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Author Topic: level 0 is so sweet  (Read 22553 times)

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TheSmilingAssassin

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« Reply #25 on: May 04, 2011, 18:08 »
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I probably should bump up my files in future.

I just did a search for "solar panels" by resolution.  Funnily enough mine was the largest one there with no TIFF.  From that search th largest file with a TIFF was 29MP and from what I've gathered, it looks like the TIFFs for all are converted to double the size of the orginal jpeg.

I'll do a few more searches later when I have more time.


« Reply #26 on: May 04, 2011, 18:14 »
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Actually, just once and for the record (sorry you're not seeing this, SharpShot), I like microstock, have had fun with it and have been very pleasantly surprised by the demand for my images and the money I've made with my tiny portfolio.  I'm retiring from my day job as an engineer and had been thinking about spending some serious time on microstock.  

What frustrates me though is that for the last 2 years I've seen it go steadily downhill to the point where it's hard to get motivated and tell yourself that images you do today will pay off in years to come.   You could say that's just due to free market forces, which is true in a sense, but a 'race to the bottom' is a well documented phenomenon which benefits no one in the long run.   The market may correct itself, but that may take a very long time.

You have to realise that microstock is not about individual  sales, never has been and never will be. That's why it is called 'microstock'. You have to look at the monthly return of an entire portfolio or that of a series of images over a given amount of time. That way you will find, if you have the talent to compete, that it is still actually 'money for old rope' (literally __ I recently had an EL on an image of a piece of old rope that I had taken about 5 years ago). It certainly beats working for a living.

TheSmilingAssassin

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« Reply #27 on: May 04, 2011, 18:15 »
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LOL I saw leaf mentioning on another thread that sort of thing happens a lot here.  I haven't seen it yet but I'd probably find it entertaining to watch at first. 

Yeah, it was at first.  ;D

I used to live next to a paranoid schizophrenic years ago.  I would hear huge screaming arguments between several people coming from his window on almost a daily basis.  Then one day I heard one of these arguments coming from his back yard and looked out to discover they were ALL him!  It was kind of like that.  Creepy! 

Eventually some guys in white suits (literally!) came and took him away in an ambulance.

**ETA BTW, I know that mental illness is nothing to laugh about, but this guy told the cops that aliens were telling him - via his television - to kill my husband and me with machetes, so my sympathy sort of went out the window at that point.  That was a few days before the ambulance showed up. **

hahaha that's great!  I had someone like that here a couple of years back.  He used to walk by pushing an empty shopping trolly arguing with himself.  When I first heard him and ran to the door, I was expecting to see a group of men but it was always just him... with his shopping trolly... swinging his fists in the air.  He used to remind me of Tyler Durden in Fight Club... but not as good looking.

« Reply #28 on: May 04, 2011, 18:15 »
0
\We're looking at different sets of values.
Dreamstime below Istock? On a list of favourites?

Yeah, definitely different sets of values. I like to be able to set my own price, get around 50% royalties and have a high RPD. So agencies that allow you to adjust your price like Clipartof and Graphic Leftovers top my list of favorites. iStock is above Dreamstime because it has a higher RPD and no raster sizes or subs. It loses a lot of points though for having low royalty percentages. I think if you flip my list over though it might line up well with my top earners.  ;D

lisafx

« Reply #29 on: May 04, 2011, 18:24 »
0
I was expecting to see a group of men but it was always just him... with his shopping trolly... swinging his fists in the air.  He used to remind me of Tyler Durden in Fight Club... but not as good looking.

Yes, that's exactly it! 

Thanks for referencing one of my favorite movies of all time :D

TheSmilingAssassin

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« Reply #30 on: May 04, 2011, 22:18 »
0
I was expecting to see a group of men but it was always just him... with his shopping trolly... swinging his fists in the air.  He used to remind me of Tyler Durden in Fight Club... but not as good looking.

Yes, that's exactly it! 

Thanks for referencing one of my favorite movies of all time :D

It's definitely one of my favourites.  It's right up there with American Psycho and a bunch of other sick and twisted movies.


Back on topic, here's something I've never seen before... at any agent.  I just sold a sub on DT for an XS size.  Either the buyer's really thoughtful or it's a mistake.

