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Agency Based Discussion => Shutterstock.com => Topic started by: Sky on May 29, 2018, 11:29

Title: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: Sky on May 29, 2018, 11:29
Hello
Could it be using a Shutterstock controlled revenue system?
I have asked this question before
In short, you can specify your thoughts.
You can think of fixed sales amount and fixed income values.
Amount of sales declines compared to previous years. Sales have declined since mid-2017
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: unnonimus on May 29, 2018, 15:31
I think you are asking if you believe that a stock agency is limiting your sales based on how many sales you already have, in order perhaps to spread the wealth.

it is important for new users to have sales so they remain committed to contributing in the long run.

however I truly believe that the downturn in sales over time is due to standard supply and demand (vast increase in supply and lesser so increase in demand).
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: rinderart on May 29, 2018, 20:00
Im thinking a bit of Both.....
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: SpaceStockFootage on June 01, 2018, 23:46
Could it be using a Shutterstock controlled revenue system?

The short answer is that it's possible, but it's highly unlikely. Nobody has yet produced any compelling evidence to support the theory.
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: Sky on June 03, 2018, 05:34
Could it be using a Shutterstock controlled revenue system?

The short answer is that it's possible, but it's highly unlikely. Nobody has yet produced any compelling evidence to support the theory.

Yes Thank you
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: jonbull on June 03, 2018, 07:27
Hello
Could it be using a Shutterstock controlled revenue system?
I have asked this question before
In short, you can specify your thoughts.
You can think of fixed sales amount and fixed income values.
Amount of sales declines compared to previous years. Sales have declined since mid-2017


ys. they do. every agency for me is a rollercoaster with unpredictable earning...shutertock is practically a straight upward line. i can easily predict the earning of this mont since now. no matter what u upload. in addiction for  company struggling to meet earning per Duarte for analyst a saving of royalty from 0,25 compared to 0,38 is a big saving and can save  the quarter. is not a fact that ss is the only agency in the stock market.


Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: Pauws99 on June 03, 2018, 07:48
Hello
Could it be using a Shutterstock controlled revenue system?
I have asked this question before
In short, you can specify your thoughts.
You can think of fixed sales amount and fixed income values.
Amount of sales declines compared to previous years. Sales have declined since mid-2017


ys. they do. every agency for me is a rollercoaster with unpredictable earning...shutertock is practically a straight upward line. i can easily predict the earning of this mont since now. no matter what u upload. in addiction for  company struggling to meet earning per Duarte for analyst a saving of royalty from 0,25 compared to 0,38 is a big saving and can save  the quarter. is not a fact that ss is the only agency in the stock market.
Thats a good thing isn't it? Steadily increasing income in the face of the tidal wave of new images.
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: SpaceStockFootage on June 03, 2018, 20:16
So we've got one person saying they use controlled revenue because their sales are gradually decreasing, we've got one person saying they use controlled revenue because their sales are gradually increasing, we've got one person saying they use controlled revenue because their sales are wildly inconsistent, and in the majority of previous posts on the subject... we have people saying that they use controlled revenue because their sales are extremely consistent.

Very compelling evidence.
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: qwerty on June 04, 2018, 00:36
Revenue is so closely linked to position in search.

If you could pick a changed pattern in your search position results when the revenue control system is in-acted at some unknown monthly revenue value you would with a massive amount of doubt confirm that a revenue system exists.

On the doubtful confirmation of the revenue control system exists what are you going to do ?

Open separate accounts in your dogs name ?

I think its a better plan to shoot the best content you can, shoot it with the smallest overheads and quickest time , keyword it correctly and submit.

If that doesn't work time to move onto something else.



Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: jonbull on June 04, 2018, 08:06
So we've got one person saying they use controlled revenue because their sales are gradually decreasing, we've got one person saying they use controlled revenue because their sales are gradually increasing, we've got one person saying they use controlled revenue because their sales are wildly inconsistent, and in the majority of previous posts on the subject... we have people saying that they use controlled revenue because their sales are extremely consistent.

Very compelling evidence.

think of this...youhave a business quoted at stock exchange...your revenue are not growing as expected and analyst wait you next quarter to see what happen...you have the possibility to pay 0,25 or 0,38 cent per dollar of revenue. what you would do? especially if the revenue is not growing at all. it's clear they have some controls.
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: Pauws99 on June 04, 2018, 08:26
So we've got one person saying they use controlled revenue because their sales are gradually decreasing, we've got one person saying they use controlled revenue because their sales are gradually increasing, we've got one person saying they use controlled revenue because their sales are wildly inconsistent, and in the majority of previous posts on the subject... we have people saying that they use controlled revenue because their sales are extremely consistent.

Very compelling evidence.

think of this...youhave a business quoted at stock exchange...your revenue are not growing as expected and analyst wait you next quarter to see what happen...you have the possibility to pay 0,25 or 0,38 cent per dollar of revenue. what you would do? especially if the revenue is not growing at all. it's clear they have some controls.
Has the proportion of money paid out declined.....?
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: jonbull on June 04, 2018, 09:37
So we've got one person saying they use controlled revenue because their sales are gradually decreasing, we've got one person saying they use controlled revenue because their sales are gradually increasing, we've got one person saying they use controlled revenue because their sales are wildly inconsistent, and in the majority of previous posts on the subject... we have people saying that they use controlled revenue because their sales are extremely consistent.

Very compelling evidence.

think of this...youhave a business quoted at stock exchange...your revenue are not growing as expected and analyst wait you next quarter to see what happen...you have the possibility to pay 0,25 or 0,38 cent per dollar of revenue. what you would do? especially if the revenue is not growing at all. it's clear they have some controls.
Has the proportion of money paid out declined.....?
it has grow like 0,5 if the metric s that in the last financial highlights. anyway let's wait the next quarter, it will be very important.


beginning of june applying, only subs. luckily esp grow fast. personally i have zero hope for ss. i will stay   with my level of earning no matter what.
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: Yay Images Billionaire on June 04, 2018, 21:09
It actually started out as a joint venture with the CIA several years ago to undermine the stock market. After the CIA realized they had the wrong stock market they backed out but failed to remove the infrastructure for the devious plan.
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: Saurav on June 05, 2018, 05:34
Every time I had bigger sales, next day onwards sales have drastically declined. I believe, they are controlling our revenues.
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: namussi on June 05, 2018, 06:13
Every time I had bigger sales, next day onwards sales have drastically declined. I believe, they are controlling our revenues.

There's a much simpler explanation: Poisson clumping.

"Poisson clumping, or Poisson bursts, is the phenomenon wherein random events may appear to have a tendency to occur in clusters, clumps, or bursts.

"Poisson clumping is used to explain marked increases or decreases in the frequency of an event, such as shark attacks, 'coincidences', birthdays, or heads or tails from coin tosses, and e-mail correspondence."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poisson_clumping







Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: namussi on June 05, 2018, 06:17
Hello
Could it be using a Shutterstock controlled revenue system?
I have asked this question before
In short, you can specify your thoughts.
You can think of fixed sales amount and fixed income values.
Amount of sales declines compared to previous years. Sales have declined since mid-2017


ys. they do. every agency for me is a rollercoaster with unpredictable earning...shutertock is practically a straight upward line. i can easily predict the earning of this mont since now. no matter what u upload. in addiction for  company struggling to meet earning per Duarte for analyst a saving of royalty from 0,25 compared to 0,38 is a big saving and can save  the quarter. is not a fact that ss is the only agency in the stock market.

Jonbull: you can't even write proper sentences that make sense. I hope your statistical analysis is better. Feel free to share your working.
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: jonbull on June 05, 2018, 07:31
Hello
Could it be using a Shutterstock controlled revenue system?
I have asked this question before
In short, you can specify your thoughts.
You can think of fixed sales amount and fixed income values.
Amount of sales declines compared to previous years. Sales have declined since mid-2017


ys. they do. every agency for me is a rollercoaster with unpredictable earning...shutertock is practically a straight upward line. i can easily predict the earning of this mont since now. no matter what u upload. in addiction for  company struggling to meet earning per Duarte for analyst a saving of royalty from 0,25 compared to 0,38 is a big saving and can save  the quarter. is not a fact that ss is the only agency in the stock market.

Jonbull: you can't even write proper sentences that make sense. I hope your statistical analysis is better. Feel free to share your working.

i'm not english spark, i write with phone and i agree i write pretty bad, but at least i can try to speak more than a single language like a pathetic idiot like you. i can save mine if you share yours so all world see a pathetic photographer in action.
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: namussi on June 05, 2018, 08:58
Hello
Could it be using a Shutterstock controlled revenue system?
I have asked this question before
In short, you can specify your thoughts.
You can think of fixed sales amount and fixed income values.
Amount of sales declines compared to previous years. Sales have declined since mid-2017


ys. they do. every agency for me is a rollercoaster with unpredictable earning...shutertock is practically a straight upward line. i can easily predict the earning of this mont since now. no matter what u upload. in addiction for  company struggling to meet earning per Duarte for analyst a saving of royalty from 0,25 compared to 0,38 is a big saving and can save  the quarter. is not a fact that ss is the only agency in the stock market.

Jonbull: you can't even write proper sentences that make sense. I hope your statistical analysis is better. Feel free to share your working.

i'm not english spark, i write with phone and i agree i write pretty bad, but at least i can try to speak more than a single language like a pathetic idiot like you. i can save mine if you share yours so all world see a pathetic photographer in action.

1) My spoken Korean is OK, although nowhere near as good as when I lived (and studied Korean) in Seoul.  I can read French pretty well, but out of practice in speaking it as I've been in Asia for twenty years.

2) I'm not claiming that Shutterstock is controlling revenue. You are. Prove it by sharing your statistical analysis.
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: namussi on June 05, 2018, 09:06
Every time I had bigger sales, next day onwards sales have drastically declined. I believe, they are controlling our revenues.

That's vague.

For example:

What do you mean by "bigger sales"? How much bigger? Bigger than what? A moving average? More than two standard deviations away from that average?

What is a "drastic decline"? 10%? 30% 90%? Is that decline in numbers of downloads? Total revenue? $ per download? How long does it last for?

How often has this taken place? Once a month? Hundreds of times a year? Over a decade? Over the past two months?



Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: Zero Talent on June 05, 2018, 13:06
Every time I had bigger sales, next day onwards sales have drastically declined. I believe, they are controlling our revenues.

What you are saying is that your next day sales are normal and, from time to time, you have a big sale (which is also part of the "normal").
 ;D
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: temis on June 05, 2018, 13:22
So we've got one person saying they use controlled revenue because their sales are gradually decreasing, we've got one person saying they use controlled revenue because their sales are gradually increasing, we've got one person saying they use controlled revenue because their sales are wildly inconsistent, and in the majority of previous posts on the subject... we have people saying that they use controlled revenue because their sales are extremely consistent.

Very compelling evidence.
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: temis on June 05, 2018, 13:27
So we've got one person saying they use controlled revenue because their sales are gradually decreasing, we've got one person saying they use controlled revenue because their sales are gradually increasing, we've got one person saying they use controlled revenue because their sales are wildly inconsistent, and in the majority of previous posts on the subject... we have people saying that they use controlled revenue because their sales are extremely consistent.

Very compelling evidence.
I think the only evidence is that the more you upload the less you earn in ss and this has been happening since 2017. Almost every old contributor is experiencing this. This is fact.
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: farbled on June 05, 2018, 13:34
Every time I had bigger sales, next day onwards sales have drastically declined. I believe, they are controlling our revenues.

What you are saying is that your next day sales are normal and, from time to time, you have a big sale (which is also part of the "normal").
 ;D
Kinda looks like they said the exact opposite to me.
I don't understand why so many seem so vehement that there is a random explanation for something that seems so consistent for some of us.
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: Zero Talent on June 05, 2018, 13:47
Every time I had bigger sales, next day onwards sales have drastically declined. I believe, they are controlling our revenues.

What you are saying is that your next day sales are normal and, from time to time, you have a big sale (which is also part of the "normal").
 ;D
Kinda looks like they said the exact opposite to me.
I don't understand why so many seem so vehement that there is a random explanation for something that seems so consistent for some of us.

The explanation is not "random" at all. It is simple and logical.
A big sale = a spike.
A spike is a spike only when it stands out of the normal trend, being preceded and followed by normal and obviously lower sales.
Otherwise it wouldn't be a spike or a "big sale".
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: farbled on June 05, 2018, 13:48
Here is a hypothetical since we are not allowed to post actual numbers.

Contributor A makes approx 400 bucks every two weeks, plus or minus 20 bucks or so.

In the first week of the month, they make a large SOD for 100 bucks and their sub sales drop from 30-40 dollars a weekday to 5 bucks for the next 3 days. They know, demonstrably over the course of the last year, they will have low earnings for the next week until they make 400 at mid month.

That is what some of us are saying is happening. We don't know why this is the case, or how it could be some random happenstance that occurs every single month.
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: Pauws99 on June 05, 2018, 14:12
So we've got one person saying they use controlled revenue because their sales are gradually decreasing, we've got one person saying they use controlled revenue because their sales are gradually increasing, we've got one person saying they use controlled revenue because their sales are wildly inconsistent, and in the majority of previous posts on the subject... we have people saying that they use controlled revenue because their sales are extremely consistent.

Very compelling evidence.
I think the only evidence is that the more you upload the less you earn in ss and this has been happening since 2017. Almost every old contributor is experiencing this. This is fact.
No its not a fact its your opinion. How many "old contributors" have you polled? What figures are there to support this?
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: SpaceStockFootage on June 05, 2018, 14:21
So we've got one person saying they use controlled revenue because their sales are gradually decreasing, we've got one person saying they use controlled revenue because their sales are gradually increasing, we've got one person saying they use controlled revenue because their sales are wildly inconsistent, and in the majority of previous posts on the subject... we have people saying that they use controlled revenue because their sales are extremely consistent.

Very compelling evidence.
I think the only evidence is that the more you upload the less you earn in ss and this has been happening since 2017. Almost every old contributor is experiencing this. This is fact.

So are you saying that if you stop uploading or start deleting clips... your sales will increase or stay the same? I'm assuming you're just saying that even by uploading new content you're still earning less? What's your annual percentage increase on content compared with SS as a whole though? Unless yours is higher, then it would make sense that sales would be decreasing. That's not controlling revenue, that's just an inevitable drop in sales due to increased competition.
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: dpimborough on June 05, 2018, 15:45
Here is a hypothetical since we are not allowed to post actual numbers.

Contributor A makes approx 400 bucks every two weeks, plus or minus 20 bucks or so.

In the first week of the month, they make a large SOD for 100 bucks and their sub sales drop from 30-40 dollars a weekday to 5 bucks for the next 3 days. They know, demonstrably over the course of the last year, they will have low earnings for the next week until they make 400 at mid month.

