Author Topic: Has anyone got anything good to say about DP? (Read 18618 times)

flotsom · « **on:** January 11, 2013, 07:06 »

I signed up with them a few weeks ago and got accepted but since then I've read lots of bad things about DepositPhotos which has put me off uploading anything, has anyone got anything good to say about them or should I avoid them with a barge pole?

JPSDK · « **Reply #1 on:** January 11, 2013, 07:09 »

I have taken my pictures off the site, because of obscure derivates.

soundworks · « **Reply #2 on:** January 11, 2013, 07:34 »

Please elaborate on these "obscure derivates". I also just got accepted there. Their image review process is pretty slow.

flotsom · « **Reply #3 on:** January 11, 2013, 07:35 »

Yes, elaborate more please.

Microbius · « **Reply #4 on:** January 11, 2013, 07:37 »

They have a high volume of sales and good customer service. But their prices are too low.

flotsom · « **Reply #5 on:** January 11, 2013, 07:47 »

I thought as much, what's your average royalty for a full sized download?

fotografer · « **Reply #6 on:** January 11, 2013, 10:57 »

I added 7 new sites this year and this one brings me the biggest monthly pay out by quite a big margin.
ETA I just looked and my RPD there last month was 68c which is about the same as SS was for me last month.

Jo Ann Snover · « **Reply #7 on:** January 11, 2013, 11:26 »

I don't submit there because they are all about special deals and promises of special search placement. They contacted me about uploading. I said their prices and royalties were too low to consider it. They replied with an offer of an artificial bump to a higher royalty rate and special search placement.

The special placement (a) isn't in buyer's interests and (b) won't last beyond the next sucker they make the same promise too. Felt to me too much like being propositioned by a lecherous drunk in a bar - all sweet talk up front, but it's not a good deal in the long run

ClaridgeJ · « **Reply #8 on:** January 11, 2013, 11:34 »

Well yes. When they get their search together and when it works, they are selling Ok. I have had two so and so days and have resumed uploading, hoping it gets back to the way it was.

CJ6 · « **Reply #9 on:** January 11, 2013, 11:37 »

Not a dam*n thing

luissantos84 · « **Reply #10 on:** January 11, 2013, 12:02 »

Quote from: jsnover on January 11, 2013, 11:26

I don't submit there because they are all about special deals and promises of special search placement. They contacted me about uploading. I said their prices and royalties were too low to consider it. They replied with an offer of an artificial bump to a higher royalty rate and special search placement.

The special placement (a) isn't in buyer's interests and (b) won't last beyond the next sucker they make the same promise too. Felt to me too much like being propositioned by a lecherous drunk in a bar - all sweet talk up front, but it's not a good deal in the long run

thanks for sharing, I always knew about the higher royalty rate because even Yuri haven´t got to that ranking yet, the search placement makes it even better, nice!

lisafx · « **Reply #11 on:** January 11, 2013, 14:04 »

Quote from: flotsom on January 11, 2013, 07:47

I thought as much, what's your average royalty for a full sized download?

Mostly I get sub sales for .33, but I get a few PPD sales a day also for a couple of dollars.

They do very good volume, so they are good for at least a couple of payouts a month for me, which puts them well on the middle tier.

modviz · « **Reply #12 on:** January 11, 2013, 18:17 »

DP are my "volume dealers". They accept 95% of my submissions. The only way you're going to make decent payout frequency with middle tier agencies is with high volume.

DP is far more lenient than DT or 123RF. I have twice as many images thus I make twice as much coin. I've always felt rejections have a positive side in that it makes you try harder and improve your skills. Shutterstock and IStock keep me striving which serves DP with on-going improved submissions.

roboz · « **Reply #13 on:** January 11, 2013, 19:04 »

DP doesn't work for me at all. Sales even worse than Canstock or Veer. Yes, acceptance ratio is around 99% and the upload is easy. This is the only reason I contribute to DP so far, because I can't see a financial reason (82DLs with almost 1100 images in 8mths). Maybe it takes it time and sales will kick in one day, but I don't rely on it. I could tell you a different story about 123rf... others can't.

