Author Topic: iStock in the New Year (Read 69056 times)

rimglow · « **Reply #225 on:** December 23, 2009, 19:00 »

Quote from: michealo on December 23, 2009, 17:17

I am pretty sure that Yuri said he would go exclusive at istock if starting today ..

Can you provide a link to that quote? I'd love to read what he has to say about it.

loop · « **Reply #226 on:** December 23, 2009, 19:12 »

Actually Yuri's girlfriend, who started later than him, went straigth to exclusivity.

Jonathan Ross · « **Reply #227 on:** December 30, 2009, 12:20 »

Hi All,

Yuri sells in Macro RF so he cannot go Exclusive at Istock as well as anyone that has Macro RF images. It takes some planning but you have very long term contracts in Macro so you can't pull your work. Some contracts run 7 years in Macro RF. I am in the same boat, at this time.

http://www.tetraimagesrf.com/SwishSearch?glo=1&max_res=200&Keywords=yuri+arcurs

Best,
Jonathan

FD · « **Reply #228 on:** December 30, 2009, 15:08 »

Quote from: loop on December 23, 2009, 19:12

Actually Yuri's girlfriend, who started later than him, went straigth to exclusivity.

Ah yes, and is she using by any coincidence the same cam and the same models?

Great idea. I thought about camera-sharing too.

vonkara · « **Reply #229 on:** December 30, 2009, 15:17 »

Quote from: FD-amateur on December 30, 2009, 15:08

Quote from: loop on December 23, 2009, 19:12
Actually Yuri's girlfriend, who started later than him, went straigth to exclusivity.
Ah yes, and is she using by any coincidence the same cam and the same models?
Great idea. I thought about camera-sharing too.

What a wise move... Having one account independant and one exclusive with diferent images

cathyslife · « **Reply #230 on:** December 30, 2009, 15:28 »

Having one account independant and one exclusive with diferent images

A great way to explore both sides of the coin!

cathyslife · « **Reply #231 on:** January 03, 2010, 08:38 »

moved to another thread

cathyslife · « **Reply #232 on:** January 03, 2010, 10:48 »

moved to another thread

willie · « **Reply #233 on:** January 03, 2010, 12:01 »

Quote from: Jonathan Ross on December 30, 2009, 12:20

Hi All,

Yuri sells in Macro RF so he cannot go Exclusive at Istock as well as anyone that has Macro RF images. It takes some planning but you have very long term contracts in Macro so you can't pull your work. Some contracts run 7 years in Macro RF. I am in the same boat, at this time.

http://www.tetraimagesrf.com/SwishSearch?glo=1&max_res=200&Keywords=yuri+arcurs

Best,
Jonathan

if the world (non exclusive Macro RF)..is yours to cultivate, why would you want to restrict (IS exclusive) your agriculture???
can anyone explain?

isn't this putting all your eggs in one basket?
or have you all taken leave of your senses???

dgilder · « **Reply #234 on:** January 03, 2010, 13:39 »

iStock is coming in at just a hair under 45% of my microstock volume at the moment. Because of the changes in credit prices and best match favoring exclusives, it makes sense to become exclusive with iStock. Yes, it is all eggs in one basket, but a very lucrative basket. If iStock were to fail or severely drop off, then I can always go back to spreading things around among the sites. iStock is letting independents lock in their next canister levels as well, which means I will be able to obtain a diamond canister in the near future rather than the far. That extra 5% will be nice, and I can only lock that in if I go exclusive as soon as possible. I have more to gain monetarily (possibly significantly) by going exclusive, and stand to potentially lose much of my income from iStock if their best match pushes the independents further down the rankings. So I'm putting my eggs in the basket that is most important to me financially in the microstock world.

designalldone · « **Reply #235 on:** January 03, 2010, 18:43 »

Quote from: dgilder on January 03, 2010, 13:39

iStock is coming in at just a hair under 45% of my microstock volume at the moment. Because of the changes in credit prices and best match favoring exclusives, it makes sense to become exclusive with iStock. Yes, it is all eggs in one basket, but a very lucrative basket. If iStock were to fail or severely drop off, then I can always go back to spreading things around among the sites. iStock is letting independents lock in their next canister levels as well, which means I will be able to obtain a diamond canister in the near future rather than the far. That extra 5% will be nice, and I can only lock that in if I go exclusive as soon as possible. I have more to gain monetarily (possibly significantly) by going exclusive, and stand to potentially lose much of my income from iStock if their best match pushes the independents further down the rankings. So I'm putting my eggs in the basket that is most important to me financially in the microstock world.

