Author Topic: Yuri Arcurs First Public Statement (Read 146672 times)

Ron · « **Reply #150 on:** July 25, 2013, 17:10 »

Quote from: jrwasserman on July 25, 2013, 17:00

Quote from: Ron on July 25, 2013, 16:52
Quote from: jrwasserman on July 25, 2013, 16:48
I'm mystified why there is such an obsession with Yuri? He operates a business and makes decisions based on what is best for his business, not other competing photographers. And, yes there is a place for citizen photojournalism ... I've always said an amateur gets lucky and produces a good photo - a pro does it on demand. There will always be a demand for professional photography.
Did you read the blog? Alexander the Great would feel threatened by so much display of megalomania.

Indeed I did. It's an advertising piece for and by Yuri. What would you expect from company advertising? Most companies churn out PR bumf non-stop. I know, because a ton of it lands in my in box. His company is no exception.

If its an advertising piece, then its an even worse job. Come on, get real. If you are THAT big in the stock world, at least get your press release spell checked and a little less delusional in wording and get the maths right. 70% of 21 of his photographers in the top 10? Thats 14 in the top 10. 55% of CEOs where not interested the other 35% were paralyzed. Thats 10% short.

Sorry, but if those mistakes are made, I am not going to believe the other 'facts' either. Its all about perception, in advertising, isnt it?

I think all the CEOs he bashed in that blog are laughing their balls off and Mr Klein is realising he appointed a git.

shotupdave · « **Reply #151 on:** July 25, 2013, 17:11 »

Considering the deal that Istock/Getty did with Google and the this group was trying to stop this deal and throw in a bit of a protest, i find Yuri going exclusive with them sort of a slap in the face and his attitude bordering on huberis

cobalt · « **Reply #152 on:** July 25, 2013, 17:13 »

Quote from: Yuri_Arcurs on July 25, 2013, 17:01

Quote from: cobalt on July 25, 2013, 16:56
I have a simple question for Yuri:

Do you believe that photographers should go artist exclusive with istock/Getty?

Do you have the impression the company has a successful future and growth ahead of it?

Thanks!

They know the most about the business of selling stock images. The rest are still just catching up. It never really was fair game, but we all signed up to play along.

It is a very elegant answer. I genuinly hope it works out for you. But I have a hard time imagining that someone as driven as you will be able to handle the delays, the wall of silence, the intransparancy, the lack of accountability for their own mistakes. Externalizing blame isn´t you, but unfortunately this is what I have come to associate with getty/istock. Otherwise I would still be there.

I was very supportive of istock, also of higher prices and a midstock model.

But the old istock that knew how to harvest and develop the talent in the crowd, that could unify artists,buyers, designers and team is a thing of the past. Vanished.

So it is very interesting you are so confident in their ability to grow their market share again.

We will see.

Exclusive images would be a nice move...

Yuri_Arcurs · « **Reply #153 on:** July 25, 2013, 17:13 »

Quote from: uvox4 on July 25, 2013, 17:07

Yuri,

It is a very confident blog, maybe too confident (being diplomatic). I have no axe to grind with you and I am not jealous of your success as stock is a hobby for me. You earned your success.

I don't see mobiles being the future as you do. Quality is not good enough. There is money to be made if you are in the right place at the right time like citizen journalism.

My experience is when a leader in a field leaves that someone fills the gaps. Everyone is replaceable. The world moves on and adapts.

If you can take loyal customers with you and earn more money when the stock industry appears to be racing to the bottom, then good luck to you.

I have some prototypes of Nokia phones that we are testing in the excess of 40+ mpixel. Even if downsized to 46mb uncompressed tif (8bit, or 16mpixel) they produce better quality than any DSLR. Hardly any fringing. Trust me. Now if you combine that info with the huge amount of apps available to further enhance your images, we are looking at a real game changer.

Ron · « **Reply #154 on:** July 25, 2013, 17:14 »

unintentional quote deleted

cobalt · « **Reply #155 on:** July 25, 2013, 17:19 »

How many spelling mistakes do I have Ron?

Sorry, with your observing avatar it just looked like you are checking my post.

