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Author Topic: to recap and review...  (Read 8991 times)

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ShadySue

  • There is a crack in everything
« Reply #25 on: February 14, 2013, 09:01 »
+1
Quote
People here asked you not to give up the crown, so you didn't?

>Facepalm

Let me clarify what I said, for those at the back not listening.
I said a few days ago I was dropping my membership here, not at IS.
A few people contacted me and asked me to reconsider, as I was one of the few sane people here ( they didn't say that bit , but that was the general gist). I reconsidered and didn't leave HERE ( not IS, where I am an exclusive and am not about to give that up, although not 100% happy there)

Oh  :-[ :-[ :-[ :-[ :-[ Sorry.
Clearly I wasn't paying attention at all!
Don't leave here. We need some sort of balance, and although IMO you might be a bit overstating the case on the 'stay exclusive' side, IMO others are overstating the indy case as though it applied equally to all (I have no doubt that nowadays it is the better option for many people).

All this not shooting is leaving me with too much time to come up with conspiracy theories. I just had the bizarre one that what if all those here who advocate giving up exclusivity are really iStock stool pigeons infiltrating to persuade people to give up the crown so that iS can pay us a lower %age.

(Don't worry, peeps, I don't actually think that, it just floated into the mush and can float back out again.) Back to Alamy keywording.  ::) :o

FWIW, my iS sales are up and down like yoyos; last Feb was a weird month which had my highest dls of the year but the lowest RPD. This year dls are of course well down and $$ down. With the daily yoyoing it will no doubt come right down to the line on the last day, and eventually depend on GI sales (or not).
« Last Edit: February 14, 2013, 09:05 by ShadySue »


Mars

« Reply #26 on: February 14, 2013, 09:05 »
+1
.
 
« Last Edit: February 15, 2013, 18:00 by Mars »

« Reply #27 on: February 14, 2013, 09:07 »
-1
De Nile is a river in Egypt, other cliches involving ostriches also springing to mind reading some of the posts  ???

« Reply #28 on: February 14, 2013, 09:26 »
+9
I don't keep track of numbers, but I have seen, in the last month or so, in all the comments on my blog and other places, a great number of contributors dropping exclusivity.  Actually doing it.  I've never asked them to do so, to "get back at Getty" or anything.  It's just seeming like something people are feeling the need to do.

And I've heard from some people who are holding onto it, for the time being, as well, for their own reasons.

« Reply #29 on: February 14, 2013, 09:35 »
+1
Quote
Other exclusives will follow Sean's lead and their buyers will go too.

I think this is an unlikely scenario. Most exclusives I know have been keen to keep their heads down and not cause trouble,...
And that's the reason why they put Sean's virtual head on a pike. The message is loud and clear: "Look, we did it to our prodigy, we won't hesitate for a second to do it to you...".

And if I were exclusive on IS and if my income depended on them, I would tread very carefully with what I say or do in open forums. What most exclusives hopefully will do is to look for plans B, C, and D - and, when they are in place, tell IS politely to go fly a kite...

vlad_the_imp

« Reply #30 on: February 14, 2013, 09:44 »
-3
Quote
you might be a bit overstating the case on the 'stay exclusive' side

I have always said that, were I starting out now, I would be non exclusive, no doubt. Lets get this clear, I envy non exclusives their freedom, I have stated before though, I am financially trapped in exclusivity. I don't want pity, I make a good living, better than many here. In the recent survey here, only, I think, 7% were full timers, income wise. I'm one of those 7%. If you're one of the 93%, you will undoubtedly have a different point of view on things than I do. Neither of us is right or wrong, we're just coming from different directions.

Quote
So all those people that you've responded to that have a different experience to you here don't matter, is that right?
Of course it isn't, when have I ever said that? You are putting absurd words into my mouth.
You are making the classic mistake of reading what you want into my posts, not reading what I'm saying.

Quote
all we can go by is the collective experiences of everyone, here.  They all matter.... not just yours.

When have I ever said otherwise? Go on, tell me. I respect everyone's experiences, I feel very little respect here for mine. You are implying I'm lying about my experiences and those of others I know. You're wrong on both counts.

