Getty has nothing to fear from 500px!
Is Nuno still at 500px?
delete
Is Nuno still at 500px?No he is not there anymore I'm sure he was responsible for the fair and contributor friendly rate of 70%
Getty has nothing to fear from 500px!
Did you ever think Getty has something to fear from 500px? It is partly funded by Visual China Group which has a long standing partnership with Getty Images that was just deepened by the Corbis deal.
Now a former Getty manager is hired by 500px to head the market.
Can't you guess already what the next exciting news will be? Let me write it for you:
"We are excited to announce a partnership with Getty Images that will allow more customers to see and buy your content. Of course you will still receive your usual 30% of the 20% Getty pays us. But you know what? We might drop the weekly upload limit, so you can give us your images faster than ever."
Getty has nothing to fear from 500px!
Did you ever think Getty has something to fear from 500px? It is partly funded by Visual China Group which has a long standing partnership with Getty Images that was just deepened by the Corbis deal.
Now a former Getty manager is hired by 500px to head the market.
Can't you guess already what the next exciting news will be? Let me write it for you:
"We are excited to announce a partnership with Getty Images that will allow more customers to see and buy your content. Of course you will still receive your usual 30% of the 20% Getty pays us. But you know what? We might drop the weekly upload limit, so you can give us your images faster than ever."
Getty has nothing to fear from 500px!
Did you ever think Getty has something to fear from 500px? It is partly funded by Visual China Group which has a long standing partnership with Getty Images that was just deepened by the Corbis deal.
Now a former Getty manager is hired by 500px to head the market.
Can't you guess already what the next exciting news will be? Let me write it for you:
"We are excited to announce a partnership with Getty Images that will allow more customers to see and buy your content. Of course you will still receive your usual 30% of the 20% Getty pays us. But you know what? We might drop the weekly upload limit, so you can give us your images faster than ever."
Sorry to disappoint, but no Getty deals on the horizon.
– Kelly
I think I'll focus even more on Alamy (50% share) now ;)
To show my appreciation I am closing my account today.
I think I'll focus even more on Alamy (50% share) now ;)
Btw I feel really stupid now that I have paid for awesome...
3rd April, i will close my account.
I hope that 3rd April will be the "Closing Account Day" on 500px.
Sorry to disappoint, but no Getty deals on the horizon.
Is Nuno still at 500px?No he is not there anymore I'm sure he was responsible for the fair and contributor friendly rate of 70%
Getty has nothing to fear from 500px!
Did you ever think Getty has something to fear from 500px? It is partly funded by Visual China Group which has a long standing partnership with Getty Images that was just deepened by the Corbis deal.
Now a former Getty manager is hired by 500px to head the market.
Can't you guess already what the next exciting news will be? Let me write it for you:
"We are excited to announce a partnership with Getty Images that will allow more customers to see and buy your content. Of course you will still receive your usual 30% of the 20% Getty pays us. But you know what? We might drop the weekly upload limit, so you can give us your images faster than ever."
Sorry to disappoint, but no Getty deals on the horizon.
– Kelly
...from the email:
"We still believe it is important to reward the creators, which is why we will continue to give you an industry-leading royalty rate of 60% on images exclusive to 500px..."
"We still believe it is important to reward the creators..."
Hey everyone! My name's Alex, I work at 500px. I'm here to answer any questions you've got. I'll start with a few of the common ones I saw in this thread.
How can we afford to switch from 70% to 30% so quickly?
It definitely takes a cut out of our profits, to give the photographers 70%! There's no denying that. But we think it's better to tighten our margins and attract world class photographers. We'll make up the difference in volume, because we have the best photographers in the world selling their work.
"Money won't make you happy" © Kelly Thompson
Anyway I've closed my account on 500px and hope that many will follow: https://500px.com/settings (the delete my account forever is down on right)
All the best with your new venture ;)
...They charge you an annual fee to enter into an agreement to sell your photos at a specified royalty - and then they decide they aren't going to pay what they agreed to? ...
Getty has nothing to fear from 500px!
Did you ever think Getty has something to fear from 500px? It is partly funded by Visual China Group which has a long standing partnership with Getty Images that was just deepened by the Corbis deal.
Now a former Getty manager is hired by 500px to head the market.
