Author Topic: Silver Exclusives invited to Getty Images (Read 19725 times)

bittersweet · « **on:** November 18, 2008, 19:17 »

starting November 20
http://www.istockphoto.com/forum_messages.php?threadid=79914

travelstock · « **Reply #1 on:** November 18, 2008, 20:33 »

Just out of curiosity, how are the current exclusives going with submitting to Getty? Is it worth it?

helix7 · « **Reply #2 on:** November 18, 2008, 21:16 »

Must be a real valuable perk if the bar for entry keeps getting lower and lower. With Getty earnings expected to plummet over the next 4 years, I wouldn't get all excited about this.

jsnover · « **Reply #3 on:** November 18, 2008, 21:47 »

Once I have my new 5D Mk II I might consider trying this, but it doesn't seem to have much appeal. My 20D isn't on their approved camera list and although they take illustrations, I have no clue if or how they sell via Getty.

There are a few forum threads (mostly about glitches or slowness in the process) but not a lot of detail. One diamond said he sold more via Getty than iStock with a much smaller portfolio, so I guess it can be lucrative. I wonder if it's mostly about bragging rights (I'm a Getty photographer)?

AVAVA · « **Reply #4 on:** November 18, 2008, 21:52 »

Hi All,

I to would love to here from the exclusives who have ventured into this with Getty. What kind of percentage do they offer. Is it the same as your Micro percentage or different. Do they make the edits and do you find them tight or loose. Is the upload easy compared to Micro. How are your sales per image compared to your Micro work. Do you send them your very best work or possibly even do shoots specifically for the Macro collections. Any info would be very helpful.

Thanks,
AVAVA

bittersweet · « **Reply #5 on:** November 18, 2008, 22:11 »

Quote from: helix7 on November 18, 2008, 21:16

Must be a real valuable perk if the bar for entry keeps getting lower and lower.

Don't know if it's anything to get excited about or not, but this should not be considered "lowering the bar". The plan to add silvers to the program after things were rolling smoothly with the golds and diamonds was announced last summer.

Sean Locke Photography · « **Reply #6 on:** November 18, 2008, 22:58 »

Quote from: AVAVA on November 18, 2008, 21:52

Hi All,

I to would love to here from the exclusives who have ventured into this with Getty. What kind of percentage do they offer. Is it the same as your Micro percentage or different. Do they make the edits and do you find them tight or loose. Is the upload easy compared to Micro. How are your sales per image compared to your Micro work. Do you send them your very best work or possibly even do shoots specifically for the Macro collections. Any info would be very helpful.

Thanks,
AVAVA

It's the same as anyone else contributing to the Getty Photodisc collection. Nothing special for us.

helix7 · « **Reply #7 on:** November 18, 2008, 23:03 »

Quote from: whatalife on November 18, 2008, 22:11

Don't know if it's anything to get excited about or not, but this should not be considered "lowering the bar". The plan has always been to add silvers to the program after things were rolling smoothly with the golds and diamonds. They told us that when they first unveiled the program.

I thought they only announced Diamond and Gold initially. Could be wrong, though. I'll take your word for it on that one.

Just seems sort of odd that they're inviting people into a clearly loosing venture. Getty themselves acknowledge the significant dip their sales will take over the next few years, and the dramatic increase istock sales will see. If I'm a betting man and were exclusive at istock, I'd be putting my bets on istock and keeping my images there.

That's just me though. If the Getty deal is working out for people, good on ya. Take advantage while there's still something to take advantage of.

AVAVA · « **Reply #8 on:** November 19, 2008, 00:46 »

Thanks for that Sean,

Can anyone add anything else. Any answers to the other questions. I personally still see a higher yearly return in my Macro RF RPI than I do for any Micro producer ( Yuri included ). Sales dropped off a couple of years ago ( from what used to be an insane return per dollar invested, 15X return ) but they have leveled off and even increased over the past year in certain collections. Macro RF images may not make a 15x return anymore but they are still making good returns if the production value is there and they are in the right collection. There is a great deal of talk about the death of RF Macro in the industry but it still has some legs. See how much money it is expected to actually make Getty over the next 4 years compared to Micro. The growth might be in Micro by % but the dollars are still stronger in Macro RF even with the expected decline, even 4 years from now. Getty released an estimate of their income up through 2012 that show this to be true.

