Author Topic: What's your weekly ranking and how many images? (Read 149725 times)

Bauman · « **Reply #1550 on:** March 04, 2025, 09:41 »

Quote from: cobalt on March 04, 2025, 08:52

Quote from: Bauman on March 04, 2025, 08:31

Adobe Stock is the only one growing for me too, but it is not enough to compensate for the losses I have on all the others.

Adobe's performance is not enough to cover all the other agencies in sharp decline

But according to what you write you also did not upload much to Adobe, so it is impossible for them to cover the losses on SS.

But you can control what you do and certainly uploading more than 400 files a year if you want to seriously grow your income, should not be a problem for someone doing stock full time.

Cobalt, maybe you missed part of my message #1535

I'll write it again for you here:

Since spring 2024, I started uploading 100 photos a month, 1200 a year. I think that's my limit. I don't think I can do better in my niche while maintaining good quality. I don't think I can physically do better than that.

With the new content I'm increasing my earnings by $30 every month. That's not bad. After 10 months and 1000 new photos, these last ones brought me 300$ in February. Unfortunately, the old ones (about 5,000 images) are losing more than 300$ a month, and this is making me realize that this business is becoming unsustainable.

Probably now, my break-even point is even higher than 1200 images a year.

We'll see what happens after 2 years of 100 uploads per month.

Remember: travel and landscape photography are different from other genres.

It takes money and time (to travel) much more than in lifestyle or food.

I don't know many portfolios with 50k of landscapes. If there are, they have a lot of duplicates and this doesn't raise the earnings much because each similar photograph competes with the others.

I'm not interested in doing other genres. I don't like them, I would have to buy more equipment, set up a studio that I don't have... In my life I don't just think about money, but also about doing a job I like.

I'm highly specialized in one genre. Maybe I'll start doing workshops, even if I don't like it very much.

alexandersr · « **Reply #1551 on:** March 04, 2025, 10:01 »

Hi,

Quote from: cobalt on March 04, 2025, 08:52

Quote from: Bauman on March 04, 2025, 08:31

Adobe Stock is the only one growing for me too, but it is not enough to compensate for the losses I have on all the others.

Adobe's performance is not enough to cover all the other agencies in sharp decline

But according to what you write you also did not upload much to Adobe, so it is impossible for them to cover the losses on SS.

Like I said, the people I know with reliable growing income, they are reading here and can decide themselves to share data.

Most of them do a big mix and many have high quality people ports. Some do ai for adobe, most don't.

But nearly everyone also has a dedicated macrostock portfolio on stocksy, adobe prime or a getty house contract.

This year it looks like many have decided to do more video.

The drop on SS and p5 is truly something that a contributor could not anticipate or can affect.

But you can control what you do and certainly uploading more than 400 files a year if you want to seriously grow your income, should not be a problem for someone doing stock full time.

My friends have losses on SS, but many have made Adobe a priority in the last few years, because they could see the writing on the wall.

So they are doing well, but yes...more than 400 uploads needed.

I will keep documenting what I do, at least until I reach a reliable 1200-1500 a month. After that I will update in more private circles.

Again, I am not doing stock full time. Unfortunately.

Hello, thank you for keeping us informed of your journey! Could you tell me which camera could be used to record videos and photos (I have a Canon EOS 60D and Canon EF 50 mm f1.4 lens), if cameras that record videos in 4k required, or full HD 1920 x1080 is okay (because my Canon 60D record video in 1920x1080)? And now i don't have money enough in order to buy a good camera to record in 4K videos.Thank you so much!

Yola · « **Reply #1552 on:** March 04, 2025, 10:52 »

Quote from: Bauman on March 04, 2025, 09:41

Quote from: cobalt on March 04, 2025, 08:52
Quote from: Bauman on March 04, 2025, 08:31

I'm not interested in doing other genres. I don't like them, I would have to buy more equipment, set up a studio that I don't have... In my life I don't just think about money, but also about doing a job I like.