BaldricksTrousers · « **Reply #156 on:** July 25, 2013, 17:20 »

Quote from: Yuri_Arcurs on July 25, 2013, 17:06

Ok. You got me a bit upset. I posted my phone number just a few post's ago. Please call me and I will get the "photoshop trainee" on the call and we can ask him directly what he thought of my handling of the situation. If you really want to call me, let's do exactly that. Call me!

There's no need, Yuri. It really doesn't matter to me and I'm perfectly happy to accept it if you say that in-house you are kind and considerate to your staff.
My issue was nothing at all to do with your handling of your staff, it was about your own attitude and a phone call is not going to make a difference to that however charming you may be.
I see things in you that are very common in extremely successful people but which I happen not to admire. Lots of other people do admire them. I think we just have a totally different view of life and what is important.

Ron · « **Reply #157 on:** July 25, 2013, 17:23 »

Quote from: cobalt on July 25, 2013, 17:19

How many spelling mistakes do I have Ron?

Sorry, with your observing avatar it just looked like you are checking my post.

I dont know, I am not native English, but I do use spell check to at least cover the basics.

EmberMike · « **Reply #158 on:** July 25, 2013, 17:24 »

Quote from: Yuri_Arcurs on July 25, 2013, 16:25

I like your thoughts. I really don't see it the way you do and I don't think you understand the business that we (our images) have created. Do you really think that the optimal price for those images is a 300USD/mth subscription? Am I the only one see this? And yes. It starts by somebody like me saying no thanks.

No, I don't think it's optimal. I agree with you, there is a problem in this business when it comes to pricing and pay rates.

My issue with you isn't about the business. This business has been the way it is for a long time now, and it was upon that flawed business model that you made a pretty nice pile of money. You want to leave and move on, that's perfectly fine. But I think you're doing it poorly, and frankly you're acting like a child in the process.

So these other companies wouldn't change what they've been doing just because you hopped on a plane and came knocking. That, to you, means that they aren't professionals? They seemed awfully professional enough when you were cashing those big checks.

I just think it's pretty lame that you had no problem playing this game for years when the rules suited you, and now that you have tried to change the rules and you've moved on to something else when it didn't work, it's open season on mocking everyone who is still in this. All while proclaiming yourself the most important thing in microstock and your leaving being the most significant event in microstock history. Surely you don't really believe that, do you?

topol · « **Reply #159 on:** July 25, 2013, 17:27 »

Quote from: BaldricksTrousers on July 25, 2013, 16:29

Quote from: topol on July 25, 2013, 16:13
You mentioning the obscure reflection on some obscure group shot is almost as bad as him inserting the SS graph.

It wasn't his picture that bothered me. It was the way he handled the issue when someone pointed it out. For me, that was symptomatic of the way he handled his business and - enormously successful though he may be - it is not an approach I can admire. But then, I'm not "professional", which probably explains it.

(P.S. - Gunter one thing I would not blame a Dane for is his English spelling... my Danish is err ...)

You are bickering him like some estranged wife, and he does the same with Shutterstock.

Monty-m-gue · « **Reply #160 on:** July 25, 2013, 17:28 »

Hi Yuri,
I asked a question a while back in this thread but I think it got swallowed in a wave of vitriol. I wonder if you could tell us if you've been given any assurances that Istock will improve their inadequate it infrastructure? Their IT systems seem to be on the border of collapse, for example. This may well be due to the priorities of previous CEO's - but what does the future hold there? Anything you can share with us?

Petr Toman · « **Reply #161 on:** July 25, 2013, 17:28 »

Quote from: Yuri_Arcurs on July 25, 2013, 17:13

Quote from: uvox4 on July 25, 2013, 17:07
Yuri,

It is a very confident blog, maybe too confident (being diplomatic). I have no axe to grind with you and I am not jealous of your success as stock is a hobby for me. You earned your success.

I don't see mobiles being the future as you do. Quality is not good enough. There is money to be made if you are in the right place at the right time like citizen journalism.

My experience is when a leader in a field leaves that someone fills the gaps. Everyone is replaceable. The world moves on and adapts.

