Author Topic: Photos.com CLOSING in March (Read 10980 times)

THP Creative · « **on:** February 19, 2014, 19:56 »

Unless I missed it, I couldn't see this mentioned anywhere over here, so though't I'd give anyone who cares the heads up

http://au.photos.com/help

Photos.com is closing on March 10,2014. Everything basically transferred to Thinkstock. Just gave a quick summary of it here: http://www.microstockman.com/photos-com-closing-march-10-2014/ - basically just the FAQ from their site.

Thoughts on this closing?

ShadySue · « **Reply #1 on:** February 19, 2014, 20:08 »

I never understood the difference between them, so I suppose it makes sense.
Apparently "All the content that was present on photos.com is also already available on Thinkstock.com." *
http://www.istockphoto.com/forum_messages.php?threadid=359316&page=1

*Isn't it funny how they can manage that, but not manage to get old E+ files transferred to Getty, as promised.

gostwyck · « **Reply #2 on:** February 19, 2014, 20:15 »

Love the 'FAQ answers' ... Getty really knows how to take care of their customers!

This tells me that Getty is retracting and certainly not expanding their business. It tells me that Photos.com has not been able to compete against SS. It tells me that this is a retreat to Getty's last remaining platform in subscription image services. Thinkstock is now their only hope against the onslaught of SS, DT and FT (the latter ... not so much).

The times they are a-changin'.

THP Creative · « **Reply #3 on:** February 19, 2014, 20:16 »

Yeah I'm guessing it was a case of two sets of overheads for basically the same thing?

Photos.com would surely be a valuable domain name though - I wonder if they have anything else in store for it?

ShadySue · « **Reply #4 on:** February 19, 2014, 20:41 »

Quote from: Microstock Man on February 19, 2014, 20:16

Yeah I'm guessing it was a case of two sets of overheads for basically the same thing?

Photos.com would surely be a valuable domain name though - I wonder if they have anything else in store for it?

That's true; - if I had them both, I'd certainly keep photos.com over thinkstockphotos.com.

THP Creative · « **Reply #5 on:** February 19, 2014, 20:43 »

Quote from: ShadySue on February 19, 2014, 20:41

Quote from: Microstock Man on February 19, 2014, 20:16
Yeah I'm guessing it was a case of two sets of overheads for basically the same thing?

Photos.com would surely be a valuable domain name though - I wonder if they have anything else in store for it?

That's true; - if I had them both, I'd certainly keep photos.com over thinkstockphotos.com.

Yeah I agree. Will they just re-direct from photos.com to thinkstock maybe? I'm not an SEO expert but it would seem a bit of a waste to only have it doing that. My feeling is they have another use in mind for photos.com...

Jo Ann Snover · « **Reply #6 on:** February 19, 2014, 23:12 »

For whatever reason, photos.com doesn't seem to show up much/at all in a Google search. Perhaps they don't think they need to? I searched for stock photo agencies and there was nothing from or about photos.com in the first 20 pages. Searching for photos they're first

They use the phrase stock photography in their blurb so I searched for that - they show up on page 14 (Jupiter Images is much higher up; even StockFresh is...)

All the other agencies are showing up and advertising on all these searches, but photos.com barely exists (in a search).

While hunting for stuff I stumbled on this article from April 2007

http://money.cnn.com/magazines/business2/business2_archive/2007/04/01/8403372/

At the end is the following pair of comments, from Jonathan Klein (Getty) and Jon Oringer (Shutterstock) which seem amusing almost 7 years down the road:

Quote

"Reports of the demise of traditional stock," Klein says, "are exaggerated."

But technology seems to favor his new competitors. "Our advantage is efficiency," says Shutterstock's Oringer. "And if Getty can use iStockphoto to upsell its customers, why we can't we use higher-priced photos to start moving into its market?"

pixsol · « **Reply #7 on:** February 19, 2014, 23:38 »

Going by my PP sales in iStock, almost 90% are from Thinkstock. I dont know if the sales breakup at Getty level between thinkstock and photos.com are also similar. This may be purely a business decision. I hope this does not reduce my PP income by 10%

Karen · « **Reply #8 on:** February 20, 2014, 01:19 »

Another One Bites the Dust?
Considering that iStock is flooded with a new ~~crap~~ low quality content, looks like Getty will make a big trush from photos.com to host all this garbage.

goober · « **Reply #9 on:** February 20, 2014, 04:34 »

Quote from: Karen on February 20, 2014, 01:19

Another One Bites the Dust?
Considering that iStock is flooded with a new ~~crap~~ low quality content, looks like Getty will make a big trush from photos.com to host all this garbage.