If Yuri's entire collection was in Macro RF since he joined Micro he would have made more money than he has in Micro. OOOH! I said it. Should I post that

It is true at least basing it off my own Macro RF sales during that same time period and what Yuri has offered about his own sales during that time frame in Micro.

A big part of the equation for me is is how much do you spend to how much you make per image, that is one of the most important ratios in this business but it can't overpower all other decision making. One of the struggles I am dealing with at the moment is keeping costs down to prepare for the upcoming drop off in advertising dollars over the coming year while at the same time keeping the production quality up to compete with this tough creative market. Also where is the best investment per dollar for return in stock over the next year or two. Is it Micro, RM, RR maybe the right Macro RF collection. The million dollar question. I Know where I am rolling my dice this next year and from this post it might not be where you would expect.

I think to have the chance to move your way up the ladder through Getty Macro into other collections is probably the most enticing part of their Exclusive offer but I don't feel like that is what I am sensing here. Maybe I am wrong, any feedback would be great!

Thanks,
AVAVA

lagereek · « **Reply #9 on:** November 19, 2008, 03:48 »

Sean is right!

When he says nothing special, true. As far as climbing the ladder in the Macro Getty, especially the RM sector? yes if you can spend 15K a month in tailormaking the shots with Pro-models, elaborate props and god knows, well then you might have a small chance. It costs money to generate money.
When I came from Stones and TIB back in late 80s into Getty it was a differant ball-game and I must say, we had a tremendous 4 or 5 years, it was really booming. Ever since, slowly, slowly, its gone more and more quiet.
The secret behind success within the Getty RM is to be one of the choosen ones for commissioned work, rigging up the perfect stock-shots.

best. Christian

AVAVA · « **Reply #10 on:** November 19, 2008, 10:45 »

Hey Christian,

I heard that when I first started doing commercial work 20 years ago. The market was over saturated we were looking at a recession ( before the DotCom Boom ) and we were told that you won't survive in this market. We had 10K saved and built a thriving business in the middle of chaos from a glorified garage. I heard the same thing when RF started 10 years ago that stock was surely dead but we changed our market from commercial to stock at that time and turned stock into a seven figure income.

I had a tour of a famous stock photographers studio back in college in the 80's. I stood in his 10,000 sq. ft. studio in complete awe as he proceeded to tell us that we could never compete in the stock market and that it was to expensive a game to get into now that it was controlled by the big boys. I went home from that day very discouraged, look how wrong he turned out to be. It is a hard game to play but I am no one special and I think if anyone still wants to work their way up the ladder it will always be possible. A solid education is a good start but look at Chase Jarvis he is self taught and doing very well in the commercial marketplace so there are still ladders to the top even bypassing school.

That famous stock photographer from my class tour has since passed on and guess who took his place. Especially Lifestyle Stock. It needs replacing every 5-7 years due to lifestyle changes in society. Eventually both you and I are going to quit or die someone will have to make those images that we won't be making anymore and I believe everyone here has a chance. You just have to want it enough.

Best,
AVAVA

tubed · « **Reply #11 on:** November 19, 2008, 11:07 »

Jonathan,
You are truely a optimist and a very knowledgeable person.. It's nice to have some opinions other than the end of stock is coming.. keeps us ones that are striving to get a small place in the market going..

I'm sure RM is always going to have a place as marketing people don't always like to know there are hundreds of the same image floating around the world in circulation.. Hopefully Macro RM and Micro RF can both evolve into something beneficial for all.. Change is good as long as we all stick up for ourselves and our industry and make sure there are checks and balances.. Even the all hailed Getty is subject to contributor participation, they too would fall if everyone stuck together to denounce them if they pulled a fast one or something.. But If we are not together they have full control. So Long rant short we run the show if we want to.. We can mold our industry through hard work, integrity and working together.. Kumbayaa, kumbayaa, yada, yada, yada..

