MicrostockGroup

Thanks!

Interesting what Jonathan Ross said about similars.  I would agree that the sites should be more strict but from my experience the reviewers often reject images that are more unique and sometimes really don't know what they are doing.  Sometimes they accept the images that I am sure are the worst in a batch and reject the best ones.  I would much prefer it if they just removed older content that hasn't sold, reducing the amount of images a buyer has to wade through but giving new images a chance.

Thanks for telling the Russians about micro, why not giving them hassleblad. I don't see the point, since the Russians and all east European countries, can do business with 3 times less staff expenses and more. They can also earn barely 40% more incomes from microstock due to their low value money...

EDIT: They also have beautiful blonds with great smiles

I all fairness I don't think you should start quoting figures like that, a quick look at his portfolio and download numbers shows that he's got nothing like that sort of return.

Appologies I thought you'd made that figure up, as I said I can't see that he's making anywhere near that return over the period stated, plus some of the other numbers are out, I wonder if the interviewer misinterpreted his replies, maybe JR will come here and clarify it, you certainly couldn't blame any russians for wanting to get involved if they think that's the return.

I have to say again - I really admire Jonathan and his work and his will to share his knowledge with us.
I'm looking forward to similar conference in Serbia!

Thanks for producing the interviews MikLav - both very well done.  The thing that caught my attention was the comment from Lee about Superstock... could be an interesting development.

I'm sure those who attended picked up a lot more useful information and contacts than they "gave away". Apart from being home to some very successful contributors, Russia and Eastern Europe are also large emerging markets that create enormous opportunities of their own.

Thanks for posting the highlights, I don't have any patience to watch those interviews.

 Hi All,

 Well what a wonderful friendly place this is I must apologize if a number was off in that interview, I have already doubled my investment of 60k in 2 years not one year. I did produce 3500 images but some are not accepted at some sites or still in line for upload ( istock ) I also did not make one penny from giving this lecture and as the interview said I had 2 hours site seeing at 5 in the morning, it was three days only. I flew 25 hours door to door and went because I was asked to speak at a conference that supported photography.
 I share all my information and I am sorry if your philosophy in life does not meet with mine, not much I can see to fix there. I have offered as much information here at MicrostockGroup as I could and actually learned how to communicate through social networking in a reasonable manor right here about a year and a half ago. That in itself has been a great help for me. When I was first hit here with similar statements made on this post I would have been angry and made a rebuttal that didn't do what I wanted in the first place, to share with others what I know. Over time you have all shown me that everyone has a different approach to life and I have no desire to tell others how to live their lives.
 Russia is full tilt into Micro stock and has been for years. I was shown a great deal of Micro images produced in Russia that matched anything I could produce if not better  so I don't think I have uncovered or shared any information with them that they don't already know. They have production companies producing with several photographers on staff so in some ways I see them ahead of us in some respects.
 The interview is not the presentation itself it was an interview that I was asked to do. At the very beginning of the presentation I clearly explain that  "I make very good returns on my work and please do not expect what I do to work for you, everyone has their own styles ". I follow that statement by saying " everyone is very different and if you can find just one piece of information, a nugget in all I say then I will be pleased ". Do not expect to make what the top money makers in stock are making for some time, I was not out to promote anything but stock photography. I don't think you heard me try to plug my own agency which I think a lot of people interviewed usually do. But even with this presented there is the classic assumptions and expectations made with no research, with the exception of Miclav.
 To also let you know, there are a great deal of people on this site that live in Russia so I think the internet let's anyone with a bit of savvy find the information they need to advance their knowledge in just about any activity.
 If I have offended people here that was not my intention and once again the review was off on one number and that was my fault I won't deny it. My only explanation I can offer is that I had 6 hours sleep and had just finished a photo shoot in a time zone 11 hours different than my own. My apologies for that mistake, the rest is just a difference in life philosophy and sharing with others all you can whenever you can.
 I have returned over $120,000 in two year since my upload of the 3500 with another 2000 to upload at Istock I hope that helps give a base of what my returns are. This is also slightly before 2 years so I can't say till we get to December what my 2 year sales are, I can only share what I have made to this time. In no way is this to brag about returns this is only to clear up what seemed to be unclear.
 I think I have explained it as well as I can but if you have any more questions please don't hesitate to ask.

Best,
Jonathan

Yes, I'm know.  I'm evil.  You can be all humble and philanthropic about it, but if you want to forward photography, why not donate some G12s to a Seattle kids' club and give a few classes instead if flying across the ocean to train your/our competition?  Still makes no sense.  Sorry.

As a photographer that has had the privilege of hearing Jonathan speak at a couple of different functions as well as watching him at work I can say that the industry is better off with him and his candor.  Who here that has met any level of success in this incredibly competitive and challenging industry has done so without the help or advice of an established pro?  Fake it till ya make it will only get you so far.  I know that I have learned and continue to learn from many photographers including Jonathan and I am incredibly grateful for that opportunity.  I hope to pay it forward some day as well should I reach a level that people feel they could learn from me.

Scoffing at people for sharing information has in my opinion become an antiquated form of mockery that reminds me of middle school bullying.  It is based on insecurity and fear.  There are millions of DSLR's in the hands of millions of people around the world.  If you want to succeed, shoot better than the others.  It's like wedding photographers bitching about Uncle Joe and his 50D shooting away at a wedding...if you can't outshoot Uncle Joe then you shouldn't be getting paid to shoot. 

On a side note, the first time I met Jonathan he was speaking at a photography group meeting somewhere in Downtown Seattle as I recall.  During his talk he was talking about the different ways a photographer can earn a living and touched briefly on an up and coming popular new fad where photographers gave away their images for as little as $1.  He kind of chuckled at the concept a bit then asked if anyone in the room had dabbled in it.  I sheepishly raised my hand and admitted my dirty little secret.  Jonathan pointed and laughed to the point of tears at me then called me an idiot and threw me out of the room.

No, that's not true..actually he was openly curious about it with a touch of skepticism but he heard me out and listened.  That to me was symbolic of a time when the old school (sorry Jonathan..not calling you old... "old school") stock photographers started to dip their toes in the water of micro and the microstock industry truly began to evolve into what it is today.  Without bad ass, experienced photographers contributing to micro, the quality of images would be too thinly found and we wouldn't find the success we have today.  I say bring on more awesome photography.  I'll continue to learn and hopefully improve and the buyers will continue to find their way to the micros.

Mat