my RPD from iStock is quite pathetic ...

http://microstock.pixelsaway.com/how-much-am-i-paid-for-a-picture-download-from-microstock/

I never understand the animosity for those who think being exclusive is dumb.

Risky with potentially less earnings, Yes!

But they are not flooding the market for a short term buck.

Quote from: Reef on September 11, 2012, 15:23

I never understand the animosity for those who think being exclusive is dumb.

Risky with potentially less earnings, Yes!

But they are not flooding the market for a short term buck.

But then again independent contributors are helping  to ensure a widespread market for our work. Handing over all the power to one agency (if we all went exclusive) would likely be much worse. Don't forget that Istock never paid anyone more than 20% until SS, CanStockPhoto and DT arrived on the scene and we independent contributors signed up with them.

I understand that. It's a dilemma!

I never understand the animosity for those who think being exclusive is dumb.

Risky with potentially less earnings, Yes!

But they are not flooding the market for a short term buck.

Animosity?  Really?  Can you point me to that?  I am not seeing it.  All I see is people debating the relative merits of exclusivity vs. independence.  Could you quote some of the "animosity" you are referring to?  Thanks.

Quote from: Reef on September 11, 2012, 15:23

I never understand the animosity for those who think being exclusive is dumb.

Risky with potentially less earnings, Yes!

But they are not flooding the market for a short term buck.

Animosity?  Really?  Can you point me to that?  I am not seeing it.  All I see is people debating the relative merits of exclusivity vs. independence.  Could you quote some of the "animosity" you are referring to?  Thanks.

Did I also mention sarcasm and hostility   If it's not evident to you then I'm not sure anything I say or quote will satisfy you.

As a disinterested bystander ... It seems there is a lot of hostility in many of the posts about iS... not just Exclusives but iS in general ... and anything/anyone associated.

but... I don't have a dog in this hunt.   

There are a number of long term contributors, exclusives, independents plus some like me who've done the indie-exclusive-indie shuffle, who are deeply angry with iStock. In my case it's fury at greed throwing away something really great - and some of that anger can spill over into impatience with newer exclusives who haven't yet had anything bad happen. IS's ongoing software incompetence - bungling every software upgrade (and I do mean every single one) and continuing to pick dreadful times to cripple site operations - is a pretty rational rock to throw at them.

 I think there's also a periodic burst of "exclusive content is better than all that rubbish on the other sites" which certainly doesn't sit well with anyone but a subset of exclusives. Probably not reasonable to assume that all exclusives feel that way about indies, but it has certainly primed the pump for some "full and frank exchanges of views" to become dust ups. There's a ton of ill will towards Getty that rubs off on IS more and more as it's absorbed into the parent company.

This is just me, but although I largely ignore what IS is up to these days, if I think about them too much I can get angry again very easily. Hearing all the positive and optimistic chat from current exclusives (who need to believe they've made a wise choice in picking exclusivity) seems to be very dismissive of those who got hurt by the past lies and about faces on a number of business issues. Probably isn't deliberately planned that way, but for anyone without the history, might take them by surprise.

On another forum (no longer around) I was told I was in need of a mental health evaluation for considering exclusivity Some people feel very strongly about spreading the risk and that's not anti IS, but they're the only agency where even considering exclusivity makes any sense.

Quote from: WarrenPrice on September 11, 2012, 18:23

As a disinterested bystander ... It seems there is a lot of hostility in many of the posts about iS... not just Exclusives but iS in general ... and anything/anyone associated.

but... I don't have a dog in this hunt.   

There are a number of long term contributors, exclusives, independents plus some like me who've done the indie-exclusive-indie shuffle, who are deeply angry with iStock. In my case it's fury at greed throwing away something really great - and some of that anger can spill over into impatience with newer exclusives who haven't yet had anything bad happen. IS's ongoing software incompetence - bungling every software upgrade (and I do mean every single one) and continuing to pick dreadful times to cripple site operations - is a pretty rational rock to throw at them.

 I think there's also a periodic burst of "exclusive content is better than all that rubbish on the other sites" which certainly doesn't sit well with anyone but a subset of exclusives. Probably not reasonable to assume that all exclusives feel that way about indies, but it has certainly primed the pump for some "full and frank exchanges of views" to become dust ups. There's a ton of ill will towards Getty that rubs off on IS more and more as it's absorbed into the parent company.

This is just me, but although I largely ignore what IS is up to these days, if I think about them too much I can get angry again very easily. Hearing all the positive and optimistic chat from current exclusives (who need to believe they've made a wise choice in picking exclusivity) seems to be very dismissive of those who got hurt by the past lies and about faces on a number of business issues. Probably isn't deliberately planned that way, but for anyone without the history, might take them by surprise.