Even crap deserves a chance. I've been making my living off it for several years.

Uncle Pete · « **Reply #10 on:** February 20, 2014, 12:30 »

I like the way you think goober.

It is scraps and crap from the old days. And some of it is mine.

Yes from above thoughts, the first thing that came to mind was, photos dot com was nothing but a feeder of what that agency had, into TS, what's the difference? I don't know why StockXpert is still around. (that will bring some hoots I'm sure) Consolidation means one source, one place to track data. (Yes I hope this means PP reports will be more timely?)

Nothing to do but make sure everything is on ThinkStock and forward the page to that. Done. I wouldn't call it "another one" it's more of, another mirror is taken down and less smoke.

Quote from: goober on February 20, 2014, 04:34

Quote from: Karen on February 20, 2014, 01:19
Another One Bites the Dust?
Considering that iStock is flooded with a new ~~crap~~ low quality content, looks like Getty will make a big trush from photos.com to host all this garbage.
Even crap deserves a chance. I've been making my living off it for several years.

microstockinsider · « **Reply #11 on:** February 20, 2014, 18:48 »

This is just part of the standard Getty game plan, purchase company (or spawn new one), increase prices to milk customers, further increase prices to milk those not paying attention, stagnate site, when un-viable close and redirect to another Getty entity. It works very well for them.

Jo Ann Snover · « **Reply #12 on:** February 20, 2014, 18:58 »

So =http://www.jupiterimages.com/Jupiter Images and Punchstock are also closing - May 30th - but they're transferring to Getty Images mother ship, not Thinkstock. Starting March 4th users can log in to Getty and their lightboxes will be transferred

There used to be a higher-end subscription service (versus photos.com) called JupiterImagesUnlimited, but the links to subscriptions just go straight to Thinkstock, so I guess that went away a while back.

As the FAQ on both sites says that the sites will be shutting down March 4, I don't know what the May 30th date on the home page is about.

And then clipart.com just keeps rolling along. Why they don't shut that place is a mystery. The front page says it works with ImageReady - discontinued in 2007 and the testimonials page has comments that reference ArtToday (the prior name that changed in 2002!). The help section is full of outdated instructions for systems that no longer work that way - looks as if nothing is updated there.

So Getty Images, iStock, Thinkstock and clipart.com will be the new Getty lineup? Is there anything else? The stockxpert site is still there for former contributors to log in - no notes about that going away.

Uncle Pete · « **Reply #13 on:** February 24, 2014, 09:44 »

To be fair and honest. Consolidation and forwarding all these other sites to one location (or two?) makes more sense than having eight different brands of the same stuff.

My hope is, that with these changes, things will work better online and we'll see more streamlined, user friendly (Buyer friendly that is) features, to make licensing our images, easier and better.

If not, it's just putting lipstick on a pig. It's still a pig.

StanRohrer · « **Reply #14 on:** February 24, 2014, 11:18 »

And now we enter a market consolidation phase.

Kenny · « **Reply #15 on:** February 24, 2014, 13:25 »

Quote from: Jo Ann Snover on February 20, 2014, 18:58

And then clipart.com just keeps rolling along. Why they don't shut that place is a mystery. The front page says it works with ImageReady - discontinued in 2007 and the testimonials page has comments that reference ArtToday (the prior name that changed in 2002!). The help section is full of outdated instructions for systems that no longer work that way - looks as if nothing is updated there.

So Getty Images, iStock, Thinkstock and clipart.com will be the new Getty lineup? Is there anything else?

"January, 23, 2014 Vital Imagery Ltd., a leader in the online graphics subscription services, announced today that it has acquired Clipart.com and AnimationFactory.com from Getty Images." http://vitalimagery.com/pr23jan2014.php

ARTPUPPY · « **Reply #16 on:** February 24, 2014, 13:46 »

Sounds more like the last days of GM - too many products in too many directions so out with Pontiac and Olds, & sell off Saturn. Try to improve your books by selling off the assets. More I hear about Getty's direction, I keep thinking about this:


Family Guy goes to Sears

Jo Ann Snover · « **Reply #17 on:** February 24, 2014, 15:25 »

Quote from: Kenny on February 24, 2014, 13:25

Quote from: Jo Ann Snover on February 20, 2014, 18:58
And then clipart.com just keeps rolling along. Why they don't shut that place is a mystery. The front page says it works with ImageReady - discontinued in 2007 and the testimonials page has comments that reference ArtToday (the prior name that changed in 2002!). The help section is full of outdated instructions for systems that no longer work that way - looks as if nothing is updated there.

