Author Topic: The end is nigh. What will you do? (Read 15962 times)

click_click · « **on:** November 22, 2012, 10:37 »

OK can we get it out of your system to prophesy the close end of microstock?

After doing this for 8 years now, I had my best one in 2012. What goes up, must come down - I get it but could we concentrate on the acopalyptic downfall of microstck or the stock image industry altogether in this thread instead of derailing and dragging down other threads?

I almost feel like this place has come to some sort of religious sect where we just wait for a guy to show up with a poisoned bowl of cool-aid just to get it over with.

We could make the best of it by supporting each other and discussing things on topic to make this forum even more valuable.

On this note, I wanted to thank Tyler for his tremendous effort to run this place, improve and monitor it which has been working out great!

To get back to the topic, let's hear (if you're willing to share) what your plans are for the future as it sure would be poor preparation talking about the death of this industry without figuring out what to do next.

Or for that matter use this thread to shout out angry expressions if your images got rejected again or some agency paid you late.

Sean Locke Photography · « **Reply #1 on:** November 22, 2012, 10:42 »

Luckily, there's a McD's within walking distance I can work at, as surely I'll have to sell my car, and I couldn't afford gas anyways...

click_click · « **Reply #2 on:** November 22, 2012, 10:44 »

Quote from: sjlocke on November 22, 2012, 10:42

Luckily, there's a McD's within walking distance I can work at, as surely I'll have to sell my car, and I couldn't afford gas anyways...

Good one Sean.

But seriously, would you mind sharing how you see the industry develop in the next couple of years?

Do you think it will come to a major breakdown within that time frame?

tab62 · « **Reply #3 on:** November 22, 2012, 10:45 »

I will have 30 years in my company soon thus a regular retirement, social security, decent 401k plan plus rental income thus the photo business is purely for fun and some extra dollars for purchasing a new lens or camera body every three to five years.

I really enjoy the folks on this site and have learn to truly appreciate the art and business of being a photographer even if it is part time. For those that make a living full time doing this business -you are truly gifted and have a burning desire for your passion- I respect you all!

Tom

tab62 · « **Reply #4 on:** November 22, 2012, 10:47 »

Sean, your one of the best in the business! You have a very good sense of humor and well respected! Some how I cannot 'picture' you working in the Golden Arches...

cthoman · « **Reply #5 on:** November 22, 2012, 10:54 »

I'm not sure if it's going to die. I'm just not sure it will be as profitable in the future. Regardless, I think having an escape plan is a good idea. I guess I'm a doomsday prepper.

Sean Locke Photography · « **Reply #6 on:** November 22, 2012, 11:02 »

Quote from: tab62 on November 22, 2012, 10:47

Sean, your one of the best in the business! You have a very good sense of humor and well respected! Some how I cannot 'picture' you working in the Golden Arches...

My first job was at Wendy's!

rubyroo · « **Reply #7 on:** November 22, 2012, 11:09 »

Seems to me that we can never know what's around the corner in the age of the Internet. Microstock, Facebook, Twitter... all a complete surprise when they arrived for most of us. So I think it's impossible to predict what will arise and where the opportunities will come from.

As I said in another thread, I'll just continue producing the best work I can manage and building my port in wait for whatever comes next. I'd also like to do more artsy stuff and maybe sell prints and do some RM work. Having said that, I'm still optimistic about microstock. It's clear the agencies are making some adjustments right now, and not the kind that make us all cheer - but at the same time I'm selling more than ever... so I make no predictions and would rather just wait and see what emerges.

tab62 · « **Reply #8 on:** November 22, 2012, 11:10 »

My first job was at a Sunoco gas station- those were the good ole days...

tab62 · « **Reply #9 on:** November 22, 2012, 11:11 »

Sean, I found a car that will help you on not using too much gas-

http://www.teslamotors.com/

mlwinphoto · « **Reply #10 on:** November 22, 2012, 11:21 »

My first job was picking blueberries.

The stock industry has been in decline for years now. We just have to diversify and, perhaps, lower our expectations. Microstock isn't dead although I wish it had never been born in the first place.

Having said that I'm having one of the better years I've had in the last several.....

stockastic · « **Reply #11 on:** November 22, 2012, 11:32 »

It won't just suddenly end, it will slowly trail off into irrelevance.

"This is the way the world ends
Not with a bang but a whimper."

- from poem "The Hollow Men", T.S. Eliot

click_click · « **Reply #12 on:** November 22, 2012, 11:56 »

Quote from: stockastic on November 22, 2012, 11:32

It won't just suddenly end, it will slowly trail off into irrelevance. ...

Yes, please elaborate more.

Let's have the details of the slow death of microstock documented here in this thread so all you need to do in future threads is to refer to this one here whenever you feel doomsday-ish.

malamus · « **Reply #13 on:** November 22, 2012, 12:03 »

I'm trying to utilize the skills stock has given me, I plan to take better images for estate agents selling houses for the brochures, look into the EPC and floor plan details aswell. Hell, I could even design the brochures if I had time or it went well, Thats Idea #1

Videos for you've been framed, #2

urm… working on #3

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

rubyroo · « **Reply #14 on:** November 22, 2012, 12:23 »

I can't see how microstock would end and then there'd be nothing.

Surely what microstock has proved is that there is a huge and ever-growing demand from designers for stock photography at prices within their budgets - and that they really appreciate a far wider choice than they had previously.