If you can take loyal customers with you and earn more money when the stock industry appears to be racing to the bottom, then good luck to you.

I have some prototypes of Nokia phones that we are testing in the excess of 40+ mpixel. Even if downsized to 46mb uncompressed tif (8bit, or 16mpixel) they produce better quality than any DSLR. Hardly any fringing. Trust me. Now if you combine that info with the huge amount of apps available to further enhance your images, we are looking at a real game changer.

Well one thing to really consider, is where the business is moving overall. Not sure how in your country, but in ours we receive tons of flyers every day. All are in that box for old paper in front of the house. No one is reading it anymore. No one (from the young population) needs a newspaper/magazines at all. If you are looking for sale/news/prizes/magazines/pictures/photos/designs and whatever else - you look at internet via smartphone/tablet/your pc. What resolution is needed ? Very small for an add.
So yes, the projects for mobile phones will have future just because of this. But that doesn't mean, that dslr content will be obsolete. Not yet.

BaldricksTrousers · « **Reply #162 on:** July 25, 2013, 17:29 »

Quote from: topol on July 25, 2013, 17:27

Quote from: BaldricksTrousers on July 25, 2013, 16:29
Quote from: topol on July 25, 2013, 16:13
You mentioning the obscure reflection on some obscure group shot is almost as bad as him inserting the SS graph.

It wasn't his picture that bothered me. It was the way he handled the issue when someone pointed it out. For me, that was symptomatic of the way he handled his business and - enormously successful though he may be - it is not an approach I can admire. But then, I'm not "professional", which probably explains it.

(P.S. - Gunter one thing I would not blame a Dane for is his English spelling... my Danish is err ...)

You are bickering him like some estranged wife, and he does the same with Shutterstock.

And what exactly are you doing? Are you his wing-man or something?

Yuri_Arcurs · « **Reply #163 on:** July 25, 2013, 17:29 »

Quote from: BaldricksTrousers on July 25, 2013, 17:20

Quote from: Yuri_Arcurs on July 25, 2013, 17:06
Ok. You got me a bit upset. I posted my phone number just a few post's ago. Please call me and I will get the "photoshop trainee" on the call and we can ask him directly what he thought of my handling of the situation. If you really want to call me, let's do exactly that. Call me!

There's no need, Yuri. It really doesn't matter to me and I'm perfectly happy to accept it if you say that in-house you are kind and considerate to your staff.
My issue was nothing at all to do with your handling of your staff, it was about your own attitude and a phone call is not going to make a difference to that however charming you may be.
I see things in you that are very common in extremely successful people but which I happen not to admire. Lots of other people do admire them. I think we just have a totally different view of life and what is important.

Yes we do. And I think the secondary gain from disrespecting the "successful" serves a much deeper satisfaction for you than what you are willing to put on the line if talking to me in person. You stereotype me, and even when I offer a direct honest conversation "there is no need". You need my stereotype more than you need good arguments.

topol · « **Reply #164 on:** July 25, 2013, 17:31 »

Quote from: BaldricksTrousers on July 25, 2013, 17:29

Quote from: topol on July 25, 2013, 17:27
Quote from: BaldricksTrousers on July 25, 2013, 16:29
Quote from: topol on July 25, 2013, 16:13
You mentioning the obscure reflection on some obscure group shot is almost as bad as him inserting the SS graph.

It wasn't his picture that bothered me. It was the way he handled the issue when someone pointed it out. For me, that was symptomatic of the way he handled his business and - enormously successful though he may be - it is not an approach I can admire. But then, I'm not "professional", which probably explains it.

(P.S. - Gunter one thing I would not blame a Dane for is his English spelling... my Danish is err ...)

You are bickering him like some estranged wife, and he does the same with Shutterstock.

And what exactly are you doing? Are you his wing-man or something?

having some fun watching it.

ShadySue · « **Reply #165 on:** July 25, 2013, 17:31 »

Quote from: Yuri_Arcurs on July 25, 2013, 16:47

Are you serious? I would not want to the under your wing. Have some heart please. Are you suggesting that I be a more evil boss and less forgiving?