Can't you guess already what the next exciting news will be? Let me write it for you:
"We are excited to announce a partnership with Getty Images that will allow more customers to see and buy your content. Of course you will still receive your usual 30% of the 20% Getty pays us. But you know what? We might drop the weekly upload limit, so you can give us your images faster than ever."
Hey everyone! My name's Alex, I work at 500px. I'm here to answer any questions you've got. I'll start with a few of the common ones I saw in this thread.
How can we afford to switch from 70% to 30% so quickly?
It definitely takes a cut out of our profits, to give the photographers 70%! There's no denying that. But we think it's better to tighten our margins and attract world class photographers. We'll make up the difference in volume, because we have the best photographers in the world selling their work.
Hello Alex! My name’s Fudio, I’m self employed as a photographer. If you still happen to be with 500px then I’m here to answer any questions you might have about the blowback you are receiving with your recently announced royalty cuts.
How can I afford to switch from 70% to 30% so quickly?
Well frankly Alex, I can’t. It definitely takes a cut out of my livelihood, to give your agency 70%! There’s no denying that. So I think it’s better that you tighten your corporate belt and allow me to continue feeding my children, heating my home, lighting my studio, making my insurance payments, paying my taxes, purchasing props, paying models, upgrading my equipment and software in order that my images can help you attract world class buyers. You can make up the difference with innovative marketing, customer service, and good old fashioned hard work.
I try to avoid commenting on any agency here, but it seems to me if there were one outfit which really couldn't afford to pull this kind of stunt it would be 500px. A 40% cut in one fell swoop? Either it's a massively idiotic blunder or an orchestrated effort to cull the herd. Unfortunately it's their show and they can do whatever they want with it - just not with my stuff anymore. I've decided to join the cull. Deleted everything, closed my account and didn't even bother to read their "goodbye" email.
I'm confident I won't be missed too much, but if the groundswell continues who knows - maybe the message will get across. There's only so far you can push before everyone pushes back. Time will tell, meanwhile though I'm not holding my breath.
...i am not familiar with kelly...
I hope they go out of business.
Hey everyone! My name's Alex, I work at 500px. I'm here to answer any questions you've got. I'll start with a few of the common ones I saw in this thread.
How can we afford to switch from 70% to 30% so quickly?
It definitely takes a cut out of our profits, to give the photographers 70%! There's no denying that. But we think it's better to tighten our margins and attract world class photographers. We'll make up the difference in volume, because we have the best photographers in the world selling their work.
Hello Alex! My name’s Fudio, I’m self employed as a photographer. If you still happen to be with 500px then I’m here to answer any questions you might have about the blowback you are receiving with your recently announced royalty cuts.
How can I afford to switch from 70% to 30% so quickly?
Well frankly Alex, I can’t. It definitely takes a cut out of my livelihood, to give your agency 70%! There’s no denying that. So I think it’s better that you tighten your corporate belt and allow me to continue feeding my children, heating my home, lighting my studio, making my insurance payments, paying my taxes, purchasing props, paying models, upgrading my equipment and software in order that my images can help you attract world class buyers. You can make up the difference with innovative marketing, customer service, and good old fashioned hard work.
I hope they go out of business.
They will, eventually. Or they'll turn into Flickr and try to cash in on advertising although... there is already a Flickr. It was feeling weird for a while now. Change of management direction may save them in the future, but right now looks like all they are doing is destroying their formerly very loyal artist base.
It definitely takes a cut out of our profits, to give the photographers 70%! There's no denying that. But we think it's better to tighten our margins and attract world class photographers. We'll make up the difference in volume, because we have the best photographers in the world selling their work.
So I wouldn't blame Thompson. He's just the messenger.Once is unfortunate; twice is a pattern forming.
It definitely takes a cut out of our profits, to give the photographers 70%! There's no denying that. But we think it's better to tighten our margins and attract world class photographers. We'll make up the difference in volume, because we have the best photographers in the world selling their work.
did i read it wrong or did they mention world-class photographers will go with that???
So I wouldn't blame Thompson. He's just the messenger.Once is unfortunate; twice is a pattern forming.
Honourable people would resign rather than announce this sort of 'deal'; or, if that was impossible, immediately afterwards.
