pancakes

MicrostockGroup Sponsors


Author Topic: 500 px. Now has distributors to sell images  (Read 30191 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

« on: November 09, 2015, 21:37 »
+1
Just received a notice from 500px that they are rolling out distribution sales via various partners
They mentioned that any sales that occur via partners will result in contributers getting the guaranteed minimum amount that they would have gotten through direct 500px sales

They are also making this optional opt in / out for contributers.

Wondering if this is a good time to start ramping uploads.
What you all think?


« Reply #1 on: November 09, 2015, 23:18 »
+5
As usual, the devil is in the details. Is this going to be one of those shady deals where a distributor sells an image for big bucks and we get a sub sale amount?

« Reply #2 on: November 10, 2015, 00:14 »
+2
I'm very new with 500px so I don't really have an opinion on what makes sense. There is some information here

https://licensing.500px.com/distribution/

But not really a lot of detail. Can the distributors sell for higher prices and if they do, does the contributor make 70% of that or just a flat rate of what they would have made at the marketplace?

I've left my account opted in for now (the default)

« Reply #3 on: November 10, 2015, 00:35 »
0
Good move.

It is not easy to cover the whole world alone and open offices everywhere.

I am sure you will get more than under a standard distribution deal elsewhere.

Let's See what we here from the first sales.

If they give me a proper watermark on the image preview, I would be really interested.

« Reply #4 on: November 10, 2015, 08:46 »
+2
I'm very new with 500px so I don't really have an opinion on what makes sense. There is some information here

https://licensing.500px.com/distribution/

But not really a lot of detail. Can the distributors sell for higher prices and if they do, does the contributor make 70% of that or just a flat rate of what they would have made at the marketplace?

I've left my account opted in for now (the default)

That was my very very first question to myself. Introducing partners seems to always have a villainous intent.

FlowerPower

« Reply #5 on: November 10, 2015, 09:04 »
0
As usual, the devil is in the details. Is this going to be one of those shady deals where a distributor sells an image for big bucks and we get a sub sale amount?

Why not? They paid the subscriotion price they can resell for whatever they want. We get the sub. I don't like that but what can we do? We have no rights after the API buys the photo and can't dictate what they do with it or how much they sell for. We have no rights on any sale at other agencys either. It can go into a book, on a billboard, newspaper, front page cover of magazine. We get sub pay the buyer gets license value. No I don't like, just pointing out facts. Once buyer, buys we have no control. If they can resell we can't dictate prices.

ShadySue

  • There is a crack in everything
« Reply #6 on: November 10, 2015, 11:24 »
+2
As usual, the devil is in the details. Is this going to be one of those shady deals where a distributor sells an image for big bucks and we get a sub sale amount?

Why not? They paid the subscriotion price they can resell for whatever they want. We get the sub. I don't like that but what can we do? We have no rights after the API buys the photo and can't dictate what they do with it or how much they sell for. We have no rights on any sale at other agencys either. It can go into a book, on a billboard, newspaper, front page cover of magazine. We get sub pay the buyer gets license value. No I don't like, just pointing out facts. Once buyer, buys we have no control. If they can resell we can't dictate prices.

In most agencies there are restrictions. It is not normal for someone to be able to resell on a subs fee. If there are some agencies which allow that, why be there?

« Reply #7 on: November 10, 2015, 11:33 »
+5
As usual, the devil is in the details. Is this going to be one of those shady deals where a distributor sells an image for big bucks and we get a sub sale amount?

Why not? They paid the subscriotion price they can resell for whatever they want. We get the sub. I don't like that but what can we do? We have no rights after the API buys the photo and can't dictate what they do with it or how much they sell for. We have no rights on any sale at other agencys either. It can go into a book, on a billboard, newspaper, front page cover of magazine. We get sub pay the buyer gets license value. No I don't like, just pointing out facts. Once buyer, buys we have no control. If they can resell we can't dictate prices.

No, youre not "just pointing out facts".

An API cannot "buy the photo". Do you even know what an API is and how it works?

And 500px doesnt offer subs.

« Reply #8 on: November 10, 2015, 12:21 »
+3
I think widening their distribution network will help us, not hurt.

FlowerPower, 500px doesn't have subs and the distributors don't buy our images, they license them to others like 500px does and get a cut of the royalties.

They lose some control by using distributors, but on balance, I think widening their network is a sign that they are serious about licensing our images and making money for everyone - them and us. So, personally, I'm happy to hear it.

« Reply #9 on: November 10, 2015, 12:36 »
0
I'm not on 500px and don't plan to be.   What I've seen so far is that every 'distributor' deal is a ripoff of contributors.  One way or another, we take a cut and there is some not-so-subtle pressure to discourage opt-outs.  A so-called 'distributor' is just a way to add commissioned sales people paid for out the contributor's share - with no cost to agency.  And yes, I know they're "sales we would otherwise not have gotten".  Oh yeah.

If this distributor deal doesn't fit that pattern, it would be a first in my estimation. 
« Last Edit: November 10, 2015, 16:22 by stockastic »


« Reply #11 on: November 10, 2015, 13:10 »
0
To clarify:
There's a minimum price agreement with each of the distributors that factors in the distributor's share so our photographers will continue to see comparable payouts to what they've come to expect from 500px even after the distributor's share. There is no maximum price guarantee and early reports are indicating some great royalties for our contributors.

There is no villainous intent. Quite a few of us have worked or been photographers in the business for a while which is why when we started looking at these partnerships they were for very strategic reasons with very specific requirements. As mentioned, it's an opportunity for us to work with sales and marketing teams all over the world who know their regions better than we ever will and expand our photographers reach by working with a single agency.

