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Author Topic: New Images DOA on Istock?  (Read 22665 times)

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lisafx

« Reply #25 on: June 14, 2010, 10:16 »
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Thanks for the responses.   Looks like this is a pretty universal phenomenon then.  Never sure when things like this crop up if it is me or if it is a trend.  

Thanks also Michealo for taking the time to criticize my images.  Guess the bottom line is that I have to make do with the models and locations available to me.  Sometimes the same people have to be portrayed as "disabled" and "abled".  

Similarly, I don't know anyone who works in a lab, so if I want to shoot a lab concept I have to build it in my studio from scratch.  Maybe improvised models and settings aren't going to be good enough going forward, but that will affect nearly all micro contributors, not just me.  

Also, strangely, similar older images continue to sell, despite the same types of criticisms being true of them.  ???


« Reply #26 on: June 14, 2010, 10:31 »
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Thanks also Michealo for taking the time to criticize my images.  Guess the bottom line is that I have to make do with the models and locations available to me.  Sometimes the same people have to be portrayed as "disabled" and "abled".

I personally don't see the problem with using the same model as abled or disabled. Raymond Burr played Ironsides and was in a wheelchair, and yet played in many other movies and shows where he walked. Models (and actors) assume the role they are assigned.

I took a look at my downloads so far for June, and many more of the downloads are older images. There are newer images being downloaded, but the percentage of older images is greater.

michealo

« Reply #27 on: June 14, 2010, 10:46 »
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<snip> but that will affect nearly all micro contributors, not just me.  

Also, strangely, similar older images continue to sell, despite the same types of criticisms being true of them.  ???

I think the old images sell well due to best match placing but that newer images have to be spectacular to compete.

« Reply #28 on: June 14, 2010, 10:55 »
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I'm fairly new and a small player but maybe that makes me a valid sample of current conditions.

 I started about 18 months ago and the story has been basically that earnings went steadily down as my portfolio increased and my images improved.  As I said earlier, most of the sales are from a few that I did fairly early, that seemed to catch on and build some ranking.  Nothing I've submitted in the last couple of months has done anything. 

I had no real expectations at the start. and I made a few bucks along the way.  I've now quit doing microstock, but would be happy to resume if some new channel or business model appears.  All my images sell now and then, but they're never going to be blockbusters. At 25 cents a download, it just isn't worth doing.

I should probably quit posting here, because I'm no longer an active microstocker.   So I'll shut up now. :)

lisafx

« Reply #29 on: June 14, 2010, 10:59 »
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I'm fairly new and a small player but maybe that makes me a valid sample of current conditions.

 <snip>

I should probably quit posting here, because I'm no longer an active microstocker.   So I'll shut up now. :)

Hope you don't quit posting.  As you said, you are a valid sample of current conditions. 

If only the people (are there any?) who are delighted with the state of microstock post then we will have a very skewed picture of what's going on.  Not to mention that others of us who are experiencing the same will be even more frustrated... ;)

« Reply #30 on: June 14, 2010, 11:09 »
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I'm fairly new and a small player but maybe that makes me a valid sample of current conditions.

 I started about 18 months ago and the story has been basically that earnings went steadily down as my portfolio increased and my images improved.  As I said earlier, most of the sales are from a few that I did fairly early, that seemed to catch on and build some ranking.  Nothing I've submitted in the last couple of months has done anything. 

I had no real expectations at the start. and I made a few bucks along the way.  I've now quit doing microstock, but would be happy to resume if some new channel or business model appears.  All my images sell now and then, but they're never going to be blockbusters. At 25 cents a download, it just isn't worth doing.

I should probably quit posting here, because I'm no longer an active microstocker.   So I'll shut up now. :)

I've also been doing ms for about 18 months, so maybe I'm another valid "newbie" sample like stocktastic.  However, my results are quite different.  My RPI has been constant since day 1.  My old stuff sells, and my new stuff sells.  I have been experiencing a dip the past few months like everyone else, and I'm concerned about whether it's a larger trend or just the summer slump. For what it's worth, my 2010 seems to be following the same pattern as my 2009, according to my data.  Great March, awful April, May is back to March level, and June shows slight growth on May.  Looking at the four months on a chart is uninspiring as it looks fairly flat, but I'll keep chugging along!

« Reply #31 on: June 14, 2010, 11:32 »
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Hmm... It could be a summer slowdown, but I can't really blame it on new images. Out of my last 20 downloads, 6 were first time downloads (It may be more than 20 though because of the way the downloads are listed). In the argument against a summer slowdown, FT and DT are doing pretty well for me this month.

« Reply #32 on: June 14, 2010, 11:34 »
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I'll keep reading the forum now and then to follow any changes.

I should make clear that what really discouraged me wasn't so much the actual commissions as the observation that things were steadily going downhill.   By the time I got to 125, I was still making just what I made with 25.    So why invest serious time and effort learning to do microstock, if it's a declining business with no bottom in sight?  