So, here you are: some have positive experiences, some have negative stories to tell - you can ask your question about every single agency - and I bet, you'll get the same kind of answers. Maybe one portfolio works better than the other here and there or not at all, maybe there are other reasons for success. In the end, don't hang up your expectations too high as long as you have just a small portfolio and do it just as a hobby. Do it as long as you have fun. Take the pocket money or leave it (saves you a lot of stress and disappointments). But you have to make your own experiences. You might even get a nice surprise - just be prepared for a harsh reality in MS-business.

Best of luck

dbvirago · « **Reply #14 on:** January 11, 2013, 19:35 »

For me, they are the best of the bottom feeders, and usually do better than iSuck

tab62 · « **Reply #15 on:** January 11, 2013, 20:15 »

iSuck has been renamed to iFree

oboy · « **Reply #16 on:** January 11, 2013, 20:48 »

I do well with them. Last year I had almost every month an increase of sales. Never had any problems with them.

flotsom · « **Reply #17 on:** January 11, 2013, 21:15 »

Thanks for the replies, I may upload some.

Quote from: tab62 on January 11, 2013, 20:15

iSuck has been renamed to iFree

Or imLeaving

Mantis · « **Reply #18 on:** January 11, 2013, 21:36 »

They make a ton of money for me.

jareso · « **Reply #19 on:** January 12, 2013, 03:47 »

I have good sales there considering I am just enthusiast photographer.
I take photos of nature, cultural heritage (such as photos of castles, outdoor museums, historic towns, etc.) and animals mostly.
Not typical stock photos.

My recent stats at DP:
Online Files: 431
Sold Files: 280
- By Credits: 56
- By Subscription: 216
- By SMS: 8

My portfolio at DP:
http://depositphotos.com/portfolio-1002040.html

Microstock Posts · « **Reply #20 on:** January 12, 2013, 04:36 »

Quote from: jsnover on January 11, 2013, 11:26

I don't submit there because they are all about special deals and promises of special search placement. They contacted me about uploading. I said their prices and royalties were too low to consider it. They replied with an offer of an artificial bump to a higher royalty rate and special search placement.

The special placement (a) isn't in buyer's interests and (b) won't last beyond the next sucker they make the same promise too. Felt to me too much like being propositioned by a lecherous drunk in a bar - all sweet talk up front, but it's not a good deal in the long run

Good for you Jo Ann! I took my images off DP last year, I dislike intensely their practices.

rubyroo · « **Reply #21 on:** January 12, 2013, 04:42 »

I have a good thing to say about DP. They don't have any of my images

Oldhand · « **Reply #22 on:** January 12, 2013, 05:03 »

Each to their own - I submit to them because they make reasonable sales even at a low price. I'm OK with that, not everyone is. Bottom line at least they do make sales..

emblem · « **Reply #23 on:** January 12, 2013, 06:36 »

Yep I make regular payouts with them...I've submitted to some agencies where I haven't. Be nice if they raised their commissions though.

CJ6 · « **Reply #24 on:** January 12, 2013, 07:22 »

Quote from: modviz on January 11, 2013, 18:17

DP are my "volume dealers". They accept 95% of my submissions. The only way you're going to make decent payout frequency with middle tier agencies is with high volume.

DP is far more lenient than DT or 123RF. I have twice as many images thus I make twice as much coin. I've always felt rejections have a positive side in that it makes you try harder and improve your skills. Shutterstock and IStock keep me striving which serves DP with on-going improved submissions.

Well, here's my AR:
Uploads in this month: 0
Acceptance ratio: 98.55%

But as you can see, also no ULs this month. I haven't been ULing there for almost a year. They're such a low volume, rock bottom price dealers for me. It's just not worth my time.

esphoto · « **Reply #25 on:** January 12, 2013, 08:36 »

Sure. Their payout threshold is low enough that I withdrew some of my earnings early, before they locked my account and pulled my portfolio several weeks later with no way to get to the rest of my earnings.

Hannafate · « **Reply #26 on:** January 12, 2013, 12:14 »

Like most stock sites, there are some dubious things about them, but nothing scary... like some sites we've been discussing. So, I keep uploading there. I like them all right.

