I currently shoot HD clips and have been moderately happy with the results over the years $$$ wise.

Moving forward, what are your thoughts on upgrading to 4K or UHD? With the lousy commissions do you think it is worth the expense to 'upgrade'? I understand the future proofing your work concept, but with prices so * low is it worth to spend a bunch of money to do so.

Apart from P5 and AD are there any suggestions for sites that are consistent in sales and also respect the artist? I won't give my work to SS. I also don't want to do the Blackbox route either as I don't see value in giving away 15% of already low royalties.

I am totally sitting on the fence to either keep shooting HD or upgrade mainly to future proof, but I am also struggling with the direction of royalties these days.

 

Mobile phones now take 4K, blink and everybody will be taking 4K, probably already do if they know where their phone's camera settings are. Rather ask is it worth going higher than 4K? In stock sites I'm on this is still the highest option but for how long? If you want to upgrade and spend your money take the best technology at the moment, it will get outdated too soon anyway.

What about agency suggestions. IS and SS are pathetic giving a few crumbs, not sustainable by an stretch. P5 and AD seem to be doing okay, at least they are somewhat fair. Any other agencies you'd suggest.

I don't really need a new camera as I have the Canon 5D MarkIII the only reason I'd consider a new camera is strictly for the 4K.

Hi, I share the same view: Content is king! not resolution or best high tech camera.
In my case.... almost 95% of portfolio is hd. Rest is 4k or 8k.
I also having the sense that there are much more sales nowadays with content made with smartphones HD than with last big cam (even set in HD). I think this is due to fact that smartphones are very portable,  less intrusive,  ready to shoot everywhere you go and some with even water resistible. Despite i love big gear i must say that can't beat this daily life advantages of smartphone.

...unless you only have a camera that shoots in 720p.

Sell it to antique dealer! 

Quote from: Visualab on February 20, 2021, 13:20

it's all about content,not resolution or equipment..btw mobile phones are not the choise if you take stock seriously...even the best mobile is thousand miles away from a crappy camera...

I beg to differ. Smartphone cameras are excellent, because they are always at hand. You can make some great editorial, although you didn't bring your gear. And sometimes, when you shoot editorial, on the street, people get nervous if you pull out big fancy camera with gimbal or tripod. When you use a smartphone, people tend to be more relaxed and think of you as of a tourist or a vlogger or something.
What I'm trying to say is: yes - cameras are better, but you can add great stuff (mainly editorial) to your portfolio using your phone.

i agree with you about editorial content and shots that otherwise you can't take...i dispute using smartphones to produce stock as the only tool you have....

Upgrading to 4k equipment isn't necessarily a steep investment. You can pick up a second hand Panasonic G7 for pretty cheap if you keep looking.

Quote from: dragonblade on March 04, 2021, 01:36

Upgrading to 4k equipment isn't necessarily a steep investment. You can pick up a second hand Panasonic G7 for pretty cheap if you keep looking.

Don't forget the computer, power and storage, I can edit and export 1080p in a blink of an eye, 4K throws me back into Cyrix6x86L era.

True, this is also part of the package. I am not sure if 4K is nothing more than a dangling carrot.