Hi Nuno, can you say who these partners are?


« Reply #13 on: November 10, 2015, 14:59 »
+2
It may be just a coincidence, but I just have three 50$ sales in few minutes. Nice!

« Reply #14 on: November 10, 2015, 15:07 »
+1
Half hour ago I received $50 sale ;)

Who care if it's trough distributor, $50 are always $50  :)


« Reply #15 on: November 10, 2015, 15:09 »
+2
Just to complement, to me it's not coincidence as i have regular sales there.

« Reply #16 on: November 10, 2015, 15:24 »
+1
Just to complement, to me it's not coincidence as i have regular sales there.

Yes, me too. Over the last four months, 500px is my 2nd earner (better than Fotolia, dreamstime and 123rf). But I think at least one of the last sales is from distributor: the image is not in the prime collection and there is no $50 license in the core collection I think.


« Reply #17 on: November 10, 2015, 15:30 »
+1
It's smart that they have an opt out.  Hopefully 500px will choose their partners carefully.  Other agencies have partners will crazy prices, no photographer credits, tiny watermarks, questionable terms and conditions... and no opt outs.  Careful choice of partners matters. 

« Reply #18 on: November 10, 2015, 15:44 »
+4
It is great to hear that people have sales :)

« Reply #19 on: November 10, 2015, 17:37 »
+1
It is great to hear that people have sales :)

Yep, sales really have increased lately. October brought me some huge sales!
Despite having uploaded only a fraction of my port, my 500px climbed just behind the big 3, with about 10% of the my total, ahead of Alamy, 123RF, DT, Pond 5!

With already 2 sales in November, I can only hope 500px will only continue its growth.

« Reply #20 on: November 10, 2015, 17:47 »
0
Just curious - with sales, are they of images that you would put up on mcrostock, or would they be more of artistic type images?

Would buyers be buying to promote something, or to print something to hang on a wall?

Just wondering what kind of buyers would be on 500 px

Thanks for any feedback

« Reply #21 on: November 10, 2015, 18:34 »
+1
Just curious - with sales, are they of images that you would put up on mcrostock, or would they be more of artistic type images?

Would buyers be buying to promote something, or to print something to hang on a wall?

Just wondering what kind of buyers would be on 500 px

Thanks for any feedback


I only put landscape / travel images on 500px, so all my sales are landscape / travel images, of known places. These images are also on microstock, some of them are doing OK, some of them are not.

« Reply #22 on: November 10, 2015, 21:21 »
+1
To clarify:
There's a minimum price agreement with each of the distributors that factors in the distributor's share so our photographers will continue to see comparable payouts to what they've come to expect from 500px even after the distributor's share. There is no maximum price guarantee and early reports are indicating some great royalties for our contributors.

There is no villainous intent. Quite a few of us have worked or been photographers in the business for a while which is why when we started looking at these partnerships they were for very strategic reasons with very specific requirements. As mentioned, it's an opportunity for us to work with sales and marketing teams all over the world who know their regions better than we ever will and expand our photographers reach by working with a single agency.

So are the owners of dissolve and look what sh!t they pulled.

« Reply #23 on: November 11, 2015, 03:17 »
+8
Why the hostility towards a company offering truly high royalties and not even a micro stock agency, they make me more in one sale than some smaller micros in a year

« Reply #24 on: November 11, 2015, 03:25 »
+1
I have been thinking of joining for a  long time ...  500px is different from the usual microstock agencies, so I don't think "dumping" my whole portfolio would be a good move - or if I did, I don't think it would sell very well? 
What kind of selection should I submit?  Only artsy stuff?  Everything except "isolated on white" ?  Any other limitations?

« Reply #25 on: November 11, 2015, 03:49 »
0
I have been thinking of joining for a  long time ...  500px is different from the usual microstock agencies, so I don't think "dumping" my whole portfolio would be a good move - or if I did, I don't think it would sell very well? 
What kind of selection should I submit?  Only artsy stuff?  Everything except "isolated on white" ?  Any other limitations?

Very good questions  ;)

« Reply #26 on: November 11, 2015, 05:13 »
+2
I have been thinking of joining for a  long time ...  500px is different from the usual microstock agencies, so I don't think "dumping" my whole portfolio would be a good move - or if I did, I don't think it would sell very well? 
What kind of selection should I submit?  Only artsy stuff?  Everything except "isolated on white" ?  Any other limitations?

Yes I don't think that "isolated on white" and old-school businessman stock works well... I don't think that the key word is "artsy", I think it is more "authentic" (yes, buzzword...). And I think one should remember that originally 500px was not a stock agency, it's was (and still is) a social media, with followers, likes etc. I don't know if it matters anymore for the market (for example if the "likes" are still factored in the search results etc.). But in doubt I prefer to maintain a well curated galery on 500px (and not to put my entire stock portfolio).


« Reply #27 on: November 11, 2015, 07:21 »
0
I have been thinking of joining for a  long time ...  500px is different from the usual microstock agencies, so I don't think "dumping" my whole portfolio would be a good move - or if I did, I don't think it would sell very well? 
What kind of selection should I submit?  Only artsy stuff?  Everything except "isolated on white" ?  Any other limitations?

Yes I don't think that "isolated on white" and old-school businessman stock works well... I don't think that the key word is "artsy", I think it is more "authentic" (yes, buzzword...). And I think one should remember that originally 500px was not a stock agency, it's was (and still is) a social media, with followers, likes etc. I don't know if it matters anymore for the market (for example if the "likes" are still factored in the search results etc.). But in doubt I prefer to maintain a well curated galery on 500px (and not to put my entire stock portfolio).

