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Microstock Photography Forum - General => General Stock Discussion => Topic started by: shank_ali on January 30, 2009, 02:18

Title: Supply outstrips demand..
Post by: shank_ali on January 30, 2009, 02:18
Now i have read alot about decreased sales lately by quite a few contributors,mainly exclusives on istockphoto.
Let's go back 3 years to istockphoto to the contributor base.I have not got clear facts to hand but i would imagine their might be 20,000 contributors then and the library might of held 2 million files..
Today there is over 45,000 contributors and 4.2 million files in the library.
Also in those 3 years i would also imagine more micro sites have come on-line.
Now we all no visual art in the form of photography will always be the most popular form for advertisers to sell there goods.
Presently the supply of imagery for buyer/designers way outstrips demand.
The price is low for our work but only so many buyers actually create accounts to buy that work.
Buyers will always want our work but the competition gets tougher for us in attracting those sales from our respective portfolio's.
We will of course continue to increase the size of our portfolio's in the hope that more buyers can use our work but for me i think the industry peaked just as i entered the fray in November 2007...Bummer....
Title: Re: Supply outstrips demand..
Post by: Peter on January 30, 2009, 02:53
a 1 year ago FT had 3million images, now it has 5 millions. one year! :(

i really think agencies should stard deleting old, non selling images. not only FT, but all agencies.
Title: Re: Supply outstrips demand..
Post by: Xalanx on January 30, 2009, 05:59
Yea, photos older than a certain amount of time (1 year let's say) which haven't sold so far, should be deleted.
Title: Re: Supply outstrips demand..
Post by: michealo on January 30, 2009, 06:41
The title could just as easily apply to forum posts ;-)

Title: Re: Supply outstrips demand..
Post by: dirkr on January 30, 2009, 07:12
Yea, photos older than a certain amount of time (1 year let's say) which haven't sold so far, should be deleted.

Why?
Title: Re: Supply outstrips demand..
Post by: e-person on January 30, 2009, 07:14
There is a difference between "your" and "you are", "their" and "there", and so on.
Title: Re: Supply outstrips demand..
Post by: sharpshot on January 30, 2009, 07:17
....Presently the supply of imagery for buyer/designers way outstrips demand.

This varies for all of us.  I haven't seen any sign of supply outstripping demand.  I am amazed how good sales have been this month, considering there is a worldwide recession and January is usually a sluggish month.  There are lots of people complaining about poor sales but I am sure there are others doing very nicely and keeping quiet about it.  If it is true that supply is outstripping demand, I would expect many contributors to give up and that would even the balance again.  It looks like this has already happened and thousands have already given up, as the average portfolio size on the sites is tiny.
Title: Re: Supply outstrips demand..
Post by: Clivia on January 30, 2009, 07:40

 There are lots of people complaining about poor sales but I am sure there are others doing very nicely and keeping quiet about it.

Yep,  ;D
If you brag about sales your portfolio is copied to death.
Title: Re: Supply outstrips demand..
Post by: tan510jomast on January 30, 2009, 11:11
There is a difference between "your" and "you are", "their" and "there", and so on.

;D
Title: Re: Supply outstrips demand..
Post by: hali on January 30, 2009, 11:18
There is a difference between "your" and "you are", "their" and "there", and so on.


How ironic ! Seems like most of these Primary 2 silly mistakes are committed here by residents of UK, USA and Canada. All English first-language countries. Shame!