Here's why nothing will change...

I only wish my own financial position...

Wish I could afford...

doing the same, if I could afford...

I can't afford to ...

There is nothing wrong with the above sentiments. It's just that you can't hope to enact change when you have no bargaining position.

I'm not happy to hear about your decision (new competitor), but I respect . out of it, and wish you good luck. I'm following your decision on dumping IStock altogther, although I wasn't a big contributor anyways - never did agree with industry low 20%, not to mention 15%

BTW, I just used up the last of my purchasing credits on this one:
http://www.istockphoto.com/stock-photo-6686960-hotel-business-travelers.php

I had credits because some clients insisted on getting something from IStock against my strongest objections. From now on, if they want something from IStock, they find a new designer.

Here's why nothing will change...

I only wish my own financial position...

Wish I could afford...

doing the same, if I could afford...

I can't afford to ...

There is nothing wrong with the above sentiments. It's just that you can't hope to enact change when you have no bargaining position.

David's decision is admirable.  However there are other ways to protest being discussed in various threads both on here and on IS, including:

1)  Leaving exclusivity
2)  Stopping uploading new images
3)  Spreading the word to buyers

Certainly each of us can only do small things, but the cumulative effect could be large. 

This of course can ONLY make sense if you can sustain (I hate that word by now) your lifestyle without your exclusivity-income. Now the question is, how many exclusives can afford that...?

Oh, I have no guarantee of being able to sustain my lifestyle.  Its going to take awhile to work back up to the income level I have right now from iStock.  In the meantime I will have to make some cutbacks, canceling internet at the studio, possibly moving to a cheaper studio or doing only on-location shoots for awhile.  Its just that I won't be ruined financially by not having income from iStock. 

I hope it is worth it. by your admission, seems you've made a bad business decision if all the emotion is removed and you're cutting corners on things like internet access in your studio. anyways, good luck, you're a nice guy...

I have no doubt iStock would welcome you back at any point, that much I have seen with others who went non-exclusive to make a statement over past changes. still trying to find the heroism in cutting off your nose to spite your face...

I hope it is worth it. by your admission, seems you've made a bad business decision if all the emotion is removed and you're cutting corners on things like internet access in your studio. anyways, good luck, you're a nice guy...

I have no doubt iStock would welcome you back at any point, that much I have seen with others who went non-exclusive to make a statement over past changes. still trying to find the heroism in cutting off your nose to spite your face...

hawk_eye, why do you criticize so much people who are not accepting losing so much of their IS earnings? You might say it's too early for a drastic decision, but giving up a partnership that is not working well makes total sense, even if you lose money.

fair enough. but it's my guess you're all happy to watch David flounder while you wait it out to see what happens, so he truly is the only one putting his money where his mouth is and I think it will be to his detriment. I hate to see a valuable contributor do that to himself out of misguided loyalty (not because you don't deserve his loyalty, so don't nail me to that cross please, but simply because it is far too early to be jumping ship).

I think iStock has not been given nearly enough credit in this. that you feel a revolution is the only and best way to get them to listen...anyways, whatever. I'm beating my head against the wall. good luck David, sincerely. I do believe you've made an error and I truly am sad to see you go.

Quote from: lisafx on September 14, 2010, 18:55

...
1)  Leaving exclusivity
...

Lisa, did you consider the fact that if an exclusive drops exclusivity, that he/she will play into iStock's hands?
Even though the contributor will be able to upload everywhere else, the same images on iStock will create a higher percentage for iStock than being exclusive.

It would only make sense as an exclusive contributor to drop exclusivity and leave the agency altogether like the OP is doing.

This of course can ONLY make sense if you can sustain (I hate that word by now) your lifestyle without your exclusivity-income. Now the question is, how many exclusives can afford that...?

actually I calculated it out.  and with the lower credit costs for non-exculsive images at iStock, iStock will actually be making LESS off my images when I cancel exclusivity.  I put together a spreadsheet to check all the numbers - I used hypothetical 1 credit = 1 dollar (because that was simpler to deal with) and I only have images up to xlarge so the larger sizes don't really matter.  attached is a screenshot to show what I mean.  feel free (though it probably goes without saying ) if anyone sees any errors in my calculations here.

fair enough. but it's my guess you're all happy to watch David flounder while you wait it out to see what happens, so he truly is the only one putting his money where his mouth is and I think it will be to his detriment. I hate to see a valuable contributor do that to himself out of misguided loyalty (not because you don't deserve his loyalty, so don't nail me to that cross please, but simply because it is far too early to be jumping ship).

I think iStock has not been given nearly enough credit in this. that you feel a revolution is the only and best way to get them to listen...anyways, whatever. I'm beating my head against the wall. good luck David, sincerely. I do believe you've made an error and I truly am sad to see you go.

And if it's downhill for Exclusives at IStock from this point, then he will look like the smartest exclusive at IStock for jumping ship now. I bet you would be the person on the Titanic shouting "don't worry this ship is too big to sink"  Some people want to play it smart and if the ship is showing signs of sinking and be the first off

meh, why bother. good luck David, truly.

Respect!

First they locked the topic but now they deleted it. They don't wanna let others know what you did.

Quote from: jamirae on September 14, 2010, 22:48

actually I calculated it out.  and with the lower credit costs for non-exculsive images at iStock, iStock will actually be making LESS off my images when I cancel exclusivity.
...

Yes, that's known by anyone who's taken the time to examine the ins-and-outs of iStock. I think it's even been mentioned a few times on this forum - guess not everyone was paying attention.

But what everybody leaves out of the equation: This is only true if you assume the same number of images is bought irrespective of price.
If, OTOH, image buyers are working on a fixed budget it looks different - they may buy more for cheaper prices.

As Istock has mentioned themselves in the announcements (or what I read out of it), their concern is the average commission paid out for the total sum of sales they are making. In that respect, cancelling exclusivity (but leaving the portfolio for sale on Istock) is 100% in line with Istock's goals.