pancakes

MicrostockGroup Sponsors


Author Topic: Check Out PicturEngine  (Read 57970 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

wut

« Reply #25 on: May 13, 2012, 11:50 »
0
Yeah, give it 5 minutes and this system will have figured out a way to short change us :)

That was my initial thought as well ;) . It's confusing to say the least, just what the banks were doing and started this recession, the fall of the European countries etc ;)


« Reply #26 on: May 13, 2012, 12:10 »
0
Seems like a terrible deal to me.  At that rate, they would have to bring in more money than all but my top seven agencies before I'd see a dime of income.  And what's their incentive to market their site to buyers?  They make all their money whether I sell a lot or a little, so every dollar of advertising and promotion is an unrecovered cost to them.  No, I prefer an agency to have skin in the game; when something sells, we both make money.

velocicarpo

« Reply #27 on: May 13, 2012, 12:16 »
0
IMHO it is a great opportunity for us. I would even say we all waited for something like this. Everyone wants his own site or sales channel and be independent of the agencies. On the other hand, a single site of one contributor may have some sales but never the sales and attraction power of one of the big agencies.

This site could well be the future and with 100% royalty to just have to sell a handful of images every month to regain the cost and make it worthwile.

I will join.

PaulieWalnuts

  • We Have Exciting News For You
« Reply #28 on: May 13, 2012, 12:46 »
0
Seems to be a decent idea but needs a lot more work.

Prices are all over the place. If I was a buyer I would want reasonably consistent pricing or at least a way to filter it.

I also think we need a new purchasing model but this isn't quite revolutionary.

« Reply #29 on: May 13, 2012, 12:47 »
0
there is an open topic on the same matter from April 25th

http://www.microstockgroup.com/general-stock-discussion/check-out-picturengine/

too bad there is no feedback (YET) from "owners" here on MSG

sure 40$ doesnt look much but I believe we need to hear more about it and perhaps a period of testing..

« Reply #30 on: May 13, 2012, 13:16 »
0
This is great.  I've been waiting for someone to come up with this.  Hope it is successful. :)


LOL, I posted a link to http://www.picturengine.com in another thread on MSG and got a much different response.

"Sounds like a loser all around for the artist.  The only engine I would be willing to pay for would be one that exclusively searched the artist's own sites, not the micro agencies."

« Reply #31 on: May 13, 2012, 13:20 »
0
there is an open topic on the same matter from April 25th

http://www.microstockgroup.com/general-stock-discussion/check-out-picturengine/

too bad there is no feedback (YET) from "owners" here on MSG

sure 40$ doesnt look much but I believe we need to hear more about it and perhaps a period of testing..


Thanks Luis, I missed that . . . . . . .

« Reply #32 on: May 13, 2012, 13:22 »
0
I've just merged the two threads

lisafx

« Reply #33 on: May 13, 2012, 13:46 »
0
This is great.  I've been waiting for someone to come up with this.  Hope it is successful. :)


LOL, I posted a link to http://www.picturengine.com in another thread on MSG and got a much different response.

"Sounds like a loser all around for the artist.  The only engine I would be willing to pay for would be one that exclusively searched the artist's own sites, not the micro agencies."


Fair enough.  I didn't realize this was the same one that was searching the agencies.  The other thread gave a more detailed explanation of what was on offer.  

I've been waiting for somebody to come up with one that would ONLY search member artist's sites.  If this one isn't that, then I will have to sit back and wait for one that does that.  

Seems like it's always that way with new great things to revolutionize the stock industry - the Devil's in the details.  :P
« Last Edit: May 13, 2012, 13:50 by lisafx »

« Reply #34 on: May 13, 2012, 14:23 »
0
This is great.  I've been waiting for someone to come up with this.  Hope it is successful. :)


LOL, I posted a link to http://www.picturengine.com in another thread on MSG and got a much different response.

"Sounds like a loser all around for the artist.  The only engine I would be willing to pay for would be one that exclusively searched the artist's own sites, not the micro agencies."


Fair enough.  I didn't realize this was the same one that was searching the agencies.  The other thread gave a more detailed explanation of what was on offer.  

