MicrostockGroup
Agency Based Discussion => iStockPhoto.com => Topic started by: lisafx on July 30, 2010, 16:20
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Just read in istock's forums that they have raised upload limits, including for non-exclusives.
http://www.istockphoto.com/forum_messages.php?threadid=238102 (http://www.istockphoto.com/forum_messages.php?threadid=238102)
Although it is not a huge raise it might help some folks that have not been able to build their istock portfolios as fast as on other sites.
Wonder why the raise? Inspections have been fast lately. More inspectors or fewer folks uploading? And if so, why? Are a lot of contributors taking the summer off of uploading?
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Sweet! I just hit gold, so this is like a double raise.
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Sweet! I just hit gold, so this is like a double raise.
Congrats on gold Cory! I love your illustration style :)
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Good news Lisa! Thanks for sharing.
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I'm really happy about this! After having neglected istock for a long time in favor of FT as my best site, I'm having a hard time getting on my feet there. My approval rate is high, but 15 images a week as a non-exclusive bronze was just sad. I'm sure this raise will help. BTW: A few hours ago, I uploaded 3, and it said 12 left, now it says 0 uploaded, 20 left, so it seems we're starting at point zero.
I might even go and "wooo yay" over in the IS-thread :D
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Wow! Surprising.
I recently went Silver so a double raise for me too :)
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Wow!
I swear to God I knew this was coming...
Does this have anything to do with Getty trying to increase ThinkStock's collection growth rate?
Those limits have been in place for years. Why raise them now?
Nothing to do with ThinkStock?
I'm not sure how to feel about all this.
But everyone else on IStock's forum seems to be happy.
I guess I should be too...
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Thanks for the heads up on that - I hadn't noticed.
And double plus I got to Gold today too.
Steve
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Sweet! I just hit gold, so this is like a double raise.
Congrats on gold Cory! I love your illustration style :)
Thanks. I saw your big milestone the other day and thought I'd at least pretend to keep up. Congrats to all the other newly minted canisters as well.
Hopefully, this change lasts. I remember back a few years ago the upload limits used to change weekly.
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I remember istock raising the limits in the summer months a few times before. They then lower them again when uploads increase in the autumn.
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Sharpshot,
ah, OK then.
I'm happy!
I might even try to upload a few :)
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cool, thanks for pointing it out.
they also reset the current amount uploaded, so I uploaded 25 yesterday and today I can upload another 30 :)
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I just noticed the reset too. Finally my UL limits are high enough that I might not run smack into them every week like I have been doing for years :)
Congrats Steve and Epantha on the new canisters!
So nice to have something to celebrate in this long "dead calm" summer! For me the celebration may be short lived after I have a chance to do my end-of-month stats...
Good thing my promised no-complaints week is about up ;D
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An admin commented that they are close to resolving some long-standing technical issues that have been affecting uploads, so perhaps the new limits will stay in place.
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I remember istock raising the limits in the summer months a few times before. They then lower them again when uploads increase in the autumn.
+1
Just before my vacation.
Anyhow I needed bigger canister few months when I started with them. For now I cant remember when I upload more that 10 images per week.
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So nice to have something to celebrate in this long "dead calm" summer! For me the celebration may be short lived after I have a chance to do my end-of-month stats...
Good thing my promised no-complaints week is about up ;D
At first I also thought "wow, let's celebrate", but then I realised that Istockphoto is not selling my 2010 uploads at all ... Lisafx already pointed this out one or two months ago. Last week I calculated the percentages : my overall sales for this year have not gone down, but my 2010 uploads at Istock only represent 6% of my Istock sales!
6% ??!! I did not upload less (not in quantity, and certainly not in quality), so I can only conclude they just drowned in the masses.
Older photos are still doing well, so I'm just getting the feeling "what am I uploading for?"
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Dont know if its good news or what? it could mean that we will have gazillions of neewbies and "getting rich over night" applicants uploading even more irrelevant material, clogging up files even more?
I know! I sound cynical about this.
best and congrats to your new cannisters.
