Author Topic: Video on istock - question (Read 19222 times)

gondolin · « **on:** March 02, 2015, 11:00 »

I want to enter into video production, so I've been thinking about becoming exclusive videographer on istock/getty. Can anyone post here their experiences with video on istock? I'm mostly interested hearing the stories from the people that are currently exclusive videographers on istock.
The other option for me is selling through Shutterstock & Pond5. Thanks.

kunilanskap · « **Reply #1 on:** March 02, 2015, 11:13 »

Istock has ridiculous commission for video.

jjneff · « **Reply #2 on:** March 02, 2015, 11:51 »

iStock has good commission for video exclusive! I have been exclusive since 2006 and my average sale income is $50.00 per sale no matter the size. On Getty it is closer to $70.00 per sale. Exclusive works for me.

gondolin · « **Reply #3 on:** March 02, 2015, 14:23 »

50-70$? That sounds great. Thanks. I do wonder, what's more frequent - getty or istock sales?

PeterChigmaroff · « **Reply #4 on:** March 02, 2015, 14:29 »

Quote from: jjneff on March 02, 2015, 11:51

iStock has good commission for video exclusive! I have been exclusive since 2006 and my average sale income is $50.00 per sale no matter the size. On Getty it is closer to $70.00 per sale. Exclusive works for me.

I was going to mentions this as I read your comments on iStock as well but this says it better than I can; It is or it isn't?
http://www.microstockgroup.com/istockphoto-com/how-are-your-istock-sales/msg410100/

PhotoLA · « **Reply #5 on:** March 02, 2015, 15:49 »

You don't need to be exclusive to contribute videos to iStock. It seems better to contribute to several stock sites and see how it goes before deciding to be exclusive.

KB · « **Reply #6 on:** March 02, 2015, 17:16 »

Quote from: PhotoLA on March 02, 2015, 15:49

You don't need to be exclusive to contribute videos to iStock.

No, you don't. But anyone who isn't exclusive and contributes videos to iStock really needs to <fill in your favorite slur here>.

$6-$8 commission for an HD video (for most independents)? It's shameful.

gondolin · « **Reply #7 on:** March 02, 2015, 17:32 »

Well, I guess jjneff wouldn't stay exclusive for 8 years if he was unsatisfied, would he? Everyone have ups and downs, projections should be made every 3 months and such.

Noedelhap · « **Reply #8 on:** March 02, 2015, 19:31 »

Now is the worst time to enter istock as a video contributor. Last September they slashed video commissions for non-exclusives with their ridiculous credit pricing. I wouldn't bother going exclusive either, since iStock/Getty seems like a sinking ship.

PeterChigmaroff · « **Reply #9 on:** March 02, 2015, 20:06 »

Quote from: gondolin on March 02, 2015, 17:32

Well, I guess jjneff wouldn't stay exclusive for 8 years if he was unsatisfied, would he? Everyone have ups and downs, projections should be made every 3 months and such.

I'll bring it forward from another thread. I'm guessing he's not too happy but doesn't know what to do.

September Sales
"Down a lot from last year but up from August. Time will tell with these changes"
October Sales
"This is a bad trend! For me average nothing amazing nothing awful. For the amount of content I have produced this year I am not happy with sales."
November Sales
"Very bad month on the video side! photo was average and the month as a whole was well below 2013 which was a horrible year for me."
December sales
"A normally low Dec. asu usual, I need Getty sales to draw my final conclusion now. iStock alone was a low average."

And January 2015 Sales
"Nothing to really say on the video side, very average and low. Most troubling is 7 days with zero sales. Here is hoping Getty is better but not holding my breath."

jjneff · « **Reply #10 on:** March 02, 2015, 21:09 »

I certainly have had my ups and downs, questions and frustrations. iStock/Getty is not a bed of roses but the exclusive commission is fair. That being said I am in a position where I can not afford to drop my exclusive status. I am not unhappy with the video team at iStock/Getty they are great. I do see some light at the end of the tunnel and am hoping for the best. Spreading out may be best for others that is for sure, but for me it dose not work. I do like focusing on one site and spending more time shooting and creating. I say whatever path you choose work hard at it and you will reap some rewards. I still make a full-time income. Getty sales are more up and down, some months I earn thousands from Getty and others hundreds.