So Getty Images, iStock, Thinkstock and clipart.com will be the new Getty lineup? Is there anything else?

"January, 23, 2014 Vital Imagery Ltd., a leader in the online graphics subscription services, announced today that it has acquired Clipart.com and AnimationFactory.com from Getty Images." http://vitalimagery.com/pr23jan2014.php

Wow!

clipart.com has a twin in http://www.iclipart.com/ - I didn't know

And they're perfectly matched in terms of price and "quality".

And for all those who think they know what keyword spamming is, take a look at this:

http://www.iphotos.com/download.php?iid=756077

What are they thinking? I did a search on beach italy and had this, strawberries, cabbages, etc. show up!

I wonder waht happens to the stuff from clipart.com that was mirrored on istock? I assume it has to be removed?

http://www.microstockgroup.com/istockphoto-com/getty-clip-art-'mirroring'-has-begun/

ShadySue · « **Reply #18 on:** February 24, 2014, 15:34 »

Quote from: Jo Ann Snover on February 24, 2014, 15:25

And for all those who think they know what keyword spamming is, take a look at this:
http://www.iphotos.com/download.php?iid=756077

Oh, that is definitely much worse than the worst I've found, and they were bad!
Top prize, Jo Ann.

michey · « **Reply #19 on:** February 24, 2014, 19:42 »

wrong post

ShadySue · « **Reply #20 on:** February 24, 2014, 19:48 »

Quote from: michey on February 24, 2014, 19:42

Time ago there was an option to opt-out PP, where is it now?

Indies can't opt out; all files are 'in', if/when they get round to mirroring them.

Exclusives can't opt new files 'in', but files they had sent there have been kept.
I suppose, but don't know, that exclusives could ask CR to opt their files out, if the opt out choice has gone from the interface.

Uncle Pete · « **Reply #21 on:** February 24, 2014, 20:00 »

Positive Move Kenny.

Quote from: Kenny on February 24, 2014, 13:25

"January, 23, 2014 Vital Imagery Ltd., a leader in the online graphics subscription services, announced today that it has acquired Clipart.com and AnimationFactory.com from Getty Images." http://vitalimagery.com/pr23jan2014.php

Anyone here a contributor at Vital Imagery?

Quote from: StanRohrer on February 24, 2014, 11:18

And now we enter a market consolidation phase.

100% Stan, it's been on the way for awhile and agencies have been holding off as long as they can.

The partner programs that some of the smaller ones have, is the only thing keeping them afloat.

Get ready for both, De-evolution and thinning of the herd.

pixsol · « **Reply #22 on:** April 07, 2014, 09:50 »

I accessed photos.com site today and could see that the site has been transformed to a prints site (similar to FAA). I seem to have missed the announcements that Getty would have made.

ShadySue · « **Reply #23 on:** April 07, 2014, 12:25 »

Quote from: pixsol on April 07, 2014, 09:50

I accessed photos.com site today and could see that the site has been transformed to a prints site (similar to FAA). I seem to have missed the announcements that Getty would have made.

http://www.istockphoto.com/forum_messages.php?threadid=359898&messageid=6994924

http://www.microstockgroup.com/general-stock-discussion/photos-com-is-not-dead-getty%27s-new-plan/msg369009/#msg369009

luissantos84 · « **Reply #24 on:** April 07, 2014, 13:31 »

Quote from: ShadySue on April 07, 2014, 12:25

Quote from: pixsol on April 07, 2014, 09:50
I accessed photos.com site today and could see that the site has been transformed to a prints site (similar to FAA). I seem to have missed the announcements that Getty would have made.

http://www.istockphoto.com/forum_messages.php?threadid=359898&messageid=6994924

http://www.microstockgroup.com/general-stock-discussion/photos-com-is-not-dead-getty%27s-new-plan/msg369009/#msg369009

I have missed this one

will see how it goes, FAA does need to step up!

pixsol · « **Reply #25 on:** April 07, 2014, 13:52 »