Mantis · « **Reply #27 on:** January 14, 2013, 08:54 »

I am thinking of pulling the plug on DP. Getting $2.76 for an EL is disgraceful.

enstoker · « **Reply #28 on:** January 14, 2013, 09:49 »

1000 pics
100 sales
10 months
1 naive contributor who expecting a biiig sale (over 31 cents)

Mantis · « **Reply #29 on:** January 14, 2013, 10:36 »

Does anyone know if you can opt out of els on DP? And if so how?

Poncke · « **Reply #30 on:** January 14, 2013, 15:21 »

Quote from: Mantis on January 14, 2013, 10:36

Does anyone know if you can opt out of els on DP? And if so how?

Email support to do it

Mantis · « **Reply #31 on:** January 14, 2013, 18:55 »

Quote from: Poncke on January 14, 2013, 15:21

Quote from: Mantis on January 14, 2013, 10:36
Does anyone know if you can opt out of els on DP? And if so how?
Email support to do it

Did that this morning. Thought there would be an opt out but that functionality seems to be absent everywhere, including Istock!!

tab62 · « **Reply #32 on:** January 14, 2013, 19:27 »

yeah, just had a $.30 sale today

enstoker · « **Reply #33 on:** January 15, 2013, 09:38 »

Wow, me to. And again subscription XXL MAX !!!!!!!!!!!!
Something weird is happening uuuuuuuuu

tab62 · « **Reply #34 on:** January 15, 2013, 09:58 »

Yeah, the didn't give my images to Google or Microsoft for free as of today

but no sales today...

flotsom · « **Reply #35 on:** January 15, 2013, 14:31 »

Well I uploaded a 100 or so and around 60% were rejected for 'lighting mistakes' all were accepted at IS, SS, FT, DT etc and included my best sellers, my most sold image was rejected as not suitable for commercial use LOL, now I'm feeling totally rejected so maybe I'll stick to the top tier

enstoker · « **Reply #36 on:** January 15, 2013, 17:47 »

Quote from: flotsom on January 15, 2013, 14:31

Well I uploaded a 100 or so and around 60% were rejected for 'lighting mistakes' all were accepted at IS, SS, FT, DT etc and included my best sellers, my most sold image was rejected as not suitable for commercial use LOL, now I'm feeling totally rejected so maybe I'll stick to the top tier

Do You talk about Deposit.photos?
It is impossible that they reject anything.
They accept almost everything.
Almost is 99 %.
Not a joke.
For sure is acceptance on SS or IS or FT much lower.

tab62 · « **Reply #37 on:** January 15, 2013, 17:54 »

put the pic on here for us to see- I think DP would take even a rotten tomato on faded dirty white board from what I've experienced.

flotsom · « **Reply #38 on:** January 15, 2013, 18:40 »

Both the boats rejected for lighting and I accidentally uploaded the middle one twice and the first time it was rejected as needing a property release and the second time as not being suitable.

fotografer · « **Reply #39 on:** January 16, 2013, 05:43 »

Quote from: flotsom on January 15, 2013, 18:40

I accidentally uploaded the middle one twice and the first time it was rejected as needing a property release and the second time as not being suitable.

Beautiful Images. I could understan how they might want a property release for the boats but not for the trees!!!

luissantos84 · « **Reply #40 on:** April 30, 2013, 10:18 »

Quote from: Mantis on January 14, 2013, 08:54

I am thinking of pulling the plug on DP. Getting $2.76 for an EL is disgraceful.

just had one, amazing!

MisterElements · « **Reply #41 on:** April 30, 2013, 11:31 »

So far today I'm making more on Deposit then SS.....so for that I'm very thankful.

tab62 · « **Reply #42 on:** April 30, 2013, 11:59 »

"So far today I'm making more on Deposit then SS.....so for that I'm very thankful."

You must be having a real bad day at shutter

stockastic · « **Reply #43 on:** April 30, 2013, 12:52 »

Quote from: jsnover on January 11, 2013, 11:26

They contacted me about uploading. I said their prices and royalties were too low to consider it. They replied with an offer of an artificial bump to a higher royalty rate and special search placement.

