Author Topic: I don't know why, but I feel happier when I sell AI generated photos than (Read 3717 times)

blvdone · « **on:** November 04, 2023, 08:55 »

regular photos I shot on cameras. Anybody else feel the same?
I pay $120/month on Midjourney and also bought Gigapixel AI to create those AI photos. So, it's a confirmation that what I'm doing is working for me. That doesn't mean I stop shooting stock photos with my camera, but it's good to see people are actually buying my AI generated photos.

Injustice for all · « **Reply #1 on:** November 04, 2023, 10:48 »

I confirm,maybe it's because you can create whatever you want,but yes,AI are addictive!

MihaiZaharia · « **Reply #2 on:** November 04, 2023, 12:25 »

It's satisfying, yes. But mixed with other feelings, also. At least in my case.
I, myself, started using Midjourney back in april, when I noticed that the "Recent Top Sellers" section at AS was flooded with AI generated content. I thought I could give it a try to see how it goes. Yes, the generated images are beautiful - as long as you watch them as a thumbnail. When you look at them in full size, especially after being upscaled, they look awful. A photo shot with the camera, or an illustration would never get approved if they looked like this. They are grainy, choppy, the details are off. If I were a buyer, I would be quite unhappy to get this level of quality in exchange for my money. So it took me a while to get the courage to submit the first batch. But I found out soon enough that these images get accepted and sell like crazy. And I thought - hey, who am I to judge? If AS asks for them and the buyers like them and keep buying them, then clearly someone should provide these images. And so I kept generating and uploading.
Yes, it's nice to see the $$ coming in. And it's very profitable - since you spend way less time and money generating an image with MJ than with your camera. And it's very satisfying, since you are only limited by your imagination. But even if you take the time and effort to carefully choose only the ~30% of the generated images that are correct (no extra limbs etc), you still feel (a little) guilty about putting some content on sell that looks like garbage when viewed at 100%.
I'm sure that somewhere in the near future (maybe one or two years from now), the AI based image generators will be able to produce clean and crisp high resolution images. But it's not the case right now.

J_Stock · « **Reply #3 on:** November 04, 2023, 12:26 »

$120/month? What plan is that?

rushay · « **Reply #4 on:** November 04, 2023, 12:30 »

I was wondering the same thing

MihaiZaharia · « **Reply #5 on:** November 04, 2023, 12:40 »

And I was also wondering why you need the Mega Plan? I am really happy with the $30 Standard Plan. The 15 hours of fast GPU time are enough for me. (But if they're not, it only takes ~10 minutes/day to rate some images and you get 1 extra hour of fast GPU time daily.)

blvdone · « **Reply #6 on:** November 04, 2023, 14:22 »

Quote from: Injustice for all on November 04, 2023, 10:48

I confirm,maybe it's because you can create whatever you want,but yes,AI are addictive!

Haha!!

blvdone · « **Reply #7 on:** November 04, 2023, 14:25 »

Quote from: J_Stock on November 04, 2023, 12:26

$120/month? What plan is that?

That's the professional plan with the highest hours of fast mode. I ran out of fast mode hours in October. So, I upgraded. Also you get private mode so that others can't copy your prompts.

stoker2014 · « **Reply #8 on:** November 05, 2023, 06:23 »

Quote from: blvdone on November 04, 2023, 08:55

I pay $120/month on Midjourney

Are your images selling for at least $120 a month?

Injustice for all · « **Reply #9 on:** November 05, 2023, 07:07 »

Quote from: stoker2014 on November 05, 2023, 06:23

Quote from: blvdone on November 04, 2023, 08:55
I pay $120/month on Midjourney
Are your images selling for at least $120 a month?

do you mean per week?

Injustice for all · « **Reply #10 on:** November 05, 2023, 07:17 »

Quote from: MihaiZaharia on November 04, 2023, 12:25

It's satisfying, yes. But mixed with other feelings, also. At least in my case.
I, myself, started using Midjourney back in april, when I noticed that the "Recent Top Sellers" section at AS was flooded with AI generated content. I thought I could give it a try to see how it goes. Yes, the generated images are beautiful - as long as you watch them as a thumbnail. When you look at them in full size, especially after being upscaled, they look awful. A photo shot with the camera, or an illustration would never get approved if they looked like this. They are grainy, choppy, the details are off. If I were a buyer, I would be quite unhappy to get this level of quality in exchange for my money. So it took me a while to get the courage to submit the first batch. But I found out soon enough that these images get accepted and sell like crazy. And I thought - hey, who am I to judge? If AS asks for them and the buyers like them and keep buying them, then clearly someone should provide these images. And so I kept generating and uploading.
Yes, it's nice to see the $$ coming in. And it's very profitable - since you spend way less time and money generating an image with MJ than with your camera. And it's very satisfying, since you are only limited by your imagination. But even if you take the time and effort to carefully choose only the ~30% of the generated images that are correct (no extra limbs etc), you still feel (a little) guilty about putting some content on sell that looks like garbage when viewed at 100%.
I'm sure that somewhere in the near future (maybe one or two years from now), the AI based image generators will be able to produce clean and crisp high resolution images. But it's not the case right now.

the fact is that the quality is still not excellent,the generations are imperfect,and we need to improve the sharpness,resolution,and therefore they must be worked on in post production,this for the moment in my opinion gives us yet another advantage.