« Reply #31 on: May 04, 2011, 22:29 »
0
I probably should bump up my files in future.

I just did a search for "solar panels" by resolution.  Funnily enough mine was the largest one there with no TIFF.  From that search th largest file with a TIFF was 29MP and from what I've gathered, it looks like the TIFFs for all are converted to double the size of the orginal jpeg.

I'll do a few more searches later when I have more time.

I have a 30.8MP file that does NOT have the TIFF offered - so it seems the cut off must be around 30MP...

TheSmilingAssassin

    This user is banned.
« Reply #32 on: May 04, 2011, 23:08 »
0
I probably should bump up my files in future.

I just did a search for "solar panels" by resolution.  Funnily enough mine was the largest one there with no TIFF.  From that search th largest file with a TIFF was 29MP and from what I've gathered, it looks like the TIFFs for all are converted to double the size of the orginal jpeg.

I'll do a few more searches later when I have more time.

I have a 30.8MP file that does NOT have the TIFF offered - so it seems the cut off must be around 30MP...

Yes, you're right.  I just did four more searches and the cutoff is exactly 30MP.  So as long as we keep the file size under 30MP we get the TIFF.  This makes my day because it means I no longer have to create two different sizes for different agents. 

« Reply #33 on: May 05, 2011, 02:52 »
0

I don't see the purspose of ignoring either.  It's usually the posts with complaints that are the ones that are going to make me think about something.

I don't mind reading posts that disagree with mine, and I am fine with some back and forth, even if it gets heated. 

I will ignore someone if they are just plain crazy or an obvious troll, though.  The one guy awhile back who had multiple identities and was posting rants and arguing with himself accounts for the majority of the "people" I have on ignore. 

LOL I saw leaf mentioning on another thread that sort of thing happens a lot here.  I haven't seen it yet but I'd probably find it entertaining to watch at first. 

Actually, there was only really one instance where it happened - but yes the member had multiple user names and was posting from all accounts in the same thread supporting (or arguing against) his previous posts.

« Reply #34 on: May 05, 2011, 03:11 »
0
sorry but thats sweet not DT level 0

TheSmilingAssassin

    This user is banned.
« Reply #35 on: May 05, 2011, 03:58 »
0

I don't see the purspose of ignoring either.  It's usually the posts with complaints that are the ones that are going to make me think about something.

I don't mind reading posts that disagree with mine, and I am fine with some back and forth, even if it gets heated. 

I will ignore someone if they are just plain crazy or an obvious troll, though.  The one guy awhile back who had multiple identities and was posting rants and arguing with himself accounts for the majority of the "people" I have on ignore. 

LOL I saw leaf mentioning on another thread that sort of thing happens a lot here.  I haven't seen it yet but I'd probably find it entertaining to watch at first. 

Actually, there was only really one instance where it happened - but yes the member had multiple user names and was posting from all accounts in the same thread supporting (or arguing against) his previous posts.

That's a tad psychotic.  What was he or she (or both) exactly trying to achieve?

« Reply #36 on: May 05, 2011, 04:08 »
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To each his own. 

Personally I never 'ignore' anyone, I like getting all points of view.  Some people like to read things that they agree with, or that reinforce what they already believe.   It's up to you.

Me too. I don't ignore anyone in this forum or in real life, no matter how different someone's opinions are, or if someone just wants to vent some anger. I quoted someone recently in a Blog on msg, which I think rings true.

I like the fact that peope can vent here. A lot of photographers work alone. People in corporate offices, can go to lunch or drinks after work to vent and share their frustrations about their company; changes, no raises, over worked, etc. This forum offers that lunch/drinks opportunity with others that are experiencing the same things.

lisafx

« Reply #37 on: May 05, 2011, 09:29 »
0

Actually, there was only really one instance where it happened - but yes the member had multiple user names and was posting from all accounts in the same thread supporting (or arguing against) his previous posts.

That's a tad psychotic.  What was he or she (or both) exactly trying to achieve?

Friends? A life?  Inflated sense of self-importance?  All of the above?  

(back off topic for a moment - LOVE American Psycho.  One of the very few movies I actually own!)