Thx for your response

I have seen others post stocky images there, but i wouldnt think this would be the place a lot of ad agencies would turn to for images

« Reply #28 on: November 11, 2015, 08:10 »
+1
Is the work automatically enrolled in prime or is it somehow specially selected? I am contemplating trying them for a second time since they offer an opt out and are working on a better watermark.

« Reply #29 on: November 11, 2015, 09:38 »
+1
It is a very manual process, upload watermarked preview, upload unwatermarked full res, submit full res (about 4-10 clicks), no batch submission possible

« Reply #30 on: November 11, 2015, 09:42 »
0
Never got a sale, and many bestsellers were rejected...

I guess my niche is not well received there.

« Reply #31 on: November 11, 2015, 10:10 »
+1
How can be something, that isn't reviewed, rejected?

« Reply #32 on: November 11, 2015, 10:27 »
+2
Images for Prime are being reviewed

« Reply #33 on: November 11, 2015, 10:39 »
0
It is a very manual process, upload watermarked preview, upload unwatermarked full res, submit full res (about 4-10 clicks), no batch submission possible

Ill wait until they get this sorted out. You need professional tools as a producer.

« Reply #34 on: November 11, 2015, 10:53 »
+1
I am all in for less competition

« Reply #35 on: November 11, 2015, 10:59 »
0
Images for Prime are being reviewed

Images that aren't in prime collection are still avaliable at core collection and therefore avaliable for sale. So this "they rejected my best selling images" is just bull-crap. They weren't rejected, they just weren't accepted at prime. Notice the difference?

« Reply #36 on: November 11, 2015, 11:03 »
+2
Why the hostility towards a company offering truly high royalties and not even a micro stock agency, they make me more in one sale than some smaller micros in a year

Just based on past experience with other agencies.   I'm watching 500px, if it's a fair deal AND remains a fair deal, I might try it.  But I'm really not interested in spending a lot of time uploading, keywording and whatever, and then have a wonderful 'partner program' announced a month later, that makes me feel like I've been played - once again.   So we'll see.


« Reply #37 on: November 11, 2015, 11:05 »
0
Actually, images are either accepted or rejected into the Marketplace (i.e. 500px Prime) and can end up in either the Core or the Prime Collection - I don't know how they decide between the two. I've had two images rejected and they are still in my 500px portfolio but not available for sale even in the Core Collection. All the rest are in the Marketplace and they seem to make a decision very quickly.

I hope they are successful. I really like the look of the site and the feel of the collection.

« Reply #38 on: November 11, 2015, 11:09 »
0
Images for Prime are being reviewed

Images that aren't in prime collection are still avaliable at core collection and therefore avaliable for sale. So this "they rejected my best selling images" is just bull-crap. They weren't rejected, they just weren't accepted at prime. Notice the difference?

All images are reviewed, you only get email when an image is rejected.
Get your facts straight.

« Reply #39 on: November 11, 2015, 11:33 »
+1
The process is a bit confusing admittedly especially coming from a traditional stock photo agency perspective.

All photos are reviewed by a human for quality, legal and aesthetic issues. During that review the editor is able to "curate" the photo into the Prime Collection.

Prior to that happening, since we're a photo community site first, the photo is visible and searchable on the site immediately on upload with a "Request for License" button and the photo is listed as "Core Collection" pricing simply because we don't want to bait and switch a buyer with a higher price or downgrade the price on a photo after it's been reviewed - we'd rather raise prices upon review. As soon as we receive that request (we hold the buyers money in escrow to make sure it's a legit sale) we quickly review the photo (usually within an hour or two) and make the photo available to the buyer if everything is legit (quality, releases etc.) . If the photo is curated up the original buyer pays the Core price but subsequent buyers find the photo in the Prime Collection.

The same process happens for photos that aren't submitted to the marketplace (and where the photographer has enabled "requests" for their work - you can disable this). However, these are often longer turnarounds since we need to get the photographer's permission to license the photo and ask for releases, non-watermarked versions, etc.

Again, admittedly complex compared to traditional stock photo agencies, however, buyers can filter for "immediately available photos" but quite a few have liked being able to request photos that no other buyer has had an opportunity to purchase (especially if marked exclusive to 500px) so we'll work on developing this process so it's smoother and faster for everyone.

ETA: And yes, we'll only notify you via email if we need you to fix something upon review or if we're unable to license the photo. For editorial photos we ask for no filtering or post-processing with the exception of black and white and contrast/exposure adjustments which is pretty standard for news/journalism purposes.

« Reply #40 on: November 11, 2015, 11:49 »
+1
It sounds really complicated. So I guess the community side is far more important than being an agency?

I will eventually try it, but it sounds like the focus of 500pix is clearly more focused on the community experience and not becoming the first place a customer goes to when looking for modern stock photography. More like a niche place they check out if they cant find what they are looking for at the traditional macros. Similar to what other niche agencies are doing.

Maybe I am wrong, but this is the vibe I get. No professional producer upload tools translates to low agency priority for me.

I wish 500pix well, but at this point it doesnt sound like it will become what I am looking for :( I need a place that is fully committed to being an agency and wants to offer the customer a full high quality solution. Ideally making them want to buy only there. Guess, in the end I will have to try selling direct or via a photoshelter account. But it is much harder to go it alone than to work with a passionate community of peers.

Well, we will see.
« Last Edit: November 11, 2015, 11:59 by cobalt »


« Reply #42 on: November 11, 2015, 12:00 »
0
I am not looking for a microstock approach. I am looking for a high quality approach with the clear intention of being the first place they use. Lots of companies dont care about the price, they care about quality and ethical standards, because they also use that in their advertising. But they still need a huge variety of styles and subject matters to cover their needs. I dont mind waiting for sales, because the prices are higher.