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luckily, most "getting rich over night" guys don't even bother to pass the admission test - it's already too much a hassle for them
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I'm really happy about this! After having neglected istock for a long time in favor of FT as my best site, I'm having a hard time getting on my feet there. My approval rate is high, but 15 images a week as a non-exclusive bronze was just sad. I'm sure this raise will help. BTW: A few hours ago, I uploaded 3, and it said 12 left, now it says 0 uploaded, 20 left, so it seems we're starting at point zero.
I might even go and "wooo yay" over in the IS-thread :D
same here, seems we got more 18 to upload, NICE! :P
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Thanks for the heads up on that - I hadn't noticed.
And double plus I got to Gold today too.
Steve
I'm just 100 downloads away from Silver. So, it'll be jump from 15 to 24 a week.
I think it has to do something with TS, they need a lot of pictures over there.
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I think it has to do something with TS, they need a lot of pictures over there.
^^ Makes a lot of sense.
Although with so many not participating in the PP it may not help them improve those sites offerings much. If they really need content I wonder if the 18 month prohibition on exclusive images in the PP will be the next thing to go...
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^^^ As far as I know, the move of new files from TS to IS is not working for several months. And people, even IS exclusives, are saying that they never really heard why and when it will be resolved. So I guess it is not their priority at all.
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^^^ As far as I know, the move of new files from TS to IS is not working for several months. And people, even IS exclusives, are saying that they never really heard why and when it will be resolved. So I guess it is not their priority at all.
Well, I thought about this before - maybe Istock doesn't want to fix that problem, trying to avoid orders from their big bosses at Getty to transfer pictures to TS.
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^^^ As far as I know, the move of new files from TS to IS is not working for several months. And people, even IS exclusives, are saying that they never really heard why and when it will be resolved. So I guess it is not their priority at all.
Or maybe they've decided they don't like the images that many are sending to TS, and would prefer to populate it by other means.
The new Japan lypse that was just announced requires that all images taken there that are uploaded also be sent to TS. Getty's strong-arm tactics at work?
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I'd blame incompetence rather than intent for the image transfer problems to TS. After all, these are the guys who took years to get their IPTC data retrieval process working reliably. If it's reliable today; I use DeepMeta to upload, so I don't know if the web interface handles keyword retrieval any better than it did.
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The new Japan lypse that was just announced requires that all images taken there that are uploaded also be sent to TS. Getty's strong-arm tactics at work?
How is that possible? If the lypses are for IS exclusives and they can't put anything newer than 18 months in the PP??
ETA:
Just caught up with that thread. WOW! You are absolutely right KB. Among the MANY rules laid out in the Japan Lypse thread is that all images have to be on both the partner sites and IS. So then the 18 month rule is on its way out. Sooner than I had expected...
I have never been to a lypse before, but I have read the threads detailing people's experiences in the past. It always sounded like a fun, relaxed trip, full of socializing and the opportunity to shoot and learn at whatever pace you want.
This one sounds like WORK. They are choosing "assignment" photographers? Special privileges for a select few and all sorts of rules and restrictions on everybody. From what I am reading this is a lot more Getty and a lot less Istock.
I used to feel bad that I couldn't travel and go to the lypses. Not anymore. No thanks.
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IStock lypse in Japan.
It is terrific.
It is stellar.
It is EPIC.
IStock is taking over the world!
Just make sure that you shoot until you drop.
Also it is important that you're fully aware of the fact that you're part of the great Getty family. So are your shots.
They go wherever Getty wants them to go.
Fair enough.
Have fun shooting in Tokyo :)
It must be an amazing place.
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Or maybe they've decided they don't like the images that many are sending to TS, and would prefer to populate it by other means.
The new Japan lypse that was just announced requires that all images taken there that are uploaded also be sent to TS. Getty's strong-arm tactics at work?
OMFG. Just checked the thread.. unbelievable. This makes me wonder how long it will take before we get to hear we MUST opt in or bugger off. (we're all part of the family, don't forget!)
Next to that, if i hear the word 'oportunity' once more i'm going to vomit.
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Everything they've been doing at IS lately adds to my suspicion that Getty's ultimate goal is to destroy the microstock model. What I don't understand is, why aren't the exclusives leaving in droves?