He will never give up his secure 6-figure job for "honor"...no sane person would.Of course many would.
It definitely takes a cut out of our profits, to give the photographers 70%! There's no denying that. But we think it's better to tighten our margins and attract world class photographers. We'll make up the difference in volume, because we have the best photographers in the world selling their work.
did i read it wrong or did they mention world-class photographers will go with that???
Yes this is what world class photographers want - crappy commissions
Let's take a different perspective on this.
They've gone through 7 rounds of financing and they've pretty much gave the majority of the company away to investors. In 2014, the founder & CEO of the company was ousted because he was basically being too nice to the community instead of making money off of them.
With pressure from the board, the new CEO needed to start making money or else. Oh, let's not forget that investors in Silicon Valley are incredibly nervous right now and has been pressing their investments toward a path of profitability. And any chance of 500PX getting more funding was pretty slim in this funding environment.
And all the the pressure and nervousness has led to this. Investors want higher revenue so it can possibility go public one day or secure a nice exit in the future. Higher revenue always means higher valuation. 70% was always too good to be true. It was not sustainable for 500PX and it can never be. Now the party is over and they're like everyone else.
So I wouldn't blame Thompson. He's just the messenger.
So I wouldn't blame Thompson. He's just the messenger.
So I wouldn't blame Thompson. He's just the messenger.
He's a messenger that usually doesn't deliver good news. Kind of like the people that deliver eviction notices.
So I wouldn't blame Thompson. He's just the messenger.
He's a messenger that usually doesn't deliver good news. Kind of like the people that deliver eviction notices.
Well, that's usually the messenger's job. And they get shot for it sometimes. He's a little more than a puppet in this whole debacle.
I'm reporting what I'm seeing across Silicon Valley. Startups and post-startup companies are making some tough decision. There have been a lot of layoffs, cutbacks, pivots and an aggressive push for more revenue. Our company has made some cuts as well. With the nearly impossible funding environment, these companies are pushing for 'sustainability'. That's the buzzword these days. The other option is laying off people and 500PX would rather screw the contributors than their employees.
Getty has nothing to fear from 500px!
Did you ever think Getty has something to fear from 500px? It is partly funded by Visual China Group which has a long standing partnership with Getty Images that was just deepened by the Corbis deal.
Now a former Getty manager is hired by 500px to head the market.
Can't you guess already what the next exciting news will be? Let me write it for you:
"We are excited to announce a partnership with Getty Images that will allow more customers to see and buy your content. Of course you will still receive your usual 30% of the 20% Getty pays us. But you know what? We might drop the weekly upload limit, so you can give us your images faster than ever."
Sorry to disappoint, but no Getty deals on the horizon.
– Kelly
So I wouldn't blame Thompson. He's just the messenger.
He's a messenger that usually doesn't deliver good news. Kind of like the people that deliver eviction notices.
Well, that's usually the messenger's job. And they get shot for it sometimes. He's a little more than a puppet in this whole debacle.
I'm reporting what I'm seeing across Silicon Valley. Startups and post-startup companies are making some tough decision. There have been a lot of layoffs, cutbacks, pivots and an aggressive push for more revenue. Our company has made some cuts as well. With the nearly impossible funding environment, these companies are pushing for 'sustainability'. That's the buzzword these days. The other option is laying off people and 500PX would rather screw the contributors than their employees.
The could also manage the company better to be 'sustainable'. Why not move to cheaper offices (they are downtown Toronto) or why not save money and resources on NOT re-designing a perfectly good recognizable logo. Of course, cutting commissions is much easier if you're only trying to increase profits in the short term. In the long term, they took something good and f***ed up, just like with Istock. But nobody cares about long term anymore. The formula is: Take a good company, f*** it up, make a quick buck, get out, buy a mansion, repeat.
...I'm reporting what I'm seeing across Silicon Valley. Startups and post-startup companies are making some tough decision. There have been a lot of layoffs, cutbacks, pivots and an aggressive push for more revenue...
...I'm reporting what I'm seeing across Silicon Valley. Startups and post-startup companies are making some tough decision. There have been a lot of layoffs, cutbacks, pivots and an aggressive push for more revenue...
The difference here is that the people getting scr*wed can (even if they typically don't) empty out the store overnight, leaving the business shuttered.