Good luck with you attitude. In 2012 I started to work as a translator and everything went well, my earnings were slightly above average in my country. But recently (due to technological development) I have been doing only post-editing of automatic translations. If I had said "I´m not interested in post-editing, I don´t like it", I would have been jobless now.

I don´t mean it bad, but sometimes it is needed to adapt. You mentioned workshops, that might be a good complement to your microstock earnings. Or doing drone images - as Cobalt and other people mentioned, drone photos / videos are in demand and it would enable you to stay in your genre - landscape and travel. But you would have to buy new equipment..

cobalt · « **Reply #1553 on:** March 04, 2025, 11:42 »

@alexandersr

You have more than enough equipment. I often just use my mobile phone, iphone16 pro max, like the last 3 days documenting the carnival parades in my area.

I am not a video pro, but just from what I have been doing hd still sells very well, it is not necessary to always do 4k.

I do 4k whenever I can to future proof my clips.

Perhaps you might want to invest in a motorized slider, a used one will do. It really adds a very professional vibe and is very useful.

Otherwise I think it is important to consider even a 20 second clip as a "mini story" try to find and entry and an exit to what you are showing and always have 2-4 seconds at beginning and end that can be cut away or used for blending.

Look for a subject you really love and enjoy and just create some content for that theme.

Then see where it takes you.

Video is really very wide open, hardly any content in so many themes.

cobalt · « **Reply #1554 on:** March 04, 2025, 11:53 »

@baumann

"I'm not interested in doing other genres. I don't like them, I would have to buy more equipment, set up a studio that I don't have... In my life I don't just think about money, but also about doing a job I like."

You have answered yourself.

There are a million things you can do with stock without investing in a full studio or more equipment.

I am sure you have a reflector, some lights, a tripod and a camera??

There is so much to shoot out there.

What you are doing here is looking for a justification not to adapt.

And if you don't need a regular income because retirement payments are already coming in, good for you.

Maybe do some workshops or private tutoring.

It is perfectly fine to decide that making money with stock is no longer your thing.

But I don't think it is helpful to anyone, least of all yourself, to claim that making money with stock is no longer possible.

Bauman · « **Reply #1555 on:** March 04, 2025, 13:56 »

I've already done a job I didn't like for almost 20 years. So I'll fight with all my strength to keep doing this. Now is not the time to adapt; now is the time to fight.

The fault that I sell less is the greed of the platforms. I sell many more photos than 10 years ago ... it's the platforms that have lowered the compensation rates (except Adobe, which is the only agency where I earn more than before).

And a little bit, it's also the fault of the contributors who agree to sell their content for crumbs. Fortunately, I don't make videos (maybe I will in the future), but I'm seeing many "microstockers" on YouTube very happy to sell on MotionArray for an RPD < $ 0.10 ... ridiculous.

I still have about 15 years to retire.

Greetings, and thanks for the exchange of opinions.

cobalt · « **Reply #1556 on:** March 04, 2025, 16:39 »

You can avoid greed of the platforms by supplying places like stocksy...if you can get in...

Or selling directly, there still are people with a successful direct webstore and direct contacts to large business clients.

Blaming contributors is like blaming the internet exists. Or mobile phones.

Neither the people, nor the internet, nor the easy camera tools are going away.

If you insist in staying in your personal favorite niche...then I guess you have to reinvent yourself again in that niche.

Find concepts or parts of the world highly desired but still missing.

Or like I suggested add a model shoot at each location, do something interesting and valuable with people outdoors.

Can be as simple as elderly people doing some exercises, sometimes generic, sometimes highly localized.

Videos of every possible yoga pose or exercise movement...there must be thousands. Done correctly with some nice elderly people. Real people, a little overweight - who doesn't need that?

Timeless classics.

Think outside the box and enjoy the challenge.

Being stuck in negative thinking will not increase your sales.