You accept the blame publically, apologise and remedy the error. After all, the work goes out in your name.
You can then discuss the matter in private with your staff.

Yuri_Arcurs · « **Reply #166 on:** July 25, 2013, 17:33 »

Quote from: EmberMike on July 25, 2013, 17:24

Quote from: Yuri_Arcurs on July 25, 2013, 16:25
I like your thoughts. I really don't see it the way you do and I don't think you understand the business that we (our images) have created. Do you really think that the optimal price for those images is a 300USD/mth subscription? Am I the only one see this? And yes. It starts by somebody like me saying no thanks.

No, I don't think it's optimal. I agree with you, there is a problem in this business when it comes to pricing and pay rates.

My issue with you isn't about the business. This business has been the way it is for a long time now, and it was upon that flawed business model that you made a pretty nice pile of money. You want to leave and move on, that's perfectly fine. But I think you're doing it poorly, and frankly you're acting like a child in the process.

So these other companies wouldn't change what they've been doing just because you hopped on a plane and came knocking. That, to you, means that they aren't professionals? They seemed awfully professional enough when you were cashing those big checks.

I just think it's pretty lame that you had no problem playing this game for years when the rules suited you, and now that you have tried to change the rules and you've moved on to something else when it didn't work, it's open season on mocking everyone who is still in this. All while proclaiming yourself the most important thing in microstock and your leaving being the most significant event in microstock history. Surely you don't really believe that, do you?

Are you angry with me for leaving you behind? You mock me for thinking i'm significant and then blame me for not controlling the universe and leaving you behind...hhmmm. Not that is a good one

Yuri_Arcurs · « **Reply #167 on:** July 25, 2013, 17:34 »

Quote from: Yuri_Arcurs on July 25, 2013, 17:33

Quote from: EmberMike on July 25, 2013, 17:24
Quote from: Yuri_Arcurs on July 25, 2013, 16:25
I like your thoughts. I really don't see it the way you do and I don't think you understand the business that we (our images) have created. Do you really think that the optimal price for those images is a 300USD/mth subscription? Am I the only one see this? And yes. It starts by somebody like me saying no thanks.

No, I don't think it's optimal. I agree with you, there is a problem in this business when it comes to pricing and pay rates.

My issue with you isn't about the business. This business has been the way it is for a long time now, and it was upon that flawed business model that you made a pretty nice pile of money. You want to leave and move on, that's perfectly fine. But I think you're doing it poorly, and frankly you're acting like a child in the process.

So these other companies wouldn't change what they've been doing just because you hopped on a plane and came knocking. That, to you, means that they aren't professionals? They seemed awfully professional enough when you were cashing those big checks.

I just think it's pretty lame that you had no problem playing this game for years when the rules suited you, and now that you have tried to change the rules and you've moved on to something else when it didn't work, it's open season on mocking everyone who is still in this. All while proclaiming yourself the most important thing in microstock and your leaving being the most significant event in microstock history. Surely you don't really believe that, do you?

Are you angry with me for leaving you behind? You mock me for thinking i'm significant and then blame me for not controlling the path of stock photography and leaving you behind...hhmmm. Not that is a good one

Sean Locke Photography · « **Reply #168 on:** July 25, 2013, 17:34 »

"I have some prototypes of Nokia phones that we are testing in the excess of 40+ mpixel. Even if downsized to 46mb uncompressed tif (8bit, or 16mpixel) they produce better quality than any DSLR. Hardly any fringing. Trust me. Now if you combine that info with the huge amount of apps available to further enhance your images, we are looking at a real game changer"

No, you aren't. It isn't the camera. It's the planning. It's the talent. It's the releases. It's the trust. A bunch of editorial phone snaps from the crowd isn't going to change commercial stock. And the size of the sensor isn't going to change the success rate of crowd journalism sites.

