Payout
1 1-1,999 $0.30
2 2,000-9,999 $0.32
3 10,000-24,999 $0.34
4 25,000-99,999 $0.36
5 100,000 or more $0.38

Enhanced License Subscriptions
$22.00 per download

Image-Packs small / medium file size
Tier Downloads Payout
1 1-1,999 $0.80
2 2,000-9,999 $1.00
3 10,000-24,999 $1.10
4 25,000-99,999 $1.20
5 100,000 or more $1.25

Image-Packs any file size
Tier Downloads Payout
1 1-1,999 $1.85
2 2,000-9,999 $2.30
3 10,000-24,999 $2.50
4 25,000-99,999 $2.70
5 100,000 or more $2.85

Footage-Packs
standard definition $8.00 per download
high definition $13.25 per download

Single Image/Clip License
20% of license fee

Prints / Posters
20% of license fee

Downloads represent total photographer downloads on both Can Stock Photo and Fotosearch
http://www.canstockphoto.com/fotosearch_payout.php

lisafx · « **Reply #9 on:** November 12, 2008, 11:43 »

This is really interesting news.

I am actually quite happy for Duncan. As Joann said, he was giving a much fairer shake to photographers than other sites in beginning, and doing a lot of innovating on the site. The marketing aspect just never took off.

I still have my portfolio on Can stock and make occasional payouts. Now under the Fotosearch terms I expect marketing and sales will improve.

Am I delighted that the bulk of my images will be selling for .30 sub prices? Definitely not - but the pricing sounds pretty similar to what is offered through Jupiter's Photos.com deal. Hopefully with the extra worldwide reach of Fotosearch, volume will make up for the low sub prices.

I'm actually kinda glad I hung in there with Canstock now.

dbvirago · « **Reply #10 on:** November 12, 2008, 11:49 »

Yeah, I think technically, the site was always at or ahead of the competition, there just weren't any sales. I quit uploading there first of the year, but did not delete my portfolio. I've never understood why anyone would go to the effort of deleting their port on a site after going to the trouble to upload unless there were bigger reasons than lack of sales.

Hopefully this will pay off.

jsnover · « **Reply #11 on:** November 12, 2008, 12:44 »

Quote from: dbvirago on November 12, 2008, 11:49

I've never understood why anyone would go to the effort of deleting their port on a site after going to the trouble to upload unless there were bigger reasons than lack of sales.

It was the increase in subs sales at a 25 cent commission that did it for me. When I saw half my sales (and it was always the images that sold the best elsewhere) were subs at this rock bottom price - with no volume on the upside like at SS (which was paying more anyway), I decided I didn't want these sales to undercut better subs commissions elsewhere.

rene · « **Reply #12 on:** November 12, 2008, 13:23 »

Quote from: jsnover on November 12, 2008, 12:44

Quote from: dbvirago on November 12, 2008, 11:49
I've never understood why anyone would go to the effort of deleting their port on a site after going to the trouble to upload unless there were bigger reasons than lack of sales.

It was the increase in subs sales at a 25 cent commission that did it for me. When I saw half my sales (and it was always the images that sold the best elsewhere) were subs at this rock bottom price - with no volume on the upside like at SS (which was paying more anyway), I decided I didn't want these sales to undercut better subs commissions elsewhere.

Agree.
Another reason is of a moral nature: I do not want to treat with sites which are not to fair with their contributors. If they don't have our portfolios customers will leave and buy our images for better prices (for us).

sharpshot · « **Reply #13 on:** November 12, 2008, 13:44 »

I only uploaded a few there. Will have to think about uploading more now. Does this get rid of the 25 cents commissions? I am not interested in that price anymore.

madelaide · « **Reply #14 on:** November 12, 2008, 15:18 »

According to the "revised" About page, yes, we still get 25c for sales in CanStockPhoto. The table below is for sales through Fotosearch.

Does anyone have an idea of how much subs Fotosearch sells compared to credits? I'm tired of seeing almost only subs in CS and CanStockPhoto.

Regards,
Adelaide

takestock · « **Reply #15 on:** November 12, 2008, 15:55 »

Quote from: leaf on November 12, 2008, 06:27

will be interesting to see if they get any more customers. They are one of the older sites, but have one of the poorest sales records...

