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Author Topic: Feeling like a break! anybody?  (Read 18014 times)

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RacePhoto

« Reply #25 on: May 31, 2012, 11:41 »
0
When I was getting back from Morocco last week, a bottle of Glenfiddich in the duty free shop reminded me of you. I was kinda disappointed when I saw the 30 price tag ;D . Knowing you, I expected it to be at least a 100, something special and really sophisticated :D

Thanks a bunch!  Im proud of being associated with Whiskey! :D, well, Glenfiddich is good but there are far better. Try MacAllens, good stuff, puts hairs on your chest.
Glenfiddich and The Macallans are Whiskys. Just sayin'.
Whiskey is either Irish product or the paint strippers that they put out over the pond. (OK, that's maybe unfair. Jack is like paint stripper. I haven't tasted Jim Beam or any of the others.) Or various others from Japan etc.

Glenfiddich is pedestrian but at least good for Grant's with a fancy label on it. Glenlivet is better. From there on down it gets weaker and weaker. A good single malt is a reason to drink. Not for the alcohol but for the taste and enjoyment. Hey try some Black Grouse for your blended, it's a surprise how good it is. What's the top selling scotch in Scotland (another surprise?) Famous Grouse.

I looked at the Japanese, especially the one that was ranked scotch whisky (did they use the "e") and it's light, I'd say some lowland type. No thanks. If I'm going to pay I want Talasker, Highland Park, Ardbeg, Islay, or something with a little character. Not some yellowish lowland product.

Your appraisal of American whiskey is spot on. With rare exception, it's harsh, lacks character and is best when mixed with something else, to hide the flavor.  :D Although I will confess that I used to like shots of rye whiskey with a Heineken chaser. Best for taking the edge off a family gathering...


Lagereek

« Reply #26 on: May 31, 2012, 11:46 »
0
Christian, I know exactly what you mean.  Sick and tired of the BS in the micro world.  unlike some of the smart folks here, I haven't branched into the macro RM world as much as I should.  Now I'm regretting.it.

I did take 6 months or so off recently to remodel or house.  Not relaxing though.  Just a different kind of frustration.  I think that hiatus did have a negative affect on income.  Been working hard lately to compensate.

You are most welcome to visit here in Florida anytime :)  I suggest waiting until September or later though.  It's hellishly hot here in summer.  Even the dog won't go outide!!

Hi Lisa!  well I might just take you up on that. I have always liked Florida. Fantastic weather! healthy. Yep! all the negative changes within micro, all the pennypinching, hassle, etc. Makes you really wonder if its worth it,  or rather how long it will take before it detroys itself.

all the best.

velocicarpo

« Reply #27 on: May 31, 2012, 11:53 »
0
Christian, I know exactly what you mean.  Sick and tired of the BS in the micro world.  unlike some of the smart folks here, I haven't branched into the macro RM world as much as I should.  Now I'm regretting.it.

...never too late Lisa. You have a incredible Talent and I`m sure you will/would be able to compensate the delay easily ;-)

« Reply #28 on: May 31, 2012, 12:03 »
0
Not sure why, but all the talk of alcohol made this pop into my head.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=seN7AKSwMFU[/youtube]

Lagereek

« Reply #29 on: May 31, 2012, 12:10 »
0
Not sure why, but all the talk of alcohol made this pop into my head.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=seN7AKSwMFU[/youtube]


Good one ;D,  yup, its got to be scotish or its C#AP!

grafix04

« Reply #30 on: May 31, 2012, 12:36 »
0
I shoot a variety of pretty darn attractive gals, and it's getting really-really boring, monotonous (I'm male). Makes me wonder what ppl shooting cupcakes, flowers, ribbons.... or fluffy albino dogs in their backyard, feel like...

lmao! hey, send some of those gals my way will ya!
Adapt drugal, combine subjects, shoot attractive gals with flowers and ribbons in their hair eating cupcakes while getting legf.cked by fluffy albino dogs :)