I sincerly wish you all the best and hope you find something that works for you.

alexandersr · « **Reply #1557 on:** March 04, 2025, 18:03 »

Quote from: cobalt on March 04, 2025, 11:42

@alexandersr

You have more than enough equipment. I often just use my mobile phone, iphone16 pro max, like the last 3 days documenting the carnival parades in my area.

I am not a video pro, but just from what I have been doing hd still sells very well, it is not necessary to always do 4k.

I do 4k whenever I can to future proof my clips.

Perhaps you might want to invest in a motorized slider, a used one will do. It really adds a very professional vibe and is very useful.

Otherwise I think it is important to consider even a 20 second clip as a "mini story" try to find and entry and an exit to what you are showing and always have 2-4 seconds at beginning and end that can be cut away or used for blending.

Look for a subject you really love and enjoy and just create some content for that theme.

Then see where it takes you.

Video is really very wide open, hardly any content in so many themes.

Thank you very much for your recommendations, you are very kind!

cascoly · « **Reply #1558 on:** March 04, 2025, 18:43 »

Quote from: cobalt on March 04, 2025, 08:52

....

I will keep documenting what I do, at least until I reach a reliable 1200-1500 a month. After that I will update in more private circles.
...

i really hope not - i've really enjoyed & learned from your posts

alexandersr · « **Reply #1559 on:** March 04, 2025, 21:30 »

I own a Canon 60D, which frame rate is better for video stock?

The Canon EOS 60D can record 1920 x 1080 video at 29.97, 25, or 23.976 frames per second (fps). This resolution is also known as 1080i or 1080p.
Additional video resolution options
1280 x 720 at 59.94 or 50 fps
640 x 480 at 59.94 or 50 fps

cobalt · « **Reply #1560 on:** March 05, 2025, 04:26 »

I record in 4k at 30 fps or 29.97 depending on camera.

Then after processing I export as 4k with 25 fps

I have no idea if that is the best way to do it.

Maybe a video pro can chime in.

I mostly do editorial and simple "authentic" daily life clips. My videos are not designed to be used in the next starwars production, more for youtube channels, mixed in with company content for social media.

eta

In your case I would always record in full hd.

cobalt · « **Reply #1561 on:** March 05, 2025, 04:29 »

Quote from: cascoly on March 04, 2025, 18:43

Quote from: cobalt on March 04, 2025, 08:52
....

I will keep documenting what I do, at least until I reach a reliable 1200-1500 a month. After that I will update in more private circles.
...

i really hope not - i've really enjoyed & learned from your posts

Well, I have to get there first. But happy to read people enjoy that I am sharing the journey

I keep getting people who ask me if I could actively coach them. But for now I just want to rebuild my income.

I read up on your blog, very impressive journey yourself!!

danielvisuals · « **Reply #1562 on:** March 05, 2025, 07:33 »

There is much moaning and complaining on this forum, and negativity is not helpful.

As Cobalt mentioned, when something doesn’t work, try a different approach, and if that still doesn’t yield results, change your strategy again. The ability to adapt is crucial in any business. Companies that fail to adapt ultimately go out of business.

Complaining can adversely affect the person doing so, often without them even realizing it. I have yet to meet a successful businessperson who complains constantly. In contrast, many of the chronic complainers I've encountered have struggled to achieve their goals in life. It's unfortunate as many of them have the potential to do much better.

Bauman · « **Reply #1563 on:** March 05, 2025, 08:18 »

You should read Byung Chul Han ... companies (and also microstock platforms) make us compete against each other and we think that failure or success is only our fault.

And so they achieved their success. Platforms like Getty take 85% and we are left with 15% with which we have to pay taxes, equipment, models and travel ... and then I read contributors who are very happy about all this.

Positive thinking is a perfect rip-off of neocapitalism, says the Korean philosopher.

"Divide et impera" the Romans used to say and the platforms are doing it perfectly.

The forum is full of protests and incontrovertible data, and not complaints.

cobalt · « **Reply #1564 on:** March 05, 2025, 08:22 »

Instead of perma complaining...people can also just move on to another business.

