Author Topic: How bad is it for the rest of you? (Read 19429 times)

targoszstock · « **Reply #25 on:** January 25, 2021, 07:39 »

Quote from: PaulieWalnuts on January 21, 2021, 22:33

My micro earnings used to be in the thousands of dollars per month. Now I earn enough for a family of four dinner at McDonalds. And I'm not talking the fancy stuff. Dollar menu.

My ss earnings used to go over a thousand dollars from time to time. This January my ss total is $2 (four $0.5 video sales).

No Happy Meal for my kids ; )

alexandersr · « **Reply #26 on:** January 25, 2021, 09:08 »

Quote from: Ukko on January 25, 2021, 04:58

Quote from: alexandersr on January 24, 2021, 10:33
Quote from: PaulieWalnuts on January 24, 2021, 08:45
Quote from: alexandersr on January 23, 2021, 18:04
Quote from: Ukko on January 23, 2021, 16:37
Quote from: Hannafate on January 23, 2021, 09:11
I'm currently making more from POD than from microstock.

Any good POD sites to recommend in particular?

MS generates a decent income for me, but nothing to write home about. It helps to buy some kick ass new camera gear every year and pay some bills. I'm a hobbyist-level stock photographer (portfolio size is currently under 3,000 photos).
Buy a new camera with microstock income for me, that impossible. My newer camera is a Canon 60D, the other a Canon XT. And i'm ok with those old cameras, because if i try to do some photos in the street some thief is probably would robbed to me. In some places police could take my camera and take it. In Caracas, Venezuela people with cameras have to be very alert, or go in big groups. When i go to street i use Canon XT. In my house for making some studio photos i use Canon 60D.

Between the declining income and the fact that micro sites have lowered submission quality standards, I don't think it's worth upgrading. Anyone who has a DSLR from the past 15 years should be fine.

That's unfortunate you have to work in fear. I travel for photography and have run into these situations here in the USA. Mostly in major cities in areas that are known for higher crime. And with all of the 2020 problems I now carry pepper spray and a heavy monopod. I'm now focusing more on beaches than cities. Usually more happy people there who don't want to rob or harm me. :-)

If you do want to get a new camera you may want to consider small mirrorless like a Sony a6600. DSLR quality images and the body and lenses are very compact. When walking with a DSLR and large backpack, I've found it draws a lot of attention. When using my Sony a6300 I can use a tiny bag and it draws almost no attention.

Caracas, is the capital of Venezuela, is one of the most dangerous cities in the world. Here we have a lot of crime, robberies, murders and all kind of crime you could think. I don't know much about the USA, but my brother live in Houston Texas and there according that told me, it's a quite, the county where he lives.
When i go to the downtown where some risk zones, i use a point and shot camera, Canon Power Shot A810, it's a $50 camera you can find used for sell on ebay. Sometimes police and militar forces when they look at you with a camera, they ask you what you are doing, and if you are lucky the don't take you your camera, this situation happened to me in 2012, i was taking some photos alone and two polices in a motorcicle ask me what i was doing, and have to show my camera (Canon XT), they look and go. Now i use my Canon XT in the street but in safe zones. Maybe i'm a very affortunate person, because i can eat three meals times a day, and can pay for medicines. But a lot of people here can't. I have some money help from my brother, also i sell things on Internet, photography accessories, cheap things like, lens hoods, filters and lens caps, and some old lens i don't use, and anothers things. Also i have some sporadics jobs. Well, this the third world
Here i let you a link, where you can see Caracas as the second most dangerous city in the world.
https://www.statista.com/statistics/243797/ranking-of-the-most-dangerous-cities-in-the-world-by-murder-rate-per-capita/

D*mn buddy, that's a tough place to live and do business. You are almost like a war photographer, the danger is always present and you need to be careful at all times when leaving your home. Keep up the good spirit and I hope you get some great images that sell well on stock sites!

Thanks, I hope so! I am very lucky, I live in a safe medium area, the thefts and murders are not high for this area. I think it is one of the safest areas in Caracas.
Well, you have to have good luck. It's a matter of not being in the wrong place and time. The chances of something happening to you are high, especially if you have a very attractive camera. The Canon XT even as old as it is can be striking. Here in Venezuela, journalists are persecuted a lot, and anyone they see with a camera thinks they are one, at least the security agents and paramilitary groups. And well, thieves are always looking for an opportunity to rob someone. Many cell phones are stolen here. Those crime statistics are true.

