Thanks @GeorgeP7 for noting that my request for feedback was only if you liked the video! Just kidding of course, I (almost) always appreciate the candor in MSG.

"Do not produce expensive videos, but better features for contributors (AS-Cockpit is the worst on the market I know), more downloads with higher commissions, prevent mass uploads and ensure more fairness and better communication! "

@outdoorfreak: This wasn't a high budget production but I take your meaning. I promise that I am constantly pushing for new and better features in the contributor portal. I do know it needs work and it is important to me. We should have the best interface. Regarding "higher commissions, prevent mass uploads"...we did raise the minimum commission recently and I believe our rate in general is very competitive in the market but of course it would always be great to be paid more...the comment of yours that does have me scratching my head a bit is the "more fairness and better communication." When there is news that impacts contributors, my first stop is here in MSG. Communicating with the contributor community whether the news is great or not so great is my top priority so I welcome input and constructive criticism on how I can improve in that department.


"I would drop P5 exclusivity just for a chance to shoot in public with a jacket like yours!"

@georgep7: I would be embarrassed to share with you what I had to do to obtain that jacket. I'm sorry but I can't send it to you though you should still drop exclusivity and submit to Adobe Stock too

"Sorry Matt but does Adobe really think producing a video is going to in anyway shape or form improve things for contributors?"

@Sammy The Cat: Is producing a video going to improve things for you personally? No, I suppose not. That being said, as a contributor myself I do enjoy watching other photographers at work. You learn something from everyone you encounter. Either how to be, or how not to be. I leave it up to you to determine what you get out of watching me shoot. There are many aspiring contributors out there that don't have the experience you do that may need a little nudge to help figure out what or how to shoot. If I can reach some people and they get something out of it then I feel like it's worth the effort.

"I really appreciate Mat's effort, as I have always appreciated Mat, his kindness, his availability and his ability to always help others."

@Chichikov: Thanks for the kind words. I'm just quoting that portion of your post if that's OK with you.

Oh fine, I'll quote the rest....

"But I think the first thing we have to do when we produce such a video is to take care of its appearance as much as possible, down to the last detail, especially when we are a company that sells images.

And here this is really not the case.
The illumination during indoor shots, the light, the shadows and the reflections seem totally uncontrolled....
The volume of the music is far too high. I had to stop looking after two minutes because of the variations in the volume level at the limit of what is acceptable (not really in the LUFS standards).
It really gives the impression that Adobe can't afford it.... It's actually counterproductive in the end.
In addition, Mat speaks a little too fast for "the rest of us".

Nothing personal against Mat.
On the contrary, I am sorry that a person of good will, like Mat, is not better supported technically by Adobe, which surely has the means to provide better instruments and technical support, in order to create a product of much better quality."

I do appreciate the feedback on the technical aspects of the video. As mentioned above, this was not a high budget production and you're right, the light in the office was at times brutal. We are in the process of a remodel in Seattle and I am really hoping for larger and more windows. We had two videographers whom I really enjoy working with working on this one day shoot with the intent of showing a wide range of content being captured. There was a lot of back and forth between stopping and slowing down for the video production and moving forward with the shoot itself. We could have stuck with one theme in one spot and really locked in the technical aspect of the video but my personal preference was to focus on the content being captured. Your points are fair and I take them seriously. Someone else mentioned the volume of the music, I'll have to revisit that as I didn't really notice before we posted it live. As for me speaking too fast, I've heard that critique before. I really need to work on it especially for those for whom English is not their first language. Thanks again for the feedback, sincerely.


"I was just about to comment the same: You fail to focus on the video content when you hear such volume fluctuations.
One one hand we use Adobe products, with latest Premiere advertising the ease of audio match levels in vocals for example and on the other hand someone exposes Mat, diminishing his effort. I mean, I work as a video editor in broadcast TV and no matter the rush, I always look down right in Premiere to check sound volume when I mix (usually 4) differerent tracks.
Here someone leaves us with the feeling that never bothered to look, or listen, to the final video prior to export. These are the kind of mistakes that give room to negative comments."

@besttravelvideo Thanks for the feedback. Duly noted.

"I don't think any of the tips are useful to people that have been on this forum for a while, wrong target audience "

@Not Today: Well sure, if you are a veteran stock contributor with a long history and a deep portfolio then you know as much as I do about shooting stock. What I have learned over the years is that Microstock Group forum is not just the regular posters that have been doing this for a long time. There are many photographers reading this forum but not posting. It takes a bit of courage to jump into the lions den here sometimes. Hopefully the link reached some of them.

In addition...I'm an old dog learning new tricks and I know there are some of you out there reading this in the same boat. What worked well in the beginning of microstock stylistically is not necessarily what the trends are today. Authenticity and diversity are what customers are looking for so I would encourage you to never stop learning and evolving your style. Continue to shoot and create. I make no claims to be the catch-all expert on all things photography but for what I do know, I am an open book and am more than willing to share what I have learned with those that want to listen.

Again, thank you very much for watching and thank you for the feedback. I very much appreciate this forum.

Best regards,

Mat Hayward