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Author Topic: I'm the guy with the grey beard  (Read 11531 times)

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« on: May 10, 2022, 12:38 »
+7
Most, not all people on the old SS forum as well as here are just habitual cry babies and bitchers with nothing to offer.
I'm not on forums much anymore because they are for the most part useless.
You don't learn anything from people who cry their heart out.
I'm not very sociable, I'm not good at small talk so I'm not on forums much anymore.
Yeah, that's me in the long gray beard. Yes, I take selfies. Yes, they sell. All the time.
I've not done any for several months because after I hit 10,000 uploads in one year I decided to take a break.
I've had conversations with some really big sellers and learned quite a bit. I'm now back to uploading, uploading, uploading.
Not as hard and furious as I did in that first year but I'm working at it.
I now look really hard at what sells and what does not sell. Not surprisingly, I don't do the stuff that does not sell.
Knowledge was the main advantage I gained with that magic 10,000 port. It's not bragging, I did it!
I know what does not sell. I don't know what and how the big sellers are made of. I'm working on that.
I've had some really high paying editorial sellers that left me shaking my head. I'm not after those. What I'm after
is subjects and images that sell really well regularly.
I uploaded about 2100 selfies to see if they made money. They do. I'm not happy about how much they bring in but they sell.
I took the off time to look at what sells and what does not. From my images.
I still try new stuff, new subjects and so on. I'm in a race. A race against myself making money. Not in the number of uploads.
So starting this month I'm back to uploading. A LOT!
With a difference. I understand the argument against images that look alike. I try to avoid them because they are
a waste of my time and a waste of the agencies time.
I also stopped hating the evaluators and just embrace what I learn from the rejects.
A couple of months ago I tossed, sold actually all of my DLSR, crop sensor stuff. The cameras and the lenses.
I'm all in with the new Nikon Z cameras. They work great! I get a lot fewer rejects for focus and hardly ever any for
too much like other photos I have submitted.
I'm doing quite a few videos. That was the reason I got rid of my DSLRs. I wanted to do videos.
It's late in the game for videos because everybody with a smart phone submits them.
But they do bring in money and with the new software they are easy to do.
If you do videos use a tripod. Even with the new magical, superb, much hyped Z9 you need to shoot with a tripod.
I keep 3 or 5 of them in my car at all times. I'm getting ready to toss the monopods and other gimmicks that don't work.
It's impossible to beat a tripod.
So that's it. Now you know all about me and are up to date.
I do stock for money. I try to make as much money as possible from each submission.
I wish I had the magic formula for the big bucks but I don't I'm still struggling with that.
Good luck and keep uploading, uploading, uploading.
https://www.shutterstock.com/g/Grossinger


« Reply #1 on: May 10, 2022, 14:06 »
+1
Thanks for posting this.  Must admit I can get a little discouraged when sales are slow.  I'm still learning what sells it is so random to me to be honest.  Maybe I need to take a step back. Like you I do a lot of work and uploads and probably sacrifice quality for quantity and too many similars (not intentionally spammy) but really need to pay more attention to it.

I really enjoy stock (video mostly) I still find it a lot of fun.  I don't consider myself very successful at it - but I keep trying different things. 

Couldn't see any in your port but maybe you'd make a good Santa Clause  :)

« Reply #2 on: May 10, 2022, 14:35 »
+7
If things are going so great for you - congratulations. But I remember a posting in another forum/blog not so long ago that it's not going well for you at all. With your own words, you were wining and crying there  ;)

Maybe you could provide a little proof that upload-upload-upload is worth it. That would really motivate me  ;D 

« Reply #3 on: May 10, 2022, 15:02 »
+8
I thought this was going to be a post from Santa.

« Reply #4 on: May 10, 2022, 15:02 »
+4
Most, not all people on the old SS forum as well as here are just habitual cry babies and bitchers with nothing to offer.
I'm not on forums much anymore because they are for the most part useless.
You don't learn anything from people who cry their heart out.
https://www.shutterstock.com/g/Grossinger

I am the king of images that dont sell. If you ever come across a category that does sell, let me know. I have 11,000+ images in my port that dont sell. I just recently traded off all of my DSLR equipment in favor of mirrorless. Cameras and lenses. So far Ive not taken many pictures with the new Z 7 ii and the Z6 but I love both cameras. Im just now getting ready to start taking pictures that wont sell or sell for dimes again.

« Reply #5 on: May 10, 2022, 15:08 »
+1
forgotten

My images sell like hot cakes.

« Reply #6 on: May 10, 2022, 15:11 »
0
Most, not all people on the old SS forum as well as here are just habitual cry babies and bitchers with nothing to offer.
I'm not on forums much anymore because they are for the most part useless.
You don't learn anything from people who cry their heart out.
https://www.shutterstock.com/g/Grossinger

I am the king of images that dont sell. If you ever come across a category that does sell, let me know. I have 11,000+ images in my port that dont sell. I just recently traded off all of my DSLR equipment in favor of mirrorless. Cameras and lenses. So far Ive not taken many pictures with the new Z 7 ii and the Z6 but I love both cameras. Im just now getting ready to start taking pictures that wont sell or sell for dimes again.

Thanks Wilm, I had not found the quote so quickly. There is a certain need for explanation for the contradiction ;)
« Last Edit: May 10, 2022, 15:15 by RalfLiebhold »

« Reply #7 on: May 10, 2022, 21:16 »
+1
If things are going so great for you - congratulations. But I remember a posting in another forum/blog not so long ago that it's not going well for you at all. With your own words, you were wining and crying there  ;)

Maybe you could provide a little proof that upload-upload-upload is worth it. That would really motivate me  ;D

Maybe you can show how not uploading at all really helps your sales.
I'm sure everyone would love to see that.

Sales are not going to my satisfaction. THEY NEVER WILL.

« Reply #8 on: May 10, 2022, 21:23 »
+5
Yes, I have some images that sell well.
Yes, I have too many images in my port that don't sell at all.
NO, I'm not satisfied with how my sales are going.
Sorry, I don't see a contradiction.

I don't get much satisfaction arguing with the nitpickers and the hatemongers.
Those that are interested in increasing their sales, keep at it! Don't give up and don't
spend much time in the forums. You can't take pictures, keyword and title them and upload them if
you are on the forum every day. It's one or the other.
You don't see the really successful, big sellers on the forums. They are too busy doing stock.
I'm not all that successful yet, but I don't have time for silly word games either.

One thing I want to clear up. On my original post I stated that I got rid of all of my DSLR equipment.
Mostly true, but I don't want to give the impression you have to go full frame mirrorless to get sales.
You can build a perfectly fine port with just a fairly new, decent smart phone.

« Last Edit: May 10, 2022, 21:32 by UPLOAD-UPLOAD-UPLOAD »

« Reply #9 on: May 13, 2022, 15:58 »
+3
Yes, I have some images that sell well.
Yes, I have too many images in my port that don't sell at all.
NO, I'm not satisfied with how my sales are going.
Sorry, I don't see a contradiction.