Quote from: ShadySue on April 07, 2014, 12:25

Quote from: pixsol on April 07, 2014, 09:50
I accessed photos.com site today and could see that the site has been transformed to a prints site (similar to FAA). I seem to have missed the announcements that Getty would have made.

http://www.istockphoto.com/forum_messages.php?threadid=359898&messageid=6994924

http://www.microstockgroup.com/general-stock-discussion/photos-com-is-not-dead-getty%27s-new-plan/msg369009/#msg369009

Thanks Sue ! I was actually aware of what was going to happen to photos.com. I just did not pay enough attention to actually when they were going to start being operational as a prints site

fotoVoyager · « **Reply #26 on:** April 07, 2014, 14:02 »

Found quite a lot on my images on there when I searched for 'Khumbu'. The image on the file close-up page is very lo-res, so I don't have great hopes for this outlet until that kind of detail is fixed. Early days though and much better looking than FAA.

ShadySue · « **Reply #27 on:** April 07, 2014, 14:09 »

Quote from: pixsol on April 07, 2014, 13:52

Quote from: ShadySue on April 07, 2014, 12:25
Quote from: pixsol on April 07, 2014, 09:50
I accessed photos.com site today and could see that the site has been transformed to a prints site (similar to FAA). I seem to have missed the announcements that Getty would have made.

http://www.istockphoto.com/forum_messages.php?threadid=359898&messageid=6994924

http://www.microstockgroup.com/general-stock-discussion/photos-com-is-not-dead-getty%27s-new-plan/msg369009/#msg369009

Thanks Sue ! I was actually aware of what was going to happen to photos.com. I just did not pay enough attention to actually when they were going to start being operational as a prints site

Maybe they're at last seen sense and are running 'soft pre-launches' so that they can iron out blimps. Didn't make much of a song and dance (so far) with their subs launch either.

PaulieWalnuts · « **Reply #28 on:** April 07, 2014, 17:00 »

Has anyone noticed the pricing?

$250 for a 32x48 canvas? I sell my work directly as canvas wraps and that's less than what I can buy it for using a reputable print lab. And then I still need to mark it up to resell it. Pretty sure that's also lower than the base cost at FAA.

So now I'm competing against my own work at much lower prices and earning a smaller percentage.

DF_Studios · « **Reply #29 on:** April 08, 2014, 06:40 »

Pricing - Getty will probably use lower prices to gain market share. What do they care if the artist gets less?

FAA's competitive advantage over others is 1. Their paintings and other artwork 2. They offer so much more custom framing options than the competition.

Other sites like Society6 offer standard mats and frames which often make the prints looks strange. Also most of other players have limited choices to keep things simply and easier to manage. Since FAA is using a full range print shop in the background they can offer more choices.

One has to wonder if Sean at FAA really just wants to keep total control or if potential have looked behind curtains and discovered that the operation is not scalable. By now with investment money they could have bought out their supplier and cloned it in Europe to provide more worldwide coverage.

Mantis · « **Reply #30 on:** April 08, 2014, 11:51 »

Not trying to create a conspiracy theory but it comes across as a money grab. Let it run for a period of time, rake in whatever doe he can, close shop and bolt with a good chunk of doe. The main reason I say that is because of all of the messy copyright violations we are seeing today, like he doesn't care.

wordplanet · « **Reply #31 on:** April 08, 2014, 12:38 »

The site layout looks beautiful. Wish FAA would work on marketing our images rather than heading into the overcrowded stock photo market because these guys are going to give them a run for their money, I'm afraid. Found some paintings on photos.com too.

It's discouraging.

lightphoto · « **Reply #32 on:** April 09, 2014, 00:09 »

Yet another fantastic decision by the geniuses at Getty. Ugh.

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Author Topic: Photos.com CLOSING in March (Read 10980 times)

THP Creative

ShadySue

gostwyck

THP Creative

ShadySue

THP Creative

Jo Ann Snover

pixsol

Karen

goober

Uncle Pete

microstockinsider

Jo Ann Snover

Uncle Pete

StanRohrer

Kenny

ARTPUPPY

Jo Ann Snover

ShadySue

michey

ShadySue

Uncle Pete

pixsol

ShadySue

luissantos84

pixsol

fotoVoyager

ShadySue

PaulieWalnuts

DF_Studios

Mantis

wordplanet

lightphoto

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