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Author Topic: what's with all the frustration !  (Read 21753 times)

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« Reply #50 on: September 05, 2017, 10:25 »
+8
However, what I can say is that I tend to generally agree with you in that veterans need to be more encouraging to newbies while at the same time "keeping it real".

Wrong!
Veterans have no interest to create or stimulate new competitors, unless they use forums as a marketing tool for other photography related businesses, such as promoting workshops (see Rinder & Co), trying to sell more "Microstock for Dummies" books to newbies (see you), etc!
« Last Edit: September 05, 2017, 10:31 by Zero Talent »


Brasilnut

  • Author Brutally Honest Guide to Microstock & Blog

« Reply #51 on: September 05, 2017, 10:32 »
0
What's the point of a newbies section on here?  ::)

« Reply #52 on: September 05, 2017, 10:39 »
+5
What's the point of a newbies section on here?  ::)

For newbies to get together and discuss things. 

« Reply #53 on: September 05, 2017, 12:14 »
0
veterans need to be more encouraging to newbies while at the same time "keeping it real".

Veterans don't need to do anything. Why should it be their job to encourage young newbie competitors? Posting some info about a new camera, or reviewing a rejected photo, sure, why not. But actively encouraging people to get ahead in this business? It's tough enough as it is.

We're all in the same boat, but if the boat is already sinking from the weight, it's every man for himself.

Yep... I'm doing fine but when I say so I get called BS. So why bother helping competition.

Is Noodelhap Nederlands?

Yep.

namussi

« Reply #54 on: September 06, 2017, 05:49 »
+1


Don't forgot the talented women in this business as well  8)

And those people who don't identify with traditional genital-based definitions.

Chichikov

« Reply #55 on: September 06, 2017, 07:39 »
+1
What's the point of a newbies section on here?  ::)

For newbies to get together and discuss things.

So, a kind of segregation?

« Reply #56 on: September 06, 2017, 07:48 »
+3
What's the point of a newbies section on here?  ::)

For newbies to get together and discuss things.

So, a kind of segregation?

Kind of "likeminded".

Chichikov

« Reply #57 on: September 06, 2017, 09:18 »
+1
What's the point of a newbies section on here?  ::)

For newbies to get together and discuss things.

So, a kind of segregation?

Kind of "likeminded".

Yes, still segregation or sectarianism it is or just a kind of elitism.
« Last Edit: September 06, 2017, 09:22 by Chichikov »

« Reply #58 on: September 06, 2017, 09:33 »
+3
It always seemed more topic based to me. Although for balance, can we get a "grizzled veteran" section because I've seen some stuff?  ;D

niktol

« Reply #59 on: September 06, 2017, 09:54 »
0
What's the point of a newbies section on here?  ::)

For newbies to get together and discuss things.

And hazing.

« Reply #60 on: September 06, 2017, 10:26 »
+9
Yes, still segregation or sectarianism it is or just a kind of elitism.

No.  They can hang out and post where every they like.  If they want to discuss newbie topics with like minded newbies, then they post in ... wait for it ... the newbie forum.  Try not to make drama where there isn't any.

Chichikov

« Reply #61 on: September 06, 2017, 10:54 »
+2
Yes, still segregation or sectarianism it is or just a kind of elitism.

No.  They can hang out and post where every they like.  If they want to discuss newbie topics with like minded newbies, then they post in ... wait for it ... the newbie forum.  Try not to make drama where there isn't any.

I don't make any drama of it, but as behavior it remembers me the times when busses, bars, and other public places were forbidden to "not white people" in theUSA
Or other countries, like Germany, Russia, China and others, where people were put in camps because they had different origins or different political ideas

« Reply #62 on: September 06, 2017, 10:57 »
+9
Yes.  It's just like that.

 ::)

Brasilnut

  • Author Brutally Honest Guide to Microstock & Blog

« Reply #63 on: September 06, 2017, 11:08 »
+2
Quote
I don't make any drama of it, but as behavior it remembers me the times when busses, bars, and other public places were forbidden to "not white people" in theUSA
Or other countries, like Germany, Russia, China and others, where people were put in camps because they had different origins or different political ideas

I have a dream that one day this forum will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all contributors are created equal."

I have a dream that one day even the MSG forum, a place sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.

ShadySue

  • There is a crack in everything
« Reply #64 on: September 06, 2017, 12:16 »
+1
I have a dream that one day this forum will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all contributors are created equal."
The analogy doesn't work, as this forum has never stated that that was its creed, wheresas the US held it officially in their Declaration of Independence, even if it wasn't (and still isn't) obvious in the way people were being treated.

It is self evident that NOT all contributors are created equal. We are equal as human beings, but our net 'worth' as stock suppliers is not equal.

We can all equally stick in our tuppenceworth to any discussion on this forum, but some advice is more worthy of attention than others.
« Last Edit: September 06, 2017, 17:05 by ShadySue »

« Reply #65 on: September 06, 2017, 12:42 »
+1
Yes.  It's just like that.

 ::)

Yeah! And Leaf is no different than Stalin. He is a brutal dictator who is sending newbies to the newbie Gulag!  ;D
« Last Edit: September 06, 2017, 12:45 by Zero Talent »

Brasilnut

  • Author Brutally Honest Guide to Microstock & Blog

« Reply #66 on: September 06, 2017, 13:31 »
+1
I have a dream that newbies will one day live in a forum where they will not be judged by their lack of expertise but by the content of their character.