Then why on earth are you writing about a "magic port".

What is magic about it?

« Reply #10 on: May 17, 2022, 22:53 »
+2
I'm no longer sharing anything about my port. It really irritates people when I talk about the
10,000 images I uploaded in 12 months, just like I said I would when I first started as a complete newbie.
Nothing angers people more than the success of others.
So, I won't post about the port that is now 11,193 images strong.
I've decided to kick my port into gear again, so I don't have time for forums anyway.
You can upload, upload, upload or you can post on the forums but it's very difficult to
do both. I'm going with the option that pays me.
Take care now and good luck

« Reply #11 on: May 18, 2022, 01:24 »
+16
Seriously why do you post this stuff just to cause an argument?

There are no "haters" you deliberately seem to relish causing an argument.

Considering noone bothered to respond to this thread in 5 days then you come along and try and re-ignite the thread with a self pitying diatribe.

« Reply #12 on: May 18, 2022, 03:38 »
+2
I see youve met Joe😄

« Reply #13 on: May 18, 2022, 03:47 »
0
This is a very refreshing thread, thank you.

I see you do a lot of editorial, I plan to do a lot more of that myself.

Justanotherphotographer

« Reply #14 on: May 18, 2022, 03:48 »
+7
To paraphrase, portfolio size is vanity, portfolio income is sanity

« Reply #15 on: May 18, 2022, 09:32 »
+8
I am very happy for contributors who succeed. And I know some who even have or had great success. There must be a certain magic emanating from their portfolios, otherwise their images wouldn't be so successful. But none of them have ever formulated a mantra and recommended it to others as the only possible way. They do their own thing and some of them give valuable advice now and then. Remarkable people who deserve my full respect, always appear modest and whom I heartily grudge every success! And from whom I could also learn a lot.

« Reply #16 on: May 19, 2022, 14:41 »
0
the port that is now 11,193 images strong.
How many unique images out of 11,193?

Milleflore

« Reply #17 on: May 19, 2022, 15:03 »
+8
Poor Joe. I always smile to myself whenever I see his threads on a forum. There are no half measures with Joe. People either love him or hate him. But he is definitely not forgettable.

When he first started a few years ago, there was a time on the old SS forum, where a lot of newbies would ask for feedback on their portfolios, and there were always a handful of people giving advice who would say to them, 'you only have a dozen photos, how do you expect to compete with millions in the database. You need a lot more photos.'

So along came newbie Joe, and he said he was going to upload 10k photos in his first year. And he got attacked for that. But he stuck to his guns, set his goal, and did a very amazing effort. He travelled a lot, went to a lot of different events and locations, and for someone with some serious health issues, he did quite a valiant job. In the beginning, there were not that many similars in his port. But towards the end of the year, he was running out of time, so he took all these 'selfies' and made a lot of similars - to reach his goal. And of course, he got attacked for that.

Yes, he's controversial, he's a fighter, but he's also a really nice guy when you get to know him. So, hopefully people will just relax and take it all in good humor. There are a lot worse things happening at the moment.
« Last Edit: May 19, 2022, 15:22 by Annie »

« Reply #18 on: May 20, 2022, 15:02 »
+1
Poor Joe. I always smile to myself whenever I see his threads on a forum. There are no half measures with Joe. People either love him or hate him. But he is definitely not forgettable.

When he first started a few years ago, there was a time on the old SS forum, where a lot of newbies would ask for feedback on their portfolios, and there were always a handful of people giving advice who would say to them, 'you only have a dozen photos, how do you expect to compete with millions in the database. You need a lot more photos.'

So along came newbie Joe, and he said he was going to upload 10k photos in his first year. And he got attacked for that. But he stuck to his guns, set his goal, and did a very amazing effort. He travelled a lot, went to a lot of different events and locations, and for someone with some serious health issues, he did quite a valiant job. In the beginning, there were not that many similars in his port. But towards the end of the year, he was running out of time, so he took all these 'selfies' and made a lot of similars - to reach his goal. And of course, he got attacked for that.

Yes, he's controversial, he's a fighter, but he's also a really nice guy when you get to know him. So, hopefully people will just relax and take it all in good humor. There are a lot worse things happening at the moment.

Annie, I'm not going to comment further on this issue in general right now. But I thank you for your peace efforts. Because you are absolutely right: There are certainly much bigger and weightier issues at the moment than microstock!
What you have written has certainly cost you time to find a good and mediating formulation. And that finds my full appreciation!

« Reply #19 on: May 20, 2022, 18:23 »
+2
Poor Joe. I always smile to myself whenever I see his threads on a forum. There are no half measures with Joe. People either love him or hate him. But he is definitely not forgettable.

When he first started a few years ago, there was a time on the old SS forum, where a lot of newbies would ask for feedback on their portfolios, and there were always a handful of people giving advice who would say to them, 'you only have a dozen photos, how do you expect to compete with millions in the database. You need a lot more photos.'

So along came newbie Joe, and he said he was going to upload 10k photos in his first year. And he got attacked for that. But he stuck to his guns, set his goal, and did a very amazing effort. He travelled a lot, went to a lot of different events and locations, and for someone with some serious health issues, he did quite a valiant job. In the beginning, there were not that many similars in his port. But towards the end of the year, he was running out of time, so he took all these 'selfies' and made a lot of similars - to reach his goal. And of course, he got attacked for that.

Yes, he's controversial, he's a fighter, but he's also a really nice guy when you get to know him. So, hopefully people will just relax and take it all in good humor. There are a lot worse things happening at the moment.

Annie, I'm not going to comment further on this issue in general right now. But I thank you for your peace efforts. Because you are absolutely right: There are certainly much bigger and weightier issues at the moment than microstock!
What you have written has certainly cost you time to find a good and mediating formulation. And that finds my full appreciation!

Remember those days on the SS forum very well - though I was only a reader and never posted until much later after Joe left. As a newbie myself at the time, I was inspired by Joe's work ethic and had adopted a similar mindset, even if I never reached anywhere near the number of images. I put my efforts into video and feel this has helped me to make some income on the side, even passively, especially last year when I was concentrating on getting another job and moving interstate, with the income from stock helping a lot with moving costs. So there's one for Joe who inspired another newbie to make something of this.     
« Last Edit: May 20, 2022, 18:31 by Pacesetter »

Milleflore

« Reply #20 on: May 21, 2022, 02:30 »
+2
Poor Joe. I always smile to myself whenever I see his threads on a forum. There are no half measures with Joe. People either love him or hate him. But he is definitely not forgettable.

When he first started a few years ago, there was a time on the old SS forum, where a lot of newbies would ask for feedback on their portfolios, and there were always a handful of people giving advice who would say to them, 'you only have a dozen photos, how do you expect to compete with millions in the database. You need a lot more photos.'