Later guys

They'll be rejected for too many similars (on beastiality porn sites).

drugal

    This user is banned.
« Reply #31 on: May 31, 2012, 12:44 »
0
I shoot a variety of pretty darn attractive gals, and it's getting really-really boring, monotonous (I'm male). Makes me wonder what ppl shooting cupcakes, flowers, ribbons.... or fluffy albino dogs in their backyard, feel like...

lmao! hey, send some of those gals my way will ya!
Adapt drugal, combine subjects, shoot attractive gals with flowers and ribbons in their hair eating cupcakes while getting legf.cked by fluffy albino dogs :)

Later guys

Thats gonna be expensive :)

Wim

« Reply #32 on: May 31, 2012, 13:43 »
0
Don't be ridiculous, the dogs will do it for free!

« Reply #33 on: June 01, 2012, 00:17 »
0
I love it all... ;D

« Reply #34 on: June 01, 2012, 12:40 »
+1
After watching my royalties repeatedly decreased by one agency after another, my enthusiasm for microstock is gone.  I cannot and will not in good conscience continue supporting agencies that won't support me and all the work I've put in over the years towards helping them build successful businesses. 

The only agencies I'm still actively uploading to are SS, DT, BigStock, CanStockPhoto and Veer...and Veer is on thin ice until they tell us exactly how much we are earning from its PP.  I'm also slowly removing my portfolio from IS, FT and StockXpert, and will probably do the same at 123RF when they decrease royalties at the beginning of the year.

I've shifted my focus and enthusiasm from microstock to RM and products, and I'm happily starting to see my income rise for the first time since 2008.  I'm encouraged by a t-shirt company I found a few weeks ago...with only 149 designs, I've already had three sales with royalties between $3.75 - 7.50.  Two of those sales literally happened within an hour of uploading!  I have several Zazzle stores and enjoy spending time creating my own websites and products rather than adding to an agency's collection. 

I'm mostly spreading around my existing portfolio to new outlets, but when I create new work, it's with something in mind other than microstock, and I feel freer because I'm no longer restricted by microstock's rules. 

I'm finding more and more outlets where I can set my own royalties, which guarantees my royalties won't be stolen out from under me in order to pay some greedy private equity firm.  These outlets also don't have review processes, so I can upload whatever I want.  I'm in control at these outlets...it's not the other way around, like at the micros where they are in control of nearly everything from the moment we upload an image.  And I can use my own existing portfolio to design new pieces on a variety of "canvases," from t-shirts to cards to mugs to phone cases.  I truly enjoy seeing how my boring stock photos become something entirely different and cool and unique when placed on the "canvas" of a Guitar Hero guitar skin or throw pillow or stretched canvas print.  Work is becoming fun again!

Microstock will never receive the same level of commitment or enthusiasm that I once gave it.  Onward and upward to bigger and better things!     
       

« Reply #35 on: June 01, 2012, 12:59 »
0
If anybody gets too frustrated with micros, they can always help sell my vectors:

http://www.mystockvectors.com/affiliate/index.php

I pay more per sale than a lot of micro sites do. I'm just saying... think about it. It could be fun, and all the cool kids are doing it. Not to mention, you might even make some money. And, everybody likes money... or at least, I think they do?

In conclusion, take a break, sell my stuff, and make money.

Lagereek

« Reply #36 on: June 01, 2012, 13:39 »
0
After watching my royalties repeatedly decreased by one agency after another, my enthusiasm for microstock is gone.  I cannot and will not in good conscience continue supporting agencies that won't support me and all the work I've put in over the years towards helping them build successful businesses. 

The only agencies I'm still actively uploading to are SS, DT, BigStock, CanStockPhoto and Veer...and Veer is on thin ice until they tell us exactly how much we are earning from its PP.  I'm also slowly removing my portfolio from IS, FT and StockXpert, and will probably do the same at 123RF when they decrease royalties at the beginning of the year.

