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Author Topic: Who is our customer?  (Read 19216 times)

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« on: April 24, 2015, 04:14 »
+1
Dear photographers and designers!

Lately, I've been faced with the fact that customers in the microstock and photographers have very different views on provided and purchased content. Of course, the evaluation of any photo or vector is subjective and depends on the personal preferences. But I am very interested in how you see your customers? When you create a picture that you think about how it will be used, do you imagine options and variants? Do you have an image of the client for which you work? Is it important for you to receive feedback from those who buy your images or not?

I am waiting for your comments.

Yours, Maria.


« Reply #1 on: April 24, 2015, 07:05 »
0
Soup to nuts.

« Reply #2 on: April 24, 2015, 07:09 »
0
Soup to nuts.

Can you tell me more? That is so general)

Shelma1

  • stockcoalition.org
« Reply #3 on: April 24, 2015, 07:12 »
+3
I would think stock agencies would have a much clearer picture of our customers, since you/they have access to data we don't. Maybe we should ask you?

fritz

  • I love Tom and Jerry music

« Reply #4 on: April 24, 2015, 07:55 »
0

« Reply #5 on: April 24, 2015, 07:59 »
0
I would think stock agencies would have a much clearer picture of our customers, since you/they have access to data we don't. Maybe we should ask you?

The idea is we have a clear picture, but it is very curious to know what contributors think about their customers. I have data, but can't read your mind and predict your personal view.

« Reply #6 on: April 24, 2015, 08:01 »
0
http://photodune.net/statement   check invoice and you'll see who the customer is.

or http://photodune.net/financial_document/invoices/item_purchases/1234567


I'd like to know the way you thinking. It is not a financial or marketing search. It is my curiosity. I prefer to understand people I am working with.

Shelma1

  • stockcoalition.org
« Reply #7 on: April 24, 2015, 08:07 »
0

Shelma1

  • stockcoalition.org
« Reply #8 on: April 24, 2015, 08:10 »
0
I would think stock agencies would have a much clearer picture of our customers, since you/they have access to data we don't. Maybe we should ask you?

The idea is we have a clear picture, but it is very curious to know what contributors think about their customers. I have data, but can't read your mind and predict your personal view.

Well, based on your OP, "customers in the microstock and photographers have very different views on provided and purchased content." Why don't you tell us what those different views are? Then perhaps we can tell you what we think.

« Reply #9 on: April 24, 2015, 08:13 »
+12
I figure there's a buyer for every image and it's your job to find them.

« Reply #10 on: April 24, 2015, 08:19 »
0
I would think stock agencies would have a much clearer picture of our customers since you/they have access to data we don't. Maybe we should ask you?

The idea is we have a clear picture, but it is very curious to know what contributors think about their customers. I have data, but can't read your mind and predict your personal view.

Well, based on your OP, "customers in the microstock and photographers have very different views on provided and purchased content." Why don't you tell us what those different views are? Then perhaps we can tell you what we think.

Ok, I will give you an example from yesterday. One of our clients found a photo with, which shows a picture of a famous artist in the museum. It is the high-quality photo, but with a special light, which was in the museum. He is a painter and he wanted to find a reproduction to explore the manner of drawing. He was very disappointed. I think the reason of such situations is misunderstanding and "different view" on purposes of photos.

« Reply #11 on: April 24, 2015, 08:25 »
0
I figure there's a buyer for every image and it's your job to find them.

I can't understand why your reaction on my question is so, hm, strong. Yes, it is our job to find a buyer to each image. That's why we have inspectors, who examine your portfolios and choose those photos which have commercial value. What I am talking about, is a process of creation photos. Now I have the feeling that for you it is absolutely the same to whom you produce images, what will happen to photos and the context in which they are used. I thought that the authors are careful to their work, even to stock images.

Shelma1

  • stockcoalition.org
« Reply #12 on: April 24, 2015, 08:26 »
+1
It sounds like you had a painter who wanted to create a forgery and was disappointed that the photo someone took wasn't accurate enough to copy the artist's strokes exactly. When creating an image to license I sure don't picture that scenario in my mind.