You might think that enlightened self interest would at least consider that cultivating contributors rather than viewing them as a cost to be minimized might be a strategy for a newcomer to get a foot in the door as they try to get the business going.
And I can and do blame messengers who can't even be honest and straightforward about what they're doing. More than the actions (which are bad enough) it's the utter lack of respect that the stinking pile of corporate-speak represents that destroys any empathy I might otherwise feel. It's just business? That's not an excuse in my book.
... We still believe it is important to reward the creators, which is why we will continue to give you an industry-leading royalty rate of 60% on images exclusive to 500px, while moving to a 30% rate for non-exclusive images...
So I wouldn't blame Thompson. He's just the messenger.
He's a messenger that usually doesn't deliver good news. Kind of like the people that deliver eviction notices.
Let's take a different perspective on this.
They've gone through 7 rounds of financing and they've pretty much gave the majority of the company away to investors. In 2014, the founder & CEO of the company was ousted because he was basically being too nice to the community instead of making money off of them.
With pressure from the board, the new CEO needed to start making money or else. Oh, let's not forget that investors in Silicon Valley are incredibly nervous right now and has been pressing their investments toward a path of profitability. And any chance of 500PX getting more funding was pretty slim in this funding environment.
And all the the pressure and nervousness has led to this. Investors want higher revenue so it can possibility go public one day or secure a nice exit in the future. Higher revenue always means higher valuation. 70% was always too good to be true. It was not sustainable for 500PX and it can never be. Now the party is over and they're like everyone else.
So I wouldn't blame Thompson. He's just the messenger.
Quote...from the email:
"We still believe it is important to reward the creators, which is why we will continue to give you an industry-leading royalty rate of 60% on images exclusive to 500px..."
This is simply not true. As an example, Zoonar paid 60% for non-exclusive material!
...
Deleted all my photos. So, I don't have to worry about them anymore.
We will be testing prices for the standard licenses of the Core and Prime collections to validate our price offerings starting on April 4. This will take place over a period of a few months. You may observe prices changing during this testing period.
Of course, cutting commissions is much easier if you're only trying to increase profits in the short term. In the long term, they took something good and f***ed up, just like with Istock. But nobody cares about long term anymore. The formula is: Take a good company, f*** it up, make a quick buck, get out, buy a mansion, repeat.
Possibly worth making some noise in the 500px forum ([url]https://500px.com/groups/marketplace/2779855/new-royalty-rates[/url]) and on Twitter. Whether or not it changes their minds, they should get a black eye publicly for being so cavalier about their relationship with their suppliers
[url]https://twitter.com/joannsnover/status/711989519671627777[/url] ([url]https://twitter.com/joannsnover/status/711989519671627777[/url])
[url]https://twitter.com/joannsnover/status/711988696254275584[/url] ([url]https://twitter.com/joannsnover/status/711988696254275584[/url])
Jasmin started the 500px thread. My reply to her request for thoughts was:
"Very few printable thoughts :)
I will stop uploading here for the moment (everything I uploaded was tagged for the Marketplace; that was my reason for joining).
I find the huge cut in royalty rate unconscionable and the explanation threadbare. I am less concerned about the price changes, although I think they'd do better to make a bigger difference between *pricing* on exclusive/non-exclusive content.
As far as financing expansion out of royalty cuts, that's a pseudo explanation that dissolves on contact. When there aren't very many sales and you need funds to build the business, you don't generate funds for expansion through a bigger slice of the still-small pie.
The fact that I've heard just about all these tales before without them coming true at any agency, ever, makes it hard to imagine how 500px Marketplace will be the first to make it happen. There are agencies that have grown and become successful, but they haven't done it by picking the pockets of their suppliers.
I could have understood a message about pricing changes to build the business in the current market. But why would anyone continue to contribute content to an agency that takes months to review images, has few sales and has so little respect for its contributors that it delivers this massive royalty cut message with no meaningful details on what 500px Marketplace is prepared to do for us. It's all about what we can do for them...."
So I wouldn't blame Thompson. He's just the messenger.
He's a messenger that usually doesn't deliver good news. Kind of like the people that deliver eviction notices.
Does the artist get a share of that?