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If they did force people to opt in to thinkstock, I think it would be the end of istock. I can't believe Getty are going to destroy istock, microstock wont go away. How does it make good business sense to destroy a highly profitable site and strengthen the opposition? I still hope that contributors will get organised one day and only support sites with a fair commission. Buyers will go to the sites with the best collections.
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Must admit I am surprised by this move, however temporary. When I joined IS my upload limit was 10 per DAY, even as a newbie, and the limits have only ever become more restrictive. Judging by the current speed of reviews they must have more than enough inspectors to match demand.
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'I used to feel bad that I couldn't travel and go to the lypses. Not anymore. No thanks'
Yeah, this one rubbed me the wrong way, for multiple reasons, not the least of which was the forced servitude to TS. Benefit of the 'free' ticket I guess.
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Must admit I am surprised by this move, however temporary. When I joined IS my upload limit was 10 per DAY, even as a newbie, and the limits have only ever become more restrictive. Judging by the current speed of reviews they must have more than enough inspectors to match demand.
They have raised the limits a few times since I started in mid 2006. It was always temporary and didn't last long. Don't know if this is just another temporary raise or if they have worked on getting more inspectors. We will see when everyone gets back from their summer vacations and start uploading.
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Hey if they reject 48% of my 30 uploads, now they can reject 54% of my 38 uploads, and I'm still left with 15-16 new images added to my port per week. I'm such a pessimist.
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Or maybe they've decided they don't like the images that many are sending to TS, and would prefer to populate it by other means.
The new Japan lypse that was just announced requires that all images taken there that are uploaded also be sent to TS. Getty's strong-arm tactics at work?
OMFG. Just checked the thread.. unbelievable. This makes me wonder how long it will take before we get to hear we MUST opt in or bugger off. (we're all part of the family, don't forget!)Next to that, if i hear the word 'oportunity' once more i'm going to vomit.
I've been saying for a while that Getty will soon start rolling out changes where contributors don't have a choice about the partner program. This is the first of many more to come.
http://www.microstockgroup.com/general-stock-discussion/thinkstockphotos-com-getty-new-family/msg134505/#msg134505 (http://www.microstockgroup.com/general-stock-discussion/thinkstockphotos-com-getty-new-family/msg134505/#msg134505)
They're not going to let TS flounder with old macro stuff and IS odds-and-ends. TS needs fresh content and that will increasingly be forced out of IS contributors.
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Just in case I haven't mentioned it: I hate TS >:(
Supporting TS is the worst thing stock photographers can do to themselves.
And I agree with Artemis, if i hear the word 'opportunity' once more I'm going to vomit.
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Or maybe they've decided they don't like the images that many are sending to TS, and would prefer to populate it by other means.
The new Japan lypse that was just announced requires that all images taken there that are uploaded also be sent to TS. Getty's strong-arm tactics at work?
OMFG. Just checked the thread.. unbelievable. This makes me wonder how long it will take before we get to hear we MUST opt in or bugger off. (we're all part of the family, don't forget!)Next to that, if i hear the word 'oportunity' once more i'm going to vomit.
I've been saying for a while that Getty will soon start rolling out changes where contributors don't have a choice about the partner program. This is the first of many more to come.
[url]http://www.microstockgroup.com/general-stock-discussion/thinkstockphotos-com-getty-new-family/msg134505/#msg134505[/url] ([url]http://www.microstockgroup.com/general-stock-discussion/thinkstockphotos-com-getty-new-family/msg134505/#msg134505[/url])
They're not going to let TS flounder with old macro stuff and IS odds-and-ends. TS needs fresh content and that will increasingly be forced out of IS contributors.
The question is, are they willing to sacrifice istock for TS? Istock also needs new images, if they get rid of the TS opt out, that could be the final straw for a lot of us. Istock seem to of biased their search so that it is very hard to sell new images. If all I could get is $0.25 subs, I wouldn't bother uploading there. Not only is it the lowest subs commission, they also have the slowest most tedious upload procedure. I wouldn't waste my time if my images were going to end up on TS.