These are exactly the same reasons I decided to go exclusive. If I had stayed non-exclusive and my earnings at istock had started to fall (due to the changes) I would have been extremely disappointed. Granted, having to make the decision so quickly (before 12th Jan) wasn't great as I would have preferred more time to think about it but I'm really hoping this move will give me a boost in both moral and earnings, almost like starting completely fresh for 2010.

lisafx · « **Reply #236 on:** January 03, 2010, 19:02 »

Quote from: dgilder on January 03, 2010, 13:39

iStock is letting independents lock in their next canister levels as well, which means I will be able to obtain a diamond canister in the near future rather than the far.

This is not what I got from the letter Cathy posted in her thread. Looks like the only way of independents getting their next canister levels is to withdraw from all agencies now and lose all that income while waiting out the Dreamstime commitment. Fine maybe if this is your hobby, but I certainly can't afford to lose 60% of my income for the better part of the year.

Beach Bum · « **Reply #237 on:** January 03, 2010, 19:41 »

Quote from: lisafx on January 03, 2010, 19:02

Quote from: dgilder on January 03, 2010, 13:39
iStock is letting independents lock in their next canister levels as well, which means I will be able to obtain a diamond canister in the near future rather than the far.

This is not what I got from the letter Cathy posted in her thread. Looks like the only way of independents getting their next canister levels is to withdraw from all agencies now and lose all that income while waiting out the Dreamstime commitment. Fine maybe if this is your hobby, but I certainly can't afford to lose 60% of my income for the better part of the year.

If I was considering going exclusive, that would certainly kill it for me. No way would I disable everything now while waiting for my commitment to end.

dgilder · « **Reply #238 on:** January 03, 2010, 23:12 »

Quote from: lisafx on January 03, 2010, 19:02

Quote from: dgilder on January 03, 2010, 13:39
iStock is letting independents lock in their next canister levels as well, which means I will be able to obtain a diamond canister in the near future rather than the far.

This is not what I got from the letter Cathy posted in her thread. Looks like the only way of independents getting their next canister levels is to withdraw from all agencies now and lose all that income while waiting out the Dreamstime commitment. Fine maybe if this is your hobby, but I certainly can't afford to lose 60% of my income for the better part of the year.

You are right of course, and I was in the unique position of being able to remove all of my Dreamstime images by Feb 4th, since a busy summer put 70% of my images uploaded before August 4th (I used the 30% I was allowed to remove to take down all my most recent photos first). I would email iStock and verify rather than relying on third party info. I sent an email earlier today to verify my situation, but from what I can tell I will be able to go exclusive on Feb 5th and still lock in the canister. If iStock is requiring everyone to remove everything now, then wait six months, then that is unfortunate.

cathyslife · « **Reply #239 on:** January 04, 2010, 08:39 »

I would email iStock and verify rather than relying on third party info. I sent an email earlier today to verify my situation, but from what I can tell I will be able to go exclusive on Feb 5th and still lock in the canister. If iStock is requiring everyone to remove everything now, then wait six months, then that is unfortunate.

The email I posted came from IS, it is not third party info. Check the other thread again, I have added the copy from the pdf that comes attached with the email and it explains it all in more detail.

One may not have to remove all photos right now to comply, but one must give all other sites notice now (before Jan. 11) and give IS proof that one has done so (before Jan. 11).

I can see many advantages to being exclusive and for me, it is not off the table. Just don't want to be forced to make the commitment before Jan. 11. Too many changes have been made in the last month and I would like to see the outcome of those changes.

lisafx · « **Reply #240 on:** January 04, 2010, 11:42 »

Quote from: cclapper on January 04, 2010, 08:39

I can see many advantages to being exclusive and for me, it is not off the table. Just don't want to be forced to make the commitment before Jan. 11. Too many changes have been made in the last month and I would like to see the outcome of those changes.

^^ Well said Cathy. This sums up my feelings on the subject too.

