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Author Topic: Simplified ingestion/inspection process  (Read 15562 times)

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ShadySue

  • There is a crack in everything
« on: September 28, 2011, 05:59 »
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OK, any idle speculation about what JJRD means in his 'Member rogermexico and Content' post when he says, which he already hinted at in an earlier post (something about 'impossibly compressed files'):
"we are on a mission to simplify the ingestion process as well as the inspection process, enrich our collections with fantastic files that are fully relevant to Key Regions needs as well as making sure that we cover major markets as never before."
Does it mean they'll be re-examining my naturally-flat-light rainforest rejections, and it might be worth submitting more?
I doubt it.
I'm guessing that there is going to be a huge ingestion of files from some of Getty's other partner sites that would not meet current inspection requirements. Whereas there should be a long process sorting out EdStock's captions and keywords.

I'm not sure why he keeps making these uninformative posts which only lead to the sort of speculation I've indulged in above. And the reality is always worse than anything I've speculated. :-(
« Last Edit: September 28, 2011, 08:47 by ShadySue »


« Reply #1 on: September 28, 2011, 08:40 »
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They always hang on to rejects, which are already titled keyworded etc. Maybe they are going to accept a bunch of them at once, with some sort of script that looks for targetted areas, when the rejection reason is a nit.

« Reply #2 on: September 28, 2011, 09:28 »
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OK, any idle speculation about what JJRD means in his 'Member rogermexico and Content' post when he says, which he already hinted at in an earlier post (something about 'impossibly compressed files'):
"we are on a mission to simplify the ingestion process as well as the inspection process, enrich our collections with fantastic files that are fully relevant to Key Regions needs as well as making sure that we cover major markets as never before."
Does it mean they'll be re-examining my naturally-flat-light rainforest rejections, and it might be worth submitting more?
I doubt it.
I'm guessing that there is going to be a huge ingestion of files from some of Getty's other partner sites that would not meet current inspection requirements. Whereas there should be a long process sorting out EdStock's captions and keywords.

I'm not sure why he keeps making these uninformative posts which only lead to the sort of speculation I've indulged in above. And the reality is always worse than anything I've speculated. :-(

----------------------------------

He means that they have a massive project that starts out well intentioned to simplify/speed the approval process including accepting some content they would not before, but the vision is in the process of being destroyed by a combination of poor IT execution and Getty corrupting all ideas to squeeze out another penny. 

Upshot will be a mixed bag - faster inspections but independents being screwed just a bit more, with the whole thing poorly executed.

"I'm not sure why he keeps making these uninformative posts which only lead to the sort of speculation I've indulged in above."

Because he's an idiot/geek who gets excited by possibilities but does not execute details.   

« Reply #3 on: September 28, 2011, 09:44 »
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That post is an amazing example of really poor communication - about any sort of details. Warm and fuzzy with hints of big changes but nothing specific. At this point I have no optimism about any change at iStock being good for contributors (real contributors, not Getty stooges that is).

Andrew does much better than JJRD at communication, but he won't be a policy maker, just someone to try and smooth over ruffled feathers. Even he can't defend the indefensible though. I'd wish him good luck via the iStock forums (if I could); my gut says he's going to need it :)

« Reply #4 on: September 28, 2011, 09:45 »
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Thank you for your submission.  It is not good enough for Istock, but we'll see what we can suck out of it at Thinkstock and Photos.com.

ShadySue

  • There is a crack in everything
« Reply #5 on: September 28, 2011, 09:54 »
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Andrew does much better than JJRD at communication, but he won't be a policy maker, just someone to try and smooth over ruffled feathers. Even he can't defend the indefensible though. I'd wish him good luck via the iStock forums (if I could); my gut says he's going to need it :)
He's had so much bad news to communicate, and very little good news. Why, having been away for a while, anyone would want to come back to that job, I can't imagine.