« Reply #38 on: May 05, 2011, 09:41 »
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I've been on a lot of web forums over the years.  There's always a lot of negativity, ranting and arguing - it's just the nature of the medium.  I guess I've gotten used to that and don't feel put off by it.   My feeling is that negativity, venting etc is fine and is (or should be) a big reason for even having a forum. But you should never direct negativity at another individual on the forum.  So to me, ranting about the greed and short-sightedness of microstocks is ok and I actually enjoy reading it, but putting down another poster is definitely not and I don't get into that.  

Some people obviously feel brought down by negativity in general; maybe it kills their motivation or seems like rudeness directed at the people who run the agencies.  I don't feel that way and I think that the agency people - if they read this stuff at all - aren't in the least bothered by it.  They're the ones making the money after all.

I've been in the technology business for 30 years and you couldn't find a more opinionated group of people, either  on the web and in person.  Skins are thick.  If you think things get nasty here, I could point you to a couple of Usenet groups from the past that would curl your hair.

Just my own opinions here.  I see my 'ignored' count just went up by 1.  Farewell, sharpshot! 

donding

  • Think before you speak
« Reply #39 on: May 05, 2011, 10:28 »
0
I probably should bump up my files in future.

I just did a search for "solar panels" by resolution.  Funnily enough mine was the largest one there with no TIFF.  From that search th largest file with a TIFF was 29MP and from what I've gathered, it looks like the TIFFs for all are converted to double the size of the orginal jpeg.

I'll do a few more searches later when I have more time.

I have a 30.8MP file that does NOT have the TIFF offered - so it seems the cut off must be around 30MP...

Yes, you're right.  I just did four more searches and the cutoff is exactly 30MP.  So as long as we keep the file size under 30MP we get the TIFF.  This makes my day because it means I no longer have to create two different sizes for different agents. 

I didn't know that. I'm glad you pointed that out. It makes sense though. How do they handle the Raw files though? Do you know?

TheSmilingAssassin

    This user is banned.
« Reply #40 on: May 06, 2011, 05:26 »
0
(back off topic for a moment - LOVE American Psycho.  One of the very few movies I actually own!)

Yeah me too!  It just cracks me up!  I love all the reference to the 80s music.  Christian Bale is just amazing it it, isn't he?  If you haven't read the book though and have some time on your hands I highly recommend it... provided you can handle lots of gruesome detail.

 
I didn't know that. I'm glad you pointed that out. It makes sense though. How do they handle the Raw files though? Do you know?

Additional formats have nothing to do with the TIFF. 

« Reply #41 on: May 06, 2011, 07:20 »
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oops - asking a question already answered
« Last Edit: May 06, 2011, 07:24 by BaldricksTrousers »

« Reply #42 on: May 06, 2011, 07:31 »
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I've been on a lot of web forums over the years.  There's always a lot of negativity, ranting and arguing - it's just the nature of the medium.  I guess I've gotten used to that and don't feel put off by it.   My feeling is that negativity, venting etc is fine and is (or should be) a big reason for even having a forum. But you should never direct negativity at another individual on the forum.  So to me, ranting about the greed and short-sightedness of microstocks is ok and I actually enjoy reading it, but putting down another poster is definitely not and I don't get into that.  

Some people obviously feel brought down by negativity in general; maybe it kills their motivation or seems like rudeness directed at the people who run the agencies.  I don't feel that way and I think that the agency people - if they read this stuff at all - aren't in the least bothered by it.  They're the ones making the money after all.

I've been in the technology business for 30 years and you couldn't find a more opinionated group of people, either  on the web and in person.  Skins are thick.  If you think things get nasty here, I could point you to a couple of Usenet groups from the past that would curl your hair.

Just my own opinions here.  I see my 'ignored' count just went up by 1.  Farewell, sharpshot!  

I agree with you. I have fallen into the negativity pit myself with istock, but I can say for certain that I am not the only one down there. Everyone "gets over" things in their own time. Some more quickly than others, and then they seem to forget that they themselves have likely expressed negative views about the very same subject at one point or another. That's the great thing about the forums.

I notice my ignore count went down by 1, so no worries, the universe is in balance!  :D

Back on topic...I see I have a level 0 purchase, XS, for .25. Sweet! Not.
« Last Edit: May 06, 2011, 07:36 by cclapper »

TheSmilingAssassin

    This user is banned.
« Reply #43 on: May 06, 2011, 08:56 »
0
Let me put a put a positive spin on the level 0 sales for you negative Nellies before someone else puts you on ignore! (Im only joking.)  Here is my take on it though...