That is what some of us are saying is happening. We don't know why this is the case, or how it could be some random happenstance that occurs every single month.

Agreed ~ I get that constantly and when you have 300 sales each month plus or minus 10 you know something stinks in the room
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: farbled on June 05, 2018, 15:58
Every time I had bigger sales, next day onwards sales have drastically declined. I believe, they are controlling our revenues.

What you are saying is that your next day sales are normal and, from time to time, you have a big sale (which is also part of the "normal").
 ;D
Kinda looks like they said the exact opposite to me.
I don't understand why so many seem so vehement that there is a random explanation for something that seems so consistent for some of us.

The explanation is not "random" at all. It is simple and logical.
A big sale = a spike.
A spike is a spike only when it stands out of the normal trend, being preceded and followed by normal and obviously lower sales.
Otherwise it wouldn't be a spike or a "big sale".

Well we both know you are being very literal about his post. In context with this thread, the poster is comparing their sales before the "big sale" with sales afterwards.

Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: Zero Talent on June 05, 2018, 16:28
Every time I had bigger sales, next day onwards sales have drastically declined. I believe, they are controlling our revenues.

What you are saying is that your next day sales are normal and, from time to time, you have a big sale (which is also part of the "normal").
 ;D
Kinda looks like they said the exact opposite to me.
I don't understand why so many seem so vehement that there is a random explanation for something that seems so consistent for some of us.

The explanation is not "random" at all. It is simple and logical.
A big sale = a spike.
A spike is a spike only when it stands out of the normal trend, being preceded and followed by normal and obviously lower sales.
Otherwise it wouldn't be a spike or a "big sale".

Well we both know you are being very literal about his post. In context with this thread, the poster is comparing their sales before the "big sale" with sales afterwards.

In my case it works the other way around: SS is monitoring my sales and when they fall below my usual quota, I get a massive sale to recover the lost ground. Loool!
Maybe this is why I just got a $167.70 clip sale a moment ago!  :P
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: farbled on June 05, 2018, 16:30
Every time I had bigger sales, next day onwards sales have drastically declined. I believe, they are controlling our revenues.

What you are saying is that your next day sales are normal and, from time to time, you have a big sale (which is also part of the "normal").
 ;D
Kinda looks like they said the exact opposite to me.
I don't understand why so many seem so vehement that there is a random explanation for something that seems so consistent for some of us.

The explanation is not "random" at all. It is simple and logical.
A big sale = a spike.
A spike is a spike only when it stands out of the normal trend, being preceded and followed by normal and obviously lower sales.
Otherwise it wouldn't be a spike or a "big sale".

Well we both know you are being very literal about his post. In context with this thread, the poster is comparing their sales before the "big sale" with sales afterwards.

In my case it works the other way around: SS is monitoring my sales and when they fall below my usual quota, I get a massive sale to recover the lost ground.
Maybe this is why I just got a $167.70 clip sale a moment ago!  :P

You know what's funny is mine also works the same way, if I am down from my average I almost always get a large SOD or two to hit that average month.
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: Zero Talent on June 05, 2018, 16:33
Every time I had bigger sales, next day onwards sales have drastically declined. I believe, they are controlling our revenues.

What you are saying is that your next day sales are normal and, from time to time, you have a big sale (which is also part of the "normal").
 ;D
Kinda looks like they said the exact opposite to me.
I don't understand why so many seem so vehement that there is a random explanation for something that seems so consistent for some of us.

The explanation is not "random" at all. It is simple and logical.
A big sale = a spike.
A spike is a spike only when it stands out of the normal trend, being preceded and followed by normal and obviously lower sales.
Otherwise it wouldn't be a spike or a "big sale".

Well we both know you are being very literal about his post. In context with this thread, the poster is comparing their sales before the "big sale" with sales afterwards.

In my case it works the other way around: SS is monitoring my sales and when they fall below my usual quota, I get a massive sale to recover the lost ground.
Maybe this is why I just got a $167.70 clip sale a moment ago!  :P

You know what's funny is mine also works the same way, if I am down from my average I almost always get a large SOD or two to hit that average month.

So SS is not the bad guy reducing your income, but the good guy, helping you to get back on track!  :o

Major difference.... but the same baseless conspiracy theory!  ;D
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: farbled on June 05, 2018, 16:38


So SS is not the bad guy reducing your income, but the good guy, helping you to get back on track!

Major difference.... but the same baseless conspiracy theory!

Not exactly what I said and you are cherry picking my words. It goes both ways, hence the word "static" income. And I never said SS was the bad guy. But whatever works for your narrative. I don't need to convince you or anyone else.

Same baseless assumptions because it hasn't happened to you (yet). :)
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: namussi on June 05, 2018, 22:38
Every time I had bigger sales, next day onwards sales have drastically declined. I believe, they are controlling our revenues.

What you are saying is that your next day sales are normal and, from time to time, you have a big sale (which is also part of the "normal").
 ;D

Kinda looks like they said the exact opposite to me.
I don't understand why so many seem so vehement that there is a random explanation for something that seems so consistent for some of us.

"Obvious", but no-one ever publishes stats that can be analysed, and the people who say it's obvious don't seem to have any mathematical training.

So until people do start doing that, it's sensible to assume that the phenomenon is the same as phenomena observed many many times in other contexts.

Occam's razor and all that.
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: Pauws99 on June 06, 2018, 00:39
Every time I had bigger sales, next day onwards sales have drastically declined. I believe, they are controlling our revenues.

What you are saying is that your next day sales are normal and, from time to time, you have a big sale (which is also part of the "normal").
 ;D

Kinda looks like they said the exact opposite to me.
I don't understand why so many seem so vehement that there is a random explanation for something that seems so consistent for some of us.

"Obvious", but no-one ever publishes stats that can be analysed, and the people who say it's obvious don't seem to have any mathematical training.

So until people do start doing that, it's sensible to assume that the phenomenon is the same as phenomena observed many many times in other contexts.

Occam's razor and all that.
To be fair its against SS's Ts and Cs......so in the end we will never know for sure....so this debate will keep repeating. In the end its academic as I don't see anything illegal in it.
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: Pauws99 on June 06, 2018, 00:45
Every time I had bigger sales, next day onwards sales have drastically declined. I believe, they are controlling our revenues.

What you are saying is that your next day sales are normal and, from time to time, you have a big sale (which is also part of the "normal").
 ;D
Kinda looks like they said the exact opposite to me.
I don't understand why so many seem so vehement that there is a random explanation for something that seems so consistent for some of us.

The explanation is not "random" at all. It is simple and logical.
A big sale = a spike.
A spike is a spike only when it stands out of the normal trend, being preceded and followed by normal and obviously lower sales.
Otherwise it wouldn't be a spike or a "big sale".

Well we both know you are being very literal about his post. In context with this thread, the poster is comparing their sales before the "big sale" with sales afterwards.

In my case it works the other way around: SS is monitoring my sales and when they fall below my usual quota, I get a massive sale to recover the lost ground.
Maybe this is why I just got a $167.70 clip sale a moment ago!  :P

You know what's funny is mine also works the same way, if I am down from my average I almost always get a large SOD or two to hit that average month.

So SS is not the bad guy reducing your income, but the good guy, helping you to get back on track!  :o

Major difference.... but the same baseless conspiracy theory!  ;D
As I understand it the big ticket items are often found by SS staff for big account holders much easier to manipulate that that playing with a super complex algorithm and hiding contributors from buyers and risking losing them because they can't find content.
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: Saurav on June 06, 2018, 05:24
Alright, let me explain it for you. I have a portfolio of more than 4000 images, average sales are between 10 - 15 per day. So, whenever I had a large SOD or an EL or a high number of subs in a single day, next day onwards my sales have gone down to 2 or 3 subs per day and it stays like that for few days before coming to normal. This has happened each and every time. So, I don't this can be a coincidence.
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: namussi on June 06, 2018, 06:20
Alright, let me explain it for you. I have a portfolio of more than 4000 images, average sales are between 10 - 15 per day. So, whenever I had a large SOD or an EL or a high number of subs in a single day, next day onwards my sales have gone down to 2 or 3 subs per day and it stays like that for few days before coming to normal. This has happened each and every time. So, I don't this can be a coincidence.

How often do you get days with two or three subs altogether?

And again, what is a "high" number of subs? >20, >30>>50?

Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: Zero Talent on June 06, 2018, 06:28
Alright, let me explain it for you. I have a portfolio of more than 4000 images, average sales are between 10 - 15 per day. So, whenever I had a large SOD or an EL or a high number of subs in a single day, next day onwards my sales have gone down to 2 or 3 subs per day and it stays like that for few days before coming to normal. This has happened each and every time. So, I don't this can be a coincidence.
A drop in an ocean. Who cares about 2-3 subs a day? This is just regular day to day variation.

Is Shutterstock controlling the cars on your commute route as well? Because there are days with traffic jams followed by days with fluent traffic.

Anyway 2-3 subs are not even enough to compensate a large SOD nor an EL, therefore your "theory" is flawed by definition.

Btw, I get many times more downloads than you, with many times fewer files. I have larger daily swings than 2-3 dls and that's just normal.
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: angelawaye on June 06, 2018, 09:23
I haven't uploaded anything this year and every month it is around the same number for earnings. No more, not less. I'm too lazy to post a fancy graph. Not sure what conclusions you want to draw but for 5 months it is almost the exact same earnings per month with no new uploads.

There is just no incentive to upload new work because there is no opportunity to get "more of the pie" at this moment.

I don't really know where else to go with all my new work. I'm just kind of hoping a new kind of "stocksy" opens up. (Wishful thinking, this I know.)
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: ArenaCreative on June 06, 2018, 09:25
When the amount of content outweighs the amount you can produce on a regular basis, you will hit a wall. The crowd-sourced business model only benefits the company, not the individual.  It's fun while it lasts, for the individual... but don't bet on retiring from it that way.
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: niktol on June 06, 2018, 09:46
I haven't uploaded anything this year and every month it is around the same number for earnings. No more, not less. I'm too lazy to post a fancy graph. Not sure what conclusions you want to draw but for 5 months it is almost the exact same earnings per month with no new uploads.


That kind of data would be a stronger evidence in favor of an income cap than "I observe day-to-day fluctuations in sales and when presented as binary data and translated into ASCII they say "we cap your income, serf"". However, when I stop uploading I see faster declines in SS income fairly quickly.
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: farbled on June 06, 2018, 11:13
I haven't uploaded anything this year and every month it is around the same number for earnings. No more, not less. I'm too lazy to post a fancy graph. Not sure what conclusions you want to draw but for 5 months it is almost the exact same earnings per month with no new uploads.

There is just no incentive to upload new work because there is no opportunity to get "more of the pie" at this moment.

I don't really know where else to go with all my new work. I'm just kind of hoping a new kind of "stocksy" opens up. (Wishful thinking, this I know.)

Absolutely the same, but over almost a year for me.
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: Android Marvin (formerly mb) on June 06, 2018, 15:36
Hello
Could it be using a Shutterstock controlled revenue system?
I have asked this question before
In short, you can specify your thoughts.


You don't have to be insider to prove that, there are patterns and behaviours and based on them you have very high probability that search engine is controlled to achieve certain goals that are absolutely not in interest of established contributors. 
In short yes they are doing that for sure, initial software implementation in production environment was in september 2016 with a a few minor changes later.
As a Shutterstock contributor and as an independent Business Intelignece Systems expert I tried to explain a few things in a couple of discussions like here:
http://www.microstockgroup.com/shutterstock-com/are-new-images-selling/ (http://www.microstockgroup.com/shutterstock-com/are-new-images-selling/)
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: Android Marvin (formerly mb) on June 06, 2018, 15:55
Hello
Could it be using a Shutterstock controlled revenue system?
I have asked this question before
In short, you can specify your thoughts.


You don't have to be insider to prove that, there are patterns and behaviours and based on them you have very high probability that search engine is controlled to achieve certain goals that are absolutely not in interest of established contributors. 
In short yes they are doing that for sure, initial software implementation in production environment was in september 2016 with a a few minor changes later.
As a Shutterstock contributor and as an independent Business Intelignece Systems expert I tried to explain a few things in a couple of discussions like here:
[url]http://www.microstockgroup.com/shutterstock-com/are-new-images-selling/[/url] ([url]http://www.microstockgroup.com/shutterstock-com/are-new-images-selling/[/url])


Also here:

http://www.microstockgroup.com/shutterstock-com/please-tell-me-this-makes-sense!/ (http://www.microstockgroup.com/shutterstock-com/please-tell-me-this-makes-sense!/)

and here:

http://www.microstockgroup.com/shutterstock-com/june-algorithm-change/ (http://www.microstockgroup.com/shutterstock-com/june-algorithm-change/)

Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: Android Marvin (formerly mb) on June 06, 2018, 16:12
it is important for new users to have sales so they remain committed to contributing in the long run.

How noble!

But I'm afraid it's going like this:

"How can we reduce costs?"
"By favouring new users?"
"Approved!"
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: Android Marvin (formerly mb) on June 06, 2018, 16:16
Could it be using a Shutterstock controlled revenue system?

The short answer is that it's possible, but it's highly unlikely. Nobody has yet produced any compelling evidence to support the theory.

For compelling evidence you need FBI but for some of us which are experts in that kind of software, patterns, behaviours and high probability is just enough for the right conclusion.
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: DallasP on June 06, 2018, 16:25
Here is a hypothetical since we are not allowed to post actual numbers.

Contributor A makes approx 400 bucks every two weeks, plus or minus 20 bucks or so.

In the first week of the month, they make a large SOD for 100 bucks and their sub sales drop from 30-40 dollars a weekday to 5 bucks for the next 3 days. They know, demonstrably over the course of the last year, they will have low earnings for the next week until they make 400 at mid month.

That is what some of us are saying is happening. We don't know why this is the case, or how it could be some random happenstance that occurs every single month.

That pretty much nailed it. Also, and I'm just throwing this out there ... inconsistent revenue, net income and operating expense makes shareholders very nervous. Especially new investors. If you're worried about not making image sales, buy some SSTK instead! lol.
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: DallasP on June 06, 2018, 16:32
As I understand it the big ticket items are often found by SS staff for big account holders much easier to manipulate that that playing with a super complex algorithm and hiding contributors from buyers and risking losing them because they can't find content.

Meh, not really ... it honestly could just be as easy as a backend sort of ranking system giving contributors a number between say ... 0-10. They start earning more than they're supposed to you just knock their rank down a bit, less than they should then bump them up a bit. It's silly to assume that they wouldn't control it.