« Reply #6 on: September 28, 2011, 09:55 »
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Maybe, it means they are trying to make iStock more palatable.  ;D


« Reply #8 on: September 28, 2011, 10:09 »
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I think all the "good news" announcements stopped for a couple of years ago.  Anything that is "said, announced or rolled out" by IS now is just a cue for us to grab our ankles.  I have no doubt that it's just another big steamy pile of sh_t served on a pretty platter.  It's just a matter of time before the true meaning of the announcement becomes apparent.

ShadySue

  • There is a crack in everything
« Reply #9 on: September 28, 2011, 10:41 »
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The true believers seem to be cheering it all, rather than wondering what it actually means.
Either the KoolAid is fantastic or I need to lay off the CynicismSauce aka RealityCheck.

nruboc

« Reply #10 on: September 28, 2011, 10:52 »
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I'm guessing it's time to bring Getty's other collections into IStock. First, let's bring in a seemingly harless collection, like editorial, to test the induction process, then bring over the others.

SNP

  • Canadian Photographer
« Reply #11 on: September 28, 2011, 11:57 »
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I'm guessing it's time to bring Getty's other collections into IStock. First, let's bring in a seemingly harless collection, like editorial, to test the induction process, then bring over the others.

you're not even an istock contributor, you never have been.

I appreciate that they try to keep things warm and fuzzy, but I think it would be received a lot better if they just put things out there, clearly. no drama, no f5, no carrot dangling. I'd guess that most of us just want to know how this is going to affect our sales and evasive announcements make it seem that there is something to hide, even if there isn't.

SNP

  • Canadian Photographer
« Reply #12 on: September 28, 2011, 11:59 »
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I'd have put money on Andrew not coming back *surprised face*

he's an accomplished writer. I read his first book, loved it. I wasn't surprised he came back, he had mentioned he was working on a new book. he is one of the "truly committed to istock" personalities. a really nice guy.

« Reply #13 on: September 28, 2011, 12:11 »
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I'm guessing it's time to bring Getty's other collections into IStock. First, let's bring in a seemingly harless collection, like editorial, to test the induction process, then bring over the others.

you're not even an istock contributor, you never have been.

I appreciate that they try to keep things warm and fuzzy, but I think it would be received a lot better if they just put things out there, clearly. no drama, no f5, no carrot dangling. I'd guess that most of us just want to know how this is going to affect our sales and evasive announcements make it seem that there is something to hide, even if there isn't.

Yes, he was a member, but has been crusading against istock sinc the beggining of the times

SNP

  • Canadian Photographer
« Reply #14 on: September 28, 2011, 12:31 »
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clearly the revenge gene is strong in that one.

« Reply #15 on: September 28, 2011, 15:52 »
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Ugh and sigh. The way they announce things. 5 paragraphs that say absolutely nothing. yadda, yadda, yadda, the only part that was intelligible was that rogermexico was coming back.

The warm and fuzzy days are over, yet they insist on using that tactic before bringing out the big stick (and the Vaseline). I don't have a vested interest (my apologies to those that do) so I find it all very amusing.

nruboc

« Reply #16 on: September 28, 2011, 16:13 »
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clearly the revenge gene is strong in that one.

ahh.. boo hoo

« Reply #17 on: September 28, 2011, 16:42 »
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http://www.istockphoto.com/forum_messages.php?threadid=334953&page=1

"Greetings from iStockalypse Milan.

There was a time when things were relatively simple & linear around here, from a Content perspective: we would grow the collection exponentially on a monthly basis, we would inspect those files from our contributor base & welcome them into our corpus. End of story, frankly.

The rules were simple, for all file types: if the technical quality was up to our evolving standards & if those assets were safe from an Intellectual Property perspective, they were coming in. That simple yet effective system enabled us to transform stock photography & create what progressively became one of the very best royalty-free corpus in the entire industry.

Now, to ensure that we fully support all efforts related to International Development at iStockphoto & sync with Marketing initiatives in a much more structured fashion, it is time for Content to readdress a thing or two as to how we interact with our ever growing community of artists.

For months now, we have been working on a string of initiatives aimed at assisting our community of contributing artists. I will be sharing more, way more from that front in the upcoming weeks. Let's just state that we are on a mission to simplify the ingestion process as well as the inspection process, enrich our collections with fantastic files that are fully relevant to Key Regions needs as well as making sure that we cover major markets as never before.