With all those huge images without a professional watermark...at 500 dollars a piece...nice little income stream.
Kelly, please, for the love of God, don't go looking for a job at Creative Market when you're done at 500px. Please.
Thank you.
Kelly, please, for the love of God, don't go looking for a job at Creative Market when you're done at 500px. Please.
Thank you.
And please feel free to go jump in the lake
Gracias
Does the artist get a share of that?
With all those huge images without a professional watermark...at 500 dollars a piece...nice little income stream.
I very much doubt the artsist shares any of that. That actually explains huge image previews and no watermark and their resistance to change it. Tempt the thief to steal, then make him pay - "nice" business model! That also explains why they want people to go exclusive - easier to demand payments from thieves, since you don't have to prove it's been stolen from them. I like when things make sense. Even though I really dislike these "things".
Does the artist get a share of that?
With all those huge images without a professional watermark...at 500 dollars a piece...nice little income stream.
I very much doubt the artsist shares any of that. That actually explains huge image previews and no watermark and their resistance to change it. Tempt the thief to steal, then make him pay - "nice" business model! That also explains why they want people to go exclusive - easier to demand payments from thieves, since you don't have to prove it's been stolen from them. I like when things make sense. Even though I really dislike these "things".
Your thinking this is intentional? Chasing the legal fees instead of selling?
Is there that much money in that?
Maybe I should remove more files, this sounds scary.
I´ll definitely wait until they have a professional full frame watermark before uploading again.
And no exclusive images, not if my royalty rate can be changed so abruptly with 10 days notice.
Interesting. I thought 500px was a Russian-Canadian owned company originally.
Have they really gone from 70% to 30%? Alamy went from 60% to 50%, that was palatable, 70 to 30 is a real kick in the teeth.
The new definition for entrepreneurship is offer the moon, suck everybody in until you can make millions off their back, then take away the moon and give them a turd. >:(
The new definition for entrepreneurship is offer the moon, suck everybody in until you can make millions off their back, then take away the moon and give them a turd. >:(
Yes. The new capitalist startup tale is that you form a company based on some fancy "community" or "crowdsourcing" concept which requires the least possible own and real productive effort, honeytrap as many people in it as you can by "for free" or "high Royalty" offers, trap people in your concept, then sell the thing after a few years, get rich and retire on some real or virtual island.
What society has to learn is to stop fancying BS like this. Last week I got to know one of those guys and most people seem to think that it is "cool" to live off abusive corporate structures who are simply base upon the exploitation of the productive effort of others. I told him that I think he is an A***'#e. Obviously, I did not exactly make friends at that table that night. But I acted regarding my honest values and do not believe in verbal Pacifism neither :D . I think the root and solution lies in the community to exclude People like this and include and honor honesty and loyalty more. It is upon the individual to act by best conscience, not following what is the easiest or socially most accepted form.
Last week I got to know one of those guys and most people seem to think that it is "cool" to live off abusive corporate structures who are simply base upon the exploitation of the productive effort of others.
All my 300+ images removed
Thanks 500px you made the decision easy.............
FYI in case anyone wants to disable their 500px Marketplace "store" without removing pictures (perhaps hoping they'll see the error of their ways...), you can just make one selection in the Marketplace settings:I will use this since 1 April and write link to my other marketplace to "about you" section. (https://500px.com/settings).
https://500px.com/settings/store/settings
logged in to your account that'll get you the choice to "Disable 500px Store. Disable sale of your photos for commercial licensing."
Deleted account, it felt good!
Isn't it incredible that sites that have a USP decide to destroy themselves by going down the same path that has failed for other sites?
Itˋ s a common mistake by people who don´t understand crowd sourcing, that losing people doesn´t matter.
What they don't realize is that many of the best closed their account and the rest will now think a lot before they upload. They moved from being the agency that everyone supported to the one that people now hate
Just take a look at this (from 2015) to understand what kind of people are running 500px now. Really no surprises here.
[url]http://thenextweb.com/entrepreneur/2015/05/23/co-founder-ex-ceo-500px-trial-errors-lessons-learned/[/url] ([url]http://thenextweb.com/entrepreneur/2015/05/23/co-founder-ex-ceo-500px-trial-errors-lessons-learned/[/url])
I love this comment from Andy Yang: "It’s not beneficial to rehash that time." Like - "I stabbed the guy who hired me in the back and robbed him of his company, but hey who wants to talk about that?"