I've been waiting for somebody to come up with one that would ONLY search member artist's sites.  If this one isn't that, then I will have to sit back and wait for one that does that.  

Seems like it's always that way with new great things to revolutionize the stock industry - the Devil's in the details.  :P


No worries, we would be much better off if we all questioned each bit of information served to us no matter who it comes from.  I would like to think that one day we will be mad as hell and decide to do something to end the greed. Forming a cooperative to develop or license similar technology would be a nice start.

« Reply #35 on: May 13, 2012, 15:50 »
0
This is great.  I've been waiting for someone to come up with this.  Hope it is successful. :)


LOL, I posted a link to http://www.picturengine.com in another thread on MSG and got a much different response.

"Sounds like a loser all around for the artist.  The only engine I would be willing to pay for would be one that exclusively searched the artist's own sites, not the micro agencies."


Fair enough.  I didn't realize this was the same one that was searching the agencies.  The other thread gave a more detailed explanation of what was on offer.  

I've been waiting for somebody to come up with one that would ONLY search member artist's sites.  If this one isn't that, then I will have to sit back and wait for one that does that.  

Seems like it's always that way with new great things to revolutionize the stock industry - the Devil's in the details.  :P


No worries, we would be much better off if we all questioned each bit of information served to us no matter who it comes from.  I would like to think that one day we will be mad as hell and decide to do something to end the greed. Forming a cooperative to develop or license similar technology would be a nice start.


the problem is that US (contributors) arent worried about others income, I bet if Yuri instead of openning his own "agency" would have openned a "union" that we all would join and perhaps do something out of it but again why would he or other do it? get our respect and appreciation? heck money is a lot more important and I do understand ;D

« Reply #36 on: May 13, 2012, 16:02 »
0
The attraction for a buyer is a one-stop shop for every image anywhere.  Hopefully your images are interesting enough to compete with 20 million images from all the micros.... Although, with a basic agency like interface, it's sort of just more of the same.

But isn't that "every image everywhere (as long as the image owner has paid for the privilege)". If not, won't it mean that buyers are referred to our images without us paying anything? And if everybody has to pay $500 a year for the pleasure of being included, won't it put off 99.9% of us, so there will only be a measly 20,000 rather than 20m images?

grp_photo

« Reply #37 on: May 14, 2012, 14:41 »
0
never pay upfront for an exhibition because then the gallery has no incentive to go out and find clients
I love the idea but you are right they need some funding to offer this service for free till they show success.
Maybe the first step to find an investor for this idea is that more photographers need their own selling-site.

« Reply #38 on: May 14, 2012, 14:50 »
0
I love the idea but you are right they need some funding to offer this service for free till they show success.
Maybe the first step to find an investor for this idea is that more photographers need their own selling-site.

I always assumed you could just run a site like this using affiliate codes built into the links. For example, my affiliate program pays more per sale than most sites pay their artists.

antistock

« Reply #39 on: May 15, 2012, 01:06 »
0
i understand it's just a photographer's beta but how are we supposed to trust a company that doesn't provide any info in their About page ? what's the company name ? who's is the owner ? where's their address ? which country ? payment gateways ? refund policy ? etc etc ...

antistock

« Reply #40 on: May 15, 2012, 01:09 »
0
I always assumed you could just run a site like this using affiliate codes built into the links. For example, my affiliate program pays more per sale than most sites pay their artists.

oh c'mon, this project is interesting but as long as they can't invest tens of millions in advertising they are going nowhere and if they think it could get free viral marketing let me remind them the days of viral marketing are long gone, even some established authority web sites are struggling to get visitors nowadays.

antistock

« Reply #41 on: May 15, 2012, 01:13 »
0
PicturEngine is by Justin Brinson (http://www.linkedin.com/in/justinbrinson).

He also owns:

1.  http://www.pornstockphoto.com - Porn Stock Photo


please notice that this link redirects to PicturEnginge web site ... very very professional to say the least ...as if the PE site wasn't already smelling of scam.


« Reply #42 on: May 15, 2012, 07:11 »
0
The attraction for a buyer is a one-stop shop for every image anywhere.  Hopefully your images are interesting enough to compete with 20 million images from all the micros.... Although, with a basic agency like interface, it's sort of just more of the same.

