Author Topic: Dreamstime Assigments (Read 17033 times)

Pauws99 · « **on:** July 01, 2011, 05:48 »

Any thoughts on whether these are worthwhile - i.e having to go exclusive in return for higher payment levels?

red · « **Reply #1 on:** July 01, 2011, 06:55 »

You don't have to become exclusive, only make the image(s) you submit for the assignment exclusive (if they are accepted). They must remain exclusive for a year. I've never entered so can't say if it's worthwhile. Some have said that after the assignment their images don't sell but they are escalated to Level 5 so if they do sell they sell for a higher price.

Mantis · « **Reply #2 on:** July 01, 2011, 07:00 »

Don't do it unless you are exclusive. They have changed the rules on contributors for these assignment competitions. It used to be that if you entered and were accepted your image was exclusive for a year. Then I read where it had to be exclusive for two years. Now it is permanent. Not worth it.

red · « **Reply #3 on:** July 01, 2011, 09:19 »

You might be confused, the permanancy relates to the Level of the assignment file -

The file is "awarded" 100 downloads so it will remain at Level 5 forever. It is also automatically made exclusive but this status is retained for one year. After one year, you can set the file as non-exclusive. An assignment image must be kept exclusive for 12 months minimum. During these 12 months you cannot disable it, revert it to a lower level or sell it through other similar sale means. After 12 months it can be deleted.

click_click · « **Reply #4 on:** July 01, 2011, 09:30 »

It gets you a bit more traffic to your portfolio if your submission stands out, that's about it.

lisafx · « **Reply #5 on:** July 01, 2011, 09:46 »

I've done quite a few of the assignments. I find it worthwhile. I think it does generate traffic to your portfolio, and also gives you the highest return per image sale you can get. Not only are they level 5 automatically, but you also get (I believe, but can't find it right now) 60% of the sale.

So yeah, I think it's a good deal. And 12 months isn't a long time to commit to unless you are seriously considering artist exclusivity somewhere else.

Mantis · « **Reply #6 on:** July 01, 2011, 11:24 »

Quote from: cuppacoffee on July 01, 2011, 09:19

You might be confused, the permanancy relates to the Level of the assignment file -

The file is "awarded" 100 downloads so it will remain at Level 5 forever. It is also automatically made exclusive but this status is retained for one year. After one year, you can set the file as non-exclusive. An assignment image must be kept exclusive for 12 months minimum. During these 12 months you cannot disable it, revert it to a lower level or sell it through other similar sale means. After 12 months it can be deleted.

No, you cannot. I have a couple there that are almost three years old and I am not allowed to uncheck it as an exclusive. It is ghosted. Nobody from the office would return my requests. Just shady, simple as that.

red · « **Reply #7 on:** July 01, 2011, 11:34 »

I believe that is only if you choose the option to sell the rights for $25 - turn the image over to the official "Assignments" portfolio. If you do not choose this option (the other option is to escalate the image to Level 5) it is made exclusive but that status is retained for one year. After one year, you can set the file as non-exclusive, then delete. If you check the upload box to sell the rights DT retains the image as it's own and it is put in the Assignments portfolio, not yours.

ToniFlap · « **Reply #8 on:** July 01, 2011, 11:41 »

I do not think my experience is significant, but explained. I got two exclusive images, and after a year and a half, the conclusion is not worth it. Still I can not take exclusivity. Finally, we must try everything ...

I think the problem is that the two images are not sufficiently different from others I have. Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps ... But non-exclusive images have been sold ... Beginner mistakes

Pauws99 · « **Reply #9 on:** July 01, 2011, 13:50 »

Thanks everyone so the jurys out methinks - I might try it and see what happensd?! (Probably get em all rejected ;-) )

lisafx · « **Reply #10 on:** July 01, 2011, 14:10 »

Quote from: Mantis on July 01, 2011, 11:24

No, you cannot. I have a couple there that are almost three years old and I am not allowed to uncheck it as an exclusive. It is ghosted. Nobody from the office would return my requests. Just shady, simple as that.