« Reply #13 on: April 24, 2015, 08:28 »
+2
   Having worked with ad agencies for 25 years, I see how they use microstock. Initially, they buy cheap versions to use in comps to present their projects. Then they would contract me to shoot something very similar. As cost cuts became more important, they would just start using hi-res microstock images and eliminate the photoshoot. Many times I would end up using microstock photos for my project because I couldn't find the subject matter to shoot myself. (especially food or plants that were out of season, or not available in the US)
  I shoot isolations, in full focus, that can easily be stripped into projects. I try to imagine how an art director would use my isolated image in their project. That's how I made a good living for years, taking various images, and assembling them in Photoshop, to match an art director's comp.

« Reply #14 on: April 24, 2015, 08:33 »
0
It sounds like you had a painter who wanted to create a forgery and was disappointed that the photo someone took wasn't accurate enough to copy the artist's strokes exactly. When creating an image to license I sure don't picture that scenario in my mind.

Not that bad) He didn't want to make a forgery, I am sure, just to study genius author technic. It was one example, a bright one. I prefer to exaggerate a topic to show it more in contrast. I feel that you don't want to answer, but I will ask (why not?!) - what scenario you have in your mind?

« Reply #15 on: April 24, 2015, 08:41 »
+1
   Having worked with ad agencies for 25 years, I see how they use microstock. Initially, they buy cheap versions to use in comps to present their projects. Then they would contract me to shoot something very similar. As cost cuts became more important, they would just start using hi-res microstock images and eliminate the photoshoot. Many times I would end up using microstock photos for my project because I couldn't find the subject matter to shoot myself. (especially food or plants that were out of season, or not available in the US)
  I shoot isolations, in full focus, that can easily be stripped into projects. I try to imagine how an art director would use my isolated image in their project. That's how I made a good living for years, taking various images, and assembling them in Photoshop, to match an art director's comp.

Dear Rimglow, thank you for your answer. I appreciate your personal and sincere explanation. You helped me to understand the process. For me, it is very important to know more about people I am working with. I choose that work to have a possibility to communicate with interesting people from all over the world. And I enjoy it (mostly). And the process of creation and motivation is very interesting for me. I ask customers as well about their vision of photographers and vector designers. And the hole picture is very surprising.

Shelma1

  • stockcoalition.org
« Reply #16 on: April 24, 2015, 08:41 »
+2
My scenario is creating images that hopefully will appeal to a broad international audience. Like everyone else, I try to find niches that aren't saturated. It has never occurred to me to take a detailed shot of someone's artwork so someone else could "study" it.

I don't think anybody understands what you're asking, exactly. Or why you're asking.


« Reply #17 on: April 24, 2015, 08:42 »
+5
I figure there's a buyer for every image and it's your job to find them.

I can't understand why your reaction on my question is so, hm, strong. Yes, it is our job to find a buyer to each image. That's why we have inspectors, who examine your portfolios and choose those photos which have commercial value. What I am talking about, is a process of creation photos. Now I have the feeling that for you it is absolutely the same to whom you produce images, what will happen to photos and the context in which they are used. I thought that the authors are careful to their work, even to stock images.

No, I'm happy to create what I do, leaving copyspace and such, but every image is usable to someone.  We make 'em, you find the buyer for 'em.

Semmick Photo

« Reply #18 on: April 24, 2015, 08:46 »
+2
I would think stock agencies would have a much clearer picture of our customers since you/they have access to data we don't. Maybe we should ask you?

The idea is we have a clear picture, but it is very curious to know what contributors think about their customers. I have data, but can't read your mind and predict your personal view.

Well, based on your OP, "customers in the microstock and photographers have very different views on provided and purchased content." Why don't you tell us what those different views are? Then perhaps we can tell you what we think.

Ok, I will give you an example from yesterday. One of our clients found a photo with, which shows a picture of a famous artist in the museum. It is the high-quality photo, but with a special light, which was in the museum. He is a painter and he wanted to find a reproduction to explore the manner of drawing. He was very disappointed. I think the reason of such situations is misunderstanding and "different view" on purposes of photos.
LOL. Really?