Creative Research & information sharing will be key to make this happen... in order to make sure that we reach the next level of our evolution.

We need a voice that speaks to the needs of our artists: a voice dedicated to our next challenge as a community.

Within this context, it is my pleasure to announce the nomination of Andrew Wedderburn, as Manager, Creative Resources, Content, effective immediately.

In this new position at iStock, Andrew's mandate is to increase strategic information flow and streamline content communication... as well as to assist both iStockphoto and Getty Images Content management teams (all file types) with Creative Research initiatives.

The power of this community is fascinating... and this is a bold day, people.

Please join me in welcoming Andrew to Content... and thank you so very much indeed."
---------------------------------------------------

to ensure that we fully sync with Marketing initiatives in a much more structured fashion, it is time for Content to readdress a thing or two as to how we interact with our ever growing community of artists scares me.  Does this mean in part that they will start to reject/disfavor new content that previously was easily accepted and sold well because it does not now fully sync with the prevailing winds/whims?  Maybe it means that they will publically ID certain types of content that they feel are lacking and give priority inspection or better best match placement to content that fills that void?

we are on a mission to simplify the inspection process  Inspector layoffs possible as part of simplification?  Inspection must be a significant overhead on a per file basis and cutting overhead is an easy way to grow the bottom line without needing to growing the top line, just like cutting commissions is.

enrich our collections with fantastic files that are fully relevant to Key Regions needs as well as making sure that we cover major markets as never before  Wonder what they think the Key Regions are?  Guess they could be potentially big markets where Getty does not sell much currently, since they are different then major markets.  China?  India?  Certainly opportunities are there, but lots of problems including smaller budgets and higher IP theft.  Maybe lower prices/commissions for images sold to key regions to match smaller local budgets? 

« Reply #18 on: September 28, 2011, 22:20 »
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The day that JJ writes a clear and concise post in the forums is the day that pigs fly.  
« Last Edit: September 29, 2011, 02:22 by jsmithzz »

fujiko

« Reply #19 on: September 29, 2011, 07:33 »
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Maybe they are worried that inspectors reject too many non-exclusive images with no reason and this will hurt their TS plan.

RT


« Reply #20 on: September 29, 2011, 07:51 »
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The day that JJ writes a clear and concise post in the forums is the day that pigs fly.  

It seemed clear to me - We screwed things and now we're losing money to our competitors, so we've brought in a new guy to see if he can squeeze any more money out of the company.

"For months now, we have been working on a string of initiatives aimed at assisting our community of contributing artists."
- That's corporate speak for 'bend over everybody'
« Last Edit: September 29, 2011, 11:42 by RT »

« Reply #21 on: September 29, 2011, 10:02 »
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I am guessing it is some sort of deal where certain images (that their world class inspectors choose) go straight to PP and never see the "light" of IS. Maybe they start with independent images and stuff from "upstream" first.

« Reply #22 on: September 29, 2011, 10:57 »
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There was a time when things were relatively simple & linear around here, from a Content perspective: we would grow the collection exponentially on a monthly basis, we would inspect those files from our contributor base & welcome them into our corpus. End of story, frankly.

Now, to ensure that we fully support all efforts related to International Development at iStockphoto & sync with Marketing initiatives in a much more structured fashion, it is time for Content to readdress a thing or two as to how we interact with our ever growing community of artists.

... in order to make sure that we reach the next level of our evolution.

We all know what their 'evolution' focusses on; so i'm guessing this cant be good.
What feels good is having the luxury to 'couldnt care less'  8)

SNP

  • Canadian Photographer
« Reply #23 on: September 29, 2011, 11:03 »
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I think all this fuss is once again over the evasive communication and not the real issue. I don't believe JJ is maliciously being evasive. he is a very sincere person and is another of the HQ people who is truly behind the community. saying that, I wish they would just scrap this type of announcement and stick to facts. I would gladly take point form lists of changes we'll be seeing, without any drama.