It's also silly to assume that they would control it on an individual basis, I'd imagine that if they are manipulating it then it's pretty automated.
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: Android Marvin (formerly mb) on June 06, 2018, 16:53
So we've got one person saying they use controlled revenue because their sales are gradually decreasing, we've got one person saying they use controlled revenue because their sales are gradually increasing, we've got one person saying they use controlled revenue because their sales are wildly inconsistent, and in the majority of previous posts on the subject... we have people saying that they use controlled revenue because their sales are extremely consistent.

Very compelling evidence.

Exactly and unfortunately all of them as a hundred other behaviours have very logical explanation in specific conditions.
1) Sales are gradually decreasing for the same amount of work per year (not per month because of market fluctuations) 99% of established contributors will confirm you that
2) Off course in a long term MUCH more work/images per month will result in gradually increasing sales
3) Sales are extremely consistent (with slightly noticable decrease) for contributors that sells hundreds/thousands of images per month for 30+ cents
4) Sales are starting to be extremely inconsistent when when you get a buyer for (unexpected) high value licences. After that you will wait a lot for a new sales from different buyers because engine is trying to make your sales consistent on monthly/yearly basis.

I think I covered everything you said.

Good photographs are usually good in visual recognition but only few of them are also good in abstract recognition.
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: Android Marvin (formerly mb) on June 06, 2018, 17:10
Revenue is so closely linked to position in search.

Actually it's opposite.

Open separate accounts in your dogs name ?

I'm tired of doing that but yes it works.
I was so good, that I could give you perfect newbie strategy for maximizing your sales by recycling your existing portfolio and an information how long your newbie "honeymoon" will last.

As I already said before:
"All of you are probably interested in an answer is it possible to beat their machine to get more income with less work instead opposite?
From everything I learned so far the answer is Yes but a) it is not legal, b) it can't be done permanently, c) it is complicated/time consuming
If you want to play legal I think you will have better chances in a casino."
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: Android Marvin (formerly mb) on June 06, 2018, 17:15
It actually started out as a joint venture with the CIA several years ago to undermine the stock market. After the CIA realized they had the wrong stock market they backed out but failed to remove the infrastructure for the devious plan.

Trivia: Do you know that Hollywood's biggest problem is finding a good scriptwriter?
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: Android Marvin (formerly mb) on June 06, 2018, 17:19

There's a much simpler explanation: Poisson clumping.


How about the Theory of uncertainty?
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: Android Marvin (formerly mb) on June 06, 2018, 17:27
Every time I had bigger sales, next day onwards sales have drastically declined. I believe, they are controlling our revenues.

What you are saying is that your next day sales are normal and, from time to time, you have a big sale (which is also part of the "normal").
 ;D

Type of licence can't be controlled by machine in advance. Buyer is first searching for an image and when he or she find the right one he will decide will it be 30+ cents or 100+ dollars. If it is a big sale from the algorithm point of view that sale is a deviation in revenue and it will be averaged by low sales in the following period.

Friendly advice: Zero IQ is a better nickname.
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: Android Marvin (formerly mb) on June 06, 2018, 17:38
The explanation is not "random" at all. It is simple and logical.
A big sale = a spike.
A spike is a spike only when it stands out of the normal trend, being preceded and followed by normal and obviously lower sales.

By theory of probability big sale is not related anyhow to your other sales unless they come from the same buyer which is rarely the case for a people with a lot of sales every day. So big sale is actually a random event (so true by any means) and there is no reason for unrelated sales to decline immediately after the big sale. Unfortunately that is the case which is important proof that revenue is controlled for most of the contributors.
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: Android Marvin (formerly mb) on June 06, 2018, 17:47
What is obvious can't be denied, but too much trolls here.
Se ya next year.
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: Pauws99 on June 06, 2018, 17:59
As I understand it the big ticket items are often found by SS staff for big account holders much easier to manipulate that that playing with a super complex algorithm and hiding contributors from buyers and risking losing them because they can't find content.


It's also silly to assume that they would control it on an individual basis, I'd imagine that if they are manipulating it then it's pretty automated.
It may be silly but there are some high earners who don't report this happening.....
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: niktol on June 07, 2018, 07:30


By theory of probability big sale is not related anyhow to your other sales unless they come from the same buyer which is rarely the case for a people with a lot of sales every day. So big sale is actually a random event (so true by any means) and there is no reason for unrelated sales to decline immediately after the big sale. Unfortunately that is the case which is important proof that revenue is controlled for most of the contributors.

As much as I enjoy circular reasoning in general, I would like to point out that probability theory does not assign probabilities to events, independent or otherwise. It only tells us what happens if [insert your favorite postulate here].
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: Zero Talent on June 07, 2018, 08:58
As I understand it the big ticket items are often found by SS staff for big account holders much easier to manipulate that that playing with a super complex algorithm and hiding contributors from buyers and risking losing them because they can't find content.


It's also silly to assume that they would control it on an individual basis, I'd imagine that if they are manipulating it then it's pretty automated.
It may be silly but there are some high earners who don't report this happening.....

Yeah, got a 3 digits sale 2 days ago, followed by another large two digits sale yesterday!

Friendly advice: Zero IQ is a better nickname.

It looks like the "controlled revenue system" has some glitches, since massive sales can be followed by massive sales the very next day  :P

Another possible theory is that the "controlled revenue system" favors those with Zero Talent and/or Zero IQ  ;D
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: Phadrea on June 19, 2018, 16:19
Absolutely controlled beyond a shadow of a doubt. I can predict the paltry amount I will get most days.
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: YadaYadaYada on June 19, 2018, 22:42
Absolutely controlled beyond a shadow of a doubt. I can predict the paltry amount I will get most days.

I can predict that the level of interest from buyers for what you have, is about the same day to day. That's not controlled it's just how many people are interested in what you sell. Same as how many tacos a stand sells every day, in the same place. Some days are less, some more, and some have a big swing up or down, but what you call controlled income is nothing more then average and predictable sales. Do you know when your next big sale will come or your next terrible bad day? No, but you know what your average day is, that's the average not controlled. You are trying to say that average anything is some how manipulated or controlled when by math it's just normal and average. The day of the big sale is the unusual just like the day when sales are extra low. Normal is average is what you want to say is some how controlled, when that's perfect normal. Nothing unusual about average or normal, but you see something wrong and want a claim for why something is predictable?
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: Pauws99 on June 20, 2018, 00:10
Absolutely controlled beyond a shadow of a doubt. I can predict the paltry amount I will get most days.
"most" why not all?
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: Phadrea on June 20, 2018, 03:08
Absolutely controlled beyond a shadow of a doubt. I can predict the paltry amount I will get most days.

I can predict that the level of interest from buyers for what you have, is about the same day to day. That's not controlled it's just how many people are interested in what you sell. Same as how many tacos a stand sells every day, in the same place. Some days are less, some more, and some have a big swing up or down, but what you call controlled income is nothing more then average and predictable sales. Do you know when your next big sale will come or your next terrible bad day? No, but you know what your average day is, that's the average not controlled. You are trying to say that average anything is some how manipulated or controlled when by math it's just normal and average. The day of the big sale is the unusual just like the day when sales are extra low. Normal is average is what you want to say is some how controlled, when that's perfect normal. Nothing unusual about average or normal, but you see something wrong and want a claim for why something is predictable?

Do you work for ss ?
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: Pauws99 on June 20, 2018, 04:37
Absolutely controlled beyond a shadow of a doubt. I can predict the paltry amount I will get most days.

I can predict that the level of interest from buyers for what you have, is about the same day to day. That's not controlled it's just how many people are interested in what you sell. Same as how many tacos a stand sells every day, in the same place. Some days are less, some more, and some have a big swing up or down, but what you call controlled income is nothing more then average and predictable sales. Do you know when your next big sale will come or your next terrible bad day? No, but you know what your average day is, that's the average not controlled. You are trying to say that average anything is some how manipulated or controlled when by math it's just normal and average. The day of the big sale is the unusual just like the day when sales are extra low. Normal is average is what you want to say is some how controlled, when that's perfect normal. Nothing unusual about average or normal, but you see something wrong and want a claim for why something is predictable?

Do you work for ss ?
This is the problem with conspiracy theories doubters are either part of the conspiracy or have been paid off. So the debate will continue.
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: Zero Talent on June 20, 2018, 09:16
This is the problem with conspiracy theories doubters are either part of the conspiracy or have been paid off. So the debate will continue.

Yeah, YadaYadaYada is most likely a member of the "deep (SS) state" conspiring to control our revenues!
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: Uncle Pete on June 20, 2018, 09:24
This is the problem with conspiracy theories doubters are either part of the conspiracy or have been paid off. So the debate will continue.

Yeah, YadaYadaYada is most likely a member of the "deep (SS) state" conspiring to control our revenues!

Or maybe she's a mole who's here to watch what we say, then the "SS deep state" will drop my controlled earnings and lower my cap!  ;)

The real problem is honestly, that, reality, facts, and the truth don't matter when someone is convinced otherwise and believes there's something else going on.
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: Phadrea on June 20, 2018, 12:31
Well if you all want to continue being deluded into thinking SS are not controlling our visibility, you carry on burying your heads in the sand. I know what I know by patterns and others do too.
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: Zero Talent on June 20, 2018, 13:30
Well if you all want to continue being deluded into thinking SS are not controlling our visibility, you carry on burying your heads in the sand. I know what I know by patterns and others do too.

Come on you raver, you seer of visions,
....
Shine on you crazy diamond
.
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: Phadrea on June 20, 2018, 14:36
The way stock is being devalued and oversaturated is enough to make you crazy.
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: Zero Talent on June 20, 2018, 16:19
The way stock is being devalued and oversaturated is enough to make you crazy.

This is something nobody would argue with you about. It's self evident: everybody I know is a "photographer" these days.

But this is a different issue, totally independent from the controlled revenue conspiracy, you are venting about.
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: Pauws99 on June 20, 2018, 17:08
Well if you all want to continue being deluded into thinking SS are not controlling our visibility, you carry on burying your heads in the sand. I know what I know by patterns and others do too.
So what are you actually doing about it then?
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: Phadrea on June 20, 2018, 17:12
We are all finished, stock media is dying.
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: Pauws99 on June 20, 2018, 17:26
We are all finished, stock media is dying.
Well if you believe that time to find pastures new.
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: SpaceStockFootage on June 21, 2018, 00:00
Stock media has been dying from the day that stock media came into existence. Well, it has and it hasn't. The need for stock has been increasing gradually over the years. More channels, more shows, bigger audiences, more Youtube videos etc etc. So stock media is very much alive and well.

It's just the same old story of more and more competition when it comes to the people that sell stock media. There's no way to keep up with the increase in competition, so everyone gets a slightly smaller slice of the pie year over year. It's the same for everyone.... tv channels, slightly more viewers over the years, but more channels and more shows. Youtube channels... slightly more Youtube viewers over the years, but loads more channels and videos. There's not much that can be done about that.

Make more content than you did last year, make better content than you did last year, make sure you're on the sites you should be and not on the sites you shouldn't, revisit your descriptions, keywords, titles, think about branding, streamlining your working practices to make everything more efficient, consider cost-effective marketing, look for ways to maximise profits and minimise costs, add value, see what your competition are doing, review prices on sites where you can set your own, both from a time standpoint and a financial one, look for additional ways your work could be bringing in money, etc etc etc.

And if you've done all that and you still eventually get to the point where it's no longer worth while... then at least you'll know you did everything you could. You can then tip your hat to the world of stock media, say "Well, it was fun while it lasted kid. So long", and then turn your back before walking off into the mist. Or do what I'll do... say "See ya around suckers!" and fly off in my spaceship clutching a cheap bottle of wine in each paw.     
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: hatman12 on June 21, 2018, 00:08
Stock media has been dying from the day that stock media came into existence. Well, it has and it hasn't. The need for stock has been increasing gradually over the years. More channels, more shows, bigger audiences, more Youtube videos etc etc. So stock media is very much alive and well.

It's just the same old story of more and more competition when it comes to the people that sell stock media. There's no way to keep up with the increase in competition, so everyone gets a slightly smaller slice of the pie year over year. It's the same for everyone.... tv channels, slightly more viewers over the years, but more channels and more shows. Youtube channels... slightly more Youtube viewers over the years, but loads more channels and videos. There's not much that can be done about that.

Make more content than you did last year, make better content than you did last year, make sure you're on the sites you should be and not on the sites you shouldn't, revisit your descriptions, keywords, titles, think about branding, streamlining your working practices to make everything more efficient, consider cost-effective marketing, look for ways to maximise profits and minimise costs, add value, see what your competition are doing, review prices on sites where you can set your own, both from a time standpoint and a financial one, look for additional ways your work could be bringing in money, etc etc etc.

And if you've done all that and you still eventually get to the point where it's no longer worth while... then at least you'll know you did everything you could. You can then tip your hat to the world of stock media, say "Well, it was fun while it lasted kid. So long", and then turn your back before walking off into the mist. Or do what I'll do... say "See ya around suckers!" and fly off in my spaceship clutching a cheap bottle of wine in each paw.   

Entirely agree.

But the problem is that supply is accelerating and it's impossible to keep up.  I believe at the last market report Shutterstock said that the library had increased by about 40% but sales only by 2%.  This means that in order to just stand still one has to increase one's portfolio by 40% or so.

I accept that higher quality, more attractive concepts etc should eventually produce results better than the run-of-the-mill stuff being uploaded by many, but the problem of visibility arises - even the best work won't sell if it's drowned by millions of other images.

However, yours is a generally positive analysis and I agree - all we can do is try to produce good quality work and hope for the best.  Unfortunately even that approach is likely to end in disappointment in the long term.
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: Minsc on June 21, 2018, 17:30
There are only 100 image in the first page of every search result and in some categories, there are over 100,000 images fighting to get on that page. If you're not in the first few pages, you're pretty much invisible.

There is no controlled system and if there is one, it's the same algorithm that controls everything. Everyone face the same visibility struggles and if your work is not up there with the best of them, it's impossible to get on page 1.

Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: Pauws99 on June 23, 2018, 00:56
There are only 100 image in the first page of every search result and in some categories, there are over 100,000 images fighting to get on that page. If you're not in the first few pages, you're pretty much invisible.

There is no controlled system and if there is one, it's the same algorithm that controls everything. Everyone face the same visibility struggles and if your work is not up there with the best of them, it's impossible to get on page 1.
Especially if you try to compete in already oversaturated categories. If you get away from the obvious there are still gaps.
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: qwerty on June 23, 2018, 03:07
yep isolated tomato catfish burger has only 17 images and none of them are actually isolated.
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: Pauws99 on June 23, 2018, 03:53
yep isolated tomato catfish burger has only 17 images and none of them are actually isolated.
Off to catch a catfish as we speak ;-).
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: Phadrea on June 24, 2018, 04:39
And nobody has mentioned the multiple image theft sites that are springing up all over the place that steal from ss while they sit back and do nothing about it, despite it being reported.