Wow. That's all I needed to hear. End of discussion, for me.

But others will no doubt jump in and call me naive for thinking all the other agencies aren't running the same games.

WarrenPrice · « **Reply #44 on:** April 30, 2013, 13:01 »

Quote from: stockastic on April 30, 2013, 12:52

Quote from: jsnover on January 11, 2013, 11:26
They contacted me about uploading. I said their prices and royalties were too low to consider it. They replied with an offer of an artificial bump to a higher royalty rate and special search placement.

Wow. That's all I needed to hear. End of discussion, for me.

But others will no doubt jump in and call me naive for thinking all the other agencies aren't running the same games.

I know for a fact, stock, that at least one other does.

stockastic · « **Reply #45 on:** April 30, 2013, 13:05 »

[holding hands over ears]

Poncke v2 · « **Reply #46 on:** April 30, 2013, 16:51 »

I had 35 dollar EL today. No idea where that pricing came from, but it was DP for sure.

luissantos84 · « **Reply #47 on:** April 30, 2013, 17:05 »

2.76$ for Partner Sale (EL)

Carl · « **Reply #48 on:** May 02, 2013, 07:05 »

The only complaint I have about DP is the low prices. I have the same complaint about other microstock sites, which is why I'm moving away from RF microstock and toward RM. Low prices are great for buyers, of course, but I can no longer afford to produce images for this market. As big as the demand for imagery is, the supply is even greater than the demand. As long as that remains true, prices will continue to drop. I predict that we'll see the day when sales won't be calculated for single images, but for groups of images. Single-image returns will be below one cent. The question is, then, how far we go before jumping ship. How much will we tolerate? Are we willing to sell a dozen images for ten cents? Fifty images for 30 cents? I bet some of us will.

ShadySue · « **Reply #49 on:** May 02, 2013, 07:18 »

Quote from: stockastic on April 30, 2013, 12:52

Quote from: jsnover on January 11, 2013, 11:26
They contacted me about uploading. I said their prices and royalties were too low to consider it. They replied with an offer of an artificial bump to a higher royalty rate and special search placement.

Wow. That's all I needed to hear. End of discussion, for me.

But others will no doubt jump in and call me naive for thinking all the other agencies aren't running the same games.

According to Yu-know-who, posted on this very site, in reply to a query about something he'd written on his blog about negotiating entry with agencies, they all do it except iS (at that time).
Nowadays, I'm guessing even iS has incentives for the faux-exclusives, e.g. getting their images fast-tracked to Agency even though they're not technically exclusive by iStock's normal definition of 'exclusive'.

Allsa · « **Reply #50 on:** May 02, 2013, 07:59 »

I've been there over a year now. I was disappointed at first, sales were slow and what little did sell was subs. But things have picked up over time, downloads have increased, and I'm getting a decent number of credit sales.

zeamonkey · « **Reply #51 on:** September 18, 2013, 02:38 »

Sure got some nice deal at the moment: http://www.mightydeals.com/deal/depositphotos.html

Mantis · « **Reply #52 on:** September 18, 2013, 07:55 »

DEPOSIT PHOTOS, ARE YOU LISTENING? You have a chance to knock one out of the part if you increase your royalties and simply pay a fairer commission. Your sales are moving in the right direction and I think you can leverage the shortfalls of other agencies by improving your commission rates and finding other cost cutting measures other than contributor commissions, which is always the easy go-to solution. You can win over the contributor side with this kind of change. Something to think about.

lisafx · « **Reply #53 on:** September 18, 2013, 10:35 »

OLD THREAD ALERT

Noedelhap · « **Reply #54 on:** October 09, 2013, 08:19 »

I don't understand the criticism on their commissions. I'm getting 44% royalty, which seems fair.

The only thing that kind of bothers me is that there are too many subscription sales, but most credit sales earn me a few dollars (plus a recent EL of $35), so for me they're doing okay.

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Author Topic: Has anyone got anything good to say about DP? (Read 18618 times)

Microbius

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