So along came newbie Joe, and he said he was going to upload 10k photos in his first year. And he got attacked for that. But he stuck to his guns, set his goal, and did a very amazing effort. He travelled a lot, went to a lot of different events and locations, and for someone with some serious health issues, he did quite a valiant job. In the beginning, there were not that many similars in his port. But towards the end of the year, he was running out of time, so he took all these 'selfies' and made a lot of similars - to reach his goal. And of course, he got attacked for that.

Yes, he's controversial, he's a fighter, but he's also a really nice guy when you get to know him. So, hopefully people will just relax and take it all in good humor. There are a lot worse things happening at the moment.

Annie, I'm not going to comment further on this issue in general right now. But I thank you for your peace efforts. Because you are absolutely right: There are certainly much bigger and weightier issues at the moment than microstock!
What you have written has certainly cost you time to find a good and mediating formulation. And that finds my full appreciation!

Thanks Wilm. You are a such sweetie. And I know you don't like bad behaviour on the forums.

I suffer from reactive hypoglycemia (non-diabetic) and have lots of blood sugar crashes if I don't watch my diet, and have had some outbursts on the forum. More recently at a poor guy here called half-full for being too negative (which is a bit of a contradiction in itself when you think of it. lol), and then I left the forum for awhile until I got myself in better shape. Then there was the time I yelled at a bot on SS forum, and made a complete fool of myself. That was the day after my birthday with a major blood sugar crash caused by eating too many carbs. I remember Mihai saying to me, all that because of cake! lol. Yep.

I know Terry keeps away from forums because his illness causes outbursts, which is a shame because he has so much to offer. I want him to come back and just say, 'hey I am medically incapable of suffering fools!' lol

...

@pacesetter. Wow, that's great. There were some fun threads back then. The road to 10k images, $30,000, 30k ducks, etc, etc. We thought we were just having fun, but its good to know that it was of some benefit to others.
« Last Edit: May 21, 2022, 02:33 by Annie »

Uncle Pete

  • Great Place by a Great Lake - My Home Port
« Reply #21 on: May 21, 2022, 08:47 »
+1
the port that is now 11,193 images strong.
How many unique images out of 11,193?

Not about Joe, personally, but a little math. Lets say I have 782 unique images (not motorsports) on SS, or 891 on Adobe, or 1,032 on IS. If I did 20 of each shot, instead of just the one (because I choose to only upload a single best of any shot most of the time, which is my personal view of standing out and being unique) Instead of those numbers, I would have 15,640 SS, 17,820 AS and 20,640 on IS.

Would I make more money? Some people think that more images = more money. On the other extreme there's myself who thinks that better images, mean more value. Joe decided that he was going the way of people who have pretty much shouted "How many images do you have"! Then they flip and criticize when someone went with that plan and they criticize and say... well how many are similar?

I went minimal, partly because I'm lazy, but also because I like the idea of finding the best one representative image and edit that and upload. I also think that a single image will stand out and sell better than a page of inch by inch variations of the same setup.

Fact is, and Joe will confirm this, you can have 782 images on SS (actual 5240)  like I do and someone else can have 11,193 images like Joe does, and still have a no sale Saturday.

Someone else might have 1,522 images (and he does) and make over $1,000 a month, while my commissions have dropped under $100 a month 782/5240.

So as I've written here and there and everywhere else since the start, "it's not how many images, it's all about what are they!" On the other hand, we all have different ideas and goals and directions, so shotgun, or shoot em up cowboy, or be a marksman with a niche, specific target, or a sniper that picks things off one at a time.

Everyone for themselves.  8)

But you can't sell anything if you don't Upload, Upload, Upload?  ;D

ps I trim my grey beard close, Joe doesn't.

There's not just one way to work Microstock, or only one way to eat a hot dog...



farbled

« Reply #22 on: May 21, 2022, 10:12 »
+5
I know Terry keeps away from forums because his illness causes outbursts, which is a shame because he has so much to offer. I want him to come back and just say, 'hey I am medically incapable of suffering fools!' lol

hey I am medically incapable of suffering fools!

:)


« Reply #23 on: May 21, 2022, 14:16 »
+2
Quote
"How many images do you have"! Then they flip and criticize when someone went with that plan and they criticize and say... well how many are similar?

The OP wasn't the first to be criticized for similars.  Remember white 3D box specialist?  Remember Turkish flag guy with their former leader on it?

Shutterstock would nix some users for 2 similars while letting others dump entire cards of high-speed burst images on the system.  Shutterstock was really the problem because their "standards" would not only allow such cases, but stolen images, too.  How many stolen images are still being reported now, even here? 

I think there's a lot of selective amnesia going on here.  I'll just leave it at that. 

Milleflore

« Reply #24 on: May 21, 2022, 15:26 »
0
Quote
"How many images do you have"! Then they flip and criticize when someone went with that plan and they criticize and say... well how many are similar?

The OP wasn't the first to be criticized for similars.  Remember white 3D box specialist?  Remember Turkish flag guy with their former leader on it?

Shutterstock would nix some users for 2 similars while letting others dump entire cards of high-speed burst images on the system.  Shutterstock was really the problem because their "standards" would not only allow such cases, but stolen images, too.  How many stolen images are still being reported now, even here? 

I think there's a lot of selective amnesia going on here.  I'll just leave it at that.

Yes, the 3d box guy, etc, were definitely extreme examples.

But a couple of years ago, SS was more lenient with models, even though they were starting to cut back on similars in general. I am not a model/portrait photographer but I am pretty sure there was a policy that same model/different poses were exceptions to the rule, and were allowed.

At the moment of course, its almost impossible to get anything that looks remotely similar to be approved by SS. I was trying to get product mockup shots with same backgrounds approved. The reviewer/AI sees the same background, and doesn't know the difference between a picture frame, a baby romper, or a greeting card, and they all but one get rejected. You need same backgrounds for buyers who want branding sets - so I have given up on SS even though they do sell very well there - if you can get them uploaded! lol

However, after selling product mockups on Etsy and watching buyers patterns and talking to some buyers directly, I found out that they actually want to buy 3 different shots of the same product mockup - to demonstrate how their product looks in different photos. AS seems to understand this, allows these shots, and therefore I often sell multiple shots there of these so-called 'similars'.
« Last Edit: May 21, 2022, 15:42 by Annie »

Milleflore

« Reply #25 on: May 21, 2022, 15:52 »
0
I know Terry keeps away from forums because his illness causes outbursts, which is a shame because he has so much to offer. I want him to come back and just say, 'hey I am medically incapable of suffering fools!' lol

hey I am medically incapable of suffering fools!

:)

ROFL!

farbled

« Reply #26 on: May 21, 2022, 18:53 »
+1
I know Terry keeps away from forums because his illness causes outbursts, which is a shame because he has so much to offer. I want him to come back and just say, 'hey I am medically incapable of suffering fools!' lol

hey I am medically incapable of suffering fools!

:)

ROFL!
Just came to say that.
I do like the sound of cake therapy though.
« Last Edit: May 22, 2022, 10:22 by farbled »

Uncle Pete

  • Great Place by a Great Lake - My Home Port
« Reply #27 on: May 22, 2022, 11:54 »
0
Quote
"How many images do you have"! Then they flip and criticize when someone went with that plan and they criticize and say... well how many are similar?