It’s gone abysmal at ss since this has happened.
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: Zero Talent on June 24, 2018, 04:59
And nobody has mentioned the multiple image theft sites that are springing up all over the place that steal from ss while they sit back and do nothing about it, despite it being reported.

It’s gone abysmal at ss since this has happened.

Is this part of how SS is "controlling" your revenue?
I hope you posted on the wrong thread!
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: Phadrea on June 26, 2018, 17:16
As you seem intent on defending SS with facetious comments, I am guessing that you are having GREAT sales with them ?
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: Zero Talent on June 26, 2018, 18:42
As you seem intent on defending SS with facetious comments, I am guessing that you are having GREAT sales with them ?

Exactly!
June is already the best month of the year for me and much better than June 2017.

Absolutely no signs of revenue control, in my case :P

Maybe your conspiracy theory allows exceptions, you never know!  ;D

PS. I'm not defending SS. I'm defending logic and common sense.
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: Phadrea on June 27, 2018, 00:06
Just as I thought. “I’m alright Jack” and will knock people who are seeing their sales ( and livelihood) shot to pieces when they are down.
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: Zero Talent on June 27, 2018, 05:07
Just as I thought. “I’m alright Jack” and will knock people who are seeing their sales ( and livelihood) shot to pieces when they are down.

This may very well happen. But not because SS decided to "control" my revenue.

I enjoy the ride, with its daily and monthly normal (therefore expected) ups and downs, producing, with each photo, the best work I'm capable of, trying my best to keep offering photos customers need.
I take nothing for granted.
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: farbled on June 27, 2018, 12:43
I enjoy the ride, with its daily and monthly normal (therefore expected) ups and downs,

This part. This is what some others don't have. I don't even look at my earnings anymore. I know what it will be at mid-month and at month end. I don't have ups and downs month to month. No matter how much or how little I upload.
 

Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: Zero Talent on June 27, 2018, 12:58
I enjoy the ride, with its daily and monthly normal (therefore expected) ups and downs,

This part. This is what some others don't have. I don't even look at my earnings anymore. I know what it will be at mid-month and at month end. I don't have ups and downs month to month. No matter how much or how little I upload.

So your sales are flat. While this is very unlikely, I'll take it with a grain of salt and understand that your "ups and downs" are not very significant. Neither are mine, btw. The larger your revenue is, the less likely it is to experience large variations from one month to the next. This is because large SoDs, Els don't have the same global impact, as for someone who's only making a couple of hundreds a month. Both growth and decrease are rather slow and things might look flat based only on a short term analysis

This also means that both you and me can still keep up with our competition. Yey! Good for both of us!

Having said that, your statement is very different than what Herg is blaming his imaginary "SS controlled revenue" system for:

... people who are seeing their sales ( and livelihood) shot to pieces when they are down.


It is refreshing to see that, now, people are complaining about stable (flat) revenues, instead of complaining about revenue decrease!
 ;)
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: farbled on June 27, 2018, 14:00
"I'll take it with a grain of salt and understand that your "ups and downs" are not very significant."

Meh, you aren't hearing me. my ups and downs don't exist.

I give up. You're right. All in my head.
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: Zero Talent on June 27, 2018, 14:19
"I'll take it with a grain of salt and understand that your "ups and downs" are not very significant."

Meh, you aren't hearing me. my ups and downs don't exist.

I give up. You're right. All in my head.

Are you saying that every month, you get exactly the same revenue?
You have absolutely no ups and downs?

Sorry, but this is extremely improbable. lt's even virtually impossible.

Even if so: congratulations for being able to keep your revenue very, very stable, when Herg & Co are complaining about revenue drop.
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: SpaceStockFootage on June 27, 2018, 14:19
"I'll take it with a grain of salt and understand that your "ups and downs" are not very significant."

Meh, you aren't hearing me. my ups and downs don't exist.

I give up. You're right. All in my head.

So do you earn exactly the same every month, to the penny? Or do you have small variations in your earnings... but they're not very significant?
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: jonbull on June 27, 2018, 15:28
Stock media has been dying from the day that stock media came into existence. Well, it has and it hasn't. The need for stock has been increasing gradually over the years. More channels, more shows, bigger audiences, more Youtube videos etc etc. So stock media is very much alive and well.

It's just the same old story of more and more competition when it comes to the people that sell stock media. There's no way to keep up with the increase in competition, so everyone gets a slightly smaller slice of the pie year over year. It's the same for everyone.... tv channels, slightly more viewers over the years, but more channels and more shows. Youtube channels... slightly more Youtube viewers over the years, but loads more channels and videos. There's not much that can be done about that.

Make more content than you did last year, make better content than you did last year, make sure you're on the sites you should be and not on the sites you shouldn't, revisit your descriptions, keywords, titles, think about branding, streamlining your working practices to make everything more efficient, consider cost-effective marketing, look for ways to maximise profits and minimise costs, add value, see what your competition are doing, review prices on sites where you can set your own, both from a time standpoint and a financial one, look for additional ways your work could be bringing in money, etc etc etc.

And if you've done all that and you still eventually get to the point where it's no longer worth while... then at least you'll know you did everything you could. You can then tip your hat to the world of stock media, say "Well, it was fun while it lasted kid. So long", and then turn your back before walking off into the mist. Or do what I'll do... say "See ya around suckers!" and fly off in my spaceship clutching a cheap bottle of wine in each paw.   

Entirely agree.

But the problem is that supply is accelerating and it's impossible to keep up.  I believe at the last market report Shutterstock said that the library had increased by about 40% but sales only by 2%.  This means that in order to just stand still one has to increase one's portfolio by 40% or so.

I accept that higher quality, more attractive concepts etc should eventually produce results better than the run-of-the-mill stuff being uploaded by many, but the problem of visibility arises - even the best work won't sell if it's drowned by millions of other images.

However, yours is a generally positive analysis and I agree - all we can do is try to produce good quality work and hope for the best.  Unfortunately even that approach is likely to end in disappointment in the long term.

what do you expect from a company who advertise in the last article the work oaf a professional spammer, against from russia?
https://www.shutterstock.com/ru/g/irina%20bg (https://www.shutterstock.com/ru/g/irina%20bg)
f they accept portfolio like this, made of 1000 original photo and 58900 spam photos, how is it so strange they could possibly control sales? in this period with decreasing earning, moving sales bulk towards 0,26 cent contributor can be vital for a company.
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: steheap on June 27, 2018, 17:36
I've kept quiet for a long time on this debate, but I agree with Zero Talent. No-one is saying that SS don't control sales - of course they want to maximize their revenue and their net income and so they endlessly play with their algorithms to present a set of images to a buyer in response to their search terms that first, try to make sure they buy an image, second, to try to maximize SS's net income and third, present them with a fresh looking collection of images. So they try to manage this all the time.

What is disputed, is that on top of doing this to maximize their profitability and the happiness of the buyer, they also care about the contributor to the extent that they will move that contributor up and down the search results to try to smooth out the income of the contributor over the week or month. I just can't see why this would be important to them, and besides being pretty complex, it doesn't seem to meet a real business goal for SS. It isn't like it is short of contributors or new images that they need to try to keep all contributors happy in some way.

Steve
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: farbled on June 27, 2018, 18:29
I am certainly not accusing SS of willfully playing with my specific earnings. I am simply saying that my stats do not seem to follow a natural pattern within the last year. Whether there is a glitch, code, something in my photo metadata, or any one of a thousand reasons for it, they are static within a very narrow range for my port size and earnings. I would write it off as happenstance, but others have reported the exact same thing.

Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: SpaceStockFootage on June 27, 2018, 20:15
What does this natural pattern, that you're not getting, look like?
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: farbled on June 27, 2018, 20:22
What does this natural pattern, that you're not getting, look like?
Um, not like a straight line?

edit. I said it before. I give up. You're all correct. It is all in my head (and bank account). Enjoy.
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: Video-StockOrg on June 28, 2018, 00:26
What does this natural pattern, that you're not getting, look like?
Um, not like a straight line?

edit. I said it before. I give up. You're all correct. It is all in my head (and bank account). Enjoy.

It is not just in your head. Some people with too little experience in programming can't accept the fact, that the earth is round and want scientific proof of that, but are unable to give proof that the earth is supposedly flat. #justsayin
I got tired of even trying explaining what is going on a port of 13k video files (much more relevant than most of the small fishes), so I avoid any provocative debates.
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: BigBubba on June 28, 2018, 01:42
Meanwhile, the app is all messed up.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: namussi on June 28, 2018, 04:23

I got tired of even trying explaining what is going on a port of 13k video files (much more relevant than most of the small fishes), so I avoid any provocative debates.

You didn't try very hard. ;D
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: YadaYadaYada on June 28, 2018, 06:48
Just as I thought. “I’m alright Jack” and will knock people who are seeing their sales ( and livelihood) shot to pieces when they are down.

Or knock people who say "I'm alright Jack" calling them names and attacking them for not seeing imaginary conspiracy like income caps or controlled revenue. This isn't my livelihood, I have more sense then depend on microstock or these low commission vultures that under pay us for work.
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: niktol on June 28, 2018, 08:28
It is not just in your head. Some people with too little experience in programming can't accept the fact, that the earth is round and want scientific proof of that, but are unable to give proof that the earth is supposedly flat.

I have enough experience with programming to know that people choose to believe what they are programmed to believe.
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: Zero Talent on June 28, 2018, 09:47
Meanwhile, the app is all messed up.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Are you saying that this is part of the above mentioned conspiracy?
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: Sean Locke Photography on June 28, 2018, 10:29
Meanwhile, the app is all messed up.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Glad it’s not just me.
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: Zero Talent on June 28, 2018, 11:23
Meanwhile, the app is all messed up.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Glad it’s not just me.

It's fixed now.
Does it mean that the conspirators lost an argument, now?
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: Sean Locke Photography on June 28, 2018, 12:24
It’s not fixed here.
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: madman on June 28, 2018, 12:39
it is clear that they have set limits and control the revenue I think, I can give myself an example, It's not just an agency, it's all the same. When you start selling new, your earnings will increase with time, if it was not so, nobody would continue this job, the bad side of the business is that as time goes on, no matter how hard you work, your earnings will gradually decrease. This is nothing but a rowing. People are hoping for nothing and it is getting ridiculous time by time. At least I am in this situation at the moment and I think most people are experiencing this.

- See, there's money in it, thinking that as time goes by I increase my portfolio and raise my income.

- No man, this is trap, do not trust these things or you will be in a difficult situation like me. DO NOT QUIT YOUR JOB FOR THIS!!!
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: Zero Talent on June 28, 2018, 13:08
It’s not fixed here.

All affected users will need to log out and then log back in to see the fix.

Log out then log in and the conspiracy goes away!  ;D
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: cathyslife on June 28, 2018, 13:22
It’s not fixed here.

All affected users will need to log out and then log back in to see the fix.

Log out then log in and the conspiracy goes away!  ;D


Or does it? Maybe the reason it’s not working is because they are still fine-tuning the control.  :o
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: SpaceStockFootage on June 28, 2018, 14:41
When you start selling new, your earnings will increase with time, so that no one would continue this business, the bad side of the business is that as time goes on, no matter how hard you work, your earnings will gradually decrease.

Yeah, but that's how it works. It's painfully obvious to anyone who stops to think about how stock works for more than a few minutes that that is how it works... that's always how it has worked... and it's always how it will work. And that has nothing in the slightest to do with controlled revenue.
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: madman on June 28, 2018, 15:42
Yeah, but that's how it works. It's painfully obvious to anyone who stops to think about how stock works for more than a few minutes that that is how it works... that's always how it has worked... and it's always how it will work. And that has nothing in the slightest to do with controlled revenue.

Bro, everything can be alright for you now, I saw your portfolio, your jobs are amazing, congratulations, you can be one of the very few who are good at sales these days, but this does not change the truth that is general. I am sure that your sales of a few years ago are better than current sales, isnt it?
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: BigBubba on June 28, 2018, 16:31
Meanwhile, the app is all messed up.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Are you saying that this is part of the above mentioned conspiracy?

Just to be on the safe side, I’m a big fan of SS. I see no conspiracy whatsoever at shutterstock. I think they’re doing a great job.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: SpaceStockFootage on June 28, 2018, 22:55
Yeah, but that's how it works. It's painfully obvious to anyone who stops to think about how stock works for more than a few minutes that that is how it works... that's always how it has worked... and it's always how it will work. And that has nothing in the slightest to do with controlled revenue.

Bro, everything can be alright for you now, I saw your portfolio, your jobs are amazing, congratulations, you can be one of the very few who are good at sales these days, but this does not change the truth that is general. I am sure that your sales of a few years ago are better than current sales, isnt it?

Thanks man. But no, my sales have increased every year since I started in 2009. The increase is steadily getting smaller though. If things carry on as they are, 2018 will be about 20% higher than 2017, I'm guessing 2019 will be 10% higher than 2018, 2020 will be static and then it will all be downhill from there on in. Although I have a couple of cunning plans which should stave off the decrease for an additional year or two. 
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: YadaYadaYada on July 02, 2018, 13:18
When you start selling new, your earnings will increase with time, so that no one would continue this business, the bad side of the business is that as time goes on, no matter how hard you work, your earnings will gradually decrease.

Yeah, but that's how it works. It's painfully obvious to anyone who stops to think about how stock works for more than a few minutes that that is how it works... that's always how it has worked... and it's always how it will work. And that has nothing in the slightest to do with controlled revenue.

Always been that way everywhere from the start, new get a boost and earnings gradually decrease as RPI drops. Not earnings control just normal work harder make less per image as competition grows 100 times faster than any individual can. Competition or a flat growth market is not income control. My SS earnings dropped some but now are stable. Let me see what happens after another year. IS dropped, DT dropped, AS has grown. Top and Middle have all dropped except AS and Pond.

Are they all in on the controlled income conspiracy?
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: Uncle Pete on July 02, 2018, 15:09
Could it be using a Shutterstock controlled revenue system?

The short answer is that it's possible, but it's highly unlikely. Nobody has yet produced any compelling evidence to support the theory.

Possible doesn't mean probable, I agree. Evidence or proof, that would be nice but also unlikely.  ;) When anyone can make any claim and others will believe and repeat the same unfounded conjecture... then the myths become factoids.

