Hello everyone!

I posted this in the StockXpert forums already, but  I thought I'd cross post it here as well:

I want to give you a heads up that soon your StockXpert images will have the potential to produce even more income for you when we make them available on one of Jupiterimages' most established and respected stock photo brands--Photos.com. Photos.com was created in 2002, and since then it has built a very large and loyal customer base.

I can't say too much more now, but you will receive an e-mail and sitemail within the next couple of weeks with more details about this exciting new program. This opportunity will be open to all StockXpert contributors with no restrictive exclusive committments.

Until then, I invite you to visit http://www.photos.com and check it out.

Thanks
-Steve

" Professional Royalty-Free Stock Photography by Subscription". So will it add only to sub sales ?

Great news Steve! I hope it will work well.

If I understand it right, photos.com subscriptions are sold as "macro" prices and this news means one more additional sales channel for our pictures

Hi guys,

Kind of. Yes. The way it works is that the lower res files are subscription and the higher res files are PPD. I think they are still working out the pricing of the PPDs, but it will probably be at a more macro pricing level.

Thanks!
-Steve

wonderful. looking forward to it. any new market is good market.
cheers Steve

JSLtanM (on StockXpert)

"Pay 99 $ mnoth, download 7,500 images month" (until 2400 x 1500, not just web sizes, that's print size). It looks like a disgrace and a good reason to opt out this program and SPX altotogether. It's too a new record, about 1 c./donwload.
Until now, photos.com have very few and quite outdated images. With fresh and new stuff it will be quite exciting for the customers and for Jupiter, but not for the contributors. 

Quote from: steve-oh on July 15, 2008, 14:46
Hello everyone!

I posted this in the StockXpert forums already, but  I thought I'd cross post it here as well:

I want to give you a heads up that soon your StockXpert images will have the potential to produce even more income for you when we make them available on one of Jupiterimages' most established and respected stock photo brands--Photos.com. Photos.com was created in 2002, and since then it has built a very large and loyal customer base.

I can't say too much more now, but you will receive an e-mail and sitemail within the next couple of weeks with more details about this exciting new program. This opportunity will be open to all StockXpert contributors with no restrictive exclusive committments.

Until then, I invite you to visit http://www.photos.com and check it out.

Thanks
-Steve

Hi Steve,

The site says they can download up to 250 pictures per day? with a $99 monthly subscription?  That does not sound right. 

Hi guys,

It is right. When it comes to StockXpert on Photos.com, however, there is a HUGE "but" ...

I can't give a way too much right now, but trust me, you won't be receiving $.01 a download.

All I ask is that you don't assume too much before you receive all the details.

Thanks!
-Steve

Will this fall under the current stockxpert 'Partner Licensing' scheme?

You guys probably can't really go into the details, but which other sites are stockxpert images licensed through, if any? (I guess it can't hurt to ask lol)

I know this is going to come across  a la MIZ (and let me say, that's not a bad thing for me, I'm a fan of MIZmania)...... and I'm sure I'll tick off someone somewhere.... but
 
I clicked onto Photos.com.... searched up some 'nature' shots, specifically National Parks.....  and I have to say (with all ego aside).... I WAS NOT impressed with a good majority of the pix I found.

Steve,  what is the criteria for the selection process to move from the StockXpert base into Photos.com

One more point to that end...  I am primarily a nature shooter. I have had a boatload of images shot down simply for  "not stock", "don't need"....la la la...   And see those very types of images here on Photos.com.... and not very good ones at that.  I'm not a rejection complainer...   if StockXpert/Jupiter/Photos...whatever, don't want nature shots... fine.   I can deal with that. I understand that micros are not  a particularly good vehicle for nature sales.
     But when I see stuff there and sorry, ....but specific images that I have superior work...    I wonder about many reviews in the past couple years.

rant done.   and please MSG guys and gals,  I am truly a humble guy and do not walk around with the misconception that I am a world class photog.  I'm not.  Far from it!!!  But you don't have to be the world's expert to tell the difference between a technically lousy shot and one that isn't. Or, poor composition.  We do that with our own work every day.  And in the nature fields, while there are fantastic images for sale there....   there are also  some pretty unimpressive, poor quality pix there,  even... the dreaded... snapshots.

Just MHO   =tom

Quote from: steve-oh on July 15, 2008, 18:57
Hi guys,
I can't give a way too much right now, but trust me, you won't be receiving $.01 a download.
Thanks!
-Steve

Steve, I hope this isn't a cryptic way of saying "it won't be $0.01 per download, but it might be $0.04 0r $0.09 per download." I nkow you guys want to hold out the details until you get them worked out, but the math is pretty frightening.

Please throw SOME kind of additional info 

I would certainly like to know the details too.  I am currently opted in to the subscriptions but if I am getting less than .30 from this new tie in I will probably have to opt out. 

Also, on the subject of money, nobody has been getting paid by StockXpert in a week.  Apparently because one person took a vacation? 

Steve, would very much appreciate your help in getting the payout issue resolved.  After all, new outlets and opportunities are moot if we can't get paid...