I think they will always continue to be sold,it must also be understood that not all Adobe Stock customers are interested in generating with AI and will always prefer to purchase ready-made content,but I think now is the best time.

when the Adobe Stock collection exceeds 300 million,it will already be different,but I hope I'm obviously wrong!

SuperPhoto · « **Reply #11 on:** November 05, 2023, 10:09 »

I'm not sure how well people are doing with "AI" images overall, but to me it seems:

(a) Some people may have 1-2 images that "take off" (i.e., maybe make them $100-$200 over the course of several months, if they are really lucky, maybe $200-$300). The rest never really get seen. If you live in a country where $3-$5 USD/hour is a "good wage", then you are ecstatic. (I.e., like an american say getting $700-$800 for an image).

(b) The "ai" stuff is being flooded from people in countries where that is the case. To properly post produce, edit, crop, find good keywords, properly title, etc is a very time consuming process - but I suppose that is why is a number of people just don't do that. (So you see 3 arms, strange titles, or simply the actual prompts, etc). And I've seen a lot of people skipping that process.

(c) I suspect it is a little bit like gambling on slots. If/when you "hit big" (i.e., generate $100 in cumalative sales for a single "ai" image) - then you think EVERY image is going to be like that, and you start going a little nuts (not realizing not every image is going to be like that).

One question - if you are spending $120/month on image generation, are you at the very least seeing that as a return? More specifically - a significant return?

My guess is the majority (i.e., 80%+) are just making say $100-$200/month from the "ai" images, while of course a very small majority making more than that...

Injustice for all · « **Reply #12 on:** November 05, 2023, 11:18 »

Quote from: SuperPhoto on November 05, 2023, 10:09

I'm not sure how well people are doing with "AI" images overall, but to me it seems:

(a) Some people may have 1-2 images that "take off" (i.e., maybe make them $100-$200 over the course of several months, if they are really lucky, maybe $200-$300). The rest never really get seen. If you live in a country where $3-$5 USD/hour is a "good wage", then you are ecstatic. (I.e., like an american say getting $700-$800 for an image).

(b) The "ai" stuff is being flooded from people in countries where that is the case. To properly post produce, edit, crop, find good keywords, properly title, etc is a very time consuming process - but I suppose that is why is a number of people just don't do that. (So you see 3 arms, strange titles, or simply the actual prompts, etc). And I've seen a lot of people skipping that process.

(c) I suspect it is a little bit like gambling on slots. If/when you "hit big" (i.e., generate $100 in cumalative sales for a single "ai" image) - then you think EVERY image is going to be like that, and you start going a little nuts (not realizing not every image is going to be like that).

One question - if you are spending $120/month on image generation, are you at the very least seeing that as a return? More specifically - a significant return?

My guess is the majority (i.e., 80%+) are just making say $100-$200/month from the "ai" images, while of course a very small majority making more than that...

you have to produce a lot of them,over time you start to earn more,you certainly can't arrive and start making 100usd a week from one day to another.

the OP was right in making this investment in my opinion,and is an experienced contributor,who has managed to see what many experienced contributors don't want to see,that times have changed and we need to adapt,those who manage to understand this only have to gain from it.

SuperPhoto · « **Reply #13 on:** November 05, 2023, 11:29 »

Quote from: Injustice for all on November 05, 2023, 11:18

Quote from: SuperPhoto on November 05, 2023, 10:09
I'm not sure how well people are doing with "AI" images overall, but to me it seems:

(a) Some people may have 1-2 images that "take off" (i.e., maybe make them $100-$200 over the course of several months, if they are really lucky, maybe $200-$300). The rest never really get seen. If you live in a country where $3-$5 USD/hour is a "good wage", then you are ecstatic. (I.e., like an american say getting $700-$800 for an image).

(b) The "ai" stuff is being flooded from people in countries where that is the case. To properly post produce, edit, crop, find good keywords, properly title, etc is a very time consuming process - but I suppose that is why is a number of people just don't do that. (So you see 3 arms, strange titles, or simply the actual prompts, etc). And I've seen a lot of people skipping that process.

(c) I suspect it is a little bit like gambling on slots. If/when you "hit big" (i.e., generate $100 in cumalative sales for a single "ai" image) - then you think EVERY image is going to be like that, and you start going a little nuts (not realizing not every image is going to be like that).

One question - if you are spending $120/month on image generation, are you at the very least seeing that as a return? More specifically - a significant return?

My guess is the majority (i.e., 80%+) are just making say $100-$200/month from the "ai" images, while of course a very small majority making more than that...

you have to produce a lot of them,over time you start to earn more,you certainly can't arrive and start making 100usd a week from one day to another.

the OP was right in making this investment in my opinion,and is an experienced contributor,who has managed to see what many experienced contributors don't want to see,that times have changed and we need to adapt,those who manage to understand this only have to gain from it.