(https://s5.postimg.cc/fl12fx2sn/microstock-zone.jpg)

Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: Phadrea on July 06, 2018, 14:32
It's pretty much the end for stock photography. RIP SS and the rest. Tragically depressing.
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: SpaceStockFootage on July 06, 2018, 19:45
You mean RIP SS contributors, right? Pretty sure SS, and the rest, will be fine for the most part.
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: Pauws99 on July 07, 2018, 03:12
Its been the end for the seven or so years I've been doing this....sooner or later the doom mongers will be right. Then they will be so happy saying "see I told you so years ago"....though no one is going to come and take the money banked away.
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: cathyslife on July 07, 2018, 06:31
As long as there are books, newsletters, magazines, etc. being printed, there will be a market for microstock. As long as people are building websites, there’s a market for microstock. Someone is going to make money, just not the contributor. That’s what entrepreneurship is nowadays...find a big bunch of people to do your work for you and pay them peanuts and treat them like shite while you make millions. Gone are the days of everyone making a fair wage at a company and being considered “family.”
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: Pauws99 on July 07, 2018, 07:17
As long as there are books, newsletters, magazines, etc. being printed, there will be a market for microstock. As long as people are building websites, there’s a market for microstock. Someone is going to make money, just not the contributor. That’s what entrepreneurship is nowadays...find a big bunch of people to do your work for you and pay them peanuts and treat them like shite while you make millions. Gone are the days of everyone making a fair wage at a company and being considered “family.”
We are suppliers though and I think throughout history they have never been treated better than the laws of supply and demand dictate ;-).
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: Zero Talent on July 07, 2018, 07:34
As long as there are books, newsletters, magazines, etc. being printed, there will be a market for microstock. As long as people are building websites, there’s a market for microstock. Someone is going to make money, just not the contributor. That’s what entrepreneurship is nowadays...find a big bunch of people to do your work for you and pay them peanuts and treat them like shite while you make millions. Gone are the days of everyone making a fair wage at a company and being considered “family.”
We are suppliers though and I think throughout history they have never been treated better than the laws of supply and demand dictate ;-).

Exactly.

Photography is so easy and affordable these days.
This leads to an oversupply of contributors willing to work for peanuts and often even for free, just for bragging rights.

Since SS & Co are no charities, they pay exactly what we are willing to accept.



Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: derek on July 07, 2018, 07:49
Listen people!  SS is the most honest company in the world. Its the only company in the world that put its contributors at first before profit!...in fact they are so honest and kind to their members that the present Pope have awarded them " The charity and humanity award".

So dont ever dream that they would be involved in rigging the search or even touch the search!  they would rather sacrifice their profit then cook the algorithm. Skull-duggery is not even in their minds or thoughts!
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: cathyslife on July 07, 2018, 17:14
As long as there are books, newsletters, magazines, etc. being printed, there will be a market for microstock. As long as people are building websites, there’s a market for microstock. Someone is going to make money, just not the contributor. That’s what entrepreneurship is nowadays...find a big bunch of people to do your work for you and pay them peanuts and treat them like shite while you make millions. Gone are the days of everyone making a fair wage at a company and being considered “family.”
We are suppliers though and I think throughout history they have never been treated better than the laws of supply and demand dictate ;-).


Pretty sure you know what I mean.  ;)  My main point is that there is a market for microstock.
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: Pauws99 on July 08, 2018, 02:14
As long as there are books, newsletters, magazines, etc. being printed, there will be a market for microstock. As long as people are building websites, there’s a market for microstock. Someone is going to make money, just not the contributor. That’s what entrepreneurship is nowadays...find a big bunch of people to do your work for you and pay them peanuts and treat them like shite while you make millions. Gone are the days of everyone making a fair wage at a company and being considered “family.”
We are suppliers though and I think throughout history they have never been treated better than the laws of supply and demand dictate ;-).


Pretty sure you know what I mean.  ;)  My main point is that there is a market for microstock.
Yes I agree its just that I think sometimes people have unrealistic expectations of what microstock sites "owe" them. (which is precisely nothing).
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: Phadrea on July 17, 2018, 13:44
My sales for the last few days are exactly 3 adding up to a pathetic $1.08 per day This is controlled for sure.
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: SpaceStockFootage on July 17, 2018, 17:14
How many sales should you have got?
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: Pauws99 on July 18, 2018, 02:40
How many sales should you have got?
Similar numbers as other sites that don't do capping? But wait they are all dead too ;).
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: Zero Talent on July 18, 2018, 19:17
My sales for the last few days are exactly 3 adding up to a pathetic $1.08 per day This is controlled for sure.

Did it ever cross your mind that maybe only your port is controlled?

Mine cannot be, since a sell multiple dozens of times more than you.  :P

What are you even doing here, taking so much server space with your pathetic performance?
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: Phadrea on July 19, 2018, 07:26
My sales for the last few days are exactly 3 adding up to a pathetic $1.08 per day This is controlled for sure.

Did it ever cross your mind that maybe only your port is controlled?

Mine cannot be, since a sell multiple dozens of times more than you.  :P

What are you even doing here, taking so much server space with your pathetic performance?

Of course you do  ::) You can keep your facetious comments to yourself.
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: Zero Talent on July 19, 2018, 09:23
My sales for the last few days are exactly 3 adding up to a pathetic $1.08 per day This is controlled for sure.

Did it ever cross your mind that maybe only your port is controlled?

Mine cannot be, since a sell multiple dozens of times more than you.  :P

What are you even doing here, taking so much server space with your pathetic performance?

Of course you do  ::) You can keep your facetious comments to yourself.

I could keep them for myself, indeed, but I won't.  :P

As long as this forum gives you the right to spread pathetic excuses for your lack of performance, I will use the same rights to debunk your conspiracy theories and call you out.

How can you have the audacity to claim you understand how this business works when you can only make "3 sales in a few days"?

Unbelievable!
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: Phadrea on July 19, 2018, 09:27
I am not going to bite your pathetic bait. I am confident enough in my own abilities as a photographer. There are some very good photographers out there stating sales have drastically dropped. Some of this will be due to SS's lack of security as images are easily stolen. And don't bother replying as I have selected "ignore" for your profile.
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: Zero Talent on July 19, 2018, 09:35
And don't bother replying as I have selected "ignore" for your profile.

No surprise here, "ignore" is for cowards too afraid to face the real world  :P
Keep living in your bubble, shielded from facts and opinions contrary to yours!

Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: SpaceStockFootage on July 20, 2018, 02:55
There are some very good photographers out there stating sales have drastically dropped.

I'm sure there are, but how does that have any relation to Shutterstock using a controlled revenue system?
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: Zero Talent on July 20, 2018, 16:17
There are some very good photographers out there stating sales have drastically dropped.

I'm sure there are, but how does that have any relation to Shutterstock using a controlled revenue system?

Don't bother to challenge Herg's bubble. You might already be "ignored"  ;D
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: rinderart on July 22, 2018, 02:45
I ignore quite a few. the ones who have some sort of agenda, who wanna get personal and have nothing really to say of value or, worth the time reading. Some are Idiots I probably gave a poor critique to and Can't let it go from insecurity. Super easy to spot. Same Low class ramble.I express my opinions. I prefer you don't agree, thats where we start a conversion. But personal Amateur Attack Crap just Makes then Look dumber.

OK...Myself and about 30 others I trust have been comparing Some stuff. I still Have good downloads But Me and My friends who are all 12+ year vets here all say the same things and remember. I just saying and talking about them and Myself on the topic of "controlled Income"...This is not a tinfoil Hat suspicion.........
Why is it that with a port of 6800 Fairly good Images, I sell the exact same amount every day day....7 Days a week and so are My friends. Not all But the majority....
AND they are basically the same Images uploaded the same time give or take 6 Months.


The Chances of this happening are pretty Rare to say the least. So,,Manipulation of sales. I, Honestly can't think of another scenario .
Now, you wanna discuss? or get personal? If personal and ya wanna say some crap. go somewhere else. your Probably Ignored anyway. thats what Im seeing. Any thoughts? Newbies don't apply Please. Love ya but......Please. get some history and experience.

And....If this does apply to you Please Send me a PM and email so we can stay in touch. Im not anonymous, I don't hide. I say what I feel.And I don't run........
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: SpaceStockFootage on July 22, 2018, 03:18
Selling the same amount every day, of every week, since time began... is highly unlikely, slightly suspicious and if it's happening to multiple people then I could maybe get on board with the possibility of something fishy afoot. But do you really sell exactly the same amount every day, of every week, since the beginning of time?! Could you really use your sales chart as a spirit level in construction projects?

I appreciate you didn't say 'every week since the beginning of time', but if you're just saying that you usually get the same amount of sales on a daily basis... but your weekly, monthly and annual sales fluctuate... then that's not really saying much is it?
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: Pauws99 on July 22, 2018, 03:54
In the end though while its an interesting and emotive subject there's nothing we can do about it other than change our own behavior as I doubt there's anything illegal going on and I doubt anyone has deep enough pockets to test that it in court.
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: Noedelhap on July 22, 2018, 06:06
If there is controlled revenue, then how come each contributor's plateau lies somewhere else? Say, Person A has a plateau of $200 monthly (i.e. he won't ever make more than that, no matter how hard he tries) but Person B has a plateau of $1000. Seems rather arbitrary, doesn't it? How is that number decided then?

Now, a gradually decreasing profit is very normal in most businesses and fields. Your revenue plateau is most likely just a combination of 1) your own personal effort 2) port quality 3) competition in your subject matter 4) buyer numbers 5) changing trends.

Each factor has numerous parameters that ultimately determine your port performance.
Your profit may rise, plateau or even decrease as years go by, depending of how favorable market conditions are. And that's all there is to it. No conspiracy, no secret SS department closely monitoring your personal port, no devious algorithms designed to screw you over on a personal level.
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: cathyslife on July 22, 2018, 07:04
If there is controlled revenue, then how come each contributor's plateau lies somewhere else? Say, Person A has a plateau of $200 monthly (i.e. he won't ever make more than that, no matter how hard he tries) but Person B has a plateau of $1000. Seems rather arbitrary, doesn't it? How is that number decided then?

Now, a gradually decreasing profit is very normal in most businesses and fields. Your revenue plateau is most likely just a combination of 1) your own personal effort 2) port quality 3) competition in your subject matter 4) buyer numbers 5) changing trends.

Each factor has numerous parameters that ultimately determine your port performance.
Your profit may rise, plateau or even decrease as years go by, depending of how favorable market conditions are. And that's all there is to it. No conspiracy, no secret SS department closely monitoring your personal port, no devious algorithms designed to screw you over on a personal level.


I agree with everything you say...until people start saying that they are making the same exact amount, every day, then get to a number and sales stop. That sounds like something rotten in Denmark. Could be coincidence, but companies are greedy, so I’m not ready to discount the “conspiracy.” I personally do not see the same exact amount of sales from SS every month, but I am not actively uploading anymore so my sales are more trickles than steady streams.
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: Uncle Pete on July 22, 2018, 08:13
If there is controlled revenue, then how come each contributor's plateau lies somewhere else? Say, Person A has a plateau of $200 monthly (i.e. he won't ever make more than that, no matter how hard he tries) but Person B has a plateau of $1000. Seems rather arbitrary, doesn't it? How is that number decided then?

Now, a gradually decreasing profit is very normal in most businesses and fields. Your revenue plateau is most likely just a combination of 1) your own personal effort 2) port quality 3) competition in your subject matter 4) buyer numbers 5) changing trends.

Each factor has numerous parameters that ultimately determine your port performance.
Your profit may rise, plateau or even decrease as years go by, depending of how favorable market conditions are. And that's all there is to it. No conspiracy, no secret SS department closely monitoring your personal port, no devious algorithms designed to screw you over on a personal level.

Not a controlled limit for for the reasons you mention, but I also ask why are the limits different? The answer I'd say is this, there is a plateau for earnings for the content each of us has for sale. Mine is different, no models, no studio, so the demand for that is lower than someone who shoots with models. Also the performance of each of us, is based on our type of content and subjects.

It's just as natural as a little corner store, selling less of a variety of products, while a Walmart has many more. But the Walmart has an predictable and stable sales each month. So does the little store. They aren't the same, but once a business reaches it's capacity, or maximum potential for what it's marketing, there's you flat growth point. Adding more of the same photos, against a growing competition, will not produce the one time growth that we once saw.

So, aside from conspiracy theories, and imaginary conclusions from personal observations (not data collection and study), there are basic economic factors that would predict that Microstock would become a flat market for us as individuals. The agencies are also finding the market is saturated, buyer numbers will grow, but not as fast.

Meanwhile we have competition, millions of new images a week. For the agencies the competition is dropping, not growing.

There is nothing unusual about stable returns for a portfolio in a market that has reached it's limits for demand and sales. I'm actually surprised that some incomes haven't dropped more, against the new competition and files that are flooding in. Contrary to some, this isn't hurting my sales much, because low quality or common subjects, aren't going to interfere with my best selling images. They will cause a drop in my common or Crapstock shots that have been online for a decade.

What I mean overall is I don't see a bright future or growth for myself. I'm happy to have a stable return on what I do. I don't see anything unusual about reaching the point where growth of sales has gone flat. The same thing happens to any new product once it has reached the market capacity.
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: niktol on July 22, 2018, 08:52
I'd be surprised if sales did not go flat at some point of time. Then I'd suspect something is fishy. Like aliens taking over the Earth via microstock sites.
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: farbled on July 22, 2018, 10:32
I appreciate you didn't say 'every week since the beginning of time', but if you're just saying that you usually get the same amount of sales on a daily basis... but your weekly, monthly and annual sales fluctuate... then that's not really saying much is it?

This is how the discussion goes sideways. He didn't say this part in bold, you added it on. So now we talk about how modest fluctuations disprove the data instead of what people are actually saying is happening.
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: msg2018 on July 22, 2018, 11:34
I appreciate you didn't say 'every week since the beginning of time', but if you're just saying that you usually get the same amount of sales on a daily basis... but your weekly, monthly and annual sales fluctuate... then that's not really saying much is it?

This is how the discussion goes sideways. He didn't say this part in bold, you added it on. So now we talk about how modest fluctuations disprove the data instead of what people are actually saying is happening.

No, this is very relevant to the discussion actually. Because "modest fluctuations" on top of a small data sample can render that "constant" sales not so constant, thus disproofing the whole theory.
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: farbled on July 22, 2018, 11:55
I appreciate you didn't say 'every week since the beginning of time', but if you're just saying that you usually get the same amount of sales on a daily basis... but your weekly, monthly and annual sales fluctuate... then that's not really saying much is it?

This is how the discussion goes sideways. He didn't say this part in bold, you added it on. So now we talk about how modest fluctuations disprove the data instead of what people are actually saying is happening.

No, this is very relevant to the discussion actually. Because "modest fluctuations" on top of a small data sample can render that "constant" sales not so constant, thus disproofing the whole theory.

I am not disagreeing that modest fluctuations disprove any theory. What I am saying is that the only people bringing up modest (or any) fluctuations, are those saying nothing is wrong.