Quote from: AVAVA on November 19, 2008, 10:45

Hey Christian,

I heard that when I first started doing commercial work 20 years ago. The market was over saturated we were looking at a recession ( before the DotCom Boom ) and we were told that you won't survive in this market. We had 10K saved and built a thriving business in the middle of chaos from a glorified garage. I heard the same thing when RF started 10 years ago that stock was surely dead but we changed our market from commercial to stock at that time and turned stock into a seven figure income.

I had a tour of a famous stock photographers studio back in college in the 80's. I stood in his 10,000 sq. ft. studio in complete awe as he proceeded to tell us that we could never compete in the stock market and that it was to expensive a game to get into now that it was controlled by the big boys. I went home from that day very discouraged, look how wrong he turned out to be. It is a hard game to play but I am no one special and I think if anyone still wants to work their way up the ladder it will always be possible. A solid education is a good start but look at Chase Jarvis he is self taught and doing very well in the commercial marketplace so there are still ladders to the top even bypassing school.

That famous stock photographer from my class tour has since passed on and guess who took his place. Especially Lifestyle Stock. It needs replacing every 5-7 years due to lifestyle changes in society. Eventually both you and I are going to quit or die someone will have to make those images that we won't be making anymore and I believe everyone here has a chance. You just have to want it enough.

Best,
AVAVA

NancyCWalker · « **Reply #12 on:** November 19, 2008, 11:24 »

I only have 2nd hand knowledge of the experience. Some contributors have complained about .25 cent commissions on Getty images which were countered by other contributors stating that those are equaled out with $30 or $40 commissions. Your not going to see a lot of issues in the main IS forums for the same reason that you don't see anything but good comments about exclusivity there. Each group has their own forums so that problems can be hashed out behind closed doors.

I've also heard that you can upload an image to one or the other, not both.

Read_My_Rights · « **Reply #13 on:** November 19, 2008, 11:28 »

So if I understand this invitation correctly. Getty will use my existing portfolio - the duds and marginal work included - to decide if I can provide them with new shots that are not at Istock.Am I assuming correctly that this invitation still does not get me into editorial RM with Getty (non model or property released location/news/product shots)?

I just can not find what sort of pictures Getty expects.

Thanks

AVAVA · « **Reply #14 on:** November 19, 2008, 11:31 »

Hi Tubed,

I am glad you are optimistic about your future, you should be. There is a great comedy special by Cat Williams that talks about keeping yourself pumped up because ain't nobody else gonna do it for you. Just want to make sure you didn't read more into what I said than I meant.
It is important in your relationship with your distributors that you play by their rules when on their field and show up with a teamwork mentality. Suggestions to your editor or photographer relations I feel should be approached as a team effort. That doesn't mean you can't get frustrated and bitch sometimes, I think we all have to some point if we are passionate about our work. Just remember it is a symbiotic relationship we both need each other.
Stay pumped up about your future and pass that energy on to the next guy. Thanks for the morning energy boost always good to start the day.

Best,
Jonathan

AVAVA · « **Reply #15 on:** November 19, 2008, 11:53 »

Hi there azurelaroux and Read_My_Rights,

They will not put your micro work up or your similars from any other shoots you ave produced for another collection. The work you shoot for Getty Macro will be only for Getty Macro and they will do the editing. They usually like you to go through and edit down to the best from a scenario so you don't send them poor shots to slow the edit process.

I am at Getty through the old school style so if there is someone that has become a Getty contributor through Istock they might be able to answer your questions better than I can.

There are some very small download prices on my Getty statement. Getty allows certain industries to get a break on the image depending on the use. This is not a standard commercial sale. A good example would be a school district or nonprofit company needing use of an image for a specific reason.

I must say I was not excited when I first saw a .25 cent sale on my Getty statement but I try not to look at individual sales as much as I do return per shoot. We used to follow RPI " return per image " but we are finding " Return Per Shoot " to be a better gauge and track of success and sales returns as each shoot ranges quite a bit in per image cost depending on several factors. One being the collection or business model the images will be placed in RM, RR, Macro RF or Micro RF.