Quote
In case you haven't noticed, contributors  have been leaving iStock.  Exclusives have been dropping their crowns and buyers stopped being loyal to iStock and have left.
I have seen all those things, where have I said otherwise? I freely admit, why would I do otherwise, my income is down probably 50% from its peak. Everyone else I know is in a similar position. IS is no longer the IS it was, management is poor, I am no apologist for IS believe me. I still make a living there, and with a gradually increasing income though. Not increasing hugely, but increasing. Why would I lie, what point would there be in that? I certainly have seen nothing like the 3 times drop in income since November someone reported, nor has anyone else I know. I find that almost unbelievable, the only explanation I can think of is they have tiny sales and ebb and flow can do strange things if you're only selling a few files a month.

vlad_the_imp

« Reply #31 on: February 14, 2013, 09:48 »
-2
Quote
And that's the reason why they put Sean's virtual head on a pike. The message is loud and clear: "Look, we did it to our prodigy, we won't hesitate for a second to do it to you...".

And if I were exclusive on IS and if my income depended on them, I would tread very carefully with what I say or do in open forums. What most exclusives hopefully will do is to look for plans B, C, and D - and, when they are in place, tell IS politely to go fly a kite...

Absolutely. The reaction to all I know at IS to Sean's sacking was shock and horror, it was undoubtedly a shot across the bows to all who were thinking of joining the revolution, if such a thing was brewing. Everyone immediately scuttled back to their desks and got on with work. Everyone is looking for the best next step whilst keeping their heads down

Quote
It's just seeming like something people are feeling the need to do.
It's something most people I know would like to do, they can't afford it at the moment, that is the problem. Getting booted out at least solves that problem, it's probably a feeling of relief.
« Last Edit: February 14, 2013, 09:51 by vlad_the_imp »

« Reply #32 on: February 14, 2013, 10:05 »
+1
.
« Last Edit: May 12, 2014, 13:51 by Audi 5000 »

Mars

« Reply #33 on: February 14, 2013, 10:30 »
0
.
« Last Edit: February 15, 2013, 18:00 by Mars »

Mars

« Reply #34 on: February 14, 2013, 10:36 »
-1
.
« Last Edit: February 15, 2013, 18:01 by Mars »

« Reply #35 on: February 14, 2013, 12:53 »
+4
Vlad, I'm glad you didn't leave MSG. I read this forum to get different points of view, and a lot of what you say is useful. Please continue, I don't usually bother to reply when all I want to say is +1, but I'm sure others feel the same.
I just wish people wouldn't attack others for having a different point of view.
Those people doing the attacking also have useful things to say, and I want them to continue posting also, the useful stuff that is, not the attacks.
No need for anyone to go off in a huff.


w7lwi

  • Those that don't stand up to evil enable evil.
« Reply #36 on: February 14, 2013, 13:28 »
+1
I agree we need both side of any story in order for each of us to make up our own minds.  The problem I see is not so much that two sides are expressed, but rather how they are expressed.  Straight forward facts, or clearly noted personal opinions, are fine.  Emotional responses and name calling are not.  In several instances, insults are not expressly stated, but thinly implied.  Keep in mind that each of us can only relate our own personal experience.  If I say sales are up, that's just my sales, not necessarily everyone's experience.  If someone state's that their sales are down, I can/should not tell them that they are full of it as they are stating their own experience.  After a while, if more people say things are doing well, we can imply that may be the general drift for that topic.

So, please continue to state your personal thoughts and experience; but, lets do it in a respectful manner.  Anything else only alienates others from giving your input any credence.

« Reply #37 on: February 14, 2013, 15:01 »
+2
[Sound of gong being struck]

Getting back to the topic of 'recap and review', I see that in their forum, IS employees are again assuring us that some sort of discussion is still going on behind the scenes, and 'teasing' a newsletter later this week.


ShadySue

  • There is a crack in everything
« Reply #38 on: February 14, 2013, 17:38 »
+1
[Sound of gong being struck]

Getting back to the topic of 'recap and review', I see that in their forum, IS employees are again assuring us that some sort of discussion is still going on behind the scenes, and 'teasing' a newsletter later this week.


<pedant> "middle of next week" for the newsletter,
http://www.istockphoto.com/forum_messages.php?threadid=351105&messageid=6843583
plus Kelvin says there won't be anything on GoogleDrive at that point
http://www.istockphoto.com/forum_messages.php?threadid=351105&messageid=6843569

« Reply #39 on: February 14, 2013, 18:45 »
+1
Well I'm the smallest fish in this pond, and I have no inside information.  My guess about what's going on now at IS/Getty is that they're having their lawyers take another look at the Google deal AND at other, similar deals already in progress, to make absolutely sure they're not vulnerable to any legal action by contributors, no matter how creative.  Then they'll release a statement basically saying they had the right to do exactly what they did, and they hope contributors understand, and if not, well there's the door.   And that will be the extent of their enhanced communication with contributors.   Then they'll go ahead with other deals like this one, and probably reveal that more images are going to Google as part of that deal as well.    There won't be any changes in payments, and there won't be an 'opt out', and there won't even be any new fine print for users of Google Drive to skip over and not read.