BaldricksTrousers · « **Reply #169 on:** July 25, 2013, 17:34 »

Quote from: Yuri_Arcurs on July 25, 2013, 17:13

I have some prototypes of Nokia phones that we are testing in the excess of 40+ mpixel. Even if downsized to 46mb uncompressed tif (8bit, or 16mpixel) they produce better quality than any DSLR. Hardly any fringing. Trust me. Now if you combine that info with the huge amount of apps available to further enhance your images, we are looking at a real game changer.

I'd be interested to see that. I seriously doubt that the laws of physics allow for that, taking into account the airy disc, but it would be interesting to see some samples at full size with complete exif data.

gostwyck · « **Reply #170 on:** July 25, 2013, 17:39 »

Quote from: Yuri_Arcurs on July 25, 2013, 17:01

Quote from: cobalt on July 25, 2013, 16:56
I have a simple question for Yuri:

Do you believe that photographers should go artist exclusive with istock/Getty?

Do you have the impression the company has a successful future and growth ahead of it?

Thanks!

They know the most about the business of selling stock images. The rest are still just catching up. It never really was fair game, but we all signed up to play along.

Clearly they do not. That's why they are losing the game, month by month, to SS and also why they have just dropped prices massively at HUGE costs to themselves, as well as to their contributors. It's also why they've just sacked the boss for the second time in two years.

It would appear that you've jumped aboard a sinking ship Matey.

gbalex · « **Reply #171 on:** July 25, 2013, 17:42 »

Quote from: EmberMike on July 25, 2013, 17:24

Quote from: Yuri_Arcurs on July 25, 2013, 16:25
I like your thoughts. I really don't see it the way you do and I don't think you understand the business that we (our images) have created. Do you really think that the optimal price for those images is a 300USD/mth subscription? Am I the only one see this? And yes. It starts by somebody like me saying no thanks.

No, I don't think it's optimal. I agree with you, there is a problem in this business when it comes to pricing and pay rates.

My issue with you isn't about the business. This business has been the way it is for a long time now, and it was upon that flawed business model that you made a pretty nice pile of money. You want to leave and move on, that's perfectly fine. But I think you're doing it poorly, and frankly you're acting like a child in the process.

So these other companies wouldn't change what they've been doing just because you hopped on a plane and came knocking. That, to you, means that they aren't professionals? They seemed awfully professional enough when you were cashing those big checks.

I just think it's pretty lame that you had no problem playing this game for years when the rules suited you, and now that you have tried to change the rules and you've moved on to something else when it didn't work, it's open season on mocking everyone who is still in this. All while proclaiming yourself the most important thing in microstock and your leaving being the most significant event in microstock history. Surely you don't really believe that, do you?

You are making assumptions without knowing what went on in the meetings or how those involved conducted themselves.

It is not the artist who dictated what the sites would accept or what they paid. Micro sites have continued to raise the quality bar and dictate buyer expectations without compensating content providers for those drastic and prolonged changes. Case in point, just look at the vast majority of ports for those who have been at this awhile. Ask yourself if the content or the tools and expendables used to produce it have changed.

I can't really believe how many people are taking it up for those who are perfectly willing to drive the price of our assets down in the race to gain market share. You can count on the fact that if they had paid to produce OUR content themselves they would be far more diligent in guarding it's value.

Why are so many willing to take it up for and defend the sites who have a long track record of frequently changing the rules and the contracts that we signed up for when we started this journey?

Yuri_Arcurs · « **Reply #172 on:** July 25, 2013, 17:46 »

Quote from: Sean Locke Photography on July 25, 2013, 17:34

"I have some prototypes of Nokia phones that we are testing in the excess of 40+ mpixel. Even if downsized to 46mb uncompressed tif (8bit, or 16mpixel) they produce better quality than any DSLR. Hardly any fringing. Trust me. Now if you combine that info with the huge amount of apps available to further enhance your images, we are looking at a real game changer"

No, you aren't. It isn't the camera. It's the planning. It's the talent. It's the releases. It's the trust. A bunch of editorial phone snaps from the crowd isn't going to change commercial stock. And the size of the sensor isn't going to change the success rate of crowd journalism sites.