The OP wasn't the first to be criticized for similars.  Remember white 3D box specialist?  Remember Turkish flag guy with their former leader on it?

Shutterstock would nix some users for 2 similars while letting others dump entire cards of high-speed burst images on the system.  Shutterstock was really the problem because their "standards" would not only allow such cases, but stolen images, too.  How many stolen images are still being reported now, even here? 

I think there's a lot of selective amnesia going on here.  I'll just leave it at that.

AI pre-reviews the similar. You can tell that by some of the rejections for one element of an image, being identical, while the rest is completely different, yet it's rejected. On the other hand, you can take a identical image, change a couple features (hypothetical) hat and expression, and it's not similar.

We're human. We see deeper into similar than some form and color AI. In fact we see things that aren't there, because our minds can interpret and imagine.  :)

Personally if someone can get 40 nearly identical versions of an image accepted and they think that's a good idea, better luck to them. When I say my reasons for doing one of a kind or very limited variations, for unique appearance and not looking like something that's common, I mean for the buyer, that's a personal decision and opinion. Each to their own. I couldn't care less, what SS or others do, that's their business.


hey I am medically incapable of suffering fools!

:)

And always a friend...  8) (in spite of some of my thoughts and ideas?)  ;D

farbled

« Reply #28 on: May 22, 2022, 12:11 »
+1

And always a friend...  8) (in spite of some of my thoughts and ideas?)  ;D
Constructively disagreeing makes life more interesting. Its how change happens. And I could say the same about my thoughts and ideas. :)

« Reply #29 on: May 22, 2022, 13:09 »
0
Would I make more money? Some people think that more images = more money.

You probably would make a little bit more money, by killing competitors effort. I mean if you upload 10,000 images of fresh tomato and I upload only one, the buyer would not able to find my image and will buy from you.

Milleflore

« Reply #30 on: May 22, 2022, 15:58 »
+1
I know Terry keeps away from forums because his illness causes outbursts, which is a shame because he has so much to offer. I want him to come back and just say, 'hey I am medically incapable of suffering fools!' lol

hey I am medically incapable of suffering fools!

:)

ROFL!
Just came to say that.
I do like the sound of cake therapy though.

My birthday is coming up again - its next Sunday. So, people better watch out!   ;) ;D  So this is an advance warning.  lol

(Something I didn't explain before to others who dont know, when you're in the middle of a blood sugar crash, you can't control your temper and all patience and understanding goes out the window.  When I eat something like cake, my blood sugar spikes and then immediately crashes really really low - that's called reactive hypo. A low carb/low sugar diet manages hypoglycemia long term, but I do like to eat cake on my birthday.)

Glad to have you back  :)
« Last Edit: May 22, 2022, 16:05 by Annie »

farbled

« Reply #31 on: May 22, 2022, 16:48 »
+1
Glad to have you back  :)
Just here for a little. But thank you. :)

« Reply #32 on: May 22, 2022, 17:09 »
+1
Glad to have you back  :)
Just here for a little. But thank you. :)

Annie. I've been a Type 1 since 1964. Just me and Neil Young still around. You
and me share the Zen mode when looking through the viewfinder. Thanks for sharing!

« Reply #33 on: May 23, 2022, 02:59 »
+1
I know Terry keeps away from forums because his illness causes outbursts, which is a shame because he has so much to offer. I want him to come back and just say, 'hey I am medically incapable of suffering fools!' lol

hey I am medically incapable of suffering fools!

:)

ROFL!
Just came to say that.
I do like the sound of cake therapy though.

My birthday is coming up again - its next Sunday. So, people better watch out!   ;) ;D  So this is an advance warning.  lol

(Something I didn't explain before to others who dont know, when you're in the middle of a blood sugar crash, you can't control your temper and all patience and understanding goes out the window.  When I eat something like cake, my blood sugar spikes and then immediately crashes really really low - that's called reactive hypo. A low carb/low sugar diet manages hypoglycemia long term, but I do like to eat cake on my birthday.)

Glad to have you back  :)

Annie, I remember your and Terry's health problems. But I know you especially well enough by now to know that you are a fine fellow. So, fire away on your birthday. I am Titanium. Bullet Proof! I won't fall!  :D

Milleflore

« Reply #34 on: May 23, 2022, 04:36 »
0
Thanks Wilm. (but dont wish too hard. Hell hath no fury like a woman in blood sugar crash! lol)

And thanks @AsTheBellTolls.

I must admit that a good sense of humour goes a long way. My antidote to most of life's problems is when the day is over, turn off the computer and the phone, put your feet up and a cat on your lap, and watch (currently) Mrs Maisel reruns. :-)

Or listen to some classic Neil Young :-)

https://youtu.be/xMjDc8MJotU


« Last Edit: May 23, 2022, 04:46 by Annie »

Uncle Pete

  • Great Place by a Great Lake - My Home Port
« Reply #35 on: May 24, 2022, 12:34 »
0
Would I make more money? Some people think that more images = more money.

You probably would make a little bit more money, by killing competitors effort. I mean if you upload 10,000 images of fresh tomato and I upload only one, the buyer would not able to find my image and will buy from you.

Yet another way to attack the problem. I think the best answer is, everyone for yourself!  ;D And if 10,000 images is the answer, then go for it. If 1,000 unique images is the game, do that. If a niche and bury the competition so they can't be found, fine with my.

I'd say the only contradiction and what new people seem to be attracted to (I believe flawed thinking) is "shoot what's most popular and sells the most." Oh good, drop a pebble into the ocean and see what changes? A version of that could be, shoot what you love most (or have the best access to) and see what sells best and then shoot more of that.

ps I'm still working on the perfect sliced tomato shot. I thought I had it last December.  ;)




« Reply #36 on: May 24, 2022, 13:30 »
+1
Would I make more money? Some people think that more images = more money.

You probably would make a little bit more money, by killing competitors effort. I mean if you upload 10,000 images of fresh tomato and I upload only one, the buyer would not able to find my image and will buy from you.

Yet another way to attack the problem. I think the best answer is, everyone for yourself!  ;D And if 10,000 images is the answer, then go for it. If 1,000 unique images is the game, do that. If a niche and bury the competition so they can't be found, fine with my.

I'd say the only contradiction and what new people seem to be attracted to (I believe flawed thinking) is "shoot what's most popular and sells the most." Oh good, drop a pebble into the ocean and see what changes? A version of that could be, shoot what you love most (or have the best access to) and see what sells best and then shoot more of that.

ps I'm still working on the perfect sliced tomato shot. I thought I had it last December.  ;)



I agree, Pete. Everyone must decide for themselves and find their own personal way.

There is a contributor who has uploaded about 50,000 renderings every year for the past few years. He is not lacking in diligence. Obviously, he also doesn't lack the necessary hardware for all the renderings. And he doesn't need a heater either - the computers take care of that.