It's inconceivable to me that microstock would somehow terminate and all that demand would be left with nowhere to go. As long as that market is there it will either survive or evolve into another form. Either way, they'll need our images.

click_click · « **Reply #15 on:** November 22, 2012, 12:39 »

I've seen posts here on the forums where some contributors apparently have the gift of seeing the future and outlined that this race to the bottom will supposedly go down to paying us %1

I'd love to hear from these people in what time frame they assume this is happening and by what time microstock can be considered extinct.

ClaridgeJ · « **Reply #16 on:** November 22, 2012, 12:43 »

Im going down the Pub. Its half dead already. Nothing gained nothing lost.

rubyroo · « **Reply #17 on:** November 22, 2012, 12:52 »

Ah I see Click-click. In that case I'll leave the floor to the doom-merchants. I'm certainly not one of them.

lisafx · « **Reply #18 on:** November 22, 2012, 13:03 »

Quote from: click_click on November 22, 2012, 12:39

I've seen posts here on the forums where some contributors apparently have the gift of seeing the future and outlined that this race to the bottom will supposedly go down to paying us %1

Two years of falling income despite fairly steady uploading has shown me that I am unlikely to maintain my current income levels. However I do agree that, barring any unforeseen disasters, the decline will be gradual.

My plans, if that is the case, are to get my daughter through her last two years of college and out supporting herself, and then I won't need to make nearly as much. I can semi retire and go back to shooting what I like when I feel like it, and doing stock on a much more PT basis.

I'll probably leave the primary wage earning to my hubby, who loves his teaching gig and is planning to do it up to age 65 or 70.

OTOH, if the world economy recovers, we may see a big boost in sales. And there is always a chance the sites will begin to feel the effects of the demotivation their royalty cuts have caused and decide to begin raising rates again. If the money improves again, I can see myself getting motivated to plan, finance, and execute more shoots again.

lisafx · « **Reply #19 on:** November 22, 2012, 13:06 »

Poncke · « **Reply #20 on:** November 22, 2012, 13:10 »

Quote from: tab62 on November 22, 2012, 10:47

Sean, your one of the best in the business! You have a very good sense of humor and well respected! Some how I cannot 'picture' you working in the Golden Arches...

I assume you are speaking for yourself

ClaridgeJ · « **Reply #21 on:** November 22, 2012, 13:16 »

Quote from: lisafx on November 22, 2012, 13:03

Quote from: click_click on November 22, 2012, 12:39
I've seen posts here on the forums where some contributors apparently have the gift of seeing the future and outlined that this race to the bottom will supposedly go down to paying us %1

Two years of falling income despite fairly steady uploading has shown me that I am unlikely to maintain my current income levels. However I do agree that, barring any unforeseen disasters, the decline will be gradual.

My plans, if that is the case, are to get my daughter through her last two years of college and out supporting herself, and then I won't need to make nearly as much. I can semi retire and go back to shooting what I like when I feel like it, and doing stock on a much more PT basis.

I'll probably leave the primary wage earning to my hubby, who loves his teaching gig and is planning to do it up to age 65 or 70.

OTOH, if the world economy recovers, we may see a big boost in sales. And there is always a chance the sites will begin to feel the effects of the demotivation their royalty cuts have caused and decide to begin raising rates again. If the money improves again, I can see myself getting motivated to plan, finance, and execute more shoots again.

Dont know about bad economy. How strong economy do you need to buy dirt-cheap pictures off the peg? The market is so completely oversaturated that the supply outstripps the demand by a million percent. The agencies have brought it upon themselves, advertising they have 20 million shots, etc. When an agency have 20 million shots it just means they are not selective. i.e. tons of garbage. any serious buyer will know that.

lisafx · « **Reply #22 on:** November 22, 2012, 13:35 »

Quote from: click_click on November 22, 2012, 12:39

I'd love to hear from these people in what time frame they assume this is happening and by what time microstock can be considered extinct.

I don't think anyone really expects the microstock industry to be extinct. At least I haven't read those posts, or if I have, I haven't bothered to take them seriously.

I do believe it is getting harder and harder for contributors to earn enough to make a full time living at it. Still quite possible, but not as much as 2-3 years ago, if the anecdotal evidence from the big ports and top sellers is correct.

Yes, there will always be demand, and always suppliers for images, even if they were to be free (which is not a scenario I subscribe to). But micro may go back to being primarily an area for hobbyists rather than a way to make a FT living.

microstockphoto.co.uk · « **Reply #23 on:** November 22, 2012, 14:51 »

This is the way the world ends
Not with a bang but a whimper

(T.S. Eliot)

CD123 · « **Reply #24 on:** November 22, 2012, 15:43 »

Just like cameras and photography did over the years, I do not think stock will ever die, it will just change shape (like a few years back nobody knew anything about digital photography).

All I hope for is that I still have the mental capacity, energy and finances to stay on track with the developments and not fall behind. When a door shuts, there is bound to open a new window, you just need to look for it.

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Author Topic: The end is nigh. What will you do? (Read 15962 times)

click_click

Sean Locke Photography

click_click

tab62

tab62

cthoman

Sean Locke Photography

rubyroo

tab62

tab62

mlwinphoto

stockastic

click_click

malamus

rubyroo

click_click

ClaridgeJ

rubyroo

lisafx

lisafx

Poncke

ClaridgeJ

lisafx

microstockphoto.co.uk

CD123

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