Quote from: a.k.a.-tom on July 18, 2008, 20:05
...nd please MSG guys and gals,  I am truly a humble guy and do not walk around with the misconception that I am a world class photog.  I'm not.  Far from it!!!  But you don't have to be the world's expert to tell the difference between a technically lousy shot and one that isn't. Or, poor composition. 

I looked over some stuff at photos.com a few days ago and there is a reason the stuff is cheap. It's not very good and it's dated and tired looking.

I'm opted out of subs at StockXpert anyway, so perhaps it won't apply to me. However, trying to gussy up a tired old broad with some nice new clothes (images from StockXpert) and doing so at commissions lower than via StockXpert seems like a lousy deal for StockXpert contributors. Good deal for photos.com if it helps them breathe life into the collection.

Next thing you know they'll be trying to perk up an even sadder collection of Jupiter's:

http://clipartconnection.com

A one year subscription for $34.95

Download the three samples and you'll see what low quality stuff this is.

Steve has asked us not to assume too much before we receive all the details, so I don't see much point in guessing what might happen.  I just hope it won't be a disappointment.

Now official

-"We're a little more than half way through 2008, and we'd like to thank you for your support, time, and, of course, images. With a 50% contributor royalty rate, we are proud to be a leader in per download payout, and by more aggressively leveraging Jupiterimages in the coming months, we have the most opportunity to grow your income.

Soon you will be receiving an e-mail and sitemail about the Stockxpert on Photos.com program, an exciting new venture to sell your images through one of the most popular brands in stock photography. Small, medium, and large images will be available through subscription only, and you will earn $.30 per download. XL and XXL images will only be available as PPD. You will earn 30% per download with prices ranging between $49.95 and $299.95 per image.

As we move forward with more of these programs, we need to deliver the highest quality and most consistent product to customers and business partners. This means that as of July 30 we will no longer offer opt-in/out, and as of August 4 all StockXpert images will be included in our PPD, partner and licensing, extended licensing, and subscription efforts.

Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to working with you as we roll out these many new initiatives to increase sales and revenue.

The Stockxpert Team-"

I didn't catch all because I'm a little frenchy. But it seem that the XL and XXL will only be available as Pay Per Download at a price range from 50$ to 300$ (receiving 30%). But all under that will be at 0.30$.

The key thing hidden in there is that StockXpert is removing the option to opt out from any of this.

So if you don't like subs at StockXpert (i've opted out) your only choices will be to cancel altogether or put up with subscriptions.

While the Photos.com subscriptions are limited in size, it says nothing about those on StockXpert itself where buyers can pick up an XL or higher at a subscription price.

The sites are definitely forcing our hand to take their programs all or nothing (i.e. more like DT).

Quote from: jsnover on July 25, 2008, 21:28
While the Photos.com subscriptions are limited in size, it says nothing about those on StockXpert itself where buyers can pick up an XL or higher at a subscription price.

True... Where's steve-oh!!!

Quote from: MikLav on July 15, 2008, 15:15
Great news Steve! I hope it will work well.

If I understand it right, photos.com subscriptions are sold as "macro" prices and this news means one more additional sales channel for our pictures

no, here is the final amount from the email i just recd.
large, small, xs will earn 30 cts per sub. no opt in/out.
only XL and XXL will earn 30% commission.

so , from my understanding, L would be 2400x1800.
anything smaller and including this will only earn 30 cts per dl as subs.

right?
in other words, if we have 2400x1800 or less, and we don't want subs,
we better delete all those images before Aug comes around.

Ok, but the question is when a buyer purchase the file from StockXpert, do we receive the normal PPD (at L size and under) or it's become only subs also for them.

I like the opportunity to sell images for higher prices but why would people pay $299.95 when they can get the same image for $10?  How will this be justified to the buyers when they see these vastly different prices for the same images?

Quote from: sharpshot on July 25, 2008, 23:49
I like the opportunity to sell images for higher prices but why would people pay $299.95 when they can get the same image for $10?  How will this be justified to the buyers when they see these vastly different prices for the same images?

Because they're not buying an image, they're buying a license to use an image, and I'd imagine like Alamy the license will be less restrictive than a normal microstock one.
We'll know more about the license when the scheme comes into effect.

As I see it the people already opted in to subscriptions on StockXpert don't stand to lose.  We will still be getting the same .30 for subscription sales and stand to make considerably more for per image sales XL and larger.  This will just bring broader exposure for our images.

It is definitely a blow for those who are opted out and feel strongly about not selling via the subscription model.  Unfortunately with all the major micros now offering subscription plans it seems like there really isn't any option to avoid them anymore. 

Istock's subscription plan with its graduated credit prices by size is the most beneficial to contributors.   Istock exclusivity might be the one good option remaining for the folks who don't want to sell via the low paying subscriptions on the other sites. 

I am totally disappointed.  I expected something like a choice to opt in/out this partnership, not forcing me to be part of it.  Unless I'm VERY wrong, I only expect subs sales to increase and the tempting high-price sales to be one in a million.

I've been a fan of StockXpert's, and now it seems it will go to my "on hold" list. 

Regards,
Adelaide

The nest big and intelligent step form StockXpert will be offer our images for free in STOCKXCHNG.COM and we need to pay for that!

At least don´t offer the L XL and XXL sizes as subscription.