On another forum (no longer around) I was told I was in need of a mental health evaluation for considering exclusivity Some people feel very strongly about spreading the risk and that's not anti IS, but they're the only agency where even considering exclusivity makes any sense.

It's understandable when put like this. I joined IS in 2002 so I'm not a newbie. I've only ever been a part time contributor and have only ever seen an increase in sales (generally speaking). Thus I don't share the 'bad vibe' feeling towards IS.

I can really not give any advise about that. It's too personal as decision. what i mean by personal is that there are too many parameters, like kind of image in the port, uniquness, preferences of buyer in different site, approval rate, contributor character and life...

being Ex is a risk, you can win or lose, i my case my total earnings are 30 % more. before Ex my earning distribution was approximatively 60% SS, 30 % IS, 10% all others. I have little drop (approx. 10%) in my down probably due to the higher prices but the higher earnings make more than the drop. Also my E+ make very well, no drop in down. My RPD is about 7$.

Another point is that i'm very happy with my exclusivity but not with IS. I earn more than before Ex. but there are too many problems with the site and if SS give an Ex I'll maybe make the jump. For now I don't think to become independent.

Not: I become Ex. in april of this year, so even with the very bad time for IS i'm making more than before.

If it can be of help

http://www.microstockjournal.com/real-value-istock

These graphs are only useful if you also give the size of your port at each, and the length of time they have been on each agency.

For example, there's a regular poster on the Alamy forum who constantly reiterates how much more he makes from his Alamy port than his iStock port. I don't doubt that for a minute: he has thousands of images in his Alamy port, and the last time I looked, fewer than 20 in his iStock port.

I'm not implying that your figures are so extreme, but there are certainly stats and 'useful stats'. I for one would be more interested in $$ earned at each agency than dls, but again it would mean nothing without the other details.

Since I am new to the business, what happened at IS to PO so many togs?

Quote from: Poncke on September 17, 2012, 15:29

Since I am new to the business, what happened at IS to PO so many togs?

How long have you got?

I have time. But it might be too much to type up. Is there an old thread about this that sums it up?

Quote from: jsnover on September 11, 2012, 18:42

There are a number of long term contributors, exclusives, independents plus some like me who've done the indie-exclusive-indie shuffle, who are deeply angry with iStock. In my case it's fury at greed throwing away something really great - and some of that anger can spill over into impatience with newer exclusives who haven't yet had anything bad happen. IS's ongoing software incompetence - bungling every software upgrade (and I do mean every single one) and continuing to pick dreadful times to cripple site operations - is a pretty rational rock to throw at them.

 I think there's also a periodic burst of "exclusive content is better than all that rubbish on the other sites" which certainly doesn't sit well with anyone but a subset of exclusives. Probably not reasonable to assume that all exclusives feel that way about indies, but it has certainly primed the pump for some "full and frank exchanges of views" to become dust ups. There's a ton of ill will towards Getty that rubs off on IS more and more as it's absorbed into the parent company.

This is just me, but although I largely ignore what IS is up to these days, if I think about them too much I can get angry again very easily. Hearing all the positive and optimistic chat from current exclusives (who need to believe they've made a wise choice in picking exclusivity) seems to be very dismissive of those who got hurt by the past lies and about faces on a number of business issues. Probably isn't deliberately planned that way, but for anyone without the history, might take them by surprise.

On another forum (no longer around) I was told I was in need of a mental health evaluation for considering exclusivity Some people feel very strongly about spreading the risk and that's not anti IS, but they're the only agency where even considering exclusivity makes any sense.

Very well put JoAnn.  Sums up the situation perfectly, along with some of the history that got us to this point . 

@Reef, I was not being sarcastic or hostile.  My interpretation of "animosity" is personal attacks.  I do see quite a bit of people extremely upset with Istock, but I have not seen a lot of personal attacks on other members, certainly none that I can point to in this thread.  Which is why I was asking for links.

With due respect, JoAnn and Lisa, I think prolonged anger sometimes affects one's judgement and fairness.  A calm and objective voice may deliver better credibility than an angry one.

With due respect, JoAnn and Lisa, I think prolonged anger sometimes affects one's judgement and fairness.  A calm and objective voice may deliver better credibility than an angry one.

You yourself said that your income is increasing at iStock. That's no bad thing, congratulations indeed. However it could be argued that thereby your 'more positive than average' comments about iStock are also not being totally 'objective'.
It's more difficult when iStock's business decisions have caused a direct and ongoing reduction in income, which many people have experienced.