I see your point. The check mark does stay grayed out. But you can disable the exclusive images over a year old if you go into the "edit" area.

heywoody · « **Reply #11 on:** July 01, 2011, 15:25 »

It's a bit worse than that (and the reason I revoked exclusivity on everything). DT will consider similar images to be also covered, e.g. other images from the same shoot.

Mantis · « **Reply #12 on:** July 01, 2011, 18:03 »

Quote from: lisafx on July 01, 2011, 14:10

Quote from: Mantis on July 01, 2011, 11:24

No, you cannot. I have a couple there that are almost three years old and I am not allowed to uncheck it as an exclusive. It is ghosted. Nobody from the office would return my requests. Just shady, simple as that.

I see your point. The check mark does stay grayed out. But you can disable the exclusive images over a year old if you go into the "edit" area.

It's been 3 years....still ghosted. I must have screwed up when I selected assignment file. I will just disable it because it doesn't sell well anyhow

kapreski · « **Reply #13 on:** July 29, 2011, 20:23 »

I Don't want go off-topic here but I'll leave it for the record..
Dreamstime is the most *** stock agency ever, it doesn't even worth the upload so imagine giving them something exclusive..

their upload process is bloody annoying..
their inspectors are very amateurs..
they know sh*** about vector too..
this site will be in the bottom in no time

Mantis · « **Reply #14 on:** July 29, 2011, 20:38 »

Quote from: kapreski on July 29, 2011, 20:23

I Don't want go off-topic here but I'll leave it for the record..
Dreamstime is the most *** stock agency ever, it doesn't even worth the upload so imagine giving them something exclusive..

their upload process is bloody annoying..
their inspectors are very amateurs..
they know sh*** about vector too..
this site will be in the bottom in no time

They're not that bad. They do have serious issues with that "too similar" crap, but they are pretty fair in terms of image quality (not too many LCV). I can't speak to who their inspectors are but am pretty sure they are taking direction from someone like SERB or his bosses. I don;t know crap about vectors, either so I cannot comment. Will the site be at the bottom in no time because they don't accept your images? Keep uploading. I know their (like all MS sites) acceptance criteria is a moving target but try to adapt and keep uploading. Otherwise don't hurt your brain.

hoi ha · « **Reply #15 on:** July 29, 2011, 23:01 »

Despite having some issues they are the best site out there. They don't make me the most money but they are growing and nobody treats their contributors better or fairer.

fotografer · « **Reply #16 on:** July 30, 2011, 02:01 »

Quote from: kapreski on July 29, 2011, 20:23

this site will be in the bottom in no time

I'm guessing you are new to stock photography if you think that. I've been round for years now and as far as I'm concerned if they carry on the way they are they will be a lot nearer the top than the bottom. They have been my best earner for months now and are way fairer and more approachable than most other sites.

lisafx · « **Reply #17 on:** July 30, 2011, 12:46 »

Quote from: hoi ha on July 29, 2011, 23:01

Despite having some issues they are the best site out there. They don't make me the most money but they are growing and nobody treats their contributors better or fairer.

Yes indeed. This is my experience with them. Consistently fair and contributor friendly since beginning of 2005 when I joined.

The buying experience is very positive there too. Anytime I need an image, they are the first place I go to buy.

fritz · « **Reply #18 on:** July 30, 2011, 16:48 »

Quote from: kapreski on July 29, 2011, 20:23

I Don't want go off-topic here but I'll leave it for the record..
Dreamstime is the most *** stock agency ever, it doesn't even worth the upload so imagine giving them something exclusive..

their upload process is bloody annoying..
their inspectors are very amateurs..
they know sh*** about vector too..
this site will be in the bottom in no time

I agree100%

kapreski · « **Reply #19 on:** July 30, 2011, 19:01 »

Quote from: Mantis on July 29, 2011, 20:38

Will the site be at the bottom in no time because they don't accept your images? Keep uploading.