I've shifted my focus and enthusiasm from microstock to RM and products, and I'm happily starting to see my income rise for the first time since 2008.  I'm encouraged by a t-shirt company I found a few weeks ago...with only 149 designs, I've already had three sales with royalties between $3.75 - 7.50.  Two of those sales literally happened within an hour of uploading!  I have several Zazzle stores and enjoy spending time creating my own websites and products rather than adding to an agency's collection. 

I'm mostly spreading around my existing portfolio to new outlets, but when I create new work, it's with something in mind other than microstock, and I feel freer because I'm no longer restricted by microstock's rules. 

I'm finding more and more outlets where I can set my own royalties, which guarantees my royalties won't be stolen out from under me in order to pay some greedy private equity firm.  These outlets also don't have review processes, so I can upload whatever I want.  I'm in control at these outlets...it's not the other way around, like at the micros where they are in control of nearly everything from the moment we upload an image.  And I can use my own existing portfolio to design new pieces on a variety of "canvases," from t-shirts to cards to mugs to phone cases.  I truly enjoy seeing how my boring stock photos become something entirely different and cool and unique when placed on the "canvas" of a Guitar Hero guitar skin or throw pillow or stretched canvas print.  Work is becoming fun again!

Microstock will never receive the same level of commitment or enthusiasm that I once gave it.  Onward and upward to bigger and better things!     
       

Exactly!  and thats been my policy from the start of this year. Will not support sites that cant get it together,  its a pointless exercise. Not only that but I even remove my port if it gets too bad.
Time is money and the futile time you spend on sites, just messing around, is precious time, much better spent on the sites doing proper business and can deliver.

As I said before, its not the money, Im collecting exeedingly well from micro,  its the messing around, the hassle, that becomes too much.

lisafx

« Reply #37 on: June 01, 2012, 18:10 »
0

...never too late Lisa. You have a incredible Talent and I`m sure you will/would be able to compensate the delay easily ;-)

Thanks!  Will have to start making more efforts in that direction :)

I just reread my last post quoted by Christian.  My internet was down yesterday so I typed it on my phone.  Wow, I need glasses!  I didn't even see all those typos.  Looks like I typed it drunk! LOL!

« Reply #38 on: June 01, 2012, 19:47 »
0
Same here, bored and frustrated. Saw my pictures on boards with big campains all around meanwhile, but I need 800 Images a year to keep the same income. Inbetween I do more thougths about the agencys strategie and whichever will me fool next, than about good new pictures.
I think Shutterstock will rule the market in the next 2-3 years. If they continue growth since the last 3 years I go there exclusive. They gained to be my second best earner with 1/3 of the pictures and half of them rejected material.
FT and IST stiffle on their greed, DT has a strange rejection policy, 123 had a chance but pulled the trigger to their head with one year announcement.Deposit was to cheap, Veer had the mouth to full and can't deliver. Bigstockfoto sails without any direction.

If any of them would "RAISE" commissions it would be like an earthquake, they all knew someone has to ... but they are all tailless arseholes.
I bet SS will be the first!

Lagereek

« Reply #39 on: June 02, 2012, 01:51 »
0

...never too late Lisa. You have a incredible Talent and I`m sure you will/would be able to compensate the delay easily ;-)

Thanks!  Will have to start making more efforts in that direction :)

I just reread my last post quoted by Christian.  My internet was down yesterday so I typed it on my phone.  Wow, I need glasses!  I didn't even see all those typos.  Looks like I typed it drunk! LOL!

Yove been on the old Whiskey, right ;D,  jokes apart,  yep!  Lisa, I think you should start concentrating on RM, in all its forms, with your skill, no problems at all. In fact Im pretty sure many RM agencies would be only too happy to house your images.
The time is ripe, I am not so sure we can cram out much more of the micro industry,  theyre slowly killing off each other, in one way or another,  soon we are cut down to zero percentage.