But isn't that "every image everywhere (as long as the image owner has paid for the privilege)". If not, won't it mean that buyers are referred to our images without us paying anything? And if everybody has to pay $500 a year for the pleasure of being included, won't it put off 99.9% of us, so there will only be a measly 20,000 rather than 20m images?

Everybody is included, whether they sign up or not.  The benefit of signing up is that when your images are viewed, it will be from the Picturengine platform, where you receive 100% royalties.   You set your own prices.   If you haven't signed up and your image is viewed, it will be from the agency that the image was uploaded to first.  There will be no duplicates. 

« Reply #43 on: May 24, 2012, 15:53 »
0
Hello Microstock Group,
Some of you asked, who is behind PicturEngine?

My name is Justin Brinson, the founder and CEO of PicturEngine, Inc.  I am a photographer (Brooks grad), specializing in Architecture and Food, and a traditional stock photo agency owner of two niche agencies (Picturesque and Corner House Stock Photo).  I have participated in our industry from all perspectives; as a photographer, as an agency owner and manager, on the front lines helping clients, and working with submitting photographers.

Over four years ago, I set out to build the next generation platform for the stock photo industry, realizing that ALL the current models are broken and lacking regard for the very core of our industry: the image producer/photographer.  This platform had to be very different, thinking outside the tradition or norm.  First, it had to be informative, being the first to recognize industry searching and sales trends as they happen.  Next, it had to be simple, easy to use, with time-saving tools to get new images online and selling fast.  Additionally, an infinitely scalable platform, modular and accessible to all.  And last, but certainly not least, an indispensable tool, so unique that image buyers make it their FIRST stop when searching for images.  I studied other industries for a proven model and the search engine sales advertising model was a near perfect fit.

During this time I personally researched and polled thousands of photographers on the challenges they face and where they see the industry going.  I also surveyed my client base of more than 40,000 active image buyers, receiving over 16,000 returned surveys in the past 4 years.  From the photographer and client survey data, I built PicturEngine to solve the problems of photographer, photo buyer, and photo agency.  Some compromises were made to satisfy all parties, however, surprisingly, most everyone ultimately wanted the same thing; a time and money saving one-stop, high-tech yet simple to use, search, sales & delivery platform encompassing the entire industry, without duplication, in one quick search.

I would like to start answering your questions, but first let me remind you that we have an interactive FAQ support system at support.picturengine.com

Answers/comments to current questions I have seen on the Microstockgroup site:

@Kenny Great detective work!  Although, I have several hundred domains, all photo related.

@ED PicturEngine was designed and built to specifically direct image buyers to the photographer (who sets his/her own prices and receives 100% of the sale on the PicturEngine platform) or his/her home or original agency representing his/her work.  PicturEngine does NOT compare prices.  We do NOT refer buyers to the affiliate of the photographer's original agency (where the photographer gets only a fraction of a fraction of the original image sale).  We try to identify the originating agency.  PicturEngine looks out for image producers/photographers, period.  When agencies compete with each other, selling YOUR images, YOU are the only one who loses. Without producing photographers, we have no industry. 

@ ALL using our demo search:  The current PicturEngine search is limited, as the popup states:  We're in OPEN PHOTOGRAPHER BETA.  Search results are for DEMONSTRATION PURPOSES ONLY.  The current results are LIMITED in both size and functionality.  At launch, we will open our industry wide search.

What does this statement mean? 
Searching the entire industry of 300 million images while removing over ⅓ (one third) of the images as duplicates, all while pointing the image searcher/buyer to the home agency or photographer, is expensive!

It takes a cluster of servers to quickly search the industry data, a secondary cluster of servers to rate and rank images within the buyers search results, a third cluster to allow for visual and sim searches within the results, and finally a fourth cluster to analyze customer searching and buying habits to provide our PicturEngine photographers an edge and early lead on what's NEXT!

We are currently in open photographer beta.  We are allowing photographers on the search, sales, and delivery platform to fully test and prepare for our big launch.  During this time, we are offering Beta photographers a locked in for life discounted price to join and to help us complete the testing of the platform.