This is the same way gun control arguments go off the rails every time. Someone will say "control is needed" and the naysayers immediately say "you can't ban all guns." Not incorrect, but irrelevant to the argument.
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: rinderart on July 22, 2018, 16:41
Thank you guys for some adult talk. great points.
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: SpaceStockFootage on July 22, 2018, 20:35
I appreciate you didn't say 'every week since the beginning of time', but if you're just saying that you usually get the same amount of sales on a daily basis... but your weekly, monthly and annual sales fluctuate... then that's not really saying much is it?

This is how the discussion goes sideways. He didn't say this part in bold, you added it on. So now we talk about how modest fluctuations disprove the data instead of what people are actually saying is happening.

Read my entire reply. As he didn't provide clarification, I provided two answers... one for if his sales are completely level, and one for if his sales fluctuate.
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: farbled on July 22, 2018, 20:46
I read your reply fully. Thanks for assuming I didn't. I stand by my reply.

Doesn't really matter, the discussion hasn't changed anyone's minds thus far. Those who experience it know what their stats show, those who don't simply don't believe it.
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: namussi on July 22, 2018, 20:55
I read your reply fully. Thanks for assuming I didn't. I stand by my reply.

Doesn't really matter, the discussion hasn't changed anyone's minds thus far. Those who experience it know what their stats show, those who don't simply don't believe it.

Go on a fairground ride, and centrifugal forces feel very real, don't they?

But they don't exist.

What you are feeling is a combination of momentum, and centripetal forces.

(Centripetal forces are the opposite to what centrifugal forces are supposed to be. You are actually being drawn into the centre of rotation, not pushed or pulled outwards.)

I suspect "controlled revenue" or "capping" are much like centrifugal forces.

They feel real -- after all that's what the stats show -- but the actual explanation is very different.

(There's also the danger of committing the logical fallacy of "affirming the consequent".)
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: SpaceStockFootage on July 23, 2018, 00:06
I read your reply fully. Thanks for assuming I didn't. I stand by my reply.

Doesn't really matter, the discussion hasn't changed anyone's minds thus far. Those who experience it know what their stats show, those who don't simply don't believe it.

Well based on your reply, you either didn't read my entire post or you didn't understand it. So I apologise for assuming you understood it but hadn't read it all... and thanks for clarifying that it's the other way around.
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: Phadrea on July 23, 2018, 05:22
I ignore quite a few. the ones who have some sort of agenda, who wanna get personal and have nothing really to say of value or, worth the time reading. Some are Idiots I probably gave a poor critique to and Can't let it go from insecurity. Super easy to spot. Same Low class ramble.I express my opinions. I prefer you don't agree, thats where we start a conversion. But personal Amateur Attack Crap just Makes then Look dumber.

OK...Myself and about 30 others I trust have been comparing Some stuff. I still Have good downloads But Me and My friends who are all 12+ year vets here all say the same things and remember. I just saying and talking about them and Myself on the topic of "controlled Income"...This is not a tinfoil Hat suspicion.........
Why is it that with a port of 6800 Fairly good Images, I sell the exact same amount every day day....7 Days a week and so are My friends. Not all But the majority....
AND they are basically the same Images uploaded the same time give or take 6 Months.


The Chances of this happening are pretty Rare to say the least. So,,Manipulation of sales. I, Honestly can't think of another scenario .
Now, you wanna discuss? or get personal? If personal and ya wanna say some crap. go somewhere else. your Probably Ignored anyway. thats what Im seeing. Any thoughts? Newbies don't apply Please. Love ya but......Please. get some history and experience.

And....If this does apply to you Please Send me a PM and email so we can stay in touch. Im not anonymous, I don't hide. I say what I feel.And I don't run........

At last, a voice of sanity. I agree with all you say, especially the trolling.
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: farbled on July 23, 2018, 08:48

Well based on your reply, you either didn't read my entire post or you didn't understand it. So I apologise for assuming you understood it but hadn't read it all... and thanks for clarifying that it's the other way around.

Lol, I was going to say the same thing to you but I thought it would be rude. No worries. As I said, no one's minds are being changed.
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: YadaYadaYada on July 23, 2018, 14:32
I ignore quite a few. the ones who have some sort of agenda, who wanna get personal and have nothing really to say of value or, worth the time reading. Some are Idiots I probably gave a poor critique to and Can't let it go from insecurity. Super easy to spot. Same Low class ramble.I express my opinions. I prefer you don't agree, thats where we start a conversion. But personal Amateur Attack Crap just Makes then Look dumber.

OK...Myself and about 30 others I trust have been comparing Some stuff. I still Have good downloads But Me and My friends who are all 12+ year vets here all say the same things and remember. I just saying and talking about them and Myself on the topic of "controlled Income"...This is not a tinfoil Hat suspicion.........
Why is it that with a port of 6800 Fairly good Images, I sell the exact same amount every day day....7 Days a week and so are My friends. Not all But the majority....
AND they are basically the same Images uploaded the same time give or take 6 Months.


The Chances of this happening are pretty Rare to say the least. So,,Manipulation of sales. I, Honestly can't think of another scenario .
Now, you wanna discuss? or get personal? If personal and ya wanna say some crap. go somewhere else. your Probably Ignored anyway. thats what Im seeing. Any thoughts? Newbies don't apply Please. Love ya but......Please. get some history and experience.

And....If this does apply to you Please Send me a PM and email so we can stay in touch. Im not anonymous, I don't hide. I say what I feel.And I don't run........

At last, a voice of sanity. I agree with all you say, especially the trolling.

Because you want to believe he actually has 30 friends, all old timers, all with similar uploads, same dates, and numbers who are seeing the same controlled revenue. Talk about someone with a personal agenda. Bluffing and making up his facts is the favorite way for Rinder to convince people he knows best.

Note how he slams anyone who disagrees or points out his make believe as, someone he gave a bad review, like we care so much about how the master Rinder gives his reviews from the royal laptop, and honors us with his greatness.

You've been fooled, now you call his make believe world, sanity?  :o
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: Phadrea on July 23, 2018, 18:12
I got my expected and controlled 3 sales adding up to a pathetic $1.08. Yep, it's def rigged for sure.
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: Zero Talent on July 23, 2018, 19:05
I got my expected and controlled 3 sales adding up to a pathetic $1.08. Yep, it's def rigged for sure.

I'm so sorry for you, man! Not for your microstock performance, but genuinely, really, for your well being!  :(

Seeing your troubled performance on this forum makes me sad. Get some help, man!
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: rinderart on July 24, 2018, 00:10
Yada,yada,Yada...perfect name, like who cares..... must have been a bad critique.And I do have More experience than you will EVER have with that closed,Twisted,VILE Mind. Back to ignore. Do you ever have anything constructive to say or just follow me and others around... I helped more Folks with Talent in 24 Hours than you ever have or will....EVER. PERIOD. your post is reported.Your a real piece of work man. Or Miss Yada whatever BS......

Classic anonymous name.My Name is Laurin Rinder. Google My name, then google yours. IDIOT!!!!! I did more with my life By the time I was 18 than you ever will.Have I and do I promote Myself? hell yes and those who don't are gonna fail in the Long run. so, Stay negative man, Whatever you do. I'll take the High road. I won't read your answer or your Rant, I see a crack in a door, I don't wonder whats on the other side,,,,I just knock the * thing down.
I have a copy Of all 55.650 Posts I did On SS and Im working On a book.Theres no place on MSG for me anymore with people filled with anger  Like you and a few others and some that are long gone..

We used to discuss. long time ago I guess. Goodbye everyone. I'll go private. much better and cleaner. No Psycho zone.I get enough people telling me everyday what was said anyway.Note to anyone....pls...no more I don't care. Some great Ones here. are gone.newbs without a clue what this is supposed to be Just Like Stock forums . and some great Old timers also that say it like it is. Thanks .

Bye, Bye. Gee maybe I'll come back as anonymous and get away with hate.... Naw. I gotta make money. Hate don't pay well. Hope you guys figure out this controlled revenue thing.I have enough folks to talk about this privately.
Thanks Yada for killing a possible meaningful Discussion that required experience.

Homie don't Play this game.
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: derek on July 24, 2018, 01:05
Rigged!!  haha! yes indeed! the size of your portfolio is completely irrelevant! you can have 30K images full of crap right. Its all about your monthly earnings. If youre used to earnig over 2500 dollars a month chances are youre included in this what we call "oldies capped earnings".  if youre earnings are just around 1000 then youre not important enough and most people here have never experienced this capping business.
Lets face it whats the point in capping some poor sod with a 500/month payout!

As an x-employee told me when we went to the Pub and whos been working with them since the day they were launched and whom I've known from the old Image-Bank from the film days. He said " you got to give everyone a bite of the cherry or else people lose incentive"....at the time I thought sure thats logic. What I didnt know was the precidure of robbing earnings from one portfolio and give to another!...and hear, hear this was back in 2014..or that other lunatic Scott!!  remember him who ended up in a Row with everybody on their own forum, he got the boot and in leaving he got som 50 members banned for life from their own forum. Nice people arent they.

Now its all over the suits moved in the bean-counters took their desks and now its just an ordinary run of the mill microstock agency no moe no less.
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: SpaceStockFootage on July 24, 2018, 04:15
I got my expected and controlled 3 sales adding up to a pathetic $1.08. Yep, it's def rigged for sure.

I'm noticing a bit of a trend here. I'm going to go out on a limb and assume that if you'd got 'expected and controlled 30 sales, adding up to a non-pathetic $100.80' then you wouldn't think it was controlled? Or you would, but you'd be less likely to complain about it. It seems to be low sales or dropping sales that bring about this belief that sales are controlled. Is there anyone with high or increasing sales that believes that sales are controlled? 
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: Pauws99 on July 24, 2018, 04:58
I got my expected and controlled 3 sales adding up to a pathetic $1.08. Yep, it's def rigged for sure.

I'm noticing a bit of a trend here. I'm going to go out on a limb and assume that if you'd got 'expected and controlled 30 sales, adding up to a non-pathetic $100.80' then you wouldn't think it was controlled? Or you would, but you'd be less likely to complain about it. It seems to be low sales or dropping sales that bring about this belief that sales are controlled. Is there anyone with high or increasing sales that believes that sales are controlled?
Exactly who's to say the "cap" is not artificially inflating the income of established contributors?
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: Phadrea on July 24, 2018, 04:59
Yada,yada,Yada...perfect name, like who cares..... must have been a bad critique.And I do have More experience than you will EVER have with that closed,Twisted,VILE Mind. Back to ignore. Do you ever have anything constructive to say or just follow me and others around... I helped more Folks with Talent in 24 Hours than you ever have or will....EVER. PERIOD. your post is reported.Your a real piece of work man. Or Miss Yada whatever BS......

Classic anonymous name.My Name is Laurin Rinder. Google My name, then google yours. IDIOT!!!!! I did more with my life By the time I was 18 than you ever will.Have I and do I promote Myself? hell yes and those who don't are gonna fail in the Long run. so, Stay negative man, Whatever you do. I'll take the High road. I won't read your answer or your Rant, I see a crack in a door, I don't wonder whats on the other side,,,,I just knock the * thing down.
I have a copy Of all 55.650 Posts I did On SS and Im working On a book.Theres no place on MSG for me anymore with people filled with anger  Like you and a few others and some that are long gone..

We used to discuss. long time ago I guess. Goodbye everyone. I'll go private. much better and cleaner. No Psycho zone.I get enough people telling me everyday what was said anyway.Note to anyone....pls...no more I don't care. Some great Ones here. are gone.newbs without a clue what this is supposed to be Just Like Stock forums . and some great Old timers also that say it like it is. Thanks .

Bye, Bye. Gee maybe I'll come back as anonymous and get away with hate.... Naw. I gotta make money. Hate don't pay well. Hope you guys figure out this controlled revenue thing.I have enough folks to talk about this privately.
Thanks Yada for killing a possible meaningful Discussion that required experience.

Homie don't Play this game.

Reporting to the moderator does zilch here. Don't bother, tried it.
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: farbled on July 24, 2018, 09:44
I think there needs to be two discussions since some are saying "controlled" as in modest fluctuations, and others are saying zero fluctuations. Two very different things.
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: Pauws99 on July 24, 2018, 09:52
I think there needs to be two discussions since some are saying "controlled" as in modest fluctuations, and others are saying zero fluctuations. Two very different things.
They are both controlled the only difference between the degree of control....if there were a seperate thread for every type of control being theorised about we would soon have more threads than members of the group.
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: farbled on July 24, 2018, 10:28
Fair point. This thread seems more about fluctuations in income than static income, so I will bow out.
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: Zero Talent on July 24, 2018, 12:19
Yada,yada,Yada...perfect name, like who cares..... must have been a bad critique.And I do have More experience than you will EVER have with that closed,Twisted,VILE Mind. Back to ignore. Do you ever have anything constructive to say or just follow me and others around... I helped more Folks with Talent in 24 Hours than you ever have or will....EVER. PERIOD. your post is reported.Your a real piece of work man. Or Miss Yada whatever BS......

Classic anonymous name.My Name is Laurin Rinder. Google My name, then google yours.
IDIOT!!!!!
I did more with my life By the time I was 18 than you ever will.Have I and do I promote Myself? hell yes and those who don't are gonna fail in the Long run. so, Stay negative man, Whatever you do. I'll take the High road. I won't read your answer or your Rant, I see a crack in a door, I don't wonder whats on the other side,,,,I just knock the * thing down.
I have a copy Of all 55.650 Posts I did On SS and Im working On a book.Theres no place on MSG for me anymore with people filled with anger  Like you and a few others and some that are long gone..

We used to discuss. long time ago I guess. Goodbye everyone. I'll go private. much better and cleaner. No Psycho zone.I get enough people telling me everyday what was said anyway.Note to anyone....pls...no more I don't care. Some great Ones here. are gone.newbs without a clue what this is supposed to be Just Like Stock forums . and some great Old timers also that say it like it is. Thanks .

Bye, Bye. Gee maybe I'll come back as anonymous and get away with hate.... Naw. I gotta make money. Hate don't pay well. Hope you guys figure out this controlled revenue thing.I have enough folks to talk about this privately.
Thanks Yada for killing a possible meaningful Discussion that required experience.

Homie don't Play this game.

Reporting to the moderator does zilch here. Don't bother, tried it.

Yeah, reporting rinderart for crossing the decency line and shouting at someone with different opinions "IDIOT!!!!!", does zilch here, indeed!
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: nobody on July 24, 2018, 12:55
I ignore quite a few. the ones who have some sort of agenda, who wanna get personal and have nothing really to say of value or, worth the time reading. Some are Idiots I probably gave a poor critique to and Can't let it go from insecurity. Super easy to spot. Same Low class ramble.I express my opinions. I prefer you don't agree, thats where we start a conversion. But personal Amateur Attack Crap just Makes then Look dumber.