Basically a community driven macrostock agency.

I will still try to see if there is a niche in 500pix that might work for me. But I am looking for a base home for my work and it seems that what I am looking for doesnt exist at the moment.

But its my problem and nobody elses.
« Last Edit: November 11, 2015, 12:05 by cobalt »


« Reply #44 on: November 11, 2015, 12:14 »
0
 :D Well find something!

« Reply #45 on: November 11, 2015, 12:41 »
+1
Nuno, maybe you can answer this question:
Are the pulse, the number of likes, favorites of the images etc. are taken into account in the search ranking for the market? It was cleary the case at the beginning (it was a marketing argument) but it less obvious today.
I like the fact that the community side matters for the market side, it is a specificity of 500px. Most pro microstocker will not share my opinion I think. I guess it is a question of position for 500px.

« Reply #46 on: November 11, 2015, 12:47 »
0
Dumc, i dont recall saying anything about rejecting best sellers


« Reply #47 on: November 11, 2015, 12:48 »
0
Personally I have some photos at 500px and some with other agencies. I've just figured out where each type of photo sells the best.

Nuno, can you give us an insiders view of what type of image sells best on 500px?

Is it "authentic stock" or "fine art"?
Are isolations a no-go?
Since you do have an app: Do mobile images sell?

« Reply #48 on: November 11, 2015, 13:04 »
+1
It sounds really complicated. ...

I'm very new at 500px (last week!) so there are probably a number of things I don't understand, but I have found it to be pretty simple to upload work - and everything is marked for Marketplace sales. I didn't realize that things could be rejected for Core (but that's good to know) and I upload once, request a watermark, request Marketplace, pick from a stored release if that's appropriate, set a Category and I'm done.

I do have all my IPTC data in the files - it's all read. I sometimes have fixed keywords (I have a few images that have Getty CV-style keywords like Nautical Vessel that I change to boat or ship) and sometimes accepted one of 500px suggested keywords where appropriate. There are a few images where I've had to remove keywords - the maximum is 30 - but each removal is one click.

By far the most time consuming thing has been trying to decide what's suitable to upload - and none of my images on white is an easy part :) I would like a few more portfolio tools - a way to see a list of images in Prime for example. I'd love a daily digest of the like/favorite e-mails (which I turned off as it's a bit too much). I feel a bit at sea with some of the social aspects of the site - what's the difference between liking and favoriting, for example? I've been doing both on things I like just in case :)

I'm participating in the watermarking interviews because I am concerned about having rudimentary theft protection. Given the state of agencies right now, and my recent departure from Canva, I wanted to find a new approach to try and 500px is my pick. Too soon to say how it will be as an agency.

« Reply #49 on: November 11, 2015, 13:09 »
0
It sounds really complicated.

I'd say that's an understatement.  Just for starters - is there a single, clear, comprehensive document on the site, explaining all this and giving the big picture?

It actually sounds like 500px might be an opportunity for me, but anytime there's 'curation' there's inevitably a certain style and look that's desired.  The problem for a lot of us is that getting anything up there takes a serious amount of time and effort vs. a completely unknown probability of being 'curated' let alone making a sale, and we've all been down that road before.  Is there an audition process i.e. submitting a portfolio link to at least get a reaction?

« Reply #50 on: November 11, 2015, 13:36 »
0
It sounds really complicated.

I'd say that's an understatement.  Just for starters - is there a single, clear, comprehensive document on the site, explaining all this and giving the big picture?

It actually sounds like 500px might be an opportunity for me, but anytime there's 'curation' there's inevitably a certain style and look that's desired.  The problem for a lot of us is that getting anything up there takes a serious amount of time and effort vs. a completely unknown probability of being 'curated' let alone making a sale, and we've all been down that road before.  Is there an audition process i.e. submitting a portfolio link to at least get a reaction?


The curation is not really important, it seems to me. Basically, 500px accepts virtually everything I submit. Then there is 2 collections: core and prime. The images in the core collection are a little less expansive (35$ versus 50$ for the cheapest licence), that's all. I have sales from both collections.

Then it is not obvious for me why an image is in the core collection or the prime collection. I would say that my images in the prime collection have more an authentic feeling, a "stocksy look", but there is a lot of counter-example.

« Reply #51 on: November 11, 2015, 13:47 »
+1
It sounds really complicated. ...
... There are a few images where I've had to remove keywords - the maximum is 30 - but each removal is one click.

Well there we go.  Most of my images probably have no more than 30, but some might have 50 (which other sites encouraged) so right away I'm faced with going through all of them to be sure the most important keywords weren't deleted.   Like I said, maybe it all makes sense if you have some reasonable expectation of sales, but just going through this as an exercise and then finding out you didn't make the cut... does anyone remember Crated?

I have some good stuff, and I'll do any reasonable amount of work to put it on a new site, IF someone would just tell me up front "we took a quick look at your stuff, it's exactly what we want".  Or "in your portfolio we like the ones like THIS one". Or, "thanks, but no" is also totally acceptable. 

I'm asking for 1 minute of agency time, before I invest an hour of mine.   Isn't that a reasonable position?
« Last Edit: November 11, 2015, 13:57 by stockastic »

« Reply #52 on: November 11, 2015, 14:05 »
+2
Personally I have some photos at 500px and some with other agencies. I've just figured out where each type of photo sells the best.


Nuno, can you give us an insiders view of what type of image sells best on 500px?

Is it "authentic stock" or "fine art"?
Are isolations a no-go?
Since you do have an app: Do mobile images sell?


