Author Topic: Time for some to drop out or DIE (Read 11421 times)

epantha · « **Reply #25 on:** June 11, 2008, 14:30 »

Quote

we check our accounts about 15 times a day

More than that some days.

It's kind of an OCD problem.
Is there a group for this? ECA (Earnings Checkers Anonymous)?

cshack · « **Reply #26 on:** June 11, 2008, 14:46 »

I check my account once in the morning and once at night. I will admit to checking them much more than that a while back but I kicked the habit. I concentrate on shooting rather than the internet since most of my household income comes from photography. Microstock accounts for less than 10% of my income.

Miz,

I have been a professional photographer for over 30 years. I've not been doing stock that long but should I get out too? It's NOT a hobby for me. "Sometimes I wish it was" I also have well over 10k in equipment not counting film cameras. So given these circumstances should I stay or go in your opinion?

Phil · « **Reply #27 on:** June 11, 2008, 16:12 »

Quote from: rjmiz on June 07, 2008, 04:14

ShutterStock has something like over 103,000 photographers.
Dreamstime like 38,097
A recent Google search turned up nearly 3000 mini microstock sites.
3 years ago many sites you upload to today were celebrating 500,000 images on line, now multi-million images on those same sites are old hat.
More digital cameras have been sold in the last 7 years there then there were film cameras sold in the last 75 years world wide!
Microstock sites are competing for, and cater to the buyer, rather than photographers.
8 years ago 96% of photographers on stock sites were professional...today 85% are hobbyist.
81% of stock photographers in one survey revealed they have less than $400 invested in their camera equipment.
The average new stock photographer made $4500 in his first year 8 years ago. Today it less than $800.

My opinions:
Subscriptions are here to stay. Stock sites are competing to be the next "Walmart" of stock images.
Stock sites can afford dispose of disgruntled and troublesome photog's.
Stock sites compete for selling prices rather than images or photographers since most sites share the same images and photographers.

Are you up to the task? Will you still be in this game 3 years from now?
I ask all you less than mediocre, P&S stock "Wannabies" to voluntarily get out now.....leave. Find another hobby.
Please make room for us photographers and graphic artists with a more promising future.

Cranky MIZ

I struggle to believe that half of shutterstock's 103000 submit regularly. I think more and more we will see people struggle with approval, get 20-50 images online find they dont sell much and give up.

last year I read an article from a guy who ran a rm macrostock (forgot which one). he made the point that as far he and others were concerned the stock industry was flooded for photogs in the late 1980's, and that during 1990s the amount spent on stock photos didnt change but the number of photogs did. somehow I think that would be worse now

Blammo · « **Reply #28 on:** December 14, 2010, 13:00 »

Quote from: lisafx on June 07, 2008, 09:09

Miz makes some excellent points. But I disagree with the conclusion.

I would say if you are a pro and honestly don't feel you can compete with the wannabe hobbyists then you aren't much of a pro and should probably think about getting out yourself

gostwyck · « **Reply #29 on:** December 14, 2010, 13:02 »

Ancient thread alert!

rubyroo · « **Reply #30 on:** December 14, 2010, 13:03 »

Just so you know, Blammo. The Miz passed away - quite some time ago now.

lisafx · « **Reply #31 on:** December 14, 2010, 14:09 »

Seriously! what??? He didn't even add to the discussion. Just regurgitated some ancient comment of mine. Should I be flattered

?

RacePhoto · « **Reply #32 on:** December 14, 2010, 14:28 »

Quote from: lisafx on December 14, 2010, 14:09

Seriously! what??? He didn't even add to the discussion. Just regurgitated some ancient comment of mine. Should I be flattered ?

Sure! Because you have the same Avatar that you have since the start, unlike "some people" (like me) who change theirs depending on mood. Because you aren't one of the people he would have been speaking about, as a serious success. (unlike me producing CrapStock) And I suppose an over two year old topic from the cranky MIZ maybe be valid, but I agree, it is a little old.

Anyone want to argue if Lucky Oliver will survive or if Albumo is a fly-by-night agency?

Maybe we can debate if Snap Village is a junk shop and taking too many crummy photos. Ah those were the days.