However, the success - at least at AS - is extremely modest. Despite the almost 340,000 renderings in the meantime. The contributor you mentioned with his 1,500 images - I know who you mean - is light years more successful. And I personally know very well why. And with shutterstock it should look similar.

But, as I said before: Everyone has to find the right way for himself, which is fun and brings money. And none of us knows the Holy Grail of the microstock business.

« Reply #37 on: May 24, 2022, 14:16 »
+2
I know Terry keeps away from forums because his illness causes outbursts, which is a shame because he has so much to offer. I want him to come back and just say, 'hey I am medically incapable of suffering fools!' lol

hey I am medically incapable of suffering fools!

:)
Nice to see you back with your funny wit and good nature.
Don't be a stranger.

« Last Edit: May 24, 2022, 14:43 by UPLOAD-UPLOAD-UPLOAD »

« Reply #38 on: May 24, 2022, 14:27 »
+2

Yes, he's controversial, he's a fighter, but he's also a really nice guy when you get to know him. So, hopefully people will just relax and take it all in good humor. There are a lot worse things happening at the moment.

Hi Annie!
Thanks for that pleasant and nice trip down memory lane.
I'm getting ready to go on yet another trip. This one to visit my beautiful daughter-in-law, my son and his three super kids living in Colorado Springs.
I really enjoy these visits and try to go as often as I can.
When I get back I'm going to visit my granddaughter, her husband, and two great grandsons in Oklahoma City. I love the greats!
I plan to do a lot of traveling this year and to re-boot my portfolio. I totally changed my equipment. All full frame now.
I got the Z9, it does 120 fps. Thinking of the number of likes I can post just makes me swoon.
I also have the Z7 II which I love because it's small and light.
Don't want to talk too much about my new toys. I'm sure to get comments about them anyway.
I hope you are doing well.
« Last Edit: May 24, 2022, 14:32 by UPLOAD-UPLOAD-UPLOAD »

« Reply #39 on: May 24, 2022, 14:40 »
+2
But you can't sell anything if you don't Upload, Upload, Upload?  ;D

ps I trim my grey beard close, Joe doesn't.

Hey Pete, I just got a fine, really fine new haircut and beard trim. Yeah, I'm getting ready to fire up my selfie machine and upload, upload, upload.
In between visiting great grandkids, grandkids and kids I'm going to crank up those selfies again. I'm going to go for a new look, new way to upload the crap out of similars and boost my sales.
I hope you are doing well, take care.

farbled

« Reply #40 on: May 24, 2022, 14:56 »
+2
Nice to see you back with your funny wit and good nature.
Don't be a stranger.
I will try. Keep on doing what you're doing my friend. You are an inspiration.

Just_to_inform_people2

« Reply #41 on: May 30, 2022, 05:11 »
+2
My birthday is coming up again - its next Sunday. So, people better watch out!   ;) ;D  So this is an advance warning.  lol
Happy birthday! (although a day to late)

Milleflore

« Reply #42 on: May 30, 2022, 05:33 »
0
My birthday is coming up again - its next Sunday. So, people better watch out!   ;) ;D  So this is an advance warning.  lol
Happy birthday! (although a day to late)

Oh, thank you! That's so sweet of you to remember :-) 

« Reply #43 on: May 30, 2022, 07:49 »
+2
My birthday is coming up again - its next Sunday. So, people better watch out!   ;) ;D  So this is an advance warning.  lol
Happy birthday! (although a day to late)

Oh, thank you! That's so sweet of you to remember :-)

Oh, crap!

I had written it down so that I wouldn't forget it. But I was on vacation for two weeks on the beautiful island of Corfu in Greece. So it slipped through my fingers - sorry.

So: All the best and happy birthday, Annie! I wish you health, lots of sunshine and many microstock successes!

Just_to_inform_people2

« Reply #44 on: May 30, 2022, 15:25 »
+2
My birthday is coming up again - its next Sunday. So, people better watch out!   ;) ;D  So this is an advance warning.  lol
Happy birthday! (although a day to late)

Oh, thank you! That's so sweet of you to remember :-) 

Just a day to late that I remembered. I hope you have had a nice day and not to much cake but enough to enjoy :)

Milleflore

« Reply #45 on: May 30, 2022, 17:05 »
0
Thanks Guys!  And yes, I went easy on the cake.  ;D

Hey Wilm! Corfu, wow. Lucky, lucky you. Hope you got lots and lots of fantastic pics :-)


« Reply #46 on: May 30, 2022, 21:23 »
+3
... cut ...
Yeah, that's me in the long gray beard. Yes, I take selfies. Yes, they sell. All the time.
I've not done any for several months because after I hit 10,000 uploads in one year I decided to take a break
... cut ...

I find your intervention interesting and a little bit USEFUL, clear and simple. But one important piece of information is missing. Everything sells, for anyone. Photography and stock videos make sense on quantity: you don't tell us HOW MUCH you sell and FOR HOW MUCH MONEY per month.
You said the other guys who post complain and are not helpful. Can you be MORE helpful and give us this kind of information?
Stock photography always sells, something sells. Photographing a goat, an apple, even a rock. But if you sell for $1 a day, it's a hobby, if it allows you to sustain and support a family, it's a job.

Now, Instead of pulling your punches because you "sell", it would be more helpful to know HOW MANY pieces you sell per DAY and how much money you make PER MONTH. This is useful. Looking at your photos can help us a lot.

Of course, the race is always with yourself in improving: you can improve all you want as a snail, but if you are competing with supersonic missiles they will win. If they are 4000 supersonic missiles, producing ALL 10000 images far better than yours, you can win the race with yourself all you want, but they will saturate the market with products that outclass yours.

So: how many pieces per day and how much money per month? THIS is useful, since you want to differentiate yourself from the other useless jugs.

« Last Edit: May 30, 2022, 21:27 by zorba »

« Reply #47 on: May 31, 2022, 01:04 »
+2
and stock videos make sense on quantity: you don't tell us HOW MUCH you sell and FOR HOW MUCH MONEY per month.

He refuses to tell that for a reason: Back on the SS  forum he once boosted about getting either an extended license or an SOD (I don't remeber which one) and he said how much money he got for that and then posted a screenshot of his earning diagram without the numbers. You could see the spike in earnings where he got the sale and knowing how much money that was you could see what his usual earnings were in relation to that and it was not very impressiv, at least not to me. Of course what is a good income or "money rolling in" is relative to every person's own standards - Someone could be earning $100 a month and think that's a lot when another person could be earning $5000 and not be happy with that. It's a matter of perspective. But regardless of this his "upload upload upload"- way is not an effective way compared to others. And he not only claimes it was effective, but the only effective, which is what upsets me. I really don't like how he is purpsefully trying to mislead people.