I hope this answers questions you may have about PicturEngine and its origin.  I welcome questions, however my time is limited, so I may not get to every question immediately, but with the help of my staff and photographers already using the platform, I believe we will be able to clarify any remaining questions.

Stay ahead of the curve,
JB

Justin Brinson
Founder, President and CEO
PicturEngine, Inc.

lisafx

« Reply #44 on: May 24, 2012, 18:02 »
0
Thanks very much for coming in and posting Justin.  From your description, it does sound like what I have been hoping someone would come up with.  Would love to have a one-stop-shop that could direct buyers of my images to my own site.

I do have a question about the plans you offer.  I see there is a very reasonable "advertising only" plan for people with existing sales platforms (i.e. their own site), but also a more expensive plan where Picturengine does the sales and delivery part.   I only would need the advertising function, but my concern is that down the road there will be incentive for Picturengine to promote the images from more expensive plans in the search ahead of the lower cost plan.

What do you plan to do to keep your search fair and equitable among all your subscribers?
« Last Edit: May 24, 2012, 18:04 by lisafx »

« Reply #45 on: May 24, 2012, 18:57 »
0
" And last, but certainly not least, an indispensable tool, so unique that image buyers make it their FIRST stop when searching for images.  "

What makes it unique?  It looks like any other stock search site.

"I studied other industries for a proven model and the search engine sales advertising model was a near perfect fit."

What is the 'search engine sales model'?

grafix04

« Reply #46 on: May 24, 2012, 22:21 »
0
This is great!  Finally, something revolutionary!  It's a little pricey for the average contributor but it will help weed out the serious photogs from the hobbyists, who have been the ones driving down prices.  I can't help being excited about this.  I imagine Yuri taking full advantage of it.  Imagine the negative effect he'll have on the agents.  GOOD!  $40/month is nothing to him and he'll drive all the traffic to his website, undercutting all the agents.  This is the future of stock.  Something like this is what I've been waiting for.  It's probably not a perfect model but it has potential and what's to say other similar sites won't spring up charging photographers less than $40/month.

Finally, something new and positive to look forward to. 

drugal

    This user is banned.
« Reply #47 on: May 25, 2012, 02:29 »
0
This is great!  Finally, something revolutionary!  It's a little pricey for the average contributor but it will help weed out the serious photogs from the hobbyists, who have been the ones driving down prices.  I can't help being excited about this.  I imagine Yuri taking full advantage of it.  Imagine the negative effect he'll have on the agents.  GOOD!  $40/month is nothing to him and he'll drive all the traffic to his website, undercutting all the agents.  This is the future of stock.  Something like this is what I've been waiting for.  It's probably not a perfect model but it has potential and what's to say other similar sites won't spring up charging photographers less than $40/month.

Finally, something new and positive to look forward to.  

How do the hobbyists drive down prices?
« Last Edit: May 25, 2012, 02:33 by drugal »

drugal

    This user is banned.
« Reply #48 on: May 25, 2012, 02:33 »
0
Btw this 'site' will have it's own stock library. That for independents is basically the same port as all other sites... but it removes duplicates. : )

« Reply #49 on: May 25, 2012, 02:47 »
0
I don't quite get it.  Are we paying for better placement in the search?  What happens if we don't sign up?  My images are already in the search but they're all from DepositPhotos.  If I pay, does this change to a site that pays me a higher commission?  I still don't understand why buyers are going to register for lots of sites.  What we really need is a universal registration and payment system.  I'm not a buyer but I would probably be happy using sites like SS and alamy that have huge collections, without having to register for lots of smaller sites.


 

Related Topics

  Subject / Started by Replies Last post
55 Replies
18428 Views
Last post November 27, 2012, 13:53
by Poncke
122 Replies
25901 Views
Last post October 27, 2013, 13:34
by Ron
4 Replies
2743 Views
Last post December 06, 2012, 12:51
by Poncke
5 Replies
4309 Views
Last post December 14, 2013, 22:55
by simi
16 Replies
7471 Views
Last post September 27, 2016, 17:26
by PicturEngine-JustinB

Sponsors

Mega Bundle of 5,900+ Professional Lightroom Presets

Microstock Poll Results

Sponsors