ShadySue

  • There is a crack in everything
« Reply #67 on: September 06, 2017, 13:34 »
+1
I have a dream that newbies will one day live in a forum where they will not be judged by their lack of expertise but by the content of their character.
Oh, I think that happens. Though some bad eggs keep returning.

Surviving /succeeding in business isn't only about being 'well-liked'.
Being of good character doesn't mean that you'll be a good stock contributor, or that your well-meaning advice has any worth.
« Last Edit: September 06, 2017, 14:03 by ShadySue »

dpimborough

« Reply #68 on: September 06, 2017, 14:35 »
0
Quote
I don't make any drama of it, but as behavior it remembers me the times when busses, bars, and other public places were forbidden to "not white people" in theUSA
Or other countries, like Germany, Russia, China and others, where people were put in camps because they had different origins or different political ideas

I have a dream that one day this forum will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all contributors are created equal."

I have a dream that one day even the MSG forum, a place sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.

How tiresome 

I prefer the Animal Farm version

All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others

« Reply #69 on: September 06, 2017, 14:44 »
+1
I have a dream that newbies will one day live in a forum where they will not be judged by their lack of expertise but by the content of their character.

"The content of their ... content". :)

« Reply #70 on: September 06, 2017, 15:11 »
+1
Some of the frustration comes from those of us who were in this fairly early and made rather good money, were happy and kind of proud to be part of the active iStock community, saw lots of views and sales, some beginning from the day a photo was accepted.
We then saw what seemed like an abusive relationship develop, directed from the agency toward it's uploading artists. Competition developed that made many of our portfolios an insignificant drop in the ocean (even with my 7000).
What looked like a trajectory of earnings that would be a very solid retirement if not full employment, dwindled to a few hundred dollars per month. Many of us were not pros and started it as a hobby, started earning real money, becoming a "pro" (If i can earn enough to buy a Porsche, I'm calling myself a pro). Then watched it collapse. Of course that is not the case for everyone, but for many of us this is why.
Uploading photos that get zero views in two years, is very poor incentive to keep at it.
If I was just starting for fun and earned my current $300 per month, I would be thrilled. It's the 80% drop I'm not thrilled about.

« Reply #71 on: September 06, 2017, 16:29 »
0
If 90% of people got fed up with microstock and left taking their portfolios with them; then the 10% that remained would be seeing higher revenue and sales increases. Making the community much happier!

Then as word got out that microstock was a good business again droves of new and older veteran artists would flood the market once more to create a new cycle of oversupply, desperation, mistrust, and capitulation. 

This of course taking into account that the companies do not fold in the process. 

The only real change in the market I can see is Videoblocks which uses the Amazon Prime-like business model to reward the company and contributors with a sustainable model. Hopefully, it is future-proof.  ;)

« Reply #72 on: September 07, 2017, 11:51 »
+3
I am new here and this is only my second post but I have read most of the recent topics and I can't help but notice the huge amount of frustration and disappointment and even discouragement sometimes ! I guess all newbies know that it's not a huge business, doesn't make u rich or even close but I think many of the friends who post and comment here are really discouraging. I know they are being realistic, I totally understand that, but you can be realistic and at the same time keep some optimistic views for those who are eager to try and go through this. I think one can be realistic but in the meantime supportive and optimistic.

Sent from my SM-G928C using Tapatalk

7 years ago when I started doing some research about this, a friend told me that this was just a hobby and I would never make any real money out of it.
I'm glad I didn't listen.

Yes, this is a tough business, it is growing every day with lots and lots of new pictures that can easily bury yours if you don't keep up. (But this same talk has been here since forever so don't let this discourage you).
I agree with most photographers here, royalties aren't as good as you would like, only a few scents per sale and sometimes you get a few extra bucks with extra licenses. (But we all knew how royalties were going to be, and what we were getting into, so there's no point in complaining about this).
So my advice to you (and all newbies out there) is this, if you want to get into microstock do it, but its not just about the number of images in your portfolio, it also has to do with quality. and always think about the buyer and where he or she might use your images for.

Do your research, there's no point in doing a photo of an apple on a white background (there are thousands of those) if you are going to take a photo of an apple do it in a way that hasn't been done before.
Search for unexplored themes and shoot those!

Good luck on your start in microstock!
Hope this helps


PS: Shutterstock is my favorite


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

« Reply #73 on: September 07, 2017, 16:52 »
0
3% royalty on DP, doesnt get more optimistic than that, or 0.01c royalty on Istock. Or have royalty slashed from 70% to 30% because it is better for sales, is also quite optimistic. Or have ELs go from 28$ fixed to 30% of sales price. All very optimistic.

The only optimistic thing that happened was the closure of the Dollar Photo Club. Unfortunately not so optimistically was that I got kicked off Fotolia for fighting for our rights.

Lol. I just re-registered after the adobe purchase ... I wasn't given the boot though, I requested out. Maybe you can get back in?

« Reply #74 on: September 08, 2017, 02:38 »
+1

 "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all [....] are created equal."


I've seen that somewhere else. Of course it's a ridiculous lie that no sensible person would believe.


 

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