 Back then I showed him a diagram of my earnings to show him that I earned a multiple of what he did with not even half as many images in my port, but he claimed that I was lying and my chart could easily have been photoshopped.  ::)

At this point I am not sure whether he actually really believes what he is sayig or whether he knows excactly that what he is telling was rubbish and he just enjoys stirring up trouble.
« Last Edit: May 31, 2022, 03:23 by Firn »

« Reply #48 on: May 31, 2022, 01:32 »
0
Thanks Guys!  And yes, I went easy on the cake.  ;D

Hey Wilm! Corfu, wow. Lucky, lucky you. Hope you got lots and lots of fantastic pics :-)

Thank you, Annie!  :)

It was gorgeous there! A great island.

Unfortunately all my data is gone because of an error on my 128 GB San Disk microSD. I tried two different data recovery software products - nothing helped. Unfortunately, the pictures are no longer recoverable.  :(

Anja Kaiser suggested that I should just vacation there again. A good idea!  :)

I'm glad you enjoyed your cake!

« Reply #49 on: May 31, 2022, 01:56 »
0
... cut ...
Yeah, that's me in the long gray beard. Yes, I take selfies. Yes, they sell. All the time.
I've not done any for several months because after I hit 10,000 uploads in one year I decided to take a break
... cut ...

I find your intervention interesting and a little bit USEFUL, clear and simple. But one important piece of information is missing. Everything sells, for anyone. Photography and stock videos make sense on quantity: you don't tell us HOW MUCH you sell and FOR HOW MUCH MONEY per month.
You said the other guys who post complain and are not helpful. Can you be MORE helpful and give us this kind of information?
Stock photography always sells, something sells. Photographing a goat, an apple, even a rock. But if you sell for $1 a day, it's a hobby, if it allows you to sustain and support a family, it's a job.

Now, Instead of pulling your punches because you "sell", it would be more helpful to know HOW MANY pieces you sell per DAY and how much money you make PER MONTH. This is useful. Looking at your photos can help us a lot.

Of course, the race is always with yourself in improving: you can improve all you want as a snail, but if you are competing with supersonic missiles they will win. If they are 4000 supersonic missiles, producing ALL 10000 images far better than yours, you can win the race with yourself all you want, but they will saturate the market with products that outclass yours.

So: how many pieces per day and how much money per month? THIS is useful, since you want to differentiate yourself from the other useless jugs.

Joe didn't give any real numbers - at least not here on the forum. But here in this post

https://www.microstockgroup.com/general-stock-discussion/stock-photography-less-interesting-for-me/msg576132/#msg576132

he wrote a few facts, which - I have to assume - refer to shutterstock:

Here's the thing for me, Stock Performer tells me I'm in the top 80% on downloads.
But I'm only in the top 30% on income and now I'm in the top 60% on uploads.
The problem is obvious. I need to create more images people want to pay for.

Milleflore

« Reply #50 on: May 31, 2022, 04:16 »
0
Thanks Guys!  And yes, I went easy on the cake.  ;D

Hey Wilm! Corfu, wow. Lucky, lucky you. Hope you got lots and lots of fantastic pics :-)

Thank you, Annie!  :)

It was gorgeous there! A great island.

Unfortunately all my data is gone because of an error on my 128 GB San Disk microSD. I tried two different data recovery software products - nothing helped. Unfortunately, the pictures are no longer recoverable.  :(

Anja Kaiser suggested that I should just vacation there again. A good idea!  :)

I'm glad you enjoyed your cake!

Oh, nooooooooooooooooooooooooo! You must have been devastated. What a terrible thing to happen.

Yes, Anja is a very smart lady. I totally agree with her :-)

Uncle Pete

  • Great Place by a Great Lake - My Home Port
« Reply #51 on: June 01, 2022, 12:41 »
0
Thanks Guys!  And yes, I went easy on the cake.  ;D

Hey Wilm! Corfu, wow. Lucky, lucky you. Hope you got lots and lots of fantastic pics :-)

Thank you, Annie!  :)

It was gorgeous there! A great island.

Unfortunately all my data is gone because of an error on my 128 GB San Disk microSD. I tried two different data recovery software products - nothing helped. Unfortunately, the pictures are no longer recoverable.  :(

Anja Kaiser suggested that I should just vacation there again. A good idea!  :)

I'm glad you enjoyed your cake!

Some recovery tools work better than others and can do a deep search. Just interesting that the card went bad. If you never add another file or use it, you have a better chance.

I usually take the photos, plug the card into a Netbook, Laptop or something else and back up... before I even edit one or start culling. Who knows what one wrong click can do?  :(

https://www.ccleaner.com/recuva/download

Somewhere on one laptop I have a paid recovery software, that while I was plugging and unplugging drives and being organized, the delayed write made a total mess a a big external backup. It took overnight to find everything and another day to deep search and recover everything. What I mean is, unless the card or a drive totally fails, the data is still there. Even formatting or messing up the TOC, it's still there.

There could be hope? Unless the SD card is dead. If it works, your data is still there. You just need to dig deep enough to recover it. Most of the free software, just does a quick check and doesn't deep search. Maybe you know someone with some real recovery tools that they paid for and you can at least run a test and see if anything is there, before you pay for some software, that would be useless.

The paid software that rescued my backup is EaseusDR https://www.easeus.com/?x-clickref=1101ljkCBNaN

The FREE version will recover up to 2GB of data. Mine was a something #T drive so I paid.  8)

« Reply #52 on: June 01, 2022, 16:28 »
0
...

Some recovery tools work better than others and can do a deep search. Just interesting that the card went bad. If you never add another file or use it, you have a better chance.

I usually take the photos, plug the card into a Netbook, Laptop or something else and back up... before I even edit one or start culling. Who knows what one wrong click can do?  :(
i never edit thru the camera - i move daily images to computer first.  then run lightroom to rename/export to another folder in a YYMMDD-xxx format for an immediate 'backup'
at home i run actual backups to my seagate ext HD using their toolkit software running nightly

traveling, i move files to laptop and rename to a 'traveling' ext HD


Uncle Pete

  • Great Place by a Great Lake - My Home Port
« Reply #53 on: June 01, 2022, 17:10 »
0
...

Some recovery tools work better than others and can do a deep search. Just interesting that the card went bad. If you never add another file or use it, you have a better chance.

I usually take the photos, plug the card into a Netbook, Laptop or something else and back up... before I even edit one or start culling. Who knows what one wrong click can do?  :(
i never edit thru the camera - i move daily images to computer first.  then run lightroom to rename/export to another folder in a YYMMDD-xxx format for an immediate 'backup'
at home i run actual backups to my seagate ext HD using their toolkit software running nightly

traveling, i move files to laptop and rename to a 'traveling' ext HD

Yes, I think many of us work that way... make a backup and then start working, once the files are secure. I've had a SD card go bad, but the first sign was, nothing writing to it. And I want to say, the card was abused. It was on a dash-cam which means all the time for months, every time I drove the car, writing and re-writing.

I've never had a card being used in a camera go bad. They also start to have bad performance or lose some data, maybe one corrupted image a sure signal.

Messing up the external hard drives was all my fault. Doing hot swaps and pulling plugs then putting in a different one, put the first one into a different USB port. Sure you can do that all you want, but not plug and play and pull and move and plug in another one. One at a time, slow, give the system a few seconds to adjust. Man I can break almost anything!