H2O · « **Reply #27 on:** January 25, 2021, 12:34 »

As the year goes on we are going to see less downloads across the board, simply because the creative industries are using less, there is no demand for promotions and advertising.

Shutterstock have dug themselves a hole, dropping the commission rates to the contributors, this will over time finish them off.

Contributors have stopped recommending them, along with no fresh quality content, just means that the serious buyers will move.

It will take a couple of years, I expect to see them 5 or 6 down on the Middle Tier.

MxR · « **Reply #28 on:** January 25, 2021, 12:51 »

today 2 video sales for a total of a little more than a dollar... level 2

alijaber · « **Reply #29 on:** January 25, 2021, 14:37 »

Quote from: MxR on January 25, 2021, 12:51

today 2 video sales for a total of a little more than a dollar... level 2

I've got five of those today... Level 2 here too

fotoroad · « **Reply #30 on:** January 25, 2021, 15:31 »

Quote from: thirdbornentertainment on January 21, 2021, 17:09

I'm down to 3 agencies, pond5 adobe and dissolve. Earnings last December for my 1500 clip portfolio were over 1k usd. This year I barely cracked 300. I'm getting fewer sales no matter how much I add (quality clips). If you thought 2020 sucked just wait....

If I check three agencies you mention I made a $ 0.00 in December 2020 but it was my best year anyway. I am not sure you can do it right judgement this way. I do not have ,,high quality TV or movie theater,, footage but I am not complaining.Hope next month will be better for You.

Brasilnut · « **Reply #31 on:** January 26, 2021, 05:14 »

Nice!

Sion · « **Reply #32 on:** January 26, 2021, 07:08 »

Quote from: PaulieWalnuts on January 22, 2021, 11:05

.....Investing in adding new images would be a complete waste of time for me. Maybe other people aren't experiencing the downward trend.

If we look at new images at various agencies they are mainly submitted by bright-eyed newcomers who believe there is a pot of gold in stock photography.

JetCityImage · « **Reply #33 on:** January 26, 2021, 07:35 »

Quote from: Sion on January 26, 2021, 07:08

Quote from: PaulieWalnuts on January 22, 2021, 11:05
.....Investing in adding new images would be a complete waste of time for me. Maybe other people aren't experiencing the downward trend.

If we look at new images at various agencies they are mainly submitted by bright-eyed newcomers who believe there is a pot of gold in stock photography.

With pictures from an iPhone...

helloitsme · « **Reply #34 on:** January 26, 2021, 08:59 »

Fxxk Jon Oringer and Shutterstock management.

PaulieWalnuts · « **Reply #35 on:** January 26, 2021, 10:20 »

Quote from: JetCityImage on January 26, 2021, 07:35

Quote from: Sion on January 26, 2021, 07:08
Quote from: PaulieWalnuts on January 22, 2021, 11:05
.....Investing in adding new images would be a complete waste of time for me. Maybe other people aren't experiencing the downward trend.

If we look at new images at various agencies they are mainly submitted by bright-eyed newcomers who believe there is a pot of gold in stock photography.

With pictures from an iPhone...

Probably less of a pot of gold and more like a carrot hanging from a stick.

A long time ago I was hoping this all would reach bottom. I've realized what these companies have known all along. There is no bottom. There will always be newcomers who get the euphoric rush from realizing their work is good enough for someone to spend money on even if it's a penny. In the 1990s earnings were thousands of dollars per sale, 2000's hundreds of dollars, 2010's dollars, and now 2020's pennies. The newcomers will at some point experience lower income from "the wall" and also these companies reducing their commissions. They will probably become disgruntled and stop submitting or leave. Doesn't matter. There's a never ending supply of newcomers who don't bother reading contracts and are willing to accept anything. Look at the free sites where contributors are thrilled someone has downloaded or liked their work. Likes are the new currency.

Horizon · « **Reply #36 on:** January 26, 2021, 11:39 »

Quote from: Sion on January 26, 2021, 07:08

Quote from: PaulieWalnuts on January 22, 2021, 11:05
.....Investing in adding new images would be a complete waste of time for me. Maybe other people aren't experiencing the downward trend.

If we look at new images at various agencies they are mainly submitted by bright-eyed newcomers who believe there is a pot of gold in stock photography.

Thats it! and yet its thanks to these hopefulls that SS survives. Without these goggle eyed noobs the agency would fold and bye bye!

cascoly · « **Reply #37 on:** January 26, 2021, 17:41 »

Quote from: PaulieWalnuts on January 24, 2021, 08:45

...