Hope this helps,
Jonathan

RacePhoto · « **Reply #16 on:** November 19, 2008, 12:13 »

Quote from: sjlocke on November 18, 2008, 22:58

It's the same as anyone else contributing to the Getty Photodisc collection. Nothing special for us.

Read what Sean says carefully.

http://www.gettyimages.com/creative/frontdoor/photodisc?country=usa

Have to agree that people have their eyes popping out, Oh I can get my images on Getty now. It's acceptance for the Photodisc collection. Nice for more sales maybe and more distribution to one more Micro site, but it's not the editorial or RM section.

Maybe someone who has been with this since the Diamond days can provide some data on sales?

AVAVA · « **Reply #17 on:** November 19, 2008, 12:19 »

Hi Race,

The link didn't take me anywhere. Could you copy and paste the info it might be useful for some with questions. Also Photodisc is where I first started with Getty I now have contracts with all models they offer, even with Stone. It is called working your way up the ladder, hard work but fun compared to coal mining or a real job.

Thx,
Jonathan

lagereek · « **Reply #18 on:** November 19, 2008, 12:27 »

Quote from: AVAVA on November 19, 2008, 10:45

Hey Christian,

I heard that when I first started doing commercial work 20 years ago. The market was over saturated we were looking at a recession ( before the DotCom Boom ) and we were told that you won't survive in this market. We had 10K saved and built a thriving business in the middle of chaos from a glorified garage. I heard the same thing when RF started 10 years ago that stock was surely dead but we changed our market from commercial to stock at that time and turned stock into a seven figure income.

I had a tour of a famous stock photographers studio back in college in the 80's. I stood in his 10,000 sq. ft. studio in complete awe as he proceeded to tell us that we could never compete in the stock market and that it was to expensive a game to get into now that it was controlled by the big boys. I went home from that day very discouraged, look how wrong he turned out to be. It is a hard game to play but I am no one special and I think if anyone still wants to work their way up the ladder it will always be possible. A solid education is a good start but look at Chase Jarvis he is self taught and doing very well in the commercial marketplace so there are still ladders to the top even bypassing school.

That famous stock photographer from my class tour has since passed on and guess who took his place. Especially Lifestyle Stock. It needs replacing every 5-7 years due to lifestyle changes in society. Eventually both you and I are going to quit or die someone will have to make those images that we won't be making anymore and I believe everyone here has a chance. You just have to want it enough.

Best,
AVAVA

Nice story Jonathan! lets keep em coming! Oh! BTW, shall we all here start our own Micro, RF or RM??
Its about bloody time. We CAN build Rome in two days. Sean throws in all his lifestyles, he will outclass Yuri.

bittersweet · « **Reply #19 on:** November 19, 2008, 12:31 »

Quote from: RacePhoto on November 19, 2008, 12:13

Quote from: sjlocke on November 18, 2008, 22:58

It's the same as anyone else contributing to the Getty Photodisc collection. Nothing special for us.

Read what Sean says carefully.

http://www.gettyimages.com/creative/frontdoor/photodisc?country=usa

Have to agree that people have their eyes popping out, Oh I can get my images on Getty now. It's acceptance for the Photodisc collection. Nice for more sales maybe and more distribution to one more Micro site, but it's not the editorial or RM section.

I think Sean was simply clarifying that there is no special compensation deal for istockers, they get the same as everyone else who submits to Photodisc.

I don't know why people are assuming that it is RM or editorial. That is not said anywhere. It is not "one more Micro site" though. I don't understand that statement. Photodisc is searchable as part of Getty's entire RF collection, as well as across numerous other sites where Photodisc images are sold (including Veer). Maybe if exclusives were already able to sell their images on 20 or so other venues, it would not be a big deal, but that is not the case. Opening up the market considerably for exclusives is a bigger deal than some seem to want to admit (for reasons that escape me).

And Jonathan, I will second what Tubed said, you are like a breath of fresh air. I don't get why some people have to be so negative all the time.