Itˋ s a common mistake by people who don´t understand crowd sourcing, that losing people doesn´t matter.
And then they are surprised if half the community leaves in a few weeks or months.
" just a few people whining on a forum of losers" is what they tell investors...but nothing matters more than your reputation.
So many people think being part of the swarm means we are stupid, while it is exactly the opposite. Without input from everyone, it would take a lot longer to see what is really going and how much attention an agency deserves.
Just take a look at this (from 2015) to understand what kind of people are running 500px now. Really no surprises here.
[url]http://thenextweb.com/entrepreneur/2015/05/23/co-founder-ex-ceo-500px-trial-errors-lessons-learned/[/url] ([url]http://thenextweb.com/entrepreneur/2015/05/23/co-founder-ex-ceo-500px-trial-errors-lessons-learned/[/url])
I love this comment from Andy Yang: "It’s not beneficial to rehash that time." Like - "I stabbed the guy who hired me in the back and robbed him of his company, but hey who wants to talk about that?"
Thanks, that was interesting. I actually didn't know about all the conflict and turnover. It seems to me that nothing salvageable was left, and I wonder why new investment came in. Sounds like they should have just shuttered it.
If someone wanted to pick up the pieces and head in a new direction, they should have made that clear in the email to contributors. Instead, it was just - starting now, you will get a lot less, take it or leave it. Nothing about marketing plans or future possibilities, no apologies, no candor, no hope. After reading that, who's going to spend the time uploading hundreds of photos?
Just take a look at this (from 2015) to understand what kind of people are running 500px now. Really no surprises here.
[url]http://thenextweb.com/entrepreneur/2015/05/23/co-founder-ex-ceo-500px-trial-errors-lessons-learned/[/url] ([url]http://thenextweb.com/entrepreneur/2015/05/23/co-founder-ex-ceo-500px-trial-errors-lessons-learned/[/url])
I love this comment from Andy Yang: "It’s not beneficial to rehash that time." Like - "I stabbed the guy who hired me in the back and robbed him of his company, but hey who wants to talk about that?"
This gets me a bit riled up. Yay, great for Ontario. But they don't go into explaining how it affects Ontarians and Canadians along with the other "7 million professional and hobbyist" contributors. Obviously this is why the drastic cut in royalties.
New investment came in from China. Visual China Group. https://news.ontario.ca/opo/en/2016/03/tech-startup-500px-creating-high-value-jobs-in-ontario.html (https://news.ontario.ca/opo/en/2016/03/tech-startup-500px-creating-high-value-jobs-in-ontario.html) ... I am deleting my stuff at the end of the month.
New investment came in from China. Visual China Group. [url]https://news.ontario.ca/opo/en/2016/03/tech-startup-500px-creating-high-value-jobs-in-ontario.html[/url] ([url]https://news.ontario.ca/opo/en/2016/03/tech-startup-500px-creating-high-value-jobs-in-ontario.html[/url]) ... I am deleting my stuff at the end of the month.
This gets me a bit riled up. Yay, great for Ontario. But they don't go into explaining how it affects Ontarians and Canadians along with the other "7 million professional and hobbyist" contributors. Obviously this is why the drastic cut in royalties.
Edit: I had a little rant. Why can't I tag Kathleen Wynne though?
[url]https://www.facebook.com/lorraine.swanson1/posts/10153578066702992[/url] ([url]https://www.facebook.com/lorraine.swanson1/posts/10153578066702992[/url])
Thats a good write up.
I just want to point out that going from 70% to 30% is a 57% percent decrease, so saying it is a 40% decrease actually makes it sound less bad than it is.
What a disgusting move by 500px / KT.
Goes to show that KT apparently wasn't simply a messenger when they cut royalties at iStock in 2010. Now we see a clear pattern. Everywhere he goes, he turns promising ventures into turds.