Re: producing a lot - I agree.

What I am asking is if the time invested is worth it. I think if you live in a country where the cost of living is low (not sure how things have changed in recent years, but it used to be places like say the phillipines, ukraine, etc) - where "$3/hour" was "big money" - then I suppose it would be worth it. For higher cost of living countries (i.e., some parts of europe, north america, etc) - not sure whether the time invested is worth it.

Because yes, you'd have to produce A LOT. And have them sell too.

blvdone · « **Reply #14 on:** November 05, 2023, 11:37 »

Quote from: stoker2014 on November 05, 2023, 06:23

Quote from: blvdone on November 04, 2023, 08:55
I pay $120/month on Midjourney
Are your images selling for at least $120 a month?

Not yet. I just started Using Midjourney like 2 months ago. Due to the slow review process on Adobe Stock, I have like 2,400 AI images in review right now and only like 300 online. I will stop $120/month subscription after a few months of mass producing AI photos till I ran out of my ideas. But hopefully, I'll at least make my money back for Midjourney subscription fee and my labor.

SuperPhoto · « **Reply #15 on:** November 05, 2023, 11:38 »

Quote from: blvdone on November 05, 2023, 11:37

Quote from: stoker2014 on November 05, 2023, 06:23
Quote from: blvdone on November 04, 2023, 08:55
I pay $120/month on Midjourney
Are your images selling for at least $120 a month?

Not yet. I just started Using Midjourney like 2 months ago. Due to the slow review process on Adobe Stock, I have like 2,400 AI images in review right now and only like 300 online. I will stop $120/month subscription after a few months of mass producing AI photos till I ran out of my ideas. But hopefully, I'll at least make my money back for Midjourney subscription fee and my labor.

Okay, makes sense.

Out of curiosity, how have you done (sales wise) from the 300 online you have so far? There are some 20,000,000+ "ai" images currently, I would estimate maybe $15-$20?

blvdone · « **Reply #16 on:** November 05, 2023, 11:40 »

Quote from: SuperPhoto on November 05, 2023, 10:09

I'm not sure how well people are doing with "AI" images overall, but to me it seems:

(a) Some people may have 1-2 images that "take off" (i.e., maybe make them $100-$200 over the course of several months, if they are really lucky, maybe $200-$300). The rest never really get seen. If you live in a country where $3-$5 USD/hour is a "good wage", then you are ecstatic. (I.e., like an american say getting $700-$800 for an image).

(b) The "ai" stuff is being flooded from people in countries where that is the case. To properly post produce, edit, crop, find good keywords, properly title, etc is a very time consuming process - but I suppose that is why is a number of people just don't do that. (So you see 3 arms, strange titles, or simply the actual prompts, etc). And I've seen a lot of people skipping that process.

(c) I suspect it is a little bit like gambling on slots. If/when you "hit big" (i.e., generate $100 in cumalative sales for a single "ai" image) - then you think EVERY image is going to be like that, and you start going a little nuts (not realizing not every image is going to be like that).

One question - if you are spending $120/month on image generation, are you at the very least seeing that as a return? More specifically - a significant return?

My guess is the majority (i.e., 80%+) are just making say $100-$200/month from the "ai" images, while of course a very small majority making more than that...

I will not keep $120/month Midjourney subscription for over a few months I'm mass producing AI images. So, if I make $200/month for 3 years from those AI generated images, it's a success for me.

SuperPhoto · « **Reply #17 on:** November 05, 2023, 11:43 »

Quote from: J_Stock on November 04, 2023, 12:26

$120/month? What plan is that?

They (recently) introduced a new "mega" plan, for 60 hours "fast generation" per month. For regular stock producers, not sure that plan is really necessary, unless of course someone wants to mass produce a lot in a short period of time.

blvdone · « **Reply #18 on:** November 05, 2023, 11:43 »

Quote from: SuperPhoto on November 05, 2023, 11:38

Quote from: blvdone on November 05, 2023, 11:37
Quote from: stoker2014 on November 05, 2023, 06:23
Quote from: blvdone on November 04, 2023, 08:55
I pay $120/month on Midjourney
Are your images selling for at least $120 a month?

Not yet. I just started Using Midjourney like 2 months ago. Due to the slow review process on Adobe Stock, I have like 2,400 AI images in review right now and only like 300 online. I will stop $120/month subscription after a few months of mass producing AI photos till I ran out of my ideas. But hopefully, I'll at least make my money back for Midjourney subscription fee and my labor.

Okay, makes sense.

Out of curiosity, how have you done (sales wise) from the 300 online you have so far? There are some 20,000,000+ "ai" images currently, I would estimate maybe $15-$20?

Just started seeing AI photo sales here and there. That's all. Maybe not even $5 so far, but probably selling a little better than if I uploaded new actual photos from cameras. I feel like if I don't make AI photos now, my sales will be cut in half in a year because of buyers buying AI photos. So, I got to fight that.

blvdone · « **Reply #19 on:** November 05, 2023, 11:45 »

Quote from: SuperPhoto on November 05, 2023, 11:43

Quote from: J_Stock on November 04, 2023, 12:26
$120/month? What plan is that?