To be honest, we're selling a lot of different genres except for the isolated on white stuff or the stuff that buyers know they can get at much cheaper prices elsewhere. What's "hot" lately is a lot of travel imagery and candid lifestyle type images.  Every week we send out a newsletter with some samples of the week's top sellers. This short list is actually a thought-out indication of the style and subject matter that sold that week. We also list the top searches and you'll see some trends there week after week.

We have sold mobile photos but they tend to be the ones that you wouldn't know were shot with a mobile until you saw it full-res or someone told you. Phones now are getting pretty great resolutions so it's almost a non-issue and some great "in the moment" type shots are captured with phones. Buyers say that that's the kind of stuff they want and my theory is that it's more about the content and "user generated" feel then the medium used to capture it. I really want to avoid using the word authentic here.  The mobile app, if I can sell it a bit here, is actually pretty cool in the sense that we provide access to your Lightroom Cloud library so you can upload from Creative Cloud right to 500px (with embedded keywords and all). It's no secret that a lot of the top instagrammers are shooting with mirrorless or dslr and not solely their phones (yes, generalization).

It sounds really complicated.

I'd say that's an understatement.  Just for starters - is there a single, clear, comprehensive document on the site, explaining all this and giving the big picture?


We try in product. Especially from the buyer's perspective - lots of dialogs and email exchanges as we walk them through the process. Agree that overall we should improve our contributor documentation beyond in-product and we have just launched the http://licensing.500px.com pages which are a start - but yes, we can do better and we are looking forward to it.

It sounds really complicated.

It actually sounds like 500px might be an opportunity for me, but anytime there's 'curation' there's inevitably a certain style and look that's desired.  The problem for a lot of us is that getting anything up there takes a serious amount of time and effort vs. a completely unknown probability of being 'curated' let alone making a sale, and we've all been down that road before.  Is there an audition process i.e. submitting a portfolio link to at least get a reaction?


We have this article here: https://iso.500px.com/introducing-the-next-evolution-of-the-500px-marketplace/
It is quite subjective and an organic process. We need humans to make these determinations so setting some kind of formula will always disappoint and since it's humans there may be calls we don't all agree with but are open to changing as market trends and context evolve. My job as Director of Content is try to keep some kind of consistency and make sure that the volume of sales is increasing for everyone participating. Sometimes it just makes sense to have your content in a lower priced collection in order to get the volume or that type of buyer. I have photos in both collections myself. The curations are somewhat anonymous in the sense that the editors do not know the photographer's name when they are reviewing the content.

If you'd like to submit a portfolio for me to review, I'd be open to it but please give me some time to get to it. I've found this community and even our groups are great places for peer review and dialog. My opinion may be no better than some of the pros on this site but like them I'd be into checking out some nice photos.

« Reply #53 on: November 11, 2015, 14:21 »
0
It sounds really complicated. ...

I'm very new at 500px (last week!) so there are probably a number of things I don't understand, but I have found it to be pretty simple to upload work - and everything is marked for Marketplace sales. I didn't realize that things could be rejected for Core (but that's good to know) and I upload once, request a watermark, request Marketplace, pick from a stored release if that's appropriate, set a Category and I'm done.

...


I'm participating in the watermarking interviews because I am concerned about having rudimentary theft protection. Given the state of agencies right now, and my recent departure from Canva, I wanted to find a new approach to try and 500px is my pick. Too soon to say how it will be as an agency.

Thank you. Lets see what your experiences are.

I dont mind supplying another niche agency...just have to find a theme that fits. And you cant really predict what sells, have to upload 300 files and different styles to see what sells...

So, it looks like everyone in the industry wants to be the niche right now. I can understand it in some ways, but as an artist and as a customer it makes for a very confusing landscape. I still believe customers appreciate an all in one option, saves so much time.

What happened to the concept of offering high quality edited collections with different styles and themes? Curating is such a powerful tool and you need enough choice to come up with something new every week.

Is 500pix connected to stockperformer?? Please say yes...

« Reply #54 on: November 11, 2015, 14:50 »
+1
Nuno, maybe you can answer this question:
Are the pulse, the number of likes, favorites of the images etc. are taken into account in the search ranking for the market? It was cleary the case at the beginning (it was a marketing argument) but it less obvious today.
I like the fact that the community side matters for the market side, it is a specificity of 500px. Most pro microstocker will not share my opinion I think. I guess it is a question of position for 500px.

Nuno, could you please answer the question above?

I hope that likes and favorites don't play a part in the marketplace search results because I've found it to be a very fickle thing. I can upload an image and get no "likes" or "favorites" then delete the image and upload it again a couple hours later and get a bunch of "likes" within a few minutes. With likes/favorites timing is everything and I'd hate to think some of my best images fall through the cracks in the marketplace because I'd uploaded them at the wrong time.

Thanks!

« Reply #55 on: November 11, 2015, 15:11 »
+2

Nuno, could you please answer the question above?

I hope that likes and favorites don't play a part in the marketplace search results because I've found it to be a very fickle thing. I can upload an image and get no "likes" or "favorites" then delete the image and upload it again a couple hours later and get a bunch of "likes" within a few minutes. With likes/favorites timing is everything and I'd hate to think some of my best images fall through the cracks in the marketplace because I'd uploaded them at the wrong time.

Thanks!

I've been on 500px for a long time, well before the market, and now I have a lot of followers (the selection on an image in the editor choices brings a lot of followers for example), and now the timing does not matter anymore for me. But it is true that at the beginning it mattered a lot, and it was much better to submit images the sunday...
It's a question of point of view, and for 500px to decide whether they want to be a community that also sells images or a classical "professional" stock agency. It seems to me that the recent evolution is toward the latter, but it is not that clear.
In any case, no matter our opinions, it is useful for everybody to know the rules of the game, especially for someone who consider to begin today.