I wouldn't advise anyone to start microstock now unless they felt they had a good supply of ideas that would sell in big numbers AND were cheap to produce - and obviously it's tough to satisfy both requirements.  There is no point in doing any sort of 'niche' images that would sell a few times, because there's only one pricing structure, and it's oriented to high volume.  

Maybe if you have your setup - lighting, backgrounds, props, locations, models - all in place, have made your investments, can do the technical part in your sleep, and can just keep running those ethnic models through the gamut of business, medical and lifestyle poses - you can make some money.  That's not me unfortunately.
Obviously some people have a much better plan than I did.
« Last Edit: June 14, 2010, 11:40 by stockastic »

« Reply #33 on: June 14, 2010, 11:35 »
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It's very hard, particularly for a non-factory, low volume producer like me, to look at a few months of uploads and see a trend one way or another. However, I do see a lot of positive things for me - but those could be a function of the fact that I have not been as successful as some of the other contributors - like lisafx - so my great month is her horrible one, if you see what I mean.

March this year was my all-time high water mark, but there were a couple of additional things that seemed much more encouraging.

-March 2010 beat the prior November (Nov is always my biggest month, typically with Dec #2 and Oct #3) which hasn't happened before
-May 2010 became my #2 month ever - didn't beat March, but did do better than Oct-Dec last year)
-I do find new images take a while to sell, but I have had a good showing (I think) for files uploaded this year. I looked at my last 100 sales and 21 were from uploads in 2010 and 35 from 2009 uploads (my portfolio goes back to fall 2004)

A handful of Vetta images can make a nice boost to income - I don't make a focused effort to shoot for Vetta, but if I were able to, I'd expect that to make a huge difference to income.

Things are a bit slower (first week of June especially with the holidays), but not dramatically so.

I'm cautiously optimistic...

lisafx

« Reply #34 on: June 14, 2010, 11:45 »
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Thanks for weighing in JoAnn.  I would say your trends are quite legitimate irrespective of volume.  You have been at this a long time and are obviously someone who pays attention.  :)

I am curious - are your download numbers following the same trend as your royalty numbers?  The reason I ask is because I am wondering how much istock's new exclusive pricing is affecting your trends. 

I would love to get some idea how much the various exclusive pricing schemes are affecting income trends.  It would be useful to know if there is a significant cost to remaining independent. 

« Reply #35 on: June 14, 2010, 11:48 »
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It would be useful to know if there is a significant cost to remaining independent. 

But SS doesn't have exclusives.

« Reply #36 on: June 14, 2010, 12:08 »
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I am curious - are your download numbers following the same trend as your royalty numbers?  The reason I ask is because I am wondering how much istock's new exclusive pricing is affecting your trends. 
I would love to get some idea how much the various exclusive pricing schemes are affecting income trends.  It would be useful to know if there is a significant cost to remaining independent. 

My downloads are up over the prior year (I went exclusive in August 2008 so that's an IS to IS comparison) but not by as big a percentage as my $$.

So for example, May 2010, DLs were up 23% over May 2009 but $$ were up $73%. For April 2010 DLs up 35% $$ up 134%

Exclusive plus plays no part in this as I haven't put any images into it (there are 3 Vetta rejects that got in automatically but they rarely sell anyway). I have a small number of Vetta images and obviously the higher prices there make a big difference.

« Reply #37 on: June 14, 2010, 12:36 »
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lisafx, for me IS selling only older stuff, same picture get regular download.
Can I say too, permis, only Shutterstock is up up up for me. Across board all other down down down. I am happy I am with Shutterstock, phew !

« Reply #38 on: June 14, 2010, 12:47 »
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So for example, May 2010, DLs were up 23% over May 2009 but $$ were up $73%. For April 2010 DLs up 35% $$ up 134%


Great * results Jo Ann but they do have to be taken in the context that you also added about 50% more images to your port in the last year.

« Reply #39 on: June 14, 2010, 12:57 »
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The massive increase in very high quality very similar content from contributors such as lalfor and pixdeluxe, although I notice their new content is suffering the same problems.

Just my two cents.

George
Yes, "factories" have increased, and while Yuri just touched the best selling themes, some of the new ones have gone afeter mid and even low selling themes too. Often, they limit themselves to reshoot what already sells, with more means, equipment and proficiency. Not telling names, of course, but there are some "factory" portfolios where you can't find the tiniest spark of originality.

A diploma from YuriUniversity doesn't pay what it used to ;) .

Very true!

lisafx

« Reply #40 on: June 14, 2010, 13:03 »
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So for example, May 2010, DLs were up 23% over May 2009 but $$ were up $73%. For April 2010 DLs up 35% $$ up 134%


This is really quite impressive IMO.  Considering independents with similar track records (at least those posting) seem to be reporting stagnation or drops from last year's totals.  Makes me wonder if by staying independent I backed the wrong horse...?

« Reply #41 on: June 14, 2010, 13:29 »
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So for example, May 2010, DLs were up 23% over May 2009 but $$ were up $73%. For April 2010 DLs up 35% $$ up 134%


Great  results Jo Ann but they do have to be taken in the context that you also added about 50% more images to your port in the last year.
I don't think it's quite that high (I added 730-something in 2009) but around that.