They (recently) introduced a new "mega" plan, for 60 hours "fast generation" per month. For regular stock producers, not sure that plan is really necessary, unless of course someone wants to mass produce a lot in a short period of time.

I think that's the plan I have. My 30hrs ran out in October. So, I upgraded to 60hrs. I'll focus on working on Midjourney for the next few months. And then cancel subscription. Can't keep paying $120/month.

blvdone · « **Reply #20 on:** November 05, 2023, 11:47 »

Quote from: Injustice for all on November 05, 2023, 11:18

Quote from: SuperPhoto on November 05, 2023, 10:09
I'm not sure how well people are doing with "AI" images overall, but to me it seems:

(a) Some people may have 1-2 images that "take off" (i.e., maybe make them $100-$200 over the course of several months, if they are really lucky, maybe $200-$300). The rest never really get seen. If you live in a country where $3-$5 USD/hour is a "good wage", then you are ecstatic. (I.e., like an american say getting $700-$800 for an image).

(b) The "ai" stuff is being flooded from people in countries where that is the case. To properly post produce, edit, crop, find good keywords, properly title, etc is a very time consuming process - but I suppose that is why is a number of people just don't do that. (So you see 3 arms, strange titles, or simply the actual prompts, etc). And I've seen a lot of people skipping that process.

(c) I suspect it is a little bit like gambling on slots. If/when you "hit big" (i.e., generate $100 in cumalative sales for a single "ai" image) - then you think EVERY image is going to be like that, and you start going a little nuts (not realizing not every image is going to be like that).

One question - if you are spending $120/month on image generation, are you at the very least seeing that as a return? More specifically - a significant return?

My guess is the majority (i.e., 80%+) are just making say $100-$200/month from the "ai" images, while of course a very small majority making more than that...

you have to produce a lot of them,over time you start to earn more,you certainly can't arrive and start making 100usd a week from one day to another.

the OP was right in making this investment in my opinion,and is an experienced contributor,who has managed to see what many experienced contributors don't want to see,that times have changed and we need to adapt,those who manage to understand this only have to gain from it.

Exactly, good point. We just can't keep complaining about AI and do nothing. That's like being a deer in the headlight. We got to adapt and take advantage of our knowledge on stock photos to produce better AI photos than newbies.

Injustice for all · « **Reply #21 on:** November 05, 2023, 14:07 »

In fact,not only quantity is important,but quality,that makes the difference,uploading useful and original content is not easy.

producing AI content that sells is not as easy and fast as it seems,and given the long queue you have to try to be selective.

with some experience as contributor is more possible to understand what sells,or what customers are looking for,and you can certainly have better results.

Up to now I have produced around 8,000 AI images,I repeat,produced,they are not all for sale yet,I'm working non-stop,it's going to be a long journey!

Pacesetter · « **Reply #22 on:** November 05, 2023, 20:05 »

I'd likely feel happier selling AI generated photos too... if I had all my videos exclusive with Pond5, just so I could see some regular sales again.

blvdone · « **Reply #23 on:** November 05, 2023, 21:20 »

Quote from: Pacesetter on November 05, 2023, 20:05

I'd likely feel happier selling AI generated photos too... if I had all my videos exclusive with Pond5, just so I could see some regular sales again.

I don't know how many videos you have on Pond5, but I still see regular sales on Pond5 despite having the industry wide sales slump since May this year. Just less than last year.

cobalt · « **Reply #24 on:** November 06, 2023, 02:16 »

While 120 a month is a lot, I am sure you will make your money back. I also think the privacy option is very important.

Still haven't tried midjourney, one day I will.

Happy to see you are enjoying ai.

The sales will come and bring a nice balance to your video sales.

Plus...everything you learn now you will be able to use when ai video comes.

SuperPhoto · « **Reply #25 on:** November 06, 2023, 07:35 »

Quote from: cobalt on November 06, 2023, 02:16

While 120 a month is a lot, I am sure you will make your money back. I also think the privacy option is very important.

Still haven't tried midjourney, one day I will.

Happy to see you are enjoying ai.

The sales will come and bring a nice balance to your video sales.

Plus...everything you learn now you will be able to use when ai video comes.

"AI" (sophisiticated theft/pattern re-arrangement) video already exists (not necessarily that great, but does exist).

Creating prompts really doesn't require all that much skill. It's actually pretty simple.

It's just (in some ways) very time consuming - because "everyone" is doing it - so there are a flood of images/content/etc. And for now- the post processing (if one chooses not to skip that - many do) - is also time consuming.

blvdone · « **Reply #26 on:** November 06, 2023, 08:13 »

Quote from: cobalt on November 06, 2023, 02:16

While 120 a month is a lot, I am sure you will make your money back. I also think the privacy option is very important.

Still haven't tried midjourney, one day I will.

Happy to see you are enjoying ai.

The sales will come and bring a nice balance to your video sales.

Plus...everything you learn now you will be able to use when ai video comes.

Is there anything else other than Midjourney to generate usable stock photos?