« Reply #56 on: November 11, 2015, 15:22 »
+2
Nuno, maybe you can answer this question:
Are the pulse, the number of likes, favorites of the images etc. are taken into account in the search ranking for the market? It was cleary the case at the beginning (it was a marketing argument) but it less obvious today.
I like the fact that the community side matters for the market side, it is a specificity of 500px. Most pro microstocker will not share my opinion I think. I guess it is a question of position for 500px.

Nuno, could you please answer the question above?

I hope that likes and favorites don't play a part in the marketplace search results because I've found it to be a very fickle thing. I can upload an image and get no "likes" or "favorites" then delete the image and upload it again a couple hours later and get a bunch of "likes" within a few minutes. With likes/favorites timing is everything and I'd hate to think some of my best images fall through the cracks in the marketplace because I'd uploaded them at the wrong time.

Thanks!

It does play some part in it, but so do curations, relevancy, exact matching, etc.. We also have some other secret formulas but I will say that the community affection does play a part but it's only a part and not the entire formula. 


« Reply #57 on: November 11, 2015, 19:49 »
0
well as far for the likes you mentioned,one of my pics on 500px had many likes,went into popular catagory,and after a little while it was sold as a prime.so i guess the too many likes and favs and comments helped a bit. 

« Reply #58 on: November 12, 2015, 22:47 »
0
Is the work automatically enrolled in prime or is it somehow specially selected? I am contemplating trying them for a second time since they offer an opt out and are working on a better watermark.

You can upload anything to 500px ... think of it kind of like a classy instagram ... with a marketplace ...

It's kinda been my test route with photography, as my skill improves it seems I've had better success and have a whole 2 images for sale. lol. No sales yet obviously but, when I get so many "likes" or whatever 500px sends an email kind of suggesting that you should put it on the marketplace, so I just go in and toggle the box to put it up for sale, re-upload if I need to and I'm done ...

Mostly because I don't want to sort a terabyte of files now and figure out what CAN even sell because I'm kind of lazy ... but, I'm looking more into getting a fire started and uploading more now, seems that between the Adobe deal and 500px I could actually make this work.

Tror

« Reply #59 on: November 13, 2015, 07:38 »
+5
Well, first and foremost: thank you guys from 500px to jump in here! Very helpful to achieve best results for both, the contribs and you :-)

The veryvery good news is that I sell well on 500px.

But my personal problem I have with 500px and Prime is that I sense some sort of conflict every now and then between what the commercial licensing market requires and on the other side what is suitable for a community / well curated site like 500px.

For the community on the site I would curate and edit the material I upload quite well. The licensing market requires different material which is not necessarily the stuff that brings you likes and favs. I am sure when it comes to landscapes or travel the two aims combine quite well, but not when you do "artsy" stuff and fashion, nude etc. on one side and typical lifestyle or still life stock on the other side.

Or to make it short: I almost never sell the images which get popular, but very well so commercial subjects which get mostly ignored by the community.

Every now and then I feel like I alienate my followers by uploading stock and indeed get "unfollowed" by some after uploading commercial subjects....then I usually chose to upload again a bunch of artsy stuff and regain followers, get popular images etc.... a situation I do not like at all.

Maybe it could be helpful to have a feature to "hide" or make prime submissions less "relevant" or "visible" to the community site?
« Last Edit: November 13, 2015, 07:42 by Tror »

« Reply #60 on: November 13, 2015, 08:04 »
+2
Uf, like if you were reading my mind. I too find it kind of weird to upload, for example typical stock stuff (like food or medical stuff or whatever), when 500px is more about likes and favs and the most popular photos there are landscape and travel and thing like that.

Now, most of my photos on 500px are animals and some other nature stuff, and I have about 300 followers. It would be kind of weird if I started uploading typical stock/commercial photos.


« Reply #62 on: November 13, 2015, 10:01 »
0
Completely understand that. What I've done, personally, is just create sets and upload the whole series in to that set. Then I move maybe 1 or 2 photos in to my "Public Profile". The photos are still searchable but not visible on my profile page unless you visit my sets.

Good to know, but don't forget to say that an "upgrade" and a minimum $25/year subscription is needed in order to create sets.

« Reply #63 on: November 13, 2015, 11:17 »
+3
Completely understand that. What I've done, personally, is just create sets and upload the whole series in to that set. Then I move maybe 1 or 2 photos in to my "Public Profile". The photos are still searchable but not visible on my profile page unless you visit my sets.

Good to know, but don't forget to say that an "upgrade" and a minimum $25/year subscription is needed in order to create sets.

True. We have discounts and promos all the time. Heck, if anyone here wants 6 free months of Plus email me at [email protected] and mention this forum.  I'll have to limit this to the first 10 people so I don't get in too much trouble, but I'd like to remove any obstacles for people who just want to give 500px a try.

« Reply #64 on: November 14, 2015, 06:03 »
+1
Ok, so I created a set, un-clicked "public" and uploaded a photo to that set. Now if I go to my main page, that photo doesn't show. But people are still liking it. How can that be? How did they found it?

Also, if I go to my main photo page and click "sets" it says You haven't created any sets yet, which is not true because I did create two sets.

This site is so complictaed....
« Last Edit: November 14, 2015, 06:09 by Dumc »

« Reply #65 on: November 14, 2015, 06:54 »
+3
And that thing, when you get to the bottom of the page and starts loading the next set of photos, and when you again get to the bottom of the page with this newly loaded sets of photos again starts to load new sets of photos..... It SO ANNOYING.... Why can't just be Page 1, 2, 3 ..... it would be much more transparent and easier to browse through large ports...

