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Author Topic: RM or RF  (Read 4215 times)

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Slovenian

« on: February 08, 2011, 12:22 »
0
This really is a noob question, I'm already selling at MS agencies, but now I'm thinking about joining Alamy. I was leaning towards RM, so that I could become exclusive at IS later on (the way things are now, exclusivity doesn't look very appealing). So what's really the difference, what types of shots are more suitable for RM and what for RF? From what I could read on this forums, RM licensed photos are usually more creative. What type of licence brings more earnings? I guess it all depends on the type of shots and wether you're just a good or an excellent photographer. I'm sure not the latter, but I'm still better than most selling photos at MS agencies.

I'd really appreciate any helpful info.


ShadySue

  • There is a crack in everything
« Reply #1 on: February 08, 2011, 12:30 »
0
This really is a noob question, I'm already selling at MS agencies, but now I'm thinking about joining Alamy. I was leaning towards RM, so that I could become exclusive at IS later on (the way things are now, exclusivity doesn't look very appealing). So what's really the difference, what types of shots are more suitable for RM and what for RF? From what I could read on this forums, RM licensed photos are usually more creative. What type of licence brings more earnings? I guess it all depends on the type of shots and wether you're just a good or an excellent photographer. I'm sure not the latter, but I'm still better than most selling photos at MS agencies.

I'd really appreciate any helpful info.
There really is no answer to this question. On each model, "you never can tell what will sell". I'm both exclusive on iStock and sell RM/editorial on Alamy. From what I know, which isn't much re RF, the more 'creative' stuff is usually on Alamy as RF. As you'll see elsewhere, some RF sales on Alamy are for tiny $$, as they can be on Getty. The market is in such flux, and there are so many contributors. You just have to make your own judgements and adjust as you go on. Alamy is definitely a long game. iStock is now too: I'd hate to be a noob there nowadays.
One thing I will say: if you want to ask anything on the Alamy forums, don't even think of mentioning micro, or you risk not only a flaming, but also getting no, or misleading, answers - and they'll remember you in future.

WarrenPrice

« Reply #2 on: February 08, 2011, 13:03 »
0
This really is a noob question, I'm already selling at MS agencies, but now I'm thinking about joining Alamy. I was leaning towards RM, so that I could become exclusive at IS later on (the way things are now, exclusivity doesn't look very appealing). So what's really the difference, what types of shots are more suitable for RM and what for RF? From what I could read on this forums, RM licensed photos are usually more creative. What type of licence brings more earnings? I guess it all depends on the type of shots and wether you're just a good or an excellent photographer. I'm sure not the latter, but I'm still better than most selling photos at MS agencies.

I'd really appreciate any helpful info.
There really is no answer to this question. On each model, "you never can tell what will sell". I'm both exclusive on iStock and sell RM/editorial on Alamy. From what I know, which isn't much re RF, the more 'creative' stuff is usually on Alamy as RF. As you'll see elsewhere, some RF sales on Alamy are for tiny $$, as they can be on Getty. The market is in such flux, and there are so many contributors. You just have to make your own judgements and adjust as you go on. Alamy is definitely a long game. iStock is now too: I'd hate to be a noob there nowadays.
One thing I will say: if you want to ask anything on the Alamy forums, don't even think of mentioning micro, or you risk not only a flaming, but also getting no, or misleading, answers - and they'll remember you in future.

@ShadySue;  is it bad enough to consider registering under a different name?

Slovenian

« Reply #3 on: February 08, 2011, 16:16 »
0
This really is a noob question, I'm already selling at MS agencies, but now I'm thinking about joining Alamy. I was leaning towards RM, so that I could become exclusive at IS later on (the way things are now, exclusivity doesn't look very appealing). So what's really the difference, what types of shots are more suitable for RM and what for RF? From what I could read on this forums, RM licensed photos are usually more creative. What type of licence brings more earnings? I guess it all depends on the type of shots and wether you're just a good or an excellent photographer. I'm sure not the latter, but I'm still better than most selling photos at MS agencies.

I'd really appreciate any helpful info.
There really is no answer to this question. On each model, "you never can tell what will sell". I'm both exclusive on iStock and sell RM/editorial on Alamy. From what I know, which isn't much re RF, the more 'creative' stuff is usually on Alamy as RF. As you'll see elsewhere, some RF sales on Alamy are for tiny $$, as they can be on Getty. The market is in such flux, and there are so many contributors. You just have to make your own judgements and adjust as you go on. Alamy is definitely a long game. iStock is now too: I'd hate to be a noob there nowadays.
One thing I will say: if you want to ask anything on the Alamy forums, don't even think of mentioning micro, or you risk not only a flaming, but also getting no, or misleading, answers - and they'll remember you in future.

We seem to meet everywhere ;)

Slainte ;)

ShadySue

  • There is a crack in everything
« Reply #4 on: February 08, 2011, 17:07 »
0
@ShadySue;  is it bad enough to consider registering under a different name?
Depends what you said in the past. There are plenty of people there who also submit to micros, and say so. But there are some real anti-micro rabids.
And help/information on the forums is strangely patchy. After I'd been there for about six months with no sales, I asked for a review of my port and got no responses. Other people have had quite a lot of suggestions on the same question. And all I said was, "I'm getting sales elsewhere...", didn't even mention the M-word!
Also some over there pontificate greatly but aren't necessarily as authoritative as they seem. You'll soon sniff them out. One of them almost had me 'outing' myself in my new username (I changed it for purely technical reasons) because he was saying such ridiculous things about iStock.
I'm not exactly an iStock evangelist, but what he was saying was just wrong. So I very briefly stated the facts, but no more. It didn't stop him the last time I did it more expansively in my previous incarnation, and I guess he won't stop now.

« Reply #5 on: February 10, 2011, 13:01 »
0
Hi ShadySue - Reading about how you asked for feedback on port but got no responses reminded me of when I asked for keywording help about a particular editorial photo, but got no response. I felt a bit like neglected kitten at first, but perhaps we just both ran into bad luck/timing, and users who would have replied just didn't happen to see our questions, and then they were buried by newer Qs.

Since I often get really useful advice and info on A's forums, I regularly check what's up, but sometimes it helps to envision certain colorful posters in their 12% gray Doctor Denton's as they type away in front of their monitors.  smiles - Ann

@ShadySue;  is it bad enough to consider registering under a different name?
Depends what you said in the past. There are plenty of people there who also submit to micros, and say so. But there are some real anti-micro rabids.
And help/information on the forums is strangely patchy. After I'd been there for about six months with no sales, I asked for a review of my port and got no responses. Other people have had quite a lot of suggestions on the same question. And all I said was, "I'm getting sales elsewhere...", didn't even mention the M-word!
Also some over there pontificate greatly but aren't necessarily as authoritative as they seem. You'll soon sniff them out. One of them almost had me 'outing' myself in my new username (I changed it for purely technical reasons) because he was saying such ridiculous things about iStock.
I'm not exactly an iStock evangelist, but what he was saying was just wrong. So I very briefly stated the facts, but no more. It didn't stop him the last time I did it more expansively in my previous incarnation, and I guess he won't stop now.


 

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