Wow Sean. You sound as conservative as the macrostock opposition back in 2005, when talking about microstock. Can't you see this? I mean. I could literarily take your last post and time-machine it back 7 years and it would fit perfectly as a criticism towards microstock. I mean, are you seriously going around purposefully trying to avoid the obvious facts?
Now here is a funny thing. You see I actually know Sean personally. We had a drink at a conference in California a good 4 years ago. My first remark to him was something of the likes of "Sean... you are not such a bad guy after all, just when you are on the forums". A few seconds later he confessed: "no, but don't tell anybody". So as of now. Officially. I would like to state that Sean L, is in fact a nice guy! He may not seem like it, but he is.

gostwyck · « **Reply #173 on:** July 25, 2013, 17:46 »

Quote from: Sean Locke Photography on July 25, 2013, 17:34

"I have some prototypes of Nokia phones that we are testing in the excess of 40+ mpixel. Even if downsized to 46mb uncompressed tif (8bit, or 16mpixel) they produce better quality than any DSLR. Hardly any fringing. Trust me. Now if you combine that info with the huge amount of apps available to further enhance your images, we are looking at a real game changer"

No, you aren't. It isn't the camera. It's the planning. It's the talent. It's the releases. It's the trust. A bunch of editorial phone snaps from the crowd isn't going to change commercial stock. And the size of the sensor isn't going to change the success rate of crowd journalism sites.

And apparently the tiny lens on these $600 phones is MUCH better than any $2k L lens? It must be for the quality to be "better than any DSLR". What utter nonsense.

Yuri_Arcurs · « **Reply #174 on:** July 25, 2013, 17:49 »

Quote from: gbalex on July 25, 2013, 17:42

Quote from: EmberMike on July 25, 2013, 17:24
Quote from: Yuri_Arcurs on July 25, 2013, 16:25
I like your thoughts. I really don't see it the way you do and I don't think you understand the business that we (our images) have created. Do you really think that the optimal price for those images is a 300USD/mth subscription? Am I the only one see this? And yes. It starts by somebody like me saying no thanks.

No, I don't think it's optimal. I agree with you, there is a problem in this business when it comes to pricing and pay rates.

My issue with you isn't about the business. This business has been the way it is for a long time now, and it was upon that flawed business model that you made a pretty nice pile of money. You want to leave and move on, that's perfectly fine. But I think you're doing it poorly, and frankly you're acting like a child in the process.

So these other companies wouldn't change what they've been doing just because you hopped on a plane and came knocking. That, to you, means that they aren't professionals? They seemed awfully professional enough when you were cashing those big checks.

I just think it's pretty lame that you had no problem playing this game for years when the rules suited you, and now that you have tried to change the rules and you've moved on to something else when it didn't work, it's open season on mocking everyone who is still in this. All while proclaiming yourself the most important thing in microstock and your leaving being the most significant event in microstock history. Surely you don't really believe that, do you?
You are making assumptions without knowing what went on in the meetings or how those involved conducted themselves.

It is not the artist who dictated what the sites would accept or what they paid. Micro sites have continued to raise the quality bar and dictate buyer expectations without compensating content providers for those drastic and prolonged changes. Case in point, just look at the vast majority of ports for those who have been at this awhile. Ask yourself if the content or the tools and expendables used to produce it have changed.

I can't really believe how many people are taking it up for those who are perfectly willing to drive the price of our assets down in the race to gain market share. You can count on the fact that if they had paid to produce OUR content themselves they would be far more diligent in guarding it's value.

Why are so many willing to take it up for and defend the sites who have a long track record of frequently changing the rules and the contracts that we signed up for when we started this journey?

Who said I was not in those meetings?

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Author Topic: Yuri Arcurs First Public Statement (Read 146672 times)

Ron

shotupdave

cobalt

Yuri_Arcurs

Ron

cobalt

BaldricksTrousers

Ron

EmberMike

topol

Monty-m-gue

Petr Toman

BaldricksTrousers

Yuri_Arcurs

topol

ShadySue

Yuri_Arcurs

Yuri_Arcurs

Sean Locke Photography

BaldricksTrousers

gostwyck

gbalex

Yuri_Arcurs

gostwyck

Yuri_Arcurs

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