On the one hand it feels like Im being ripped off receiving only 25% for the level 0 sale, especially if its a sale on a new but fairly decent image that I know will do well long term.  However, on the other hand, if it means Im more likely to sell an image thats been sitting there going stale, Im all for it. 

Generally speaking, I think its a good thing, especially for those images that cover subjects that are oversaturated and are buried deeper than page 50 on search results.  If I dont sell it, eventually Ill have to remove it so Id rather sell it for pittance one time to give it a little boost up the ranks and give it some potential to sell more times for more money.  Selling the image a second time will more than cover the money I lost on the first sale so it doesnt bother me at all... I quite like the idea.

Overall I like the new pricing structure and Im hoping other micros follow DTs lead and bump up their prices.  The only thing that concerns me is the weekly subs deal.

« Reply #44 on: May 06, 2011, 09:25 »
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I uploaded two similar files, one was 5657x8485 (48mp) and is offered as a TIFF file.

The other is 6000x9000 (54mp) and is not available as a TIFF.

These files were approved today.

TheSmilingAssassin

    This user is banned.
« Reply #45 on: May 06, 2011, 09:37 »
0
I uploaded two similar files, one was 5657x8485 (48mp) and is offered as a TIFF file.

The other is 6000x9000 (54mp) and is not available as a TIFF.

These files were approved today.

Hi Dave,

I just checked your latest uploads and the 5657x8485 is the TIFF file (48MP).  The maximum jpeg is 24MP.  lol It's alright, I kept mixing the TIFF with the maximum too when I was researching it earlier on.

« Reply #46 on: May 06, 2011, 09:38 »
0
Let me put a put a positive spin on the level 0 sales for you negative Nellies before someone else puts you on ignore! (Im only joking.)  Here is my take on it though...

On the one hand it feels like Im being ripped off receiving only 25% for the level 0 sale, especially if its a sale on a new but fairly decent image that I know will do well long term.  However, on the other hand, if it means Im more likely to sell an image thats been sitting there going stale, Im all for it. 

Generally speaking, I think its a good thing, especially for those images that cover subjects that are oversaturated and are buried deeper than page 50 on search results.  If I dont sell it, eventually Ill have to remove it so Id rather sell it for pittance one time to give it a little boost up the ranks and give it some potential to sell more times for more money.  Selling the image a second time will more than cover the money I lost on the first sale so it doesnt bother me at all... I quite like the idea.

Overall I like the new pricing structure and Im hoping other micros follow DTs lead and bump up their prices.  The only thing that concerns me is the weekly subs deal.

That is a good point. I'm sure this has been mentioned, but I haven't done any digging for the answer yet...does the image jump to level 1 after just one download? I am thinking that's the case, but I don't remember for sure.

TheSmilingAssassin

    This user is banned.
« Reply #47 on: May 06, 2011, 09:43 »
0

That is a good point. I'm sure this has been mentioned, but I haven't done any digging for the answer yet...does the image jump to level 1 after just one download? I am thinking that's the case, but I don't remember for sure.

Yes, that's right, it's:

Level 0 (0 downloads)
Level 1 (1-4 downloads)

« Reply #48 on: May 06, 2011, 09:51 »
0
That's what I thought. I guess that's not too bad, in the grand scheme of things, since as you stated, may give an otherwise forgotten, brand new or buried image a jump start.

As microstock and early images mature, I think that those images with hundreds and thousands of DLs, although excellent images, may be a turnoff for buyers, as that means the image is going to turn up everywhere. When I search, I typically search by DL and spend a few minutes going through the images with 0 downloads. I can't help but think that there is an excellent photographer out there who has just finally decided to jump in and has uploaded some excellent images with no sales yet.

« Reply #49 on: May 06, 2011, 10:19 »
0
Yes, that's right, it's:

Level 0 (0 downloads)
Level 1 (1-4 downloads)

I depends on the customer though. Nothing changed for the old customers. I think Dreamstime is working on making their pricing as confusing as possible.  ;D


 

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