As I have experienced.

Tim Markley · « **Reply #16 on:** November 12, 2008, 16:24 »

I've one payout in four years, not my best site but I am glad I stuck with it. Let hope for better sales

melastmohican · « **Reply #17 on:** November 12, 2008, 16:26 »

These guys got lucky, somebody got money but wants to get into microstock market quickly. It's good cause it means more competitions for market leaders.

hali · « **Reply #18 on:** November 12, 2008, 17:18 »

Quote from: jsnover on November 12, 2008, 12:44

It was the increase in subs sales at a 25 cent commission that did it for me. When I saw half my sales (and it was always the images that sold the best elsewhere) were subs at this rock bottom price - with no volume on the upside like at SS (which was paying more anyway), I decided I didn't want these sales to undercut better subs commissions elsewhere.

and someone once said that buyers don't check out other sites to find the lowest price. obviously they do .
another thing, this time a question: I know you can always opt in if you're opt out.
but if you opt in, can you opt out later, if you find that it actually hurts your sales? or is it once you're in, you're in.

jsnover · « **Reply #19 on:** November 12, 2008, 17:49 »

In spite of many requests to do so, Duncan never was willing to provide an opt-out on subs. No idea if anything will change as a result of the acquisiton, however.

My own form of opt out (between the time I decided this wasn't working for me and made the next payout) was to delete my best sellers from CanStock. It slowed the time to payout, but I didn't feel so bad about the situation.

Nemo1024 · « **Reply #20 on:** November 13, 2008, 01:32 »

Quote

Sharpshot: I only uploaded a few there. Will have to think about uploading more now. Does this get rid of the 25 cents commissions? I am not interested in that price anymore.

Well, Shutterstock pay you 25 cent per image as well, and i see you are a contributor there

rinderart · « **Reply #21 on:** November 13, 2008, 01:43 »

Good . Hope Fotosearch does better.

sharpshot · « **Reply #22 on:** November 13, 2008, 02:58 »

Quote from: Nemo1024 on November 13, 2008, 01:32

Quote
Sharpshot: I only uploaded a few there. Will have to think about uploading more now. Does this get rid of the 25 cents commissions? I am not interested in that price anymore.

Well, Shutterstock pay you 25 cent per image as well, and i see you are a contributor there

No, they pay me 38 cents. That is a huge difference. They increase commission as sales increase. The other sites should do the same.

Kiya · « **Reply #23 on:** December 10, 2008, 13:21 »

Excited to see a sale yesterday for $19.80 through Fotosearch, encouraging

madelaide · « **Reply #24 on:** January 05, 2009, 15:50 »

How have been your results with Fotosearch?

My sales at CanStockPhoto in December were still very poor: 5 subs, four with them and one with Fotosearch. So I am not impressed.

Regards,
Adelaide

lisafx · « **Reply #25 on:** January 05, 2009, 16:35 »

Sales still sluggish for me too. I've only had 4 fotosearch sales.

leaf · « **Reply #26 on:** January 06, 2009, 02:31 »

well, it is still slow for me too, with only 3 sales from fotosearch total, but 2 of those sales were for $20.00 each which makes a significant increase in my canstock earnings. If I get a $20 sale/week I think it would be worth uploading.

Milinz · « **Reply #27 on:** January 13, 2009, 15:32 »

Vector seling price = $10
My commision = $2,5

What the heck is that?

25% commision for VECTOR SALE?

I feel robbed due to that I never got lower than 40% of single vector sale!

Never mind that Duncan is still not responding on bad CMYK conversion due to transfer of my images from Unlisted Images Inc on Dec 21. 2008.

I am really starting to hate my CanStockPhoto membership - No matter I have over 500 images on-line!

helix7 · « **Reply #28 on:** January 13, 2009, 15:44 »

Quote from: Milinz on January 13, 2009, 15:32

Vector seling price = $10
My commision = $2,5

What the heck is that?

25% commision for VECTOR SALE?

I feel robbed due to that I never got lower than 40% of single vector sale!

You sell at istock, don't you?

Milinz · « **Reply #29 on:** January 13, 2009, 16:11 »

Quote from: helix7 on January 13, 2009, 15:44

Quote from: Milinz on January 13, 2009, 15:32
Vector seling price = $10
My commision = $2,5

What the heck is that?