I'm assuming that everyone else who's complaining of decreasing downloads year over year also added to their portfolio. Obviously if that's not the case then my numbers suck. Or if I added a bigger percentage than other people, then that would make a difference too.

There's all sorts of variables we can't control for - I bought a 5D Mk II in January 2009 and so I've had XXXL files available since then (previously L was my biggest offering except for panoramas). I have perhaps improved a bit over the time I've been a contributor.

Then there's the luck of the draw - my current best seller wasn't a hugely elaborate production although it did involve stitching 3 macro shots together. I still can't predict accurately which shots will sell and which won't. I could just be an anomaly and indicative of nothing other than my own income.

I just thought FWIW I'd add one more data point to the discussion.

« Reply #42 on: June 14, 2010, 14:09 »
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We are find the same worrying trend with our new uploads too. Sales peaked this year in july and despite adding a great deal of new content we are seeing declines in DLs and the new content is not getting the sales it should.

Why?

I think a mixture of the following:

A stronger than usual summer slump.

The decrease in value of the euro versus the dollar

The massive increase in very high quality very similar content from contributors such as lalfor and pixdeluxe, although I notice their new content is suffering the same problems.

Istocks declining market share, which is being caused by the confusing stratification of their prices. We now have 3 separate prices for exclusive content: regular exclusive, exclusive plus & vetta. I think the more budget conscious buyer is seeing this for the blatant profit increasing stategy that this is and is taking their business elsewhere.


Just my two cents.


George

George am I correct in thinking you were involved in Stockbyte?

Yep from 1997 to 2006, director of photography and primary photographer.

« Reply #43 on: June 14, 2010, 14:11 »
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... and you didn't even have to spend $1000 to go to the UK:

http://www.veoelmundo.com/photography-blog/future-microstock

« Reply #44 on: June 14, 2010, 14:16 »
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... and you didn't even have to spend $1000 to go to the UK:

http://www.veoelmundo.com/photography-blog/future-microstock


FYI Sean, Ireland is a Republic and not part of the UK, but its a common error.

G

michealo

« Reply #45 on: June 14, 2010, 14:18 »
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... and you didn't even have to spend $1000 to go to the UK:

http://www.veoelmundo.com/photography-blog/future-microstock


Dublin isn't in the United Kingdom, and hasn't been for some time :-)

« Reply #46 on: June 14, 2010, 14:23 »
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I was too lazy to type "Ireland", and look what happens...

RacePhoto

« Reply #47 on: June 14, 2010, 15:41 »
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The microstock bubble has quietly burst. If you have a mature portfolio and your earnings peaked in March you may never see those sort of numbers again. We'll have to wait for Sept/Oct/Nov to find out though.
+1

Agreed but part of the contributor problem is that there are many more choices for buyers, so the piece of the pie is getting smaller and smaller. The agency may be selling images just fine and growing. Since the question is IS not to pick on them, but just the figures. 6.2 million images. That allows for many more buyer choices.

Here's something else to consider.

IS Contributors, rough numbers at the end of each year. (new)

2003 = 2145
2004 = 4082 (1937)
2005 = 8409 (4327)
2006 = 15325 (6916)
2007 = 21648 (6323)
2008 = 28019 (6371)
2009 = 29426 (1407)

2010 looks like there will be less new growth in image producers, as happened in 2009. The supply of images hasn't slowed, plus the quality is better.

But what I was looking at for "piece of the pie" is the number of people supplying images doubled every year for the first four years and then once more from 2006 to 2008. That's some growth.

I may not call it bursting the bubble as much as simply leveling off and stabilizing, the fast growth has ended. The competition for each download keeps getting tougher and tougher.

From my perspective we will see more elimination of non-viable sites and agencies in 2010. More closings, more of the market going to the survivors. The growth period has ended, it's down to business and stability.

SS will soon have 12 million images, 13 million by the end of the year. If the demand is the same, or growing at a slower rate, that means less sales per individual. AKA smaller piece of the pie. We might not see future sales improving like the past, but may find that an even level of sales can be maintained.
« Last Edit: June 14, 2010, 16:06 by RacePhoto »

« Reply #48 on: June 14, 2010, 15:53 »
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lisafx, for me IS selling only older stuff, same picture get regular download.
Can I say too, permis, only Shutterstock is up up up for me. Across board all other down down down. I am happy I am with Shutterstock, phew !

I am with you!  Last month SS was over half of my earning. 

« Reply #49 on: June 14, 2010, 16:39 »
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I can't speak for sites other than istock where I'm exclusive, but I think the contributions of new contributors is negligible. Growth in the library is coming from growth in established portfolios. I'm much more likely to see a contributor reach diamond than to see a base contributor make bronze these days. With the tiny upload cap, poor exposure, and relative lack of hot sellers it's amazing that any new contributor makes it to the point where they can get serious on istock.


 

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