SuperPhoto · « **Reply #27 on:** November 06, 2023, 08:49 »

Quote from: blvdone on November 06, 2023, 08:13

Quote from: cobalt on November 06, 2023, 02:16
While 120 a month is a lot, I am sure you will make your money back. I also think the privacy option is very important.

Still haven't tried midjourney, one day I will.

Happy to see you are enjoying ai.

The sales will come and bring a nice balance to your video sales.

Plus...everything you learn now you will be able to use when ai video comes.

Is there anything else other than Midjourney to generate usable stock photos?

Shutterstock "AI"?

ole999 · « **Reply #28 on:** November 06, 2023, 09:31 »

Quote from: blvdone on November 04, 2023, 08:55

regular photos I shot on cameras. Anybody else feel the same?
I pay $120/month on Midjourney and also bought Gigapixel AI to create those AI photos. So, it's a confirmation that what I'm doing is working for me. That doesn't mean I stop shooting stock photos with my camera, but it's good to see people are actually buying my AI generated photos.

At AS - how can you see which images sell? I don't think one can see all the individual images one have sold like on other agencies?

cobalt · « **Reply #29 on:** November 06, 2023, 09:37 »

Quote from: blvdone on November 06, 2023, 08:13

Quote from: cobalt on November 06, 2023, 02:16
While 120 a month is a lot, I am sure you will make your money back. I also think the privacy option is very important.

Still haven't tried midjourney, one day I will.

Happy to see you are enjoying ai.

The sales will come and bring a nice balance to your video sales.

Plus...everything you learn now you will be able to use when ai video comes.

Is there anything else other than Midjourney to generate usable stock photos?

adobe firefly, dall-e or stable diffusion. Plus a few others.

There are several apps or websites that uses these engines

But midjourney is by far the best quality.

I am just being very stubborn, at some point I will probably try midjourney.

For illustrations it looks like the new dall e 3 is very good, but it is not yet available for me in my openlabs account.

blvdone · « **Reply #30 on:** November 06, 2023, 10:18 »

Quote from: ole999 on November 06, 2023, 09:31

Quote from: blvdone on November 04, 2023, 08:55
regular photos I shot on cameras. Anybody else feel the same?
I pay $120/month on Midjourney and also bought Gigapixel AI to create those AI photos. So, it's a confirmation that what I'm doing is working for me. That doesn't mean I stop shooting stock photos with my camera, but it's good to see people are actually buying my AI generated photos.

At AS - how can you see which images sell? I don't think one can see all the individual images one have sold like on other agencies?

Type in keywords and sort by downloads.

blvdone · « **Reply #31 on:** November 06, 2023, 10:23 »

Quote from: cobalt on November 06, 2023, 09:37

Quote from: blvdone on November 06, 2023, 08:13
Quote from: cobalt on November 06, 2023, 02:16
While 120 a month is a lot, I am sure you will make your money back. I also think the privacy option is very important.

Still haven't tried midjourney, one day I will.

Happy to see you are enjoying ai.

The sales will come and bring a nice balance to your video sales.

Plus...everything you learn now you will be able to use when ai video comes.

Is there anything else other than Midjourney to generate usable stock photos?

adobe firefly, dall-e or stable diffusion. Plus a few others.

There are several apps or websites that uses these engines

But midjourney is by far the best quality.

I am just being very stubborn, at some point I will probably try midjourney.

For illustrations it looks like the new dall e 3 is very good, but it is not yet available for me in my openlabs account.

Midjourney is the only usable AI stock photo generator now. I think Adobe should buy Midjourney.

cidepix · « **Reply #32 on:** November 06, 2023, 14:41 »

Quote from: cobalt on November 06, 2023, 09:37

Quote from: blvdone on November 06, 2023, 08:13
Quote from: cobalt on November 06, 2023, 02:16
While 120 a month is a lot, I am sure you will make your money back. I also think the privacy option is very important.

Still haven't tried midjourney, one day I will.

Happy to see you are enjoying ai.

The sales will come and bring a nice balance to your video sales.

Plus...everything you learn now you will be able to use when ai video comes.

Is there anything else other than Midjourney to generate usable stock photos?

adobe firefly, dall-e or stable diffusion. Plus a few others.

There are several apps or websites that uses these engines

But midjourney is by far the best quality.

I am just being very stubborn, at some point I will probably try midjourney.

For illustrations it looks like the new dall e 3 is very good, but it is not yet available for me in my openlabs account.

before dall-e 3 midjourney had no competition.. but I think "right now" dall-e 3 is a much better option.

pros of using dall-e 3 over midjourney:

- unlike midjourney, your creations are private. (no need to emphasize how important this is)
- dall-e 3 does a pretty good job with text. midjourney has no clue when it comes to text.

the only thing midjourney does better is realistic people images. once dall-e gets that right, midjourney will have trouble staying in business.

Carmifornia · « **Reply #33 on:** November 06, 2023, 23:32 »

It does make me happy, but it’s a hobby, just like painting. Results are similar as well: Only about 5% of my images sell at all and I can’t predict which ones.