Bauman · « **Reply #1565 on:** March 05, 2025, 08:30 »

Quote from: cobalt on March 05, 2025, 08:22

Instead of perma complaining...people can also just move on to another business.

Cobalt, I might consider your comments more if you made twice as much as I do. Instead, you make less than a quarter of what I make, at this moment, in this business.

Maybe you should have the humility to listen to what those who have more experience than you have to say.

You should have more respect for what others write and understand why they write it instead of being the teacher who knows everything.

Problems should be reported when the house creaks, not when it has collapsed.

cobalt · « **Reply #1566 on:** March 05, 2025, 09:20 »

I made a very large amount of money inspite of an over 12 years break, so please hold back on the lecturing.

And now I am already outselling people with gigantic ports on just Adobe...so...I am very confident in my abilities to generate money with stock. And inspite of not doing it full time.

I am also looking to innovate and improve my business, not complain endlessly which does nothing to make money.

All you do is whine, where is your ambition???

There are huge opportunities to make money with stock, but you simply refuse to take all the very easy money opportunities that exist inspite of claiming that you do stock full time.

I will take a step back and interact more with people who are actively growing their income.

Bauman · « **Reply #1567 on:** March 05, 2025, 09:52 »

I just wish the compensation for this work would be fair again.

It isn't anymore. $:-\$

I have nothing else to add.

synthetick · « **Reply #1568 on:** March 05, 2025, 16:25 »

Quote from: cobalt on March 05, 2025, 04:26

I record in 4k at 30 fps or 29.97 depending on camera.

Then after processing I export as 4k with 25 fps

I have no idea if that is the best way to do it.

Just wondering why you're converting your 30fps/29.97fps to 25fps and not keeping the native frame rate?

cobalt · « **Reply #1569 on:** March 05, 2025, 18:10 »

Somebody set it up for me like this many years ago.

Like i said, not a video pro.

alexandersr · « **Reply #1570 on:** March 05, 2025, 20:36 »

Quote from: cobalt on March 05, 2025, 04:26

I record in 4k at 30 fps or 29.97 depending on camera.

Then after processing I export as 4k with 25 fps

I have no idea if that is the best way to do it.

Maybe a video pro can chime in.

I mostly do editorial and simple "authentic" daily life clips. My videos are not designed to be used in the next starwars production, more for youtube channels, mixed in with company content for social media.

eta

In your case I would always record in full hd.

Thank you again! I have learned good tips !

synthetick · « **Reply #1571 on:** March 05, 2025, 22:35 »

@cobalt

It makes sense that you are supplying the standard 25fps PAL/European frame rate, because it sounds like the type of videos you're shooting are going to mostly appeal to buyers in Europe. Can't you shoot in native 25fps though? Do you only have cameras that can shoot 30fps/29.97fps?

There are a few ways to convert 30fps to 25fps but I think most stock sites recommend sticking to the native frame rate. The simplest conversion method will cause choppiness because one frame in every 6 is dropped.

cobalt · « **Reply #1572 on:** March 06, 2025, 02:04 »

That might have been the reason he set it up like that, he was a pro film maker from my area.

I can probably change the frame rate on my camera or change the frame rate for export to 30 fps, thank you for the tip.

SuperPhoto · « **Reply #1573 on:** March 06, 2025, 09:27 »

Lol - where is everyone's daily rankings?!??!?!?!

I was enjoying those! Please start posting again!

It was informative, and I liked seeing how other people were performing as well... cheers!

alexandersr · « **Reply #1574 on:** March 06, 2025, 11:24 »

4322 files.

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Author Topic: What's your weekly ranking and how many images? (Read 149725 times)

Bauman

alexandersr

Yola

cobalt

cobalt

Bauman

cobalt

alexandersr

cascoly

alexandersr

cobalt

cobalt

danielvisuals

Bauman

cobalt

Bauman

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Bauman

synthetick

cobalt

alexandersr

synthetick

cobalt

SuperPhoto

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