AVAVA · « **Reply #20 on:** November 19, 2008, 12:45 »

Hi Christian,

Thanks I enjoy the banter a great deal. I do like to see the glass half full ( you pick what it is filled with

) I enjoy the community here a great deal. I agree, I am a bit surprised how this opportunity is being viewed by some. It isn't just that another Micro opportunity. Until you spend the time and effort to see results you will never know. Diversify people... PLEASE!

Peace,
J

RacePhoto · « **Reply #21 on:** November 19, 2008, 16:19 »

It wasn't negative it was pointing out the fact that it was the Photodisc collection, not the major Getty collection. You can see that as positive or negative. It's another Micro site, which under the wing of Getty may be a very good deal. It's not the Getty Editorial and RM site. Just the facts...

Link works for me, but maybe it's because of the USA part and it's blocking people from some other countries? Sorry about that, but I'm limited by their servers. I chopped off the usa part, which may or may not do the trick.

http://www.gettyimages.com/creative/frontdoor/photodisc?

It's a good thing to get accepted at Photodisc, as a reward, as an exclusive, because you achieved Silver at IS. Can people go and join Photodisc and submit photos without being exclusive at IS and being Silver?

Remember this one from July? Selected Flickr photographers now on Getty.

Getty editors will use a set of tools jointly developed by the two companies that will enable them to easily scan through Flickr photos to find the best of the crop. Each selected member will have their images licensed through a special Flickr-branded section of Getty’s site, and will receive portions of the licensing fees collected by Getty (there is no set payout structure - each selected participant in the program will need to negotiate their own deal with Getty).

But there was a question. Are any of the Diamonds and gold members seeing any sales through Photodisc since they were included in this special offer?

I was writing while whatalife was writing, yes, bottom line we agree. Go check it out and decide for yourself.

No I didn't think that Photodisc sold photos for $300. I thought they mostly sold VCDs of RF photos for $450 each actually. Singles 10-13 MB $290.

bittersweet · « **Reply #22 on:** November 19, 2008, 16:33 »

Quote from: RacePhoto on November 19, 2008, 16:19

It's another Micro site

This is the part I don't get. Why do you call it a micro site? Large images are around $300.

These images are included in the main Getty royalty free search, where I for one spend about $3000 a month for a couple of "old school" clients who refuse to consider micro. I guess the confusion comes from the fact that you don't consider the royalty free side to be part of the "major Getty collection". When you go to Gettyimages.com and select your licensing prefs, royalty-free, rights managed, rights ready, etc, are all just listed there together under the images tab.

http://www.gettyimages.com/Creative/RoyaltyFree.aspx

Anyway, no need to argue about it. I'm not following your logic, but I guess it makes sense to you. Neither of our opinions changes the reality of the situation, which everyone is free to check out for themselves.

ETA:
You added to your post while I was posting...
From what I've read, there have been some sales that were significantly less money than expected, but were balanced out by other sales, and overall it is another revenue stream which is a good thing. I know several people who have just not bothered with it, and others who have seen good growth.

There are a few reports in the thread I linked to, but as azure suggested, there are others that you won't see.

Sean Locke Photography · « **Reply #23 on:** November 19, 2008, 16:37 »

Hey, I forgot Alamy distributes Photodisc. Check me out on Alamy : AAD09W

Read_My_Rights · « **Reply #24 on:** November 19, 2008, 16:48 »

How about re-shooting difficult setups or unique but previously covered themes with a better (significantly higher quality) camera? Would these photos be acceptable to Getty even if the "test versions" are on IS already? Are pictures that get rejected by Getty automatically added to the IS submission queue?

Just being curious - and waiting for tomorrow.

MicrostockGroup Sponsors

Author Topic: Silver Exclusives invited to Getty Images (Read 19725 times)

bittersweet

travelstock

helix7

jsnover

AVAVA

bittersweet

Sean Locke Photography

helix7

AVAVA

lagereek

AVAVA

tubed

NancyCWalker

Read_My_Rights

AVAVA

AVAVA

RacePhoto

AVAVA

lagereek

bittersweet

AVAVA

RacePhoto

bittersweet

Sean Locke Photography

Read_My_Rights

Related Topics

Sponsors

Microstock Poll Results

Sponsors