If you do want to get a new camera you may want to consider small mirrorless like a Sony a6600. DSLR quality images and the body and lenses are very compact. When walking with a DSLR and large backpack, I've found it draws a lot of attention. When using my Sony a6300 I can use a tiny bag and it draws almost no attention.

About a year ago i switched from a Sony DSLR to a bridge, fixed lens Lumix FX1000 - excellent Zeiss lens (i always kept my telezoom on the DSLR), great macro & i added a screw on macro that gets even closer

it's also about 1/2 the weight. (which for shaky hands results in sharper images - i routinely handhold for HDR)

it's a few MP less, but not a big deal when most DLs are subs so not missing out on buyers needing bigger images

angelawaye · « **Reply #38 on:** January 26, 2021, 19:35 »

Hanna, What are the best POD sites?

Quote from: Hannafate on January 23, 2021, 09:11

I just dropped Bigstock, leaving me only five agencies for now. (one of which is Canstock, which hardly counts) I'm currently making more from POD than from microstock.

I'll keep making and uploading new work because... well... it's what I do.

rushay · « **Reply #39 on:** January 27, 2021, 02:50 »

Sorry to hear how bad things are Alexander, it sounds pretty much like South Africa where i live. It's very difficult to take out a camera in public for me, which limits one so much cos there's so many important stories to capture.

Quote from: alexandersr on January 24, 2021, 10:33

Quote from: PaulieWalnuts on January 24, 2021, 08:45
Quote from: alexandersr on January 23, 2021, 18:04
Quote from: Ukko on January 23, 2021, 16:37
Quote from: Hannafate on January 23, 2021, 09:11
I'm currently making more from POD than from microstock.

Any good POD sites to recommend in particular?

MS generates a decent income for me, but nothing to write home about. It helps to buy some kick ass new camera gear every year and pay some bills. I'm a hobbyist-level stock photographer (portfolio size is currently under 3,000 photos).
Buy a new camera with microstock income for me, that impossible. My newer camera is a Canon 60D, the other a Canon XT. And i'm ok with those old cameras, because if i try to do some photos in the street some thief is probably would robbed to me. In some places police could take my camera and take it. In Caracas, Venezuela people with cameras have to be very alert, or go in big groups. When i go to street i use Canon XT. In my house for making some studio photos i use Canon 60D.

Between the declining income and the fact that micro sites have lowered submission quality standards, I don't think it's worth upgrading. Anyone who has a DSLR from the past 15 years should be fine.

That's unfortunate you have to work in fear. I travel for photography and have run into these situations here in the USA. Mostly in major cities in areas that are known for higher crime. And with all of the 2020 problems I now carry pepper spray and a heavy monopod. I'm now focusing more on beaches than cities. Usually more happy people there who don't want to rob or harm me. :-)

If you do want to get a new camera you may want to consider small mirrorless like a Sony a6600. DSLR quality images and the body and lenses are very compact. When walking with a DSLR and large backpack, I've found it draws a lot of attention. When using my Sony a6300 I can use a tiny bag and it draws almost no attention.

Caracas, is the capital of Venezuela, is one of the most dangerous cities in the world. Here we have a lot of crime, robberies, murders and all kind of crime you could think. I don't know much about the USA, but my brother live in Houston Texas and there according that told me, it's a quite, the county where he lives.
When i go to the downtown where some risk zones, i use a point and shot camera, Canon Power Shot A810, it's a $50 camera you can find used for sell on ebay. Sometimes police and militar forces when they look at you with a camera, they ask you what you are doing, and if you are lucky the don't take you your camera, this situation happened to me in 2012, i was taking some photos alone and two polices in a motorcicle ask me what i was doing, and have to show my camera (Canon XT), they look and go. Now i use my Canon XT in the street but in safe zones. Maybe i'm a very affortunate person, because i can eat three meals times a day, and can pay for medicines. But a lot of people here can't. I have some money help from my brother, also i sell things on Internet, photography accessories, cheap things like, lens hoods, filters and lens caps, and some old lens i don't use, and anothers things. Also i have some sporadics jobs. Well, this the third world
Here i let you a link, where you can see Caracas as the second most dangerous city in the world.
https://www.statista.com/statistics/243797/ranking-of-the-most-dangerous-cities-in-the-world-by-murder-rate-per-capita/

Roscoe · « **Reply #40 on:** January 27, 2021, 07:08 »

Not great either, with Adobe being the exception. Heading to a best month in half a year there, which is the only good news to report. Smaller agencies continue to dry up even further, and for SS I see on par amount of downloads, but terrible RPD which has something to do with the big reset, but there's more to it if you ask me. Almost every sale is a 10-cent'er sub and in addition to that my best sellers suddenly dropped significantly during this month (going from several downloads a day or per week per image last year, to one or two downloads per image for the complete month). They were replaced by sometimes pretty odd sales from images that never sold before and I can't recall uploading, or images from which I think: commercial value? Where?