mon ami, it's not personal..
the agency may be a big monster but we play as team.. if you check IS forum you'll know exactly what I mean
most illustrators hat DT

Mantis · « **Reply #20 on:** July 30, 2011, 19:57 »

Quote from: kapreski on July 30, 2011, 19:01

Quote from: Mantis on July 29, 2011, 20:38

Will the site be at the bottom in no time because they don't accept your images? Keep uploading.

mon ami, it's not personal..
the agency may be a big monster but we play as team.. if you check IS forum you'll know exactly what I mean
most illustrators hat DT

Not trying to start a pissing thread but how do you know that most Illustrators hate DT? Please don't get me wrong I have my own feelings on all sites and they are not so positive for the most part.

heywoody · « **Reply #21 on:** August 02, 2011, 11:51 »

I have a sense that DT attracts a lot of small timers and may not be as geared to the big guns although some of them are there too. My experience is that they reject very few and only a tiny element of these would I have the slightest concern over. The upload process is completely painless if you use IPTC (although additional formats could be a mission, I don't know). There are tons of exclusive illustrators there also who don't appear to have a problem. The best bit though is the image levels - I got 1.68 for an extra small the other day - bottom feeders will not get that anywhere else!!

Megastock · « **Reply #22 on:** August 02, 2011, 13:14 »

Quote from: lisafx on July 01, 2011, 09:46

I've done quite a few of the assignments. I find it worthwhile. I think it does generate traffic to your portfolio, and also gives you the highest return per image sale you can get. Not only are they level 5 automatically, but you also get (I believe, but can't find it right now) 60% of the sale.

So yeah, I think it's a good deal. And 12 months isn't a long time to commit to unless you are seriously considering artist exclusivity somewhere else.

Exclusive images get the 55% royalty rate for a non-exclusive contributor: http://www.dreamstime.com/sellimages...

As for the gray checkbox - all exclusive images are now greyed out, not just assignments. You have to go through support to remove exclusivity from ANY image. You can check it to make an images exclusive, but not the other way around.

lisafx · « **Reply #23 on:** August 02, 2011, 13:59 »

Quote from: Megastock on August 02, 2011, 13:14

Exclusive images get the 55% royalty rate for a non-exclusive contributor: http://www.dreamstime.com/sellimages...

As for the gray checkbox - all exclusive images are now greyed out, not just assignments. You have to go through support to remove exclusivity from ANY image. You can check it to make an images exclusive, but not the other way around.

Oh wow. That's something new(ish) then. Has anyone had trouble getting an exclusive images turned unexclusive? I assume support would not refuse the request, as long as the image qualifies?

Thanks also for the clarification on % rates for assignment images

Microstock Posts · « **Reply #24 on:** August 02, 2011, 14:10 »

Quote from: lisafx on August 02, 2011, 13:59

Quote from: Megastock on August 02, 2011, 13:14

Exclusive images get the 55% royalty rate for a non-exclusive contributor: http://www.dreamstime.com/sellimages...

As for the gray checkbox - all exclusive images are now greyed out, not just assignments. You have to go through support to remove exclusivity from ANY image. You can check it to make an images exclusive, but not the other way around.

Oh wow. That's something new(ish) then. Has anyone had trouble getting an exclusive images turned unexclusive? I assume support would not refuse the request, as long as the image qualifies?

Thanks also for the clarification on % rates for assignment images

You have to email support and ask them to make it unexclusive in 30 days, which is the terms now. Often after the 30 days it still shows as exclusive and often I email again. Such fun huh. In the old days we could make it unexculusive in a second.

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Author Topic: Dreamstime Assigments (Read 17033 times)

Pauws99

red

Mantis

red

click_click

lisafx

Mantis

red

ToniFlap

Pauws99

lisafx

heywoody

Mantis

kapreski

Mantis

hoi ha

fotografer

lisafx

fritz

kapreski

Mantis

heywoody

Megastock

lisafx

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