OK...Myself and about 30 others I trust have been comparing Some stuff. I still Have good downloads But Me and My friends who are all 12+ year vets here all say the same things and remember. I just saying and talking about them and Myself on the topic of "controlled Income"...This is not a tinfoil Hat suspicion.........
Why is it that with a port of 6800 Fairly good Images, I sell the exact same amount every day day....7 Days a week and so are My friends. Not all But the majority....
AND they are basically the same Images uploaded the same time give or take 6 Months.


The Chances of this happening are pretty Rare to say the least. So,,Manipulation of sales. I, Honestly can't think of another scenario .
Now, you wanna discuss? or get personal? If personal and ya wanna say some crap. go somewhere else. your Probably Ignored anyway. thats what Im seeing. Any thoughts? Newbies don't apply Please. Love ya but......Please. get some history and experience.

And....If this does apply to you Please Send me a PM and email so we can stay in touch. Im not anonymous, I don't hide. I say what I feel.And I don't run........

At last, a voice of sanity. I agree with all you say, especially the trolling.


You've been fooled, now you call his make believe world, sanity?  :o

Maybe in a parallel universe  8)




Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: obj owl on July 24, 2018, 15:16

Maybe in a parallel universe  8)

Which of course we are, all eventualities are possible, I have proof, Trump got elected President of the USA and I still don't understand how that is possible, even for a man like Putin.
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: YadaYadaYada on July 25, 2018, 06:42
Yada,yada,Yada...perfect name, like who cares..... must have been a bad critique.And I do have More experience than you will EVER have with that closed,Twisted,VILE Mind. Back to ignore. Do you ever have anything constructive to say or just follow me and others around... I helped more Folks with Talent in 24 Hours than you ever have or will....EVER. PERIOD. your post is reported.Your a real piece of work man. Or Miss Yada whatever BS......

Classic anonymous name.My Name is Laurin Rinder. Google My name, then google yours. IDIOT!!!!! I did more with my life By the time I was 18 than you ever will.Have I and do I promote Myself? hell yes and those who don't are gonna fail in the Long run. so, Stay negative man, Whatever you do. I'll take the High road. I won't read your answer or your Rant, I see a crack in a door, I don't wonder whats on the other side,,,,I just knock the * thing down.
I have a copy Of all 55.650 Posts I did On SS and Im working On a book.Theres no place on MSG for me anymore with people filled with anger  Like you and a few others and some that are long gone..

We used to discuss. long time ago I guess. Goodbye everyone. I'll go private. much better and cleaner. No Psycho zone.I get enough people telling me everyday what was said anyway.Note to anyone....pls...no more I don't care. Some great Ones here. are gone.newbs without a clue what this is supposed to be Just Like Stock forums . and some great Old timers also that say it like it is. Thanks .

Bye, Bye. Gee maybe I'll come back as anonymous and get away with hate.... Naw. I gotta make money. Hate don't pay well. Hope you guys figure out this controlled revenue thing.I have enough folks to talk about this privately.
Thanks Yada for killing a possible meaningful Discussion that required experience.

Homie don't Play this game.

This is not about you, or your reviews, not about you as a drummer when you were very young and I'm sure that was a brave move to go out and do that. The questions are about here and now and microstock. Not 50,000 messages on SS, but the business and microstock now.

You make up anything, like 30 important friends, to impress us, but they don't exist. Tell us why you left istock? You call it leaving and say we should follow, but the truth is you got kicked out and account closed. Why was that? Inquiring minds would like the truth.

Asking for the truth is not a personal attack, you take it that way and come back attacking. Then you block and will leave the forum, like you have so many times before. You've left the SS forums forever at least four times, maybe five. When you get caught, you make up a bigger new version and leave.

If you have proof of controlled revenue, which is the question, show us. I have friends too and some see a big drop, some see flat earnings, some are still uploading and working and making more money. Seems here that a couple of people who never made much, are complaining for eight years, now they say it's controlled income. Someone who only get 3-5 downloads a day, isn't going to see much variation are they.

Tell us what your 30 friends have found, some details, numbers, facts.

And maybe leave off the rant, personal attacks and bragging. Lets talk about microstock and the controlled revenue claims.
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: derek on July 26, 2018, 01:31
Yada,yada,Yada...perfect name, like who cares..... must have been a bad critique.And I do have More experience than you will EVER have with that closed,Twisted,VILE Mind. Back to ignore. Do you ever have anything constructive to say or just follow me and others around... I helped more Folks with Talent in 24 Hours than you ever have or will....EVER. PERIOD. your post is reported.Your a real piece of work man. Or Miss Yada whatever BS......

Classic anonymous name.My Name is Laurin Rinder. Google My name, then google yours. IDIOT!!!!! I did more with my life By the time I was 18 than you ever will.Have I and do I promote Myself? hell yes and those who don't are gonna fail in the Long run. so, Stay negative man, Whatever you do. I'll take the High road. I won't read your answer or your Rant, I see a crack in a door, I don't wonder whats on the other side,,,,I just knock the * thing down.
I have a copy Of all 55.650 Posts I did On SS and Im working On a book.Theres no place on MSG for me anymore with people filled with anger  Like you and a few others and some that are long gone..

We used to discuss. long time ago I guess. Goodbye everyone. I'll go private. much better and cleaner. No Psycho zone.I get enough people telling me everyday what was said anyway.Note to anyone....pls...no more I don't care. Some great Ones here. are gone.newbs without a clue what this is supposed to be Just Like Stock forums . and some great Old timers also that say it like it is. Thanks .

Bye, Bye. Gee maybe I'll come back as anonymous and get away with hate.... Naw. I gotta make money. Hate don't pay well. Hope you guys figure out this controlled revenue thing.I have enough folks to talk about this privately.
Thanks Yada for killing a possible meaningful Discussion that required experience.

Homie don't Play this game.

This is not about you, or your reviews, not about you as a drummer when you were very young and I'm sure that was a brave move to go out and do that. The questions are about here and now and microstock. Not 50,000 messages on SS, but the business and microstock now.

You make up anything, like 30 important friends, to impress us, but they don't exist. Tell us why you left istock? You call it leaving and say we should follow, but the truth is you got kicked out and account closed. Why was that? Inquiring minds would like the truth.

Asking for the truth is not a personal attack, you take it that way and come back attacking. Then you block and will leave the forum, like you have so many times before. You've left the SS forums forever at least four times, maybe five. When you get caught, you make up a bigger new version and leave.

If you have proof of controlled revenue, which is the question, show us. I have friends too and some see a big drop, some see flat earnings, some are still uploading and working and making more money. Seems here that a couple of people who never made much, are complaining for eight years, now they say it's controlled income. Someone who only get 3-5 downloads a day, isn't going to see much variation are they.

Tell us what your 30 friends have found, some details, numbers, facts.

And maybe leave off the rant, personal attacks and bragging. Lets talk about microstock and the controlled revenue claims.


Haha! you know there are about two non public large stock-photography forums where only full-time photographers, professionals and also ex-employees and present employees in various Micro-agencies being photographers.
If you were allowed membership in these and spent a day there reading about certain agencies you would probably give up micro photography within 5 minutes, you would hear and read from the horses mouth what is going on and the tricks the agencies are getting up to. An insight very unpleasant actually.
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: obj owl on July 26, 2018, 02:11
Yada,yada,Yada...perfect name, like who cares..... must have been a bad critique.And I do have More experience than you will EVER have with that closed,Twisted,VILE Mind. Back to ignore. Do you ever have anything constructive to say or just follow me and others around... I helped more Folks with Talent in 24 Hours than you ever have or will....EVER. PERIOD. your post is reported.Your a real piece of work man. Or Miss Yada whatever BS......

Classic anonymous name.My Name is Laurin Rinder. Google My name, then google yours. IDIOT!!!!! I did more with my life By the time I was 18 than you ever will.Have I and do I promote Myself? hell yes and those who don't are gonna fail in the Long run. so, Stay negative man, Whatever you do. I'll take the High road. I won't read your answer or your Rant, I see a crack in a door, I don't wonder whats on the other side,,,,I just knock the * thing down.
I have a copy Of all 55.650 Posts I did On SS and Im working On a book.Theres no place on MSG for me anymore with people filled with anger  Like you and a few others and some that are long gone..

We used to discuss. long time ago I guess. Goodbye everyone. I'll go private. much better and cleaner. No Psycho zone.I get enough people telling me everyday what was said anyway.Note to anyone....pls...no more I don't care. Some great Ones here. are gone.newbs without a clue what this is supposed to be Just Like Stock forums . and some great Old timers also that say it like it is. Thanks .

Bye, Bye. Gee maybe I'll come back as anonymous and get away with hate.... Naw. I gotta make money. Hate don't pay well. Hope you guys figure out this controlled revenue thing.I have enough folks to talk about this privately.
Thanks Yada for killing a possible meaningful Discussion that required experience.

Homie don't Play this game.

This is not about you, or your reviews, not about you as a drummer when you were very young and I'm sure that was a brave move to go out and do that. The questions are about here and now and microstock. Not 50,000 messages on SS, but the business and microstock now.

You make up anything, like 30 important friends, to impress us, but they don't exist. Tell us why you left istock? You call it leaving and say we should follow, but the truth is you got kicked out and account closed. Why was that? Inquiring minds would like the truth.

Asking for the truth is not a personal attack, you take it that way and come back attacking. Then you block and will leave the forum, like you have so many times before. You've left the SS forums forever at least four times, maybe five. When you get caught, you make up a bigger new version and leave.

If you have proof of controlled revenue, which is the question, show us. I have friends too and some see a big drop, some see flat earnings, some are still uploading and working and making more money. Seems here that a couple of people who never made much, are complaining for eight years, now they say it's controlled income. Someone who only get 3-5 downloads a day, isn't going to see much variation are they.

Tell us what your 30 friends have found, some details, numbers, facts.

And maybe leave off the rant, personal attacks and bragging. Lets talk about microstock and the controlled revenue claims.


Haha! you know there are about two non public large stock-photography forums where only full-time photographers, professionals and also ex-employees and present employees in various Micro-agencies being photographers.
If you were allowed membership in these and spent a day there reading about certain agencies you would probably give up micro photography within 5 minutes, you would hear and read from the horses mouth what is going on and the tricks the agencies are getting up to. An insight very unpleasant actually.

but you are sworn not to repeat these truths you read so you come here spreading crap instead.
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: Pauws99 on July 26, 2018, 02:31
Yada,yada,Yada...perfect name, like who cares..... must have been a bad critique.And I do have More experience than you will EVER have with that closed,Twisted,VILE Mind. Back to ignore. Do you ever have anything constructive to say or just follow me and others around... I helped more Folks with Talent in 24 Hours than you ever have or will....EVER. PERIOD. your post is reported.Your a real piece of work man. Or Miss Yada whatever BS......

Classic anonymous name.My Name is Laurin Rinder. Google My name, then google yours. IDIOT!!!!! I did more with my life By the time I was 18 than you ever will.Have I and do I promote Myself? hell yes and those who don't are gonna fail in the Long run. so, Stay negative man, Whatever you do. I'll take the High road. I won't read your answer or your Rant, I see a crack in a door, I don't wonder whats on the other side,,,,I just knock the * thing down.
I have a copy Of all 55.650 Posts I did On SS and Im working On a book.Theres no place on MSG for me anymore with people filled with anger  Like you and a few others and some that are long gone..

We used to discuss. long time ago I guess. Goodbye everyone. I'll go private. much better and cleaner. No Psycho zone.I get enough people telling me everyday what was said anyway.Note to anyone....pls...no more I don't care. Some great Ones here. are gone.newbs without a clue what this is supposed to be Just Like Stock forums . and some great Old timers also that say it like it is. Thanks .

Bye, Bye. Gee maybe I'll come back as anonymous and get away with hate.... Naw. I gotta make money. Hate don't pay well. Hope you guys figure out this controlled revenue thing.I have enough folks to talk about this privately.
Thanks Yada for killing a possible meaningful Discussion that required experience.

Homie don't Play this game.

This is not about you, or your reviews, not about you as a drummer when you were very young and I'm sure that was a brave move to go out and do that. The questions are about here and now and microstock. Not 50,000 messages on SS, but the business and microstock now.

You make up anything, like 30 important friends, to impress us, but they don't exist. Tell us why you left istock? You call it leaving and say we should follow, but the truth is you got kicked out and account closed. Why was that? Inquiring minds would like the truth.

Asking for the truth is not a personal attack, you take it that way and come back attacking. Then you block and will leave the forum, like you have so many times before. You've left the SS forums forever at least four times, maybe five. When you get caught, you make up a bigger new version and leave.

If you have proof of controlled revenue, which is the question, show us. I have friends too and some see a big drop, some see flat earnings, some are still uploading and working and making more money. Seems here that a couple of people who never made much, are complaining for eight years, now they say it's controlled income. Someone who only get 3-5 downloads a day, isn't going to see much variation are they.

Tell us what your 30 friends have found, some details, numbers, facts.

And maybe leave off the rant, personal attacks and bragging. Lets talk about microstock and the controlled revenue claims.


Haha! you know there are about two non public large stock-photography forums where only full-time photographers, professionals and also ex-employees and present employees in various Micro-agencies being photographers.
If you were allowed membership in these and spent a day there reading about certain agencies you would probably give up micro photography within 5 minutes, you would hear and read from the horses mouth what is going on and the tricks the agencies are getting up to. An insight very unpleasant actually.
So why haven't you given up? "about 2" so is it 1 or 3 or maybe more (or less)?
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: derek on July 26, 2018, 03:09
Yada,yada,Yada...perfect name, like who cares..... must have been a bad critique.And I do have More experience than you will EVER have with that closed,Twisted,VILE Mind. Back to ignore. Do you ever have anything constructive to say or just follow me and others around... I helped more Folks with Talent in 24 Hours than you ever have or will....EVER. PERIOD. your post is reported.Your a real piece of work man. Or Miss Yada whatever BS......

Classic anonymous name.My Name is Laurin Rinder. Google My name, then google yours. IDIOT!!!!! I did more with my life By the time I was 18 than you ever will.Have I and do I promote Myself? hell yes and those who don't are gonna fail in the Long run. so, Stay negative man, Whatever you do. I'll take the High road. I won't read your answer or your Rant, I see a crack in a door, I don't wonder whats on the other side,,,,I just knock the * thing down.
I have a copy Of all 55.650 Posts I did On SS and Im working On a book.Theres no place on MSG for me anymore with people filled with anger  Like you and a few others and some that are long gone..

We used to discuss. long time ago I guess. Goodbye everyone. I'll go private. much better and cleaner. No Psycho zone.I get enough people telling me everyday what was said anyway.Note to anyone....pls...no more I don't care. Some great Ones here. are gone.newbs without a clue what this is supposed to be Just Like Stock forums . and some great Old timers also that say it like it is. Thanks .

