MicrostockGroup

Microstock Photography Forum - General => General Stock Discussion => Topic started by: WarrenPrice on April 09, 2010, 20:18

Title: How Much for One Image?
Post by: WarrenPrice on April 09, 2010, 20:18
Following is a cut n paste from my SS post:

My daughter called me this morning, looking for a simple image of a water drop splashing to ripple the surface. She sells office products but also helps customers design and distribute promotional materials.

Someone had recommended Getty Images where they wanted to charge her $600. I helped her find an image on Shutterstock but left the registration and purchase up to her and the company she works for. Out of curiosity, I looked to see what would be required. The cheapest option seemed to be a package of 12 images for $49. I don't know if she went for that. She was looking to buy one of those advertised 21 cent images. Is there not a way for Shutterstock buyers to purchase a single image?

Also, if she buys the $49 package, do I get a referral fee?

Thanks for helping me understand the buying side of the business.
 
 
Title: Re: How Much for One Image?
Post by: Sean Locke Photography on April 09, 2010, 20:51
Sure looks like SS is a subscription site, not a PAYG site.  Cheapest "On Demand Subscription" (ie, not really a subscription) is $49.

Buy 12 credits for $18 at iStock.  Save her $30.

Or go to sxc.hu .  They're free.  Save her $49.  Free is pretty close to $.21 .
Title: Re: How Much for One Image?
Post by: sharply_done on April 10, 2010, 00:58
Pffft ... Getty wants to charge $600 for something as simple/common/trivial as a water droplet splashing the surface.

You're a photographer, Warren, why don't you offer to shoot the image yourself for a reasonable price?
From my perspective it looks like you're much too eager in turning down a job that happened to fall into your lap - who knows, doing this small job could lead to other and better ones!
Title: Re: How Much for One Image?
Post by: Randy McKown on April 10, 2010, 02:20
Pffft ... Getty wants to charge $600 for something as simple/common/trivial as a water droplet splashing the surface.

You're a photographer, Warren, why don't you offer to shoot the image yourself for a reasonable price?
From my perspective it looks like you're much too eager in turning down a job that happened to fall into your lap - who knows, doing this small job could lead to other and better ones!


I'm a bit disappointed in you Mr. Sharply. I don't know where you get off acting like Getty is in the business of selling what you call simple/common/trival images for high prices. I mean come on Getty is in a league of their own ... I'm just gonna pull an image at random to prove my point ... ok this image might top out at $475 but you just can't find images like this one on the micros ... http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/92907741/Photographers-Choice-RF (http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/92907741/Photographers-Choice-RF)

having the eye to capture amazing images like this one that most people would just walk on by without noticing (or dare I say walk around without attempting to capture it in it's natural form) is exactly what landed this shot a coveted spot in Getty's Photographer's Choice collection.  ;)
Title: Re: How Much for One Image?
Post by: sharply_done on April 10, 2010, 03:20
Humour aside, it's obvious why this image is where it is - Getty's PC collection isn't edited or curated: any photographer can put anything in there as long as they pay Getty for the privilege. There are some deals to be had, but the standard price is $50. Offhand I'd say the photographer was trying to make the same statement you just did.
Title: Re: How Much for One Image?
Post by: ShadySue on April 10, 2010, 05:36
Following is a cut n paste from my SS post:
She was looking to buy one of those advertised 21 cent images. Is there not a way for Shutterstock buyers to purchase a single image?
In what way could comeone buy an image for 21c that would cost the vendor more to process than it was worth?
Sean's advice is good, or search on flickr, making sure you're searching for creative commons released photos.
She can then decide if what she wants can be got with the ease at a quality which suffices her needs, or whether she needs to pay.
Title: Re: How Much for One Image?
Post by: Jack Schiffer on April 10, 2010, 06:18
Clustershot has the water image your looking for from 1.50 on up.
Title: Re: How Much for One Image?
Post by: WarrenPrice on April 10, 2010, 09:54
Thanks.
Title: Re: How Much for One Image?
Post by: Pixart on April 10, 2010, 12:04
Make sure you give her a buyer's referral link at SS (they have different id's between buyers and sellers) or even DT and you get 10% from referrals for buyers and sellers.

Someone said shoot it yourself.  Cardmaverick has some interesting tutorials about shooting water.

http://www.chrisnuzzaco.com/blog/ (http://www.chrisnuzzaco.com/blog/)
Title: Re: How Much for One Image?
Post by: Randy McKown on April 10, 2010, 17:11
Humour aside, it's obvious why this image is where it is - Getty's PC collection isn't edited or curated: any photographer can put anything in there as long as they pay Getty for the privilege. There are some deals to be had, but the standard price is $50. Offhand I'd say the photographer was trying to make the same statement you just did.

LOL stock photos with no quality control .. what intern thought up that idea  ;D
Title: Re: How Much for One Image?
Post by: Phil on April 10, 2010, 22:41
now someone is going to notice enormous numbers of views and there will people following dogs everywhere :)