Got e-mail this morning asking if I'd like to re-enable my store on Marketplace as a customer wanted to license an image. I replied that if the royalty cut to 30% had gone into effect today as planned, then no, I wouldn't. I haven't heard anything more :)
Got e-mail this morning asking if I'd like to re-enable my store on Marketplace as a customer wanted to license an image. I replied that if the royalty cut to 30% had gone into effect today as planned, then no, I wouldn't. I haven't heard anything more :)
Got e-mail this morning asking if I'd like to re-enable my store on Marketplace as a customer wanted to license an image. I replied that if the royalty cut to 30% had gone into effect today as planned, then no, I wouldn't. I haven't heard anything more :)
And if I were a conspiracy buff I'd speculate that they'd been queueing up those requests until the cut took effect. But I'm not, so I won't.
Nah they'd never pull something like that. There are limits to the evil at work here.Got e-mail this morning asking if I'd like to re-enable my store on Marketplace as a customer wanted to license an image. I replied that if the royalty cut to 30% had gone into effect today as planned, then no, I wouldn't. I haven't heard anything more :)
And if I were a conspiracy buff I'd speculate that they'd been queueing up those requests until the cut took effect. But I'm not, so I won't.
I don't think so because I received my first sale and not even an hour later I got the email telling me they were slashing the royalty rate :o
Will their reviewing process still suck as bad as it did before the cuts? ;D
The other day I saw a lot of Thai people applying for Getty/iStock with ports on 500x, including the one with the image of 2 boys catching a fish, which was posted here recently
The other day I saw a lot of Thai people applying for Getty/iStock with ports on 500x, including the one with the image of 2 boys catching a fish, which was posted here recently
That's interesting where did you see these applications? Do you work for Getty/iStock?
Closed my account ---- ;)
I received e-mail from 500px today titled "Get ready for more global exposure"
They say they are expanding the community with 500px.me, the mandarin version of the site, so images will be sync'd on both sites. There is an option to opt out of global distribution, so I went and opted out.
I am no longer in marketplace (when they slashed royalties), but I did leave my images already uploaded on 500px.com. I'm not yet ready to take images with such a weak watermark to their Mandarin site (I'm already pretty disappointed that they did nothing about the watermark after all the focus group stuff prior to hiring KK Thompson).
Possibly I should just delete the portfolio completely, but I'm still sort of hoping something might improve there.
Anyway, just an FYI for anyone who still has images with them.
(I'm already pretty disappointed that they did nothing about the watermark after all the focus group stuff prior to hiring KK Thompson).
... istock started as a free image agency , didn't they???Not exactly.
I've finally left. It was a waste of my time, no sales, no reviews of submitted images, zero customer support.
I left two months ago but my images still went for sale and now after two months they are supposed to have been finally deleted from the site as they promised me. However... They are not on the marketplace anymore but they are still there and visible and for grabs. NEVER, NEVER start there.
I also deleted my account after KT cut commissions. Sounding like he brought some Istock quality with him.
And it stinks really bad!
I received an answer from 500px: You photos have not been deleted because you logged back into your 500px account, which re-activates it. This is the reason we inform our members we'll keep their photos safe for a little while. Once you log into your account, the 60 day deletion period is cancelled.
As a matter of fact I didn't log back in. Because I knew 500px would pull this trick. I was asked to log back in if I wanted my earnings of this one sale of 1.80. But I definitely didn't log in to claim this money because I knew this would happen. And still they persist that I did log in. So now another two months they can earn money of chasing the people who may have stolen my images and keep the money for themselves. I am afraid that this is their business model. Not selling photos.
I also deleted my account after KT cut commissions. Sounding like he brought some Istock quality with him.
I'm curious. Is this more than two months ago and are your images really gone? I closed my account but when I go to 500px and fill in my name I still see them. I didn't log in because the time starts ticking again and then you have to wait another two months.
And it stinks really bad!
I received an answer from 500px: You photos have not been deleted because you logged back into your 500px account, which re-activates it. This is the reason we inform our members we'll keep their photos safe for a little while. Once you log into your account, the 60 day deletion period is cancelled.
As a matter of fact I didn't log back in. Because I knew 500px would pull this trick. I was asked to log back in if I wanted my earnings of this one sale of 1.80. But I definitely didn't log in to claim this money because I knew this would happen. And still they persist that I did log in. So now another two months they can earn money of chasing the people who may have stolen my images and keep the money for themselves. I am afraid that this is their business model. Not selling photos.