Memory cards are inexpensive. I back up and leave the data on them and use a different card. Then when I'm finished and know I have a secure copy, or two, maybe a day later, I might format the card. I've seen people on forums, who take a 128GB card, shoot for days and then check after that. (no reflection at all on Wilm at all) Personally I change cards sometimes by the hour or when there's a break.

Kind of like shooting a 36 exposure roll of a trip and finding out, the film didn't catch on the take up, because I was trying to waste as little as possible to get one or two more photos from a roll. Did that once, after that I make sure I see it winding, and yeah I lose that image or two, but I don't lose a six hour trip?

Everyone to their own, I just hope that this one, which worked for me, will help out Wilm and the free trial is honestly free and a good free test to see if it's worth paying for the full version.  EaseusDR https://www.easeus.com/?x-clickref=1101ljkCBNaN

If the software can find 2GB of photos, there's good evidence that it will find everything that's lost.

« Reply #54 on: June 02, 2022, 02:26 »
0
Thanks Guys!  And yes, I went easy on the cake.  ;D

Hey Wilm! Corfu, wow. Lucky, lucky you. Hope you got lots and lots of fantastic pics :-)

Thank you, Annie!  :)

It was gorgeous there! A great island.

Unfortunately all my data is gone because of an error on my 128 GB San Disk microSD. I tried two different data recovery software products - nothing helped. Unfortunately, the pictures are no longer recoverable.  :(

Anja Kaiser suggested that I should just vacation there again. A good idea!  :)

I'm glad you enjoyed your cake!

Some recovery tools work better than others and can do a deep search. Just interesting that the card went bad. If you never add another file or use it, you have a better chance.

I usually take the photos, plug the card into a Netbook, Laptop or something else and back up... before I even edit one or start culling. Who knows what one wrong click can do?  :(

https://www.ccleaner.com/recuva/download

Somewhere on one laptop I have a paid recovery software, that while I was plugging and unplugging drives and being organized, the delayed write made a total mess a a big external backup. It took overnight to find everything and another day to deep search and recover everything. What I mean is, unless the card or a drive totally fails, the data is still there. Even formatting or messing up the TOC, it's still there.

There could be hope? Unless the SD card is dead. If it works, your data is still there. You just need to dig deep enough to recover it. Most of the free software, just does a quick check and doesn't deep search. Maybe you know someone with some real recovery tools that they paid for and you can at least run a test and see if anything is there, before you pay for some software, that would be useless.

The paid software that rescued my backup is EaseusDR https://www.easeus.com/?x-clickref=1101ljkCBNaN

The FREE version will recover up to 2GB of data. Mine was a something #T drive so I paid.  8)

Pete, first of all thank you for your support!

Here's what happened: I wanted to take photos, but suddenly on the display of the camera came the statement: "Photography not possible - no SD card available".
Then I took out the card and plugged it in again. Now appeared on the camera display: "Card not readable" and below it the two buttons
OK
Cancel

Unfortunately, I pressed OK and within 2-3 seconds the card was formatted - without further warning.

Only then did I see that the adapter was out of order at the contacts. (I have already bought a new adapter.)

The information about the card says that now 127.75 GB of 127.85 GB are available.

I have tried it with 2 different software versions so far. Both have found nothing. I would have had to buy the second software to recover data - the scan itself is free.

But thank you for the tip. I'm about to try it with easeus in addition - the scan now takes 1 hour 18 minutes. I am curious if this software can find any data.


« Reply #55 on: June 02, 2022, 03:59 »
0
Hi Pete,

the easeus scan is complete. Not a single photo was found. 72.6 MB of data was detected - as with the other two software products. But these are exclusively system files of the microSD.

I now assume that there is really nothing left to recover. Too bad!

« Reply #56 on: June 06, 2022, 15:12 »
0
You have an extremely healthy perspective on this industry.  I'm with you about complaining!
Keep chugging, cause that's really all that gets you anywhere. :)

Uncle Pete

  • Great Place by a Great Lake - My Home Port
« Reply #57 on: June 07, 2022, 09:47 »
+1
Hi Pete,

the easeus scan is complete. Not a single photo was found. 72.6 MB of data was detected - as with the other two software products. But these are exclusively system files of the microSD.

I now assume that there is really nothing left to recover. Too bad!

Oh that's terrible. Card died... yeah I hate that format the card thing that happens now. "card unreadable, format the card" I have had cards that I know were working and had data, and hard drives too, but Windows 10 decided it wasn't readable. They work fine in old XP systems. So basically I had to copy the data to something else, which works, and then reformat the older devices.

Well at least the deep scan was free?

« Reply #58 on: June 07, 2022, 10:37 »
0
Hi Pete,

the easeus scan is complete. Not a single photo was found. 72.6 MB of data was detected - as with the other two software products. But these are exclusively system files of the microSD.

I now assume that there is really nothing left to recover. Too bad!

Oh that's terrible. Card died... yeah I hate that format the card thing that happens now. "card unreadable, format the card" I have had cards that I know were working and had data, and hard drives too, but Windows 10 decided it wasn't readable. They work fine in old XP systems. So basically I had to copy the data to something else, which works, and then reformat the older devices.

Well at least the deep scan was free?

Yes, its was free!

« Reply #59 on: June 09, 2022, 04:29 »
+1
You have an extremely healthy perspective on this industry.  I'm with you about complaining!
Keep chugging, cause that's really all that gets you anywhere. :)
Thanks!
Yeah, complaining gets you no respect and no money. So why bother?
There are things about several agencies that bug me but I just try and work around it.
I'm in it for the money.

« Reply #60 on: June 09, 2022, 04:35 »
+1
Now, Instead of pulling your punches because you "sell", it would be more helpful to know HOW MANY pieces you sell per DAY and how much money you make PER MONTH. This is useful. Looking at your photos can help us a lot.

Of course, the race is always with yourself in improving: you can improve all you want as a snail, but if you are competing with supersonic missiles they will win. If they are 4000 supersonic missiles, producing ALL 10000 images far better than yours, you can win the race with yourself all you want, but they will saturate the market with products that outclass yours.

So: how many pieces per day and how much money per month? THIS is useful, since you want to differentiate yourself from the other useless jugs.

Joe didn't give any real numbers - at least not here on the forum. But here in this post

https://www.microstockgroup.com/general-stock-discussion/stock-photography-less-interesting-for-me/msg576132/#msg576132

he wrote a few facts, which - I have to assume - refer to shutterstock:

Here's the thing for me, Stock Performer tells me I'm in the top 80% on downloads.
But I'm only in the top 30% on income and now I'm in the top 60% on uploads.
The problem is obvious. I need to create more images people want to pay for.
[/quote]

I don't know why people waste so much time obsessing about me. They (you) would be a lot better off obsessing about your own port.
I don't see anyone posting their income, so why should I?
I don't see people posting the link to their port, so I stopped doing it.
Is it me that's at fault here because I'm not nosy about anybody else's port and business?
Move on!
« Last Edit: June 09, 2022, 04:42 by UPLOAD-UPLOAD-UPLOAD »

Justanotherphotographer

« Reply #61 on: June 09, 2022, 06:07 »
+5
I don't know why people waste so much time obsessing about me.
This is the worst case of main character syndrome Ive seen on this forum for a while (since the other guy disappeared).