25% commision for VECTOR SALE?

I feel robbed due to that I never got lower than 40% of single vector sale!

You sell at istock, don't you?

NO... NOT VECTORS YET - AND NOT UNDER THIS TERMS (low sales quantity with low sales commission) ;-) It is much better if it is 20% of $49!

By the way... I have uploaded 20 files (1 video and 19 photos) on Istock and there are 15 downloads total with $12 my comission... Doing some math says that it is quite a lot more than 25% ;-)

On the other side I have over 500 files (over 400 vectors and approx 100 photos) on CanStockPhoto and there is ONE SOLD FOR $10 and my comission is $2,5...

Anyone clever can do the math about this comparation ;-)

Duncan_CSP · « **Reply #30 on:** January 13, 2009, 18:46 »

Hi Milinz,

Vectors actually sell for 10 credits - not dollars. Since each credit is $0.50, a vector purchase is actually worth $5. We pay a 50% commission on all of CanStock's non-subscription sales.

Regarding the EPS color profile issue, this was actually fixed a few hours ago - we will be re-generating all vectors thumbnails this evening. Thanks for your patience on this.

Cheers,

Duncan

leaf · « **Reply #31 on:** January 14, 2009, 01:55 »

thanks for popping your head in here Duncan and clearing that up.

I hope the partnership with Fotosearch proves successful

Clivia · « **Reply #32 on:** January 14, 2009, 02:55 »

Milinz,
How much did the files on Istock sell for? Its hard to do the maths without all the information.

Elenathewise · « **Reply #33 on:** January 14, 2009, 11:52 »

I have been having 20-25 dollar sales from Fotosearch every few days, plus some subscriptions - I am quite happy with this. Way to go Canstock:)

lisafx · « **Reply #34 on:** January 14, 2009, 13:16 »

Quote from: Elenathewise on January 14, 2009, 11:52

I have been having 20-25 dollar sales from Fotosearch every few days, plus some subscriptions - I am quite happy with this. Way to go Canstock:)

Are these vector sales?

My photo sales there are in the toilet. I had big hopes for fotosearch but so far only a few sub sales from them. Canstock were 0% of my 2008 income and about 1/3 of Crestock, which came in at 1%.

Canstock have unfortunately become more trouble track and do paperwork on than the income they bring in justifies.

Elenathewise · « **Reply #35 on:** January 14, 2009, 15:05 »

No I don't have vectors in my portfolio, only photos. What sold as Fotosearch regular were some people and food shots.

madelaide · « **Reply #36 on:** January 14, 2009, 15:27 »

Quote from: lisafx on January 14, 2009, 13:16

My photo sales there are in the toilet.

Mine to... I basically only collect coins there.

Regards,
Adelaide

Tim Markley · « **Reply #37 on:** January 14, 2009, 16:28 »

4 sub sales since the takeover related to fotosearch and one other sale. This is actual growth there, I hope when "testing" is over with fotosearch things pick up.

Milinz · « **Reply #38 on:** January 14, 2009, 17:26 »

Quote from: Duncan_CSP on January 13, 2009, 18:46

Hi Milinz,

Vectors actually sell for 10 credits - not dollars. Since each credit is $0.50, a vector purchase is actually worth $5. We pay a 50% commission on all of CanStock's non-subscription sales.

Regarding the EPS color profile issue, this was actually fixed a few hours ago - we will be re-generating all vectors thumbnails this evening. Thanks for your patience on this.

Cheers,

Duncan

I DIDN'T KNOW That with credit = $0,50!

Sorry about my false changing of credit for $1...

Still, I think there is to low price for vector on demand to be sold for $5! The regular price on most agencies is near double of that and even they have some price categories depending on vector complexity ($5 for simple up to 25 for highly complex). Maybe some moves are to be made there in UP way... It might be a reason why so many illustrators don't like CanStockPhoto and they don't upload vector files - only rasterized versions... Nevertheless I will wait with my further upload of my newest vectors until I see some movement in positive direction and higher prices for vectors ;-)

I hardly wait for thumbs to be regenerated - so I can do a bit tweaks with titles of my images...