From my very limited experience, one AI image results in $5 of total downloads , if it sells at all. All of my best sellers are paint-overs or png. I don’t know how customers tell the difference between straight AI and my paint-overs, but somehow they obviously do.

I was quite disappointed in my income and thought I was doing quite terrible until my account was featured on top sellers list. That depressed me even more, since it shows that my images are selling “well”

I would say if you are a student, retired, stay at home mom/dad, or live in low income country - then it’s worth it to play stock lottery. I live in area where studio apartment is $3k per month. I can’t see how making less than $5 per hour is feasible.

One will have to produce a lot of AI output to earn a living. You definitely need a pro subscription for that plus Adobe PS or Lightroom subscription. Don’t spend your money on Topaz, you can upscale in PS now with similar results.

$60 pro subscription comes with a private mode. I don’t find prompting easy. Yes, you can generate easy stuff easy - but there are already millions of similar images out there. I had to pay for MJ academy to learn how to prompt and I still can’t produce upscaled results that are “good” quality. You are right, if you zoom in, they all look like crap, yet customers are buying them… must be downscaling them for web. (After we spend time upscaling them to look like crap 😂)

ole999 · « **Reply #34 on:** November 07, 2023, 15:14 »

Quote from: blvdone on November 06, 2023, 10:18

Quote from: ole999 on November 06, 2023, 09:31
Quote from: blvdone on November 04, 2023, 08:55
regular photos I shot on cameras. Anybody else feel the same?
I pay $120/month on Midjourney and also bought Gigapixel AI to create those AI photos. So, it's a confirmation that what I'm doing is working for me. That doesn't mean I stop shooting stock photos with my camera, but it's good to see people are actually buying my AI generated photos.

At AS - how can you see which images sell? I don't think one can see all the individual images one have sold like on other agencies?

Type in keywords and sort by downloads.

Thanks - but I ment my own images ... sorry..! I can't watch them on daily or monthly basis ..?

MihaiZaharia · « **Reply #35 on:** November 08, 2023, 03:13 »

Go to Insights > My statistics. You have several types of reports (Activity, Best Sellers etc) and you can choose the period for which to see the stats.

pancaketom · « **Reply #36 on:** November 18, 2023, 22:14 »

also go to Dashboard and then sort by downloads for total # of sales of each image

I do wish when you saw a sale of an image you could click somewhere and see how many times it has sold and how much it made - DT has this, AS not that I know of.

wordplanet · « **Reply #37 on:** November 20, 2023, 00:33 »

Quote from: ole999 on November 06, 2023, 09:31

Quote from: blvdone on November 04, 2023, 08:55
regular photos I shot on cameras. Anybody else feel the same?
I pay $120/month on Midjourney and also bought Gigapixel AI to create those AI photos. So, it's a confirmation that what I'm doing is working for me. That doesn't mean I stop shooting stock photos with my camera, but it's good to see people are actually buying my AI generated photos.

At AS - how can you see which images sell? I don't think one can see all the individual images one have sold like on other agencies?

If you click on "View my Statistics" on the far right above your sales graph on the Dashboard page it will show you the amount you've made from each image you've sold during whatever time frame you've entered on the top left (i.e. "this month," "this week," or a date range you've entered. You can't see how many times an image has sold in that time but you can see how much you've made. You can enter up to a year in the time frame and then print/print to pdf pages and pages of what's sold for that year. You can also enter a time frame in the past (only one year at a time) and compare your best sellers from year to year. It's not the most helpful statistical set up but with a little work you can see how you're doing.

Re AI:

When I checked my recent sales, my first AI image sold this past week*. I've uploaded a few dozen in the past 2-3 weeks and have 29 on sale so far, with another 10 awaiting review. Right now my photographs are selling much better than my AI images but I figure it's a skill I should learn.

It's easy to generate thousands of images, but time-consuming to post-process and keyword them. And a lot of what looked good at first glance needs way too much work upon further inspection.

One thing I'm really enjoying is how I start with one concept and it sparks new ideas so I go off in a completely different direction. It also gets me thinking about things I want to set up and shoot with my camera and it's making me think it's time to dig out the easel in my attic and start painting again, or perhaps easier, really learn how to take advantage of the tools in Photoshop and Adobe Fresco. Although I've used a Wacom Bamboo Tablet & now a Xencelabs one for years to post-process photographs and sometimes add digital painting, there is so much more available than the limited tools I was using. It seems weird to be trying out all these new amazing brushes to post-process stuff that started out as AI. I think it might get me back to drawing and painting - from scratch.

*The 99 cents I made won't even buy me a cup of coffee here in NY.

cobalt · « **Reply #38 on:** November 20, 2023, 05:48 »

You make a good point.

Even if a lot of what I prompt is not usable because it would take too long to process, ai is fantastic for creating moodboards and testing set ups, lightings, color combinations.

I am getting a lot of ideas for my regular stock work.

I still haven't tested uploading my own images to have them modified with ai.

That will be important going forward, to create content with camera that can be modified later.

blvdone · « **Reply #39 on:** November 20, 2023, 07:43 »

Just got my first higher price AI photo sale today. I got $4.29. Nice!!