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The question is, are they willing to sacrifice istock for TS? Istock also needs new images, if they get rid of the TS opt out, that could be the final straw for a lot of us. Istock seem to of biased their search so that it is very hard to sell new images. If all I could get is $0.25 subs, I wouldn't bother uploading there. Not only is it the lowest subs commission, they also have the slowest most tedious upload procedure. I wouldn't waste my time if my images were going to end up on TS.
Sharp, I definitely respect your convictions. But as long as I've been in microstock I've watched 99% of the contributors say "if X happens I'll pull my portfolio." Yet nobody wants to give up revenue when push comes to shove. I don't believe for a second that contributors will pull out of iStock if the TS opt out is removed.
What I can see happening is a lot of Exclusives might go Independent if the TS opt out is removed. Of course if IS sales remain as putrid as they have been, the potential will increase.
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Hi all,
in istock, if you are illustrator and photographer, your upload limit is counted as vector and photos combined, right?
if you contribute video, audio..does it combined as the upload limit too?
it isn't quite right to combined vector and photo image as the upload limit..
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Hi all,
in istock, if you are illustrator and photographer, your upload limit is counted as vector and photos combined, right?
if you contribute video, audio..does it combined as the upload limit too?
it isn't quite right to combined vector and photo image as the upload limit..
You make a really good point. How are they going to handle that with the new model? Since the targets have been separated it only stands to reason that each catagory should have a full upload limit.
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Hi all,
in istock, if you are illustrator and photographer, your upload limit is counted as vector and photos combined, right?
if you contribute video, audio..does it combined as the upload limit too?
it isn't quite right to combined vector and photo image as the upload limit..
Video and audio have their own limits.
You're right, it isn't reasonable to keep photos/illustrations/flash together as one - not for upload limits or for exclusivity. They've said they'll look at the latter, but no timetable for any action.
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The new Japan lypse that was just announced requires that all images taken there that are uploaded also be sent to TS. Getty's strong-arm tactics at work?
How is that possible? If the lypses are for IS exclusives and they can't put anything newer than 18 months in the PP??
ETA:
Just caught up with that thread. WOW! You are absolutely right KB. Among the MANY rules laid out in the Japan Lypse thread is that all images have to be on both the partner sites and IS. So then the 18 month rule is on its way out. Sooner than I had expected...
I have never been to a lypse before, but I have read the threads detailing people's experiences in the past. It always sounded like a fun, relaxed trip, full of socializing and the opportunity to shoot and learn at whatever pace you want.
This one sounds like WORK. They are choosing "assignment" photographers? Special privileges for a select few and all sorts of rules and restrictions on everybody. From what I am reading this is a lot more Getty and a lot less Istock.
I used to feel bad that I couldn't travel and go to the lypses. Not anymore. No thanks.
to comment on the 'lypse - the big iStockalypses I have never attended. This Japan one has too many rules for me so I totally agree with you on this.
On the other hand, the "minilypses" that are NOT put on by iStock staff but rather by photographers who do all the work themselves are great. They are definitely a great place to meet other stock photographers, share, learn and socialize - not to mention get a lot of great photos. Independents can attend these for sure, the only requirement is that the photos taken at the minilypse are only uploaded to iStock. I think you sign a release to that effect. iStock, in the past, used to provide some funding to help out with these along with some Swag (tshirts, lanyards, etc). These days they don't fund them (as far as I know) but they still provide swag and have specific model/photographer/property release forms that help expedite the release process. I've attended 5 of them - coordinated one myself and helped with several others. The friendships I gained at these and the things I learned working with other photographers were well worth it.
-- so I just had to add that bit -- now back to the upload limits topic at hand :)
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Hi all,
in istock, if you are illustrator and photographer, your upload limit is counted as vector and photos combined, right?
if you contribute video, audio..does it combined as the upload limit too?
it isn't quite right to combined vector and photo image as the upload limit..
Video and audio have their own limits.
You're right, it isn't reasonable to keep photos/illustrations/flash together as one - not for upload limits or for exclusivity. They've said they'll look at the latter, but no timetable for any action.
Look at it later - LOL - I don't suppose they would have any reason to be witholding good news ::)
As well, I can't understand how then can expect to still blanket exclusivity for photo, illo, flash and audio.