Let them all be left with the weekend/happy snappers, couple of years and its all gone.  Go for it. :)

« Reply #40 on: June 02, 2012, 02:38 »
0
I would love to see sites that pay a decent commissions, like GLStockImages and Stockfresh, making more progress.  I'm demotivated by the greed of some of the big sites.  Every buyer that switches to sites that have a long record of paying a decent commission will encourage me to stick with microstock.

If they remain low earners, I'll end up taking a never ending break.

Lagereek

« Reply #41 on: June 02, 2012, 04:02 »
0
I would love to see sites that pay a decent commissions, like GLStockImages and Stockfresh, making more progress.  I'm demotivated by the greed of some of the big sites.  Every buyer that switches to sites that have a long record of paying a decent commission will encourage me to stick with microstock.

If they remain low earners, I'll end up taking a never ending break.

Dont forget, all the big sites, once paid good commissions but as they grew bigger, greed took over and today its beyond sanity. Whats to say that once the "kind" sites start earning, they go the same way.


« Reply #42 on: June 02, 2012, 04:29 »
0
Stockxpert were big once but still paid 50% commission.  Alamy have been around longer than the micros and they pay 60% commission.  Don't Google and Apple pay 70% commission to their app developers?  There are businesses that become successful and don't screw their suppliers.  They realise that there's more money to be made selling quality content made by motivated contributors. There's no guarantee that will happen with some of the smaller sites but I'd like to find out.

« Reply #43 on: June 30, 2012, 17:10 »
0
I am just off a break of about 3 weeks.  Very nice, but feels good to be uploading again.  I try to ignore the fact that I am adding more than 1000 photos per year, and barely holding even on sales.  Every few weeks I take a  bunch of photos (landscape, 4X macro insect stuff) just for fun with no intention of submitting.  I overuse noise filters, add too much contrast, over sharpen, and bump up the saturation.  I love it, just for me. Full speed ahead on iStock shooting and uploading can be very boring indeed.

OM

« Reply #44 on: June 30, 2012, 18:42 »
0
When I was getting back from Morocco last week, a bottle of Glenfiddich in the duty free shop reminded me of you. I was kinda disappointed when I saw the 30 price tag ;D . Knowing you, I expected it to be at least a 100, something special and really sophisticated :D

Thanks a bunch!  Im proud of being associated with Whiskey! :D, well, Glenfiddich is good but there are far better. Try MacAllens, good stuff, puts hairs on your chest.
Glenfiddich and The Macallans are Whiskys. Just sayin'.
Whiskey is either Irish product or the paint strippers that they put out over the pond. (OK, that's maybe unfair. Jack is like paint stripper. I haven't tasted Jim Beam or any of the others.) Or various others from Japan etc.

Well to be honest, Jack and Jim are ok, but its nothing like the real thing. Irish like Bushmills, etc, are superb. BUT!  if you really want to taste fire and hell and one of the best. Lagavulin!
all I can say is Lagavulin. :)

Tried Lagavulin once..........quite sufficient and too medicinal for my taste. Rather have Glenmorangie any day........bit too much of a 'girlies' malt for you Lagavulinphiles I suppose. :D

« Reply #45 on: June 30, 2012, 19:08 »
0
I am just off a break of about 3 weeks.  Very nice, but feels good to be uploading again.  I try to ignore the fact that I am adding more than 1000 photos per year, and barely holding even on sales.  Every few weeks I take a  bunch of photos (landscape, 4X macro insect stuff) just for fun with no intention of submitting.  I overuse noise filters, add too much contrast, over sharpen, and bump up the saturation.  I love it, just for me. Full speed ahead on iStock shooting and uploading can be very boring indeed.

I hear ya... ::)

Having inspectors in your brain when you are creating art kinda sucks..."don't move that slider too far." "will that pattern be considered copyrighted". "will i need a model release for that speck down the beach".

Oh the life we've chosen... :P


 

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