Bye, Bye. Gee maybe I'll come back as anonymous and get away with hate.... Naw. I gotta make money. Hate don't pay well. Hope you guys figure out this controlled revenue thing.I have enough folks to talk about this privately.
Thanks Yada for killing a possible meaningful Discussion that required experience.

Homie don't Play this game.

This is not about you, or your reviews, not about you as a drummer when you were very young and I'm sure that was a brave move to go out and do that. The questions are about here and now and microstock. Not 50,000 messages on SS, but the business and microstock now.

You make up anything, like 30 important friends, to impress us, but they don't exist. Tell us why you left istock? You call it leaving and say we should follow, but the truth is you got kicked out and account closed. Why was that? Inquiring minds would like the truth.

Asking for the truth is not a personal attack, you take it that way and come back attacking. Then you block and will leave the forum, like you have so many times before. You've left the SS forums forever at least four times, maybe five. When you get caught, you make up a bigger new version and leave.

If you have proof of controlled revenue, which is the question, show us. I have friends too and some see a big drop, some see flat earnings, some are still uploading and working and making more money. Seems here that a couple of people who never made much, are complaining for eight years, now they say it's controlled income. Someone who only get 3-5 downloads a day, isn't going to see much variation are they.

Tell us what your 30 friends have found, some details, numbers, facts.

And maybe leave off the rant, personal attacks and bragging. Lets talk about microstock and the controlled revenue claims.


Haha! you know there are about two non public large stock-photography forums where only full-time photographers, professionals and also ex-employees and present employees in various Micro-agencies being photographers.
If you were allowed membership in these and spent a day there reading about certain agencies you would probably give up micro photography within 5 minutes, you would hear and read from the horses mouth what is going on and the tricks the agencies are getting up to. An insight very unpleasant actually.
So why haven't you given up? "about 2" so is it 1 or 3 or maybe more (or less)?


My dear Paws!! hehe!  there are actually 4 would you believe but since I dont bother with 2 of them I dont include them. Ask some of the most celebrated and productive and biggest members here instead who together with myself are members, dont just take my word for it!.....

In any case you neednt bother Pawsy youre according to yourself only a part-timer with a hobby!..leave it to the people dependent on photography! hehe! ::) ;)
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: Pauws99 on July 26, 2018, 03:14
Yes I've not seem anyone else mention them. Very well kept secret hope you are not expelled from your magic circle for outing  them.
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: derek on July 26, 2018, 03:31
Yes I've not seem anyone else mention them. Very well kept secret hope you are not expelled from your magic circle for outing  them.



Oh havent you??  what a pity so sad!  but as I said you neednt bother!...they're private non public and thats a blessing!
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: Pauws99 on July 26, 2018, 03:44
Yes I've not seem anyone else mention them. Very well kept secret hope you are not expelled from your magic circle for outing  them.



Oh havent you??  what a pity so sad!  but as I said you neednt bother!...they're private non public and thats a blessing!
I don't bother with unverifyable "facts" anyway
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: YadaYadaYada on July 26, 2018, 09:22
Yada,yada,Yada...perfect name, like who cares..... must have been a bad critique.And I do have More experience than you will EVER have with that closed,Twisted,VILE Mind. Back to ignore. Do you ever have anything constructive to say or just follow me and others around... I helped more Folks with Talent in 24 Hours than you ever have or will....EVER. PERIOD. your post is reported.Your a real piece of work man. Or Miss Yada whatever BS......

Classic anonymous name.My Name is Laurin Rinder. Google My name, then google yours. IDIOT!!!!! I did more with my life By the time I was 18 than you ever will.Have I and do I promote Myself? hell yes and those who don't are gonna fail in the Long run. so, Stay negative man, Whatever you do. I'll take the High road. I won't read your answer or your Rant, I see a crack in a door, I don't wonder whats on the other side,,,,I just knock the * thing down.
I have a copy Of all 55.650 Posts I did On SS and Im working On a book.Theres no place on MSG for me anymore with people filled with anger  Like you and a few others and some that are long gone..

We used to discuss. long time ago I guess. Goodbye everyone. I'll go private. much better and cleaner. No Psycho zone.I get enough people telling me everyday what was said anyway.Note to anyone....pls...no more I don't care. Some great Ones here. are gone.newbs without a clue what this is supposed to be Just Like Stock forums . and some great Old timers also that say it like it is. Thanks .

Bye, Bye. Gee maybe I'll come back as anonymous and get away with hate.... Naw. I gotta make money. Hate don't pay well. Hope you guys figure out this controlled revenue thing.I have enough folks to talk about this privately.
Thanks Yada for killing a possible meaningful Discussion that required experience.

Homie don't Play this game.

Thank you for the comments, I won't sink to your level. I wanted to ask about the truth, yes the T word is probably offensive to you. Why did istock close your account and remove all your images? Seems there are rumors and versions, what's the real reason?
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: Uncle Pete on July 26, 2018, 11:36
I think there needs to be two discussions since some are saying "controlled" as in modest fluctuations, and others are saying zero fluctuations. Two very different things.

Yes and some have also noticed a sudden drop to half the previous monthly levels, then sticking around that number no matter what they do. I'm not one and my sales fluctuate a good bit, that's not saying that some others aren't level or flat at a reduced point. I'm not.

I still think that part of the "cap" is that SS has reaching the limits of sales, there are too many images and too much similar image competition at which point the "slice of the pie" keeps getting smaller, until it's the same thin slice, month after month because of flooded choices and competition. I also think it's natural economics not some controlled plan.

Other agencies just drop and drop, while SS has pretty much gone flat, no growth and income limited. We'd need to have more demand from somewhere or at the least for whatever any of us produce. I'm sticking to niche market and small numbers of unusual subjects.
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: Pauws99 on July 26, 2018, 14:03
I think there needs to be two discussions since some are saying "controlled" as in modest fluctuations, and others are saying zero fluctuations. Two very different things.

Yes and some have also noticed a sudden drop to half the previous monthly levels, then sticking around that number no matter what they do. I'm not one and my sales fluctuate a good bit, that's not saying that some others aren't level or flat at a reduced point. I'm not.

I still think that part of the "cap" is that SS has reaching the limits of sales, there are too many images and too much similar image competition at which point the "slice of the pie" keeps getting smaller, until it's the same thin slice, month after month because of flooded choices and competition. I also think it's natural economics not some controlled plan.

Other agencies just drop and drop, while SS has pretty much gone flat, no growth and income limited. We'd need to have more demand from somewhere or at the least for whatever any of us produce. I'm sticking to niche market and small numbers of unusual subjects.
Correct just look at the numbers SS publish no cunning conspiracy required to produce the results people are seeing.
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: farbled on July 26, 2018, 16:39
OK, so we reach a level where image sales stay the same month to month without dropping or increasing no matter how much or how little I upload. I have never heard of that before and have never seen it in the more than a decade of doing this until recently.

Weird, but ok. Problem solved. :)
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: nobody on July 26, 2018, 17:55
The hard truth for the old timers -  their best images today wouldn't fetch enough per sale to get a cup of coffee especially at Starbucks!

Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: farbled on July 26, 2018, 18:50
The hard truth for the old timers -  their best images today wouldn't fetch enough per sale to get a cup of coffee especially at Starbucks!
Any time you want to compare portfolios, I am game. :)
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: Zero Talent on July 26, 2018, 19:02
The hard truth for the old timers -  their best images today wouldn't fetch enough per sale to get a cup of coffee especially at Starbucks!
Any time you want to compare portfolios, I am game. :)

The best and only referees for this game are the customers. How much you sell per month and image is what matters. Not some fancy critique from a fellow (old timer) contributor, not how many likes or faves one gets on social media, but how much real money is earned (per month/year and image)

When one sells only 2-3 images over a few days that one is not qualified to judge this business.
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: farbled on July 26, 2018, 19:40
I don't know if I am an old-timer or not.
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: nobody on July 26, 2018, 20:01
The hard truth for the old timers -  their best images today wouldn't fetch enough per sale to get a cup of coffee especially at Starbucks!
Any time you want to compare portfolios, I am game. :)

The best and only referees for this game are the customers. How much you sell per month and image is what matters. Not some fancy critique from a fellow (old timer) contributor, not how many likes or faves one gets on social media, but how much real money is earned (per month/year and image)

When one sells only 2-3 images over a few days that one is not qualify to judge this business.

Great comment! Plus one!
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: nobody on July 26, 2018, 20:17
The hard truth for the old timers -  their best images today wouldn't fetch enough per sale to get a cup of coffee especially at Starbucks!
Any time you want to compare portfolios, I am game. :)

done...
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: farbled on July 26, 2018, 20:20
Hahaha good! Anyone who wants to see mine, here's one:

https://www.shutterstock.com/g/farbled (https://www.shutterstock.com/g/farbled)

Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: derek on July 27, 2018, 01:09
The hard truth for the old timers -  their best images today wouldn't fetch enough per sale to get a cup of coffee especially at Starbucks!

nah you got it wrong mate!  to complain about a controled revenue system and new images dont sell is a FAR cry from complaining about  a month total earnings! I am still earning handsomely every month BUT not as good as a couple of years ago not as good as it could be.

So there you go old images isnt worth a sandwhich and new images not even worth the loo-paper in a French stand-up gutter bogg!....I take my sandwhich thank you!
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: increasingdifficulty on July 27, 2018, 01:19
Hahaha good! Anyone who wants to see mine, here's one:

https://www.shutterstock.com/g/farbled (https://www.shutterstock.com/g/farbled)

That's a lot of cooking!  :)

Those quesadillas look tasty. Now the real question: Did you eat it all?
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: farbled on July 27, 2018, 09:58
With few exceptions, everything I have is something I ate about 1 minute after I shot it. :) My process is:

watch (sometimes help) wife make a meal, she enjoys styling
grab my plate and stick it on my setup table (studio/piece of wood/whatever
shoot 10 or so pix in about 30 seconds
go eat
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: Uncle Pete on July 27, 2018, 19:01
OK, so we reach a level where image sales stay the same month to month without dropping or increasing no matter how much or how little I upload. I have never heard of that before and have never seen it in the more than a decade of doing this until recently.

Weird, but ok. Problem solved. :)

Actually mine change month to month, more consistently depending on what month it may be, but the yes was, there are more than a few different issues and questions, all being lumped together into "controlled revenue". I kind of liked the one where, if it's controlled, down, then it must also be controlled, up, so things stay the same?  ;D

I wouldn't compare my best to your broad collection. Sorry, you win by default or is that I concede defeat without a battle.  :)
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: farbled on July 27, 2018, 20:06
OK, so we reach a level where image sales stay the same month to month without dropping or increasing no matter how much or how little I upload. I have never heard of that before and have never seen it in the more than a decade of doing this until recently.

Weird, but ok. Problem solved. :)

Actually mine change month to month, more consistently depending on what month it may be, but the yes was, there are more than a few different issues and questions, all being lumped together into "controlled revenue". I kind of liked the one where, if it's controlled, down, then it must also be controlled, up, so things stay the same?  ;D

I wouldn't compare my best to your broad collection. Sorry, you win by default or is that I concede defeat without a battle.  :)

Not a contest. :) I have quantity and some ok stuff plus a niche. I know my limits. My "photographic" talents are more in event shooting. Or they were when I did that. Stock was a fun way to make extra money, now its more work than anything, with the returns * the fun out of it. I figure I am in the middle of the pack for (part time) stock shooting.

Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: jpbarcelos on July 31, 2018, 10:47
Hahaha good! Anyone who wants to see mine, here's one:

https://www.shutterstock.com/g/farbled (https://www.shutterstock.com/g/farbled)

Wow. Thats a lot of food. Great port.
PS: gonna complain to my wife about her cooking..
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: farbled on July 31, 2018, 17:39
You know, my more recent stuff is worse than my older stuff. I have a few thousand newer pix that are way better than whats there now, but no incentive to upload except maybe to my own website.


Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: obj owl on July 31, 2018, 17:53
You know, my more recent stuff is worse than my older stuff. I have a few thousand newer pix that are way better than whats there now, but no incentive to upload except maybe to my own website.

Put it on Pond5, exclusive at a premium price, like Stocksy for the masses.
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: farbled on July 31, 2018, 18:07
Do photos actually sell there?
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: obj owl on July 31, 2018, 18:13
Do photos actually sell there?

Not yet, but it's about creating a market, Stocksy contributors promote on social media, find out who your buyers are and get in their networks.  If half of those 5,000 Stocksy applicants did the same, Pond5 would start promoting it as well.  It may take a year or two, but it beats the race to the bottom with the other agencies.
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: farbled on July 31, 2018, 18:29
Been thinking about that with my own website. Back in the Symbio days my idea was to get 6 or even a dozen artists with complimentary portfolios and do one "bigger" site with lots of variety all around the same quality and price points.

Not a bad idea with Pond though, I have a negligible amount of photos there, but they do sell sometimes.
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: obj owl on July 31, 2018, 19:23
Been thinking about that with my own website. Back in the Symbio days my idea was to get 6 or even a dozen artists with complimentary portfolios and do one "bigger" site with lots of variety all around the same quality and price points.

Not a bad idea with Pond though, I have a negligible amount of photos there, but they do sell sometimes.

The structure is there to make an agency within an agency a Stocksy clone without the closed coop limitations, a Premier Select, but open to all, just needs enough contributors brave enough to take advantage of it. One drawback is lack of control over Pond5, they could change the rules halfway through the game as agencies are apt to do, but if it works would they want to kill the golden goose?
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: farbled on July 31, 2018, 19:31
Stocksy proved a co-op could work. I think a few contributors going it alone would not do a heck of a lot unless the strategy changed from competing with the big guns in their own playground and go after boutique, direct market, small clients that the big guys don't bother with, kind of thing. Have a decent selection and enough image exclusive stuff, and it could work. I liked the original Symbio idea, just needed some tweaking and money thrown at it, plus curation, so that there was a quality level and common price points. Maybe multiple networks? Who knows..

Anyway, sorry for hijacking the thread.
Title: Re: Could it be using a shutterstock controlled revenue system?
Post by: obj owl on July 31, 2018, 20:05
Stocksy proved a co-op could work. I think a few contributors going it alone would not do a heck of a lot unless the strategy changed from competing with the big guns in their own playground and go after boutique, direct market, small clients that the big guys don't bother with, kind of thing. Have a decent selection and enough image exclusive stuff, and it could work. I liked the original Symbio idea, just needed some tweaking and money thrown at it, plus curation, so that there was a quality level and common price points. Maybe multiple networks? Who knows..

Anyway, sorry for hijacking the thread.

What have you got to lose, then wait a year or two and you will have a lot less to lose, life's too short.