We still haven't heard from Shutterstock whether or not there will be a raise there this year, either. Still time for the sites to sweeten the pot for independents....

dgilder · « **Reply #241 on:** January 04, 2010, 13:09 »

Quote from: cclapper on January 04, 2010, 08:39

I would email iStock and verify rather than relying on third party info. I sent an email earlier today to verify my situation, but from what I can tell I will be able to go exclusive on Feb 5th and still lock in the canister. If iStock is requiring everyone to remove everything now, then wait six months, then that is unfortunate.

The email I posted came from IS, it is not third party info. Check the other thread again, I have added the copy from the pdf that comes attached with the email and it explains it all in more detail.

One may not have to remove all photos right now to comply, but one must give all other sites notice now (before Jan. 11) and give IS proof that one has done so (before Jan. 11).

I can see many advantages to being exclusive and for me, it is not off the table. Just don't want to be forced to make the commitment before Jan. 11. Too many changes have been made in the last month and I would like to see the outcome of those changes.

Ah ok, I had missed that thread. Going to take a look now.

travelstock · « **Reply #242 on:** January 07, 2010, 01:10 »

Even if I were in a position to go exclusive with IS, I don't think I would on the back of a move like this by them.

While I can see the benefits for contributors of higher royalties - the canister shifts are really nothing but a profit share grab by a company that is already the most profitable in the industry. Long term I think that this change, and Fotolia's changes are bad for all contributors.

Digital66 · « **Reply #243 on:** January 07, 2010, 01:31 »

Quote from: holgs on January 07, 2010, 01:10

... While I can see the benefits for contributors of higher royalties - the canister shifts are really nothing but a profit share grab by a company that is already the most profitable in the industry. ...

My thoughts exactly.

To me, IS response to the question "Why are you changing canister levels?" is an insult to anyone's intelligence:

"We have grown far beyond anyone's expectations since the original canister levels were set. The current system just isn't sustainable. We must increase the canister levels in order to maintain current royalty rates."

Freezingpictures · « **Reply #244 on:** January 07, 2010, 01:58 »

Quote from: dgilder on January 03, 2010, 13:39

.... If iStock were to fail or severely drop off, then I can always go back to spreading things around among the sites. ...

The only problem is that you would loose your Search Positions from your established files at the other agencies. I doubt I would do so well, if I would delete my portfolio and upload it again.

keo · « **Reply #245 on:** January 07, 2010, 05:08 »

Quote from: Freezingpictures on January 07, 2010, 01:58

Quote from: dgilder on January 03, 2010, 13:39
.... If iStock were to fail or severely drop off, then I can always go back to spreading things around among the sites. ...

The only problem is that you would loose your Search Positions from your established files at the other agencies. I doubt I would do so well, if I would delete my portfolio and upload it again.

and start again 0.25$ from SS, start again white level from FOTOLIA, one level file from DT....

Fran · « **Reply #246 on:** January 07, 2010, 05:44 »

Quote from: keo on January 07, 2010, 05:08

and start again 0.25$ from SS, start again white level from FOTOLIA, one level file from DT....

I'm not 100% sure, but I think you can simply remove all images and retain your levels both in SS and FT. No luck for DT obviously, but you should retain your search placement (AR).

Noodles · « **Reply #247 on:** January 07, 2010, 07:13 »

Both SS and DT allow you to disable your images and/or portfolio without deleting them - so I assume that's okay for going exclusive with IS or do IS have an issue with it?

sharpshot · « **Reply #248 on:** January 07, 2010, 11:41 »

Do you have to disable each image with DT and then re-enable them if you go back? It must cost a lot in lost earnings going exclusive and then even more if your earnings fall and you cancel it. Not something I would consider doing, unless istock start paying us a big lump sum to go exclusive. That seems about as likely as them raising commissions

Sean Locke Photography · « **Reply #249 on:** January 07, 2010, 18:43 »

The iStock credits/image price change has taken place.

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Author Topic: iStock in the New Year (Read 69056 times)

rimglow

loop

Jonathan Ross

FD

vonkara

cathyslife

cathyslife

cathyslife

willie

dgilder

designalldone

lisafx

Beach Bum

dgilder

cathyslife

lisafx

dgilder

travelstock

Digital66

Freezingpictures

keo

Fran

Noodles

sharpshot

Sean Locke Photography

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