MadMax · « **Reply #40 on:** November 20, 2023, 10:04 »

Good for you, you are happier with that.

For me, working with AI is like

- being limited to stereotypes the AI knows
- digging through thousands of images, repairing and preparing the best, like an Indian on an Accord
- generating someone elses Art

This can't be compared to photography at all. The skill set you need for photography is much broader, and the results are miles ahead of those that come out of midjourney.

MihaiZaharia · « **Reply #41 on:** November 20, 2023, 10:27 »

Quote from: cobalt on November 20, 2023, 05:48

I still haven't tested uploading my own images to have them modified with ai.

That will be important going forward, to create content with camera that can be modified later.

Yes, but you should first check to see if the images you upload are going to be used for further training. Because if so, you are giving them away for free (or, rather, in exchange for the transformations you get from the software) for training further AI algorithms and services. If this happens or not, depends entirely on the service you are going to use. From what I know about the softwares/services I currently use:

- If you use Stable Diffusion on your local machine, and do inpainting, obviously no one else has acces to your images. I believe this is the safest choice you have right now.
- ChatGPT aka DALL-E aka OpenAI states that user-uploaded content is not utilized to train or refine its models, so this could be a safe choice too.
- Adobe clearly states that they use all user-generated input to train their algorithms, as long as you upload the images on their serves. That is if you use Adobe Firefly, or even if you use Photoshop and save the images in the cloud, and not on your own computer, they will use them for further training. You can opt out of this if you disable Content Analysis from your Adobe Account (which is opted in by default), but in their own words "This setting does not apply in certain limited circumstances". I would stay away from this.
- I'm not sure about Midjourney and how they use the images you provide, but with them you can only upload an image to have it described, not modified. So it's not a valid option for transforming your own images. At least for now.

I'm sure there are a ton of other softwares and services that you could use, but my experience is limitted to the ones above. In any case, read the Terms and Conditions before even considering uploading an image.

blvdone · « **Reply #42 on:** November 20, 2023, 10:55 »

Quote from: MadMax on November 20, 2023, 10:04

Good for you, you are happier with that.

For me, working with AI is like

- being limited to stereotypes the AI knows
- digging through thousands of images, repairing and preparing the best, like an Indian on an Accord
- generating someone elses Art

This can't be compared to photography at all. The skill set you need for photography is much broader, and the results are miles ahead of those that come out of midjourney.

Thanks!! Just got my 2nd higher price AI photo sale at $3.30 just now!!

wordplanet · « **Reply #43 on:** November 20, 2023, 11:04 »

Quote from: MihaiZaharia on November 20, 2023, 10:27

...

- Adobe clearly states that they use all user-generated input to train their algorithms, as long as you upload the images on their serves. That is if you use Adobe Firefly, or even if you use Photoshop and save the images in the cloud, and not on your own computer, they will use them for further training. You can opt out of this if you disable Content Analysis from your Adobe Account (which is opted in by default), but in their own words "This setting does not apply in certain limited circumstances". I would stay away from this.

- ...

In any case, read the Terms and Conditions before even considering uploading an image.

Yikes! I've been thinking that when the free Adobe PS/LR I have from Adobe Stock runs out, I might just go for the $20/mo with the 1TB storage to make it easier to move between Fresco & PS - although I can do it with iCloud - but if they can access the stuff I've got in their cloud, no way will I do it since with 1TB I'd obviously use it for non-stock backup too. It's bad enough that they've trained it on my stock photos, but I don't want them using my fine art or of course any personal family photos, which are often mixed in the same folders with photos from travel or hikes that I've taken primarily for stock or fine art and of course are organized in my LR Catalog. My files should be private, bad enough everything that's for sale or to be licensed is already accessible to unscrupulous web scrapers, but stuff I've purposely kept off the web should not be used for AI training. No way can they even argue that's "ethical."

Thanks so much for the head's up!

MihaiZaharia · « **Reply #44 on:** November 20, 2023, 11:41 »

Quote from: blvdone on November 20, 2023, 10:55

Thanks!! Just got my 2nd higher price AI photo sale at $3.30 just now!!

You will see double digits, for sure. Maybe not very often, but they are so nice to see. I'm still waiting for a triple digits single gen-AI sale...

cobalt · « **Reply #45 on:** November 20, 2023, 13:33 »

Quote from: MihaiZaharia on November 20, 2023, 10:27

Quote from: cobalt on November 20, 2023, 05:48
I still haven't tested uploading my own images to have them modified with ai.

That will be important going forward, to create content with camera that can be modified later.