Obsessing about you, my dude, most of us didnt even know you existed until you started posting this thread about how everyone hates on you and are bunch of cry-babys (I know I didnt). Chill out, take deep breath and maybe stop oversharing if you dont want people to pry.

« Reply #62 on: June 09, 2022, 16:50 »
+3
Now, Instead of pulling your punches because you "sell", it would be more helpful to know HOW MANY pieces you sell per DAY and how much money you make PER MONTH. This is useful. Looking at your photos can help us a lot.

Of course, the race is always with yourself in improving: you can improve all you want as a snail, but if you are competing with supersonic missiles they will win. If they are 4000 supersonic missiles, producing ALL 10000 images far better than yours, you can win the race with yourself all you want, but they will saturate the market with products that outclass yours.

So: how many pieces per day and how much money per month? THIS is useful, since you want to differentiate yourself from the other useless jugs.

Joe didn't give any real numbers - at least not here on the forum. But here in this post

https://www.microstockgroup.com/general-stock-discussion/stock-photography-less-interesting-for-me/msg576132/#msg576132

he wrote a few facts, which - I have to assume - refer to shutterstock:

Here's the thing for me, Stock Performer tells me I'm in the top 80% on downloads.
But I'm only in the top 30% on income and now I'm in the top 60% on uploads.
The problem is obvious. I need to create more images people want to pay for.

I don't know why people waste so much time obsessing about me. They (you) would be a lot better off obsessing about your own port.
I don't see anyone posting their income, so why should I?
I don't see people posting the link to their port, so I stopped doing it.
Is it me that's at fault here because I'm not nosy about anybody else's port and business?
Move on!
[/quote]

First and foremost:
 
zorba responded to your post asking questions:

https://www.microstockgroup.com/general-big-6/i'm-the-guy-with-the-grey-beard/msg576899/#msg576899

I can't answer the questions, but found a post of yours on the forum that might be of interest to zorba's question:

https://www.microstockgroup.com/general-big-6/i'm-the-guy-with-the-grey-beard/msg576903/#msg576903

I have no idea what would be an obsession about it. I was reproducing a statement of yours on the subject, without any evaluation or anything like that. I simply quoted your own words. Nothing more, nothing less. You wrote the lines I quoted - not me. Where is the obsession?

By the way, have I ever given you any advice? No! I know you don't want advice unless you explicitly asked for it. I have always adhered to that.

And I still don't know where your self-confidence comes from that causes you to impose your opinion on others.

At the same time, I wonder where you permanently get the right to give advice to others. For example, that they should take care of their own portfolios. I do not want to hear this advice from you. I'm fine with my portfolio. I'm not happy about the general development in the microstock sector, but I'm still happy to be there. Because - like you - I'm in it for the money. It's a lot less than it used to be (you can tell: I'm whining), but it's still a nice extra income.

I don't need your recommendations. I manage reasonably well. Please stick to it too!

« Reply #63 on: June 09, 2022, 19:48 »
+5


I don't know why people waste so much time obsessing about me. They (you) would be a lot better off obsessing about your own port.
business?
Move on!

Dude, you do realize that you are trying to push yourself in the center of the attention with both arms and the legs to the limit that you complain people are obsessed with you ?


« Reply #64 on: June 11, 2022, 21:21 »
+3
Quote
Now, Instead of pulling your punches because you "sell", it would be more helpful to know HOW MANY pieces you sell per DAY and how much money you make PER MONTH. This is useful. Looking at your photos can help us a lot.

Of course, the race is always with yourself in improving: you can improve all you want as a snail, but if you are competing with supersonic missiles they will win. If they are 4000 supersonic missiles, producing ALL 10000 images far better than yours, you can win the race with yourself all you want, but they will saturate the market with products that outclass yours.

So: how many pieces per day and how much money per month? THIS is useful, since you want to differentiate yourself from the other useless jugs.


Joe didn't give any real numbers - at least not here on the forum. But here in this post

https://www.microstockgroup.com/general-stock-discussion/stock-photography-less-interesting-for-me/msg576132/#msg576132

he wrote a few facts, which - I have to assume - refer to shutterstock:

Here's the thing for me, Stock Performer tells me I'm in the top 80% on downloads.
But I'm only in the top 30% on income and now I'm in the top 60% on uploads.
The problem is obvious. I need to create more images people want to pay for.

I don't know why people waste so much time obsessing about me. They (you) would be a lot better off obsessing about your own port.
I don't see anyone posting their income, so why should I?
I don't see people posting the link to their port, so I stopped doing it.
Is it me that's at fault here because I'm not nosy about anybody else's port and business?
Move on!

*YAWN*

People don't get upset about other people's success.
People get annoyed when someone comes in AS IF they have a two-meter-long dick when in fact they are just SAYING they have one.
You come in here and tell OTHERS that they make useless posts, but your post only becomes useful if you show us these facts beyond talking about them.

Let's see this beast, man. Otherwise your initial post you can say it out loud to yourself in front of a mirror.

You have no real good advice for anyone to prove, numbers in hand, anything. Which wouldn't be a problem, if you didn't come in here looking like a know-it-all old fox teaching others how to live, and not doing nonsense, which you - the greater - don't do. Instead, you are identical to those you criticize.

You're just saying --which is not so much more useful than advising people not to hold the cap in front of the lens-- that improving yourself is a good thing and shooting what FOR YOU sells is a good thing.

Wow, that's brilliant!  ;D
« Last Edit: June 12, 2022, 17:34 by zorba »

« Reply #65 on: June 20, 2022, 13:42 »
0
Quote

People don't get upset about other people's success.
People get annoyed when someone comes in AS IF they have a two-meter-long dick when in fact they are just SAYING they have one.
You come in here and tell OTHERS that they make useless posts, but your post only becomes useful if you show us these facts beyond talking about them.

Let's see this beast, man. Otherwise your initial post you can say it out loud to yourself in front of a mirror.

You have no real good advice for anyone to prove, numbers in hand, anything. Which wouldn't be a problem, if you didn't come in here looking like a know-it-all old fox teaching others how to live, and not doing nonsense, which you - the greater - don't do. Instead, you are identical to those you criticize.

You're just saying --which is not so much more useful than advising people not to hold the cap in front of the lens-- that improving yourself is a good thing and shooting what FOR YOU sells is a good thing.

Wow, that's brilliant!  ;D
So you enjoy talking about me as well. Pfft
I'm sorry but I don't have the time to talk about you or anybody else.
I'm too busy working.
I enjoy talking stock or photography but have no time for idle gossip.


 

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