I agree with Shelma, sounds fishy, also, what do you want the photograph to do in this instance. Set up his studio lights in the museum to get a better lit shot?


« Reply #19 on: April 24, 2015, 08:54 »
0
My scenario is creating images that hopefully will appeal to a broad international audience. Like everyone else, I try to find niches that aren't saturated. It has never occurred to me to take a detailed shot of someone's artwork so someone else could "study" it.

I don't think anybody understands what you're asking, exactly. Or why you're asking.

I try to explain why and what. I started working with photographers not so long ago. I am interested in this profession, the process of creating pictures, personal motivation and attitude to work of those with whom I work, whose interests I represent. I ask customers as well about what they thing about photographers. I always prefer to see people in the client, not something abstract. And surprised by the attitude that I see here. And the reluctance to talk about it. Maybe specificity of work affects on a detached attitude. Maybe, camera, computer, internet dehumanizes people more than I thought. For me, the Internet and the overall process of globalization have always been a possibility, rather than an obstacle. I worked in Europe, I always have customers of half of the world and virtual communication tools have helped us to communicate. But now it seems to me that through the Internet, including us, photo banks, people no longer think like human beings. And I am sorry for that. Maybe if I posted this question on behalf of the photographer, and not representative of the ImageBank, the dialogue could be more sincere. But I do not see any reason to hide or pretend to be someone else. I love my job.

« Reply #20 on: April 24, 2015, 08:59 »
0
I would think stock agencies would have a much clearer picture of our customers since you/they have access to data we don't. Maybe we should ask you?

The idea is we have a clear picture, but it is very curious to know what contributors think about their customers. I have data, but can't read your mind and predict your personal view.

Well, based on your OP, "customers in the microstock and photographers have very different views on provided and purchased content." Why don't you tell us what those different views are? Then perhaps we can tell you what we think.

Ok, I will give you an example from yesterday. One of our clients found a photo with, which shows a picture of a famous artist in the museum. It is the high-quality photo, but with a special light, which was in the museum. He is a painter and he wanted to find a reproduction to explore the manner of drawing. He was very disappointed. I think the reason of such situations is misunderstanding and "different view" on purposes of photos.
LOL. Really?

I agree with Shelma, sounds fishy, also, what do you want the photograph to do in this instance. Set up his studio lights in the museum to get a better lit shot?

Yes, It is real and we were surprised not less than you. In this situation, I am totally on a side of the photographer. And the dismissing was a problem of that painter. But this example shows us, very graphically, the way of thinking of people on both sides. As for me, the mediator between one and other, it is very important to understand needs and thoughts of both sides.

« Reply #21 on: April 24, 2015, 09:01 »
+1
Well, someone buying is going to have something specific in mind.  And even though we have X monkeys shooting Y topics for Z days, that particular angle, lighting or whatever may not be available.

« Reply #22 on: April 24, 2015, 09:02 »
0
I figure there's a buyer for every image and it's your job to find them.

I can't understand why your reaction on my question is so, hm, strong. Yes, it is our job to find a buyer to each image. That's why we have inspectors, who examine your portfolios and choose those photos which have commercial value. What I am talking about, is a process of creation photos. Now I have the feeling that for you it is absolutely the same to whom you produce images, what will happen to photos and the context in which they are used. I thought that the authors are careful to their work, even to stock images.

No, I'm happy to create what I do, leaving copyspace and such, but every image is usable to someone.  We make 'em, you find the buyer for 'em.

Is it important for the future life of your photos? For example, if an author is vegetarian (it is hypothetical), but his images is using in any advertising about hunting?

« Reply #23 on: April 24, 2015, 09:03 »
0
Well, someone buying is going to have something specific in mind.  And even though we have X monkeys shooting Y topics for Z days, that particular angle, lighting or whatever may not be available.

Love that X-Y-Z example!)

farbled

« Reply #24 on: April 24, 2015, 09:21 »
+3
My stock shooting is more about me and improving my photography than catering to customers these days. I can't predict who/why/how so I simply don't bother. I do research a few themes or trends or try and create my own, but I don't go out of my way to do it for anyone specifically.


 

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