Maybe I should rethink my position on the "our portfolio's are capped" conspiracy.

Horizon · « **Reply #41 on:** January 27, 2021, 07:44 »

Nope no conspiracy at all ^^. on top of that their geographical search and mixing with the servers in different continents/countries!...all the big 5 do but with SS its a slaughterhouse of earnings!

alexandersr · « **Reply #42 on:** January 27, 2021, 10:49 »

Quote from: rushay on January 27, 2021, 02:50

Sorry to hear how bad things are Alexander, it sounds pretty much like South Africa where i live. It's very difficult to take out a camera in public for me, which limits one so much cos there's so many important stories to capture.

Quote from: alexandersr on January 24, 2021, 10:33
Quote from: PaulieWalnuts on January 24, 2021, 08:45
Quote from: alexandersr on January 23, 2021, 18:04
Quote from: Ukko on January 23, 2021, 16:37
Quote from: Hannafate on January 23, 2021, 09:11
I'm currently making more from POD than from microstock.

Any good POD sites to recommend in particular?

MS generates a decent income for me, but nothing to write home about. It helps to buy some kick ass new camera gear every year and pay some bills. I'm a hobbyist-level stock photographer (portfolio size is currently under 3,000 photos).
Buy a new camera with microstock income for me, that impossible. My newer camera is a Canon 60D, the other a Canon XT. And i'm ok with those old cameras, because if i try to do some photos in the street some thief is probably would robbed to me. In some places police could take my camera and take it. In Caracas, Venezuela people with cameras have to be very alert, or go in big groups. When i go to street i use Canon XT. In my house for making some studio photos i use Canon 60D.

Between the declining income and the fact that micro sites have lowered submission quality standards, I don't think it's worth upgrading. Anyone who has a DSLR from the past 15 years should be fine.

That's unfortunate you have to work in fear. I travel for photography and have run into these situations here in the USA. Mostly in major cities in areas that are known for higher crime. And with all of the 2020 problems I now carry pepper spray and a heavy monopod. I'm now focusing more on beaches than cities. Usually more happy people there who don't want to rob or harm me. :-)

If you do want to get a new camera you may want to consider small mirrorless like a Sony a6600. DSLR quality images and the body and lenses are very compact. When walking with a DSLR and large backpack, I've found it draws a lot of attention. When using my Sony a6300 I can use a tiny bag and it draws almost no attention.

Caracas, is the capital of Venezuela, is one of the most dangerous cities in the world. Here we have a lot of crime, robberies, murders and all kind of crime you could think. I don't know much about the USA, but my brother live in Houston Texas and there according that told me, it's a quite, the county where he lives.
When i go to the downtown where some risk zones, i use a point and shot camera, Canon Power Shot A810, it's a $50 camera you can find used for sell on ebay. Sometimes police and militar forces when they look at you with a camera, they ask you what you are doing, and if you are lucky the don't take you your camera, this situation happened to me in 2012, i was taking some photos alone and two polices in a motorcicle ask me what i was doing, and have to show my camera (Canon XT), they look and go. Now i use my Canon XT in the street but in safe zones. Maybe i'm a very affortunate person, because i can eat three meals times a day, and can pay for medicines. But a lot of people here can't. I have some money help from my brother, also i sell things on Internet, photography accessories, cheap things like, lens hoods, filters and lens caps, and some old lens i don't use, and anothers things. Also i have some sporadics jobs. Well, this the third world
Here i let you a link, where you can see Caracas as the second most dangerous city in the world.
https://www.statista.com/statistics/243797/ranking-of-the-most-dangerous-cities-in-the-world-by-murder-rate-per-capita/

I don't know much about South Africa, but life here in Venezuela is very difficult.

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Author Topic: How bad is it for the rest of you? (Read 19429 times)

targoszstock

alexandersr

H2O

MxR

alijaber

fotoroad

Brasilnut

Sion

JetCityImage

helloitsme

PaulieWalnuts

Horizon

cascoly

angelawaye

rushay

Roscoe

Horizon

alexandersr

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