That idiot thing actually discourages me, to check all photos. I only check 1 or 2 "loads" and then close the page. Like, who wants to scroll down forever to find what you're looking for.

« Reply #66 on: November 14, 2015, 12:29 »
+1
And that thing, when you get to the bottom of the page and starts loading the next set of photos, and when you again get to the bottom of the page with this newly loaded sets of photos again starts to load new sets of photos..... It SO ANNOYING.... Why can't just be Page 1, 2, 3 ..... it would be much more transparent and easier to browse through large ports...

That idiot thing actually discourages me, to check all photos. I only check 1 or 2 "loads" and then close the page. Like, who wants to scroll down forever to find what you're looking for.

I just uploaded a few photos to try out the site.  I agree, there are currently some performance issues, images take time to load.  But overall the site has a nice clean look.   I don't know yet whether I'll really get involved, but I see the promise.  It's a fresh start anyway.

  The things I do often cross the border between 'stock' and 'art' and I'd like to sell into both markets, prints and licenses.  I have no marketing of my own, so I need keyword search; I want a modern looking gallery to refer people to when I sell a print or card at a craft show.  As things are now, there isn't any one site that does it all.

I'm done with microstocks.   I sell some prints on FAA, but the site looks like the 90s, lacks many needed features, and is full of junk.  SmugMug has no built-in search and no licensing.   Crated.com has a good looking gallery, sells framed prints, but so far they haven't 'curated' me, so I don't show up in there search; and I question whether they'll be around long.   And now 500px has a good presentation, reasonable royalties for licenses, some possibility of showing up in a search; but no print sales.

There is an opportunity here because I'm sure many photographers like myself are looking for that next generation platform.
« Last Edit: November 14, 2015, 13:39 by stockastic »


« Reply #67 on: November 15, 2015, 03:40 »
+1
The only issue is whether there are actually any sales on 500px. I've been here for some time and haven't seen any activity yet

Other than that I'd love for this to take off...  Its amazing

« Reply #68 on: November 15, 2015, 04:15 »
0
According to some users in this thread, they have regular sales. Whether it's true or not I don't know. I didn't have any sales so far. I'm with them about 1,5 year.

« Reply #69 on: November 15, 2015, 06:15 »
0
Well i guess it makes sense to put more files up and try for myself. Will keep you all posted

StefC

  • www.royaltyfreevault.com
« Reply #70 on: November 15, 2015, 07:43 »
+5
If only they finally decided to PROTECT OUR WORK with a decent watermark!
At least in the Marketplace album.

But no, the "previews" are really huge (more than enough for most online uses) and the watermark is a tiny logo in a corner.
It's like saying "Hey, come here, the images are fully searchable, with tags and full descriptions and when you find it... you can steal it, it's so easy!"


« Reply #71 on: November 15, 2015, 10:51 »
+1
If only they finally decided to PROTECT OUR WORK with a decent watermark!
At least in the Marketplace album.

But no, the "previews" are really huge (more than enough for most online uses) and the watermark is a tiny logo in a corner.
It's like saying "Hey, come here, the images are fully searchable, with tags and full descriptions and when you find it... you can steal it, it's so easy!"

The previews don't need to be this big - they'll be stolen right and left. 

And since we're picking on nits:  I really wish it didn't say "AWESOME" under my avatar photo.
« Last Edit: November 15, 2015, 14:42 by stockastic »

Tror

« Reply #72 on: November 15, 2015, 12:12 »
0
What I've done, personally, is just create sets and upload the whole series in to that set. Then I move maybe 1 or 2 photos in to my "Public Profile". The photos are still searchable but not visible on my profile page unless you visit my sets.


Thanks for the great tip! Can you set a "Set" as non-public as well but publish the material on Prime or do the sets have to be public?

I second the watermark issue: It is a REAL problem for many of us and holding me back to upload some pieces.
« Last Edit: November 15, 2015, 12:21 by Tror »

« Reply #73 on: November 15, 2015, 14:53 »
+6
According to some users in this thread, they have regular sales. Whether it's true or not I don't know. I didn't have any sales so far. I'm with them about 1,5 year.

Why would someone lie about this?
Here is a screenshot of my 1st sales page:

« Reply #74 on: November 15, 2015, 15:01 »
+3
According to some users in this thread, they have regular sales. Whether it's true or not I don't know. I didn't have any sales so far. I'm with them about 1,5 year.

Why would someone lie about this?
Here is a screenshot of my 1st sales page:
Thats pretty cool...  Hope more agencies like 500px make it. It's amazing for the contributors

« Reply #75 on: November 16, 2015, 19:54 »
0
As far as I can see, even at the paid levels 500px has no built-in support for selling 'art prints' - by which I mean a buyer can't order a paper print from the site or from some 'partner' site via a convenient link.  Is that correct?

If that is the case, would I be allowed to display a link to some other site where prints are available? 

« Reply #76 on: November 16, 2015, 22:25 »
0
As far as I can see, even at the paid levels 500px has no built-in support for selling 'art prints' - by which I mean a buyer can't order a paper print from the site or from some 'partner' site via a convenient link.  Is that correct?

If that is the case, would I be allowed to display a link to some other site where prints are available? 

That's correct. We no longer offer print sales through 500px directly. There is no problem linking to an art print site for your work.


« Reply #77 on: November 17, 2015, 11:08 »
+2
As far as I can see, even at the paid levels 500px has no built-in support for selling 'art prints' - by which I mean a buyer can't order a paper print from the site or from some 'partner' site via a convenient link.  Is that correct?

If that is the case, would I be allowed to display a link to some other site where prints are available? 