Yes, but you should first check to see if the images you upload are going to be used for further training. Because if so, you are giving them away for free (or, rather, in exchange for the transformations you get from the software) for training further AI algorithms and services. If this happens or not, depends entirely on the service you are going to use. From what I know about the softwares/services I currently use:

- If you use Stable Diffusion on your local machine, and do inpainting, obviously no one else has acces to your images. I believe this is the safest choice you have right now.
- ChatGPT aka DALL-E aka OpenAI states that user-uploaded content is not utilized to train or refine its models, so this could be a safe choice too.
- Adobe clearly states that they use all user-generated input to train their algorithms, as long as you upload the images on their serves. That is if you use Adobe Firefly, or even if you use Photoshop and save the images in the cloud, and not on your own computer, they will use them for further training. You can opt out of this if you disable Content Analysis from your Adobe Account (which is opted in by default), but in their own words "This setting does not apply in certain limited circumstances". I would stay away from this.
- I'm not sure about Midjourney and how they use the images you provide, but with them you can only upload an image to have it described, not modified. So it's not a valid option for transforming your own images. At least for now.

I'm sure there are a ton of other softwares and services that you could use, but my experience is limitted to the ones above. In any case, read the Terms and Conditions before even considering uploading an image.

Very important points, thank you! I hadn‘t thought about that.

Many people modify client images with ai software.

Everybody should pay attention to that.

MadMax · « **Reply #46 on:** November 20, 2023, 14:09 »

Quote from: blvdone on November 20, 2023, 10:55

Thanks!! Just got my 2nd higher price AI photo sale at $3.30 just now!!

As long it works, I'm happy with you and the other 500.000+ AI contributors doing now exactly the same.

blvdone · « **Reply #47 on:** November 20, 2023, 14:40 »

Quote from: MihaiZaharia on November 20, 2023, 11:41

Quote from: blvdone on November 20, 2023, 10:55
Thanks!! Just got my 2nd higher price AI photo sale at $3.30 just now!!

You will see double digits, for sure. Maybe not very often, but they are so nice to see. I'm still waiting for a triple digits single gen-AI sale...

Wow. That's nice!!

blvdone · « **Reply #48 on:** November 20, 2023, 14:47 »

Quote from: MadMax on November 20, 2023, 14:09

Quote from: blvdone on November 20, 2023, 10:55
Thanks!! Just got my 2nd higher price AI photo sale at $3.30 just now!!

As long it works, I'm happy with you and the other 500.000+ AI contributors doing now exactly the same.

Yes, I think it's working for me. My goal is to double my monthly revenue from Adobe Stock by doubling the number of photos by early next year.

MadMax · « **Reply #49 on:** November 21, 2023, 04:48 »

I'll think there might be a smol bug in your calculation.

blvdone · « **Reply #50 on:** November 21, 2023, 06:34 »

It took about 10 years to get 6,500 photos on Adobe Stock, but I already have 1,300 AI photos approved and 2,100 AI photos on review cue in less than 3 months. Efficiency is astonishing. By March or April next year, hopefully I'll have more AI photos on my portfolio than conventional photos.

MihaiZaharia · « **Reply #51 on:** November 21, 2023, 08:20 »

I think what MadMax meant to say was that doubling your portfolio doesn't necessarily mean doubling your income. Which is true – there's no direct correlation between the size of your port and your income. You could double your income with just a couple of AI-gen images, just as well as you could 10x your portfolio and never see a significant improvement in sales.

On the other hand the more images you have, the more chances of making money, of course. But on the condition that you offer content that is varied and sellable. Adding 2000 images of exactly the same subject, probably won't do you any good in terms of sales. Also, adding 2000 images on a topic that the buyers are not interested in, will probably produce the same effect. On the other hand, adding 2000 images of varied content, that are beautifully done and free of errors (like missing or extra limbs) and appeal to buyers' needs, you could see your sales grow nicely and steadily.

But all of the above also apply to non-AI generated images. So there's nothing new here.

Indeed, it's way more efficient to produce AI-generated images than real photos or illustrations. So by generating with AI, you will see your income grow faster than by going the old fashioned way. Except – you are not alone in this. There are a legion of other contributors that are doing exactly same thing: generate images with AI and submit at the same pace as you. So probably the competition stays the same. And this brings us back to the topic of quality and desirability of the images we produce. I think this should be our main focus – even if nowadays all of us are able to produce 1000 images a week (with AI) versus 1000 images a year (which was the case before AI).

MadMax · « **Reply #52 on:** November 21, 2023, 08:43 »

Another aspect is that, due to the limitations of AI, the spectrum of images that can be produced is limited. This very restricted spectrum is being divided among everyone using AI exclusively. As Mihai mentioned, this will lead to thousands of images representing the same concept/stereotype. Moreover, the market is already heavily oversaturated with stereotypes. An example of this limitation is illustrated by images depicting a person chopping vegetables, a person biking, and so on

blvdone · « **Reply #53 on:** November 21, 2023, 09:51 »

I’m on pace to more than double sales if I finish adding the same number of AI photos to my existing portfolio. So , it’s all good.

cobalt · « **Reply #54 on:** November 21, 2023, 18:03 »

With the volume you are uploading you will make a lot more than double. You have a lot of experience and that makes a huge difference to all the newbies just starting out.

blvdone · « **Reply #55 on:** November 21, 2023, 20:52 »

Quote from: cobalt on November 21, 2023, 18:03

With the volume you are uploading you will make a lot more than double. You have a lot of experience and that makes a huge difference to all the newbies just starting out.

Thank you and I hope so!!