« Last Edit: February 14, 2013, 18:53 by stockastic »

ShadySue

  • There is a crack in everything
« Reply #40 on: February 14, 2013, 18:55 »
0
Your scenario could well be right, and our contract is so vague on their side that they can do almost whatever they like.
However, the lack of control over how models' images can be used under the Google deal is surely negligent, possibly criminally so.

« Reply #41 on: February 14, 2013, 19:02 »
0
Most exclusives are not going to give up their steady, albeit reduced, incomes unless something cataclysmic happens at IS.

Recent events have not been "cataclysmic"?   ???

« Reply #42 on: February 14, 2013, 19:15 »
0
Well I'm the smallest fish in this pond, and I have no inside information.  My guess about what's going on now at IS/Getty is that they're having their lawyers take another look at the Google deal AND at other, similar deals already in progress, to make absolutely sure they're not vulnerable to any legal action by contributors, no matter how creative.  Then they'll release a statement basically saying they had the right to do exactly what they did, and they hope contributors understand, and if not, well there's the door.   And that will be the extent of their enhanced communication with contributors.   Then they'll go ahead with other deals like this one, and probably reveal that more images are going to Google as part of that deal as well.    There won't be any changes in payments, and there won't be an 'opt out', and there won't even be any new fine print for users of Google Drive to skip over and not read.

I guess you are probably right about how they are going to react.  I don't see how what they've done could possibly be legal though, even if their lawyers say it is.  I imagine there's some torte lawyer(s) out there who would disagree, and maybe some judges too.  Time will tell.

« Reply #43 on: February 14, 2013, 19:20 »
+1
.
« Last Edit: May 12, 2014, 13:51 by Audi 5000 »

« Reply #44 on: February 14, 2013, 19:29 »
0
I guess you are probably right about how they are going to react.  I don't see how what they've done could possibly be legal though, even if their lawyers say it is.  I imagine there's some torte lawyer(s) out there who would disagree, and maybe some judges too.  Time will tell.
Maybe it would be better to get a TORT lawyer?   Unless they did something to my dessert!? ;)

Nice catch.  I wasn't sure about the spelling - or else I just have dessert on my mind ;D

ShadySue

  • There is a crack in everything
« Reply #45 on: February 14, 2013, 20:34 »
0
Most exclusives are not going to give up their steady, albeit reduced, incomes unless something cataclysmic happens at IS.


Recent events have not been "cataclysmic"?   ???


Of course not. They've fixed a bug (write it down big!) and we can now subscribe or unsubscribe to threads in the forum. At least, the unbanned can.  8)
http://www.istockphoto.com/forum_messages.php?threadid=351105&messageid=6842325
Everything in the Garden is Rosy.  ;D

w7lwi

  • Those that don't stand up to evil enable evil.
« Reply #46 on: February 14, 2013, 21:56 »
0
Another crown begging to be banned (bottom of thread).

http://www.istockphoto.com/forum_messages.php?threadid=351105&page=8


« Reply #47 on: February 15, 2013, 21:37 »
+1
Another crown begging to be banned (bottom of thread).

http://www.istockphoto.com/forum_messages.php?threadid=351105&page=8


Not at all!

The point I was trying to make (seems I got got a bit tongue tied typing into my phone in the process) was that zero 'magic' is needed for iStock/Getty to simply allow people to find out if their work is involved in this deal. 

If people need to get 'booted' for asking for that, then things must be pretty bad indeed.

Uncle Pete

« Reply #48 on: August 01, 2013, 08:46 »
+1
Tried to find a thread for How Many Exclusives and also interested in percentage of sales. I see some guesses and here's the best one from January 2013. Which hopefully will be updated some day, so we can see if the numbers changed with recent developments. (like one major contributor leaving and one joining the exclusive club)

~6200 exclusives making 54% of the sales while ~78000 non exclusives make 46%.

Interesting is that about 50-50 for total sales and at the same time, 8% of the population is making half the sales. (Exclusives 7.9%)

I've seen the numbers tossed out (and I see no evidence, just parrots quoting what someone else first wrote on a forum?) 80% of the sales come from 1000 members. I'd actually suspect the numbers are more skewed like 90% of the sales come from 300 or less contributors.

Keep in mind that there are people on top, from the photo factories who make quite good products, 10,000 commercial images, professional models, targeting stock use, and on the other end, people who have 50 shots of the flowers in their back yard, pet cat or sliced vegetables.


 

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