That's correct. We no longer offer print sales through 500px directly. There is no problem linking to an art print site for your work.

Thanks.  If you don't want to get into print sales, I'd like to suggest offering the option of a highly visible "Buy Print" button which would be our opportunity to add a link to a POD site.    This wouldn't interfere with the licensing options, and would give people like myself more incentive to use 500px.   

angelawaye

  • Eat, Sleep, Keyword. Repeat

« Reply #78 on: November 17, 2015, 16:38 »
+4
I would love to sell my images with 500px but they don't even have a watermark on the images! Is it just me or is it insane! So what if the right click is disabled - there are tons of free capture a screenshot programs to capture them.

« Reply #79 on: November 23, 2015, 22:36 »
+6
@nuno, I just realized that the max number of keywords allowed by 500px is 30.
The industry norm is 50. This is why most of my files have ~50.
If 500px is only using the first 30 keywords, then I have a problem, since my keywords are not ordered based on their importance.

Could you please propose your developers to align the site with the 50 keywords de-facto standard?
« Last Edit: November 24, 2015, 11:18 by Zero Talent »

« Reply #80 on: November 23, 2015, 23:15 »
0
@nuno, I just realized that the max number of keywords allowed by 500px is 30.
The industry norm is 50. This is why most of my files have ~50.
If 500px is only using the first 30 keywords, then I have a problem, since my keywords are not ordered based on their importance.

Could you please propose your developers to align the site with the 50 keywords de-facto standard?

Yes!  This is a dealbreaker for me.  Not going to rekeyword several k images to get on a new site.

« Reply #81 on: November 24, 2015, 01:24 »
+1
The keyword ordering is extremely important in major big stock sites like Fotolia, Shutterstock...If somebody didn't have the keywords ordered per importance and matching, this is a big omission.

« Reply #82 on: November 24, 2015, 01:46 »
+2
How do you order keywords when entering them in lightroom?

« Reply #83 on: November 24, 2015, 05:30 »
+1
How do you order keywords when entering them in lightroom?

I do it in Adobe Bridge.

« Reply #84 on: November 24, 2015, 10:29 »
+2
The keyword ordering is extremely important in major big stock sites like Fotolia, Shutterstock...If somebody didn't have the keywords ordered per importance and matching, this is a big omission.
It is not important for Shutterstock. If I'm not wrong, it was made clear by Vincent.
It is for Fotolia, indeed, but that's another discussion all together.

500px should align their keywords number with the rest of the industry.

Sent from my SM-N910T using Tapatalk


« Reply #85 on: November 24, 2015, 11:50 »
0
The keyword ordering is extremely important in major big stock sites like Fotolia, Shutterstock...If somebody didn't have the keywords ordered per importance and matching, this is a big omission.
It is not important for Shutterstock. If I'm not wrong, it was made clear by Vincent.
It is for Fotolia, indeed, but that's another discussion all together.

500px should align their keywords number with the rest of the industry.

Sent from my SM-N910T using Tapatalk

I can't believe it. Just because this will blurs the search and Shutterstock will never lower the quality of its search. Always will dominate some keywords and which will be will never been taken on random way i guess. The best is the human(not scrip) to decide which keywords describe the best some particular image and they will never be 30 or 50, but maybe 3 or 5 as first level of coincidence :)

« Reply #86 on: November 24, 2015, 11:57 »
+3
The keyword ordering is extremely important in major big stock sites like Fotolia, Shutterstock...If somebody didn't have the keywords ordered per importance and matching, this is a big omission.

It is not important for Shutterstock. If I'm not wrong, it was made clear by Vincent.
It is for Fotolia, indeed, but that's another discussion all together.

500px should align their keywords number with the rest of the industry.

Sent from my SM-N910T using Tapatalk


I can't believe it. Just because this will blurs the search and Shutterstock will never lower the quality of its search. Always will dominate some keywords and which will be will never been taken on random way i guess. The best is the human(not scrip) to decide which keywords describe the best some particular image and they will never be 30 or 50, but maybe 3 or 5 as first level of coincidence :)


It is your prerogative to be a "non-believer".

I go with this official statement from Vincent:

Posted 13 February 2015 - 04:45 PM
Hi,

The order makes no difference at all. In the customer search engine there is no preferential treatment for higher placed keywords.

Vincent
Shutterstock 


http://forums.submit.shutterstock.com/topic/74957-keyword-order/


« Reply #87 on: November 24, 2015, 17:20 »
+1
It looks like it's true, because the keywords order on the site is not the same order as i have it.

« Reply #88 on: November 25, 2015, 04:22 »
+1
I just realized that the max number of keywords allowed by 500px is 30.
The industry norm is 50. This is why most of my files have ~50.
Completely agree, and I believe that most of us. I hope 500px understand to fix this issue and increase keywords max to 50. And it's so logical, just drop one zero and result is so beautiful and clean 50 :)

« Reply #89 on: November 25, 2015, 08:56 »
0
It looks like it's true, because the keywords order on the site is not the same order as i have it.

Fotolia also has keywords alphabeticaly orderd on their site.


 

Related Topics

  Subject / Started by Replies Last post
12 Replies
8154 Views
Last post March 04, 2011, 14:25
by Karimala
9 Replies
6607 Views
Last post May 03, 2015, 15:42
by fotografer
21 Replies
14182 Views
Last post July 01, 2017, 15:53
by Sean Locke Photography
1 Replies
6142 Views
Last post August 22, 2016, 13:30
by Rose Tinted Glasses
22 Replies
15050 Views
Last post October 11, 2017, 11:04
by polar

Sponsors

Mega Bundle of 5,900+ Professional Lightroom Presets

Microstock Poll Results

Sponsors