dingles · « **Reply #11 on:** March 02, 2015, 21:26 »

I do well as a video exclusive on iStock, although the royalties vary a lot for me $8-100+. Lately thing have been solid and video carries the bulk of my earnings there.

sharpshot · « **Reply #12 on:** March 03, 2015, 04:49 »

I would be very concerned about the Getty/istock financial problems. How are they going to get the money they need to keep going? Seems likely to me that they will have to cut exclusive commissions, as what other options do they have? So I would be more inclined to go with Pond5 and all the other non-exclusive sites.

gondolin · « **Reply #13 on:** March 03, 2015, 05:24 »

Thanks guys!

I wouldn't be concerned over getty's financial situation. They are one of the biggest stock agencies and their earnings is several times bigger than other competitors. They have images of everyone and are literally everywhere. If could ever fall, the whole market would notice it big time. We're all small fish in a big pond anyway. It's the same as being concerned about the US having the absolute highest debt of all countries.

dingles · « **Reply #14 on:** March 03, 2015, 14:04 »

Quote from: sharpshot on March 03, 2015, 04:49

I would be very concerned about the Getty/istock financial problems. How are they going to get the money they need to keep going? Seems likely to me that they will have to cut exclusive commissions, as what other options do they have? So I would be more inclined to go with Pond5 and all the other non-exclusive sites.

If they do, then exclusives have the option to bail

PeterChigmaroff · « **Reply #15 on:** March 03, 2015, 14:51 »

Quote from: gondolin on March 03, 2015, 05:24

Thanks guys!

I wouldn't be concerned over getty's financial situation. They are one of the biggest stock agencies and their earnings is several times bigger than other competitors. They have images of everyone and are literally everywhere. If could ever fall, the whole market would notice it big time. We're all small fish in a big pond anyway. It's the same as being concerned about the US having the absolute highest debt of all countries.

There are many many companies, some long gone, some on their way, which had, verbatim, statements made about them.

asiseeit · « **Reply #16 on:** March 03, 2015, 16:39 »

I believe the top 4 video sellers are Istock, getty images, shutterstock, and pond5. Exclusivity with IStock gets you into 2 of these markets. Going non-exclusive gets you into 3, but one with a reduced royalty rate. I was non-exc for about 9 months and have been exc for the last 8 months or so. I prefer exc at this point, but each has it's advantages.

ammit · « **Reply #17 on:** May 20, 2015, 23:28 »

Man, for nonexclusive istock really sucks, 28c for stills and 6$ for footages .... pulling out more than 2k+ footages and 3k+ images. I've seen a lot of changes since 2008 but this is too much, so BYE BYE ISTOCK!

Holmes · « **Reply #18 on:** May 21, 2015, 02:11 »

stock still insists on having all video files in PHOTOjpeg codec which adds artifacts and makes files massive. DSLRs shoot H.264 Mp4 which is fine and with great quality and file size.

typical getty.

that is why I will not submit videos to IS

dingles · « **Reply #19 on:** May 21, 2015, 06:35 »

You understand that h264 MP4 is compressed...ideal as a final shareable video format, but not as ideal for video production.

jjneff · « **Reply #20 on:** May 21, 2015, 06:39 »

Sales good for me at iStock but I am Exclusive.

Holmes · « **Reply #21 on:** May 21, 2015, 11:52 »

Quote from: dingles on May 21, 2015, 06:35

You understand that h264 MP4 is compressed...ideal as a final shareable video format, but not as ideal for video production.

yes i know that
but it is native from video DSLRs and best quality direct from camera. converting to photpjpeg degrades the file and adds unnecessary size. do a test on a nice gradated blue sky if you have a full frame DSLR for video. had this debate on a few video sites and the traditional guys take your point of view until they actually test it. photojpeg sucks.

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Author Topic: Video on istock - question (Read 19222 times)

gondolin

kunilanskap

jjneff

gondolin

PeterChigmaroff

PhotoLA

KB

gondolin

Noedelhap

PeterChigmaroff

jjneff

dingles

sharpshot

gondolin

dingles

PeterChigmaroff

asiseeit

ammit

Holmes

dingles

jjneff

Holmes

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