Phil · « **Reply #39 on:** January 14, 2009, 19:53 »

I've had 2 x $20 this month so far, considering the slow start I'm pretty pleased. made my $50 payout for the month already and so far sitting just ahead of BigStock, StockXpert and 123rf

hoping it is sign of things to come

Phil

Calamity_John · « **Reply #40 on:** January 20, 2009, 16:37 »

I about fell out of my chair when I checked in on CanStockPhoto today .. I just had a $19.80 Fotosearch download for a "fotosearch regular size medium" .. and checking on their forums it seems there are at least a few others as well .. if that would suddenly turn into a trend it would resurrect my opinion of CanStockPhoto in a hurry .. in a very non scientific reflection on my once a month upload to that site it seems to me like their reviewers may be easing back off as well.

John

madelaide · « **Reply #41 on:** January 29, 2009, 15:22 »

I had a $19.80 Fotosearch sale today, yeah!!!

It makes about 20% of all I have earned in CanStockPhoto in almost 3 years.

A subs sale brought me back to reality though. Now, how can I sell at FS and not CanStockPhoto?

Regards,
Adelaide

lisafx · « **Reply #42 on:** January 29, 2009, 16:25 »

Congrats! I finally had one too a few days back for $18 and change.

Would love to see some more of these type sales! From what I understand the Fotosearch integration is still in the testing phase and not fully rolled out until mid Februaryish.

It would be very nice to see all our patience in sticking with Canstock rewarded with good sales at last

madelaide · « **Reply #43 on:** February 11, 2009, 18:27 »

Another Fotosearch sale got me US$19.80, so FS earned me until now 35% of my total earnings in CanStockPhoto in 3 years! This time it was one of my best-sellers that was dld only twice there previously, so it feels like finally receiving what it merits.

I'm loving the Fotosearch deal. If only I could opt out subs....

Regards,
Adelaide

tubed · « **Reply #44 on:** February 11, 2009, 20:21 »

Yeah, I'm starting to see an increase as well.. We'll see..

null · « **Reply #45 on:** February 11, 2009, 22:05 »

Just had a look. Didn't log in on CanStockPhoto for 10 months. After uploading a large series then, I expected some results, but all I see is 16$, in almost a year. I'll have another look in 2010 as I'm not motivated at all to upload 500 new shots there. Even Featurepics makes me more with no categories. Duh

ancientimages · « **Reply #46 on:** February 12, 2009, 00:42 »

Things are definitely working at Canstock. I got a couple of FS $19.80 sales yesterday, but am still getting CS sales as well. The sales yesterday were not previously "best-sellers" by a long shot. It will be exciting to see what happens when the roll-out is complete.

kaycee · « **Reply #47 on:** February 14, 2009, 17:54 »

Yes and WOW some high commisions $19.80 for a Fotosearch Regular Medium.
I would say Fotosearch go for it this one is my first let's hope many will follow.

Pixart · « **Reply #48 on:** February 14, 2009, 19:05 »

Hmm... methinks perhaps it is time to upload to CanStock?

I remember they went through a major rejection phase when they were acquired. Is it still as rigid?

mantonino · « **Reply #49 on:** February 14, 2009, 19:22 »

Quote from: Pixart on February 14, 2009, 19:05

Hmm... methinks perhaps it is time to upload to CanStock?

I remember they went through a major rejection phase when they were acquired. Is it still as rigid?

no

tubed · « **Reply #50 on:** February 14, 2009, 20:03 »

Quote from: Pixart on February 14, 2009, 19:05

Hmm... methinks perhaps it is time to upload to CanStock?

I remember they went through a major rejection phase when they were acquired. Is it still as rigid?

Don't think they have ever rejected anything of mine..

Pixart · « **Reply #51 on:** February 14, 2009, 22:56 »

Hey Matt, didn't you do a story recently about sites you were thinking about dropping? Can't remember - was CS a keeper? How is it compared to 123 which is on the bottom of my list?

I went back to the first page of this post and I didn't realize that it was only 3 months (Nov 08) ago that this deal happened. Would be nice to see everyone's graphs after a full 12 months with Fotosearch.

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Author Topic: PRESS RELEASE: Canstock Photo Inc. Acquired; Now An Affiliate Of Fotosearch (Read 31292 times)

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