« Reply #24 on: September 29, 2011, 11:04 »
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+ 1 Pancaketom,
I agree.
This is about finding a way to send certain files straight to 'Key Regions', possibly by-passing IStock's collection altogether.
Independents only? Exclusives too?
We'll see.

But just like Artemis, in this case, I too have the luxury. I couldn't care less.

« Reply #25 on: September 29, 2011, 11:07 »
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I don't care - I've stopped uploading to IS, so it has no effect on me.

« Reply #26 on: September 29, 2011, 12:28 »
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I think all this fuss is once again over the evasive communication and not the real issue. I don't believe JJ is maliciously being evasive. he is a very sincere person and is another of the HQ people who is truly behind the community. saying that, I wish they would just scrap this type of announcement and stick to facts. I would gladly take point form lists of changes we'll be seeing, without any drama.

How can you be a 'sincere person' whilst at the same time being famously 'evasive' in your communication. They are surely mutually incompatible qualities? I've always thought that his supposed sincerity was a painfully obvious act, that even a child could see through, and have always been amazed how many seem to fall for it.

Quite frankly he might as well have written that 'communication' in his native French or even Swahili for all the information I got out of it. From what I understand they are planning to do something to some things at some time in the future. Er ... that's it.

SNP

  • Canadian Photographer
« Reply #27 on: September 29, 2011, 12:46 »
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he may be required to release information in bits and pieces, a function of his role and part of the culture at iStock--the whole F5 business. but IMO he is as genuine as it gets. French is his first language, which seems to affect his communication in English. I'm not defending the dramatic style of communication, it's a personal choice and I'd definitely prefer a factual, concise communication style. but I do not for a moment question his sincerity. that was solidified meeting him in person.

ShadySue

  • There is a crack in everything
« Reply #28 on: September 29, 2011, 12:57 »
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he may be required to release information in bits and pieces, a function of his role and part of the culture at iStock--the whole F5 business.
That was a previous 'iteration' of iStock.

SNP

  • Canadian Photographer
« Reply #29 on: September 29, 2011, 13:05 »
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it still seems to be how they like to announce changes. some contributors seem to enjoy it. I don't. I don't like surprises.

« Reply #30 on: September 29, 2011, 13:11 »
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If they surprised us with something good more often we might like it and look forward to it.

rubyroo

« Reply #31 on: September 29, 2011, 13:28 »
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It may be part of the business book-reading legacy from Bruce.

There are books out there that give marketing staff all the best phrases to use to whip up enthusiasm (God I hate those books).  I sometimes think they've read those, employed the phrases, and neglected to include the actual point.  When I used to read KT's messages, they struck me exactly the same way.  So I don't think it's a language issue.  I think it's a legacy issue.

SNP

  • Canadian Photographer
« Reply #32 on: September 29, 2011, 13:32 »
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speaking of which, I'm reading Onward by Howard Schultz right now. My sister gave it to me. I like Starbucks coffee as much as anyone else, but Schultz is about as egomaniacal as it gets. talk about taking yourself way too seriously. has kind of turned me off Starbucks, lol.

« Reply #33 on: September 29, 2011, 13:40 »
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he may be required to release information in bits and pieces, a function of his role and part of the culture at iStock--the whole F5 business.

I suspect it is nothing more than a rather feeble attempt to whip up fervour and excitement in the forums. I'm sure they'd love to get back to 'the good old days' when they had most contributors woo-yaying their hearts out. More empty promises to be fed to the gullible.

Maybe it has finally dawned on Istock that pissing off your contributors is actually bad for business. Doubt it though.

« Reply #34 on: September 29, 2011, 14:52 »
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I don't know if it has fully dawned on istock yet, but I think it is probably dawning.  It HAS to be, right??

My take is that all of this downward spiral is due from pressure from Getty to grow.  It's an incredibly well entrenched, though I believe old-fashioned and out-dated, business belief that a company must grow in order to survive.  Companies aren't allowed to remain static, but rather must grow... if they aren't growing, they are dying.  I'm not sure I think business model really applies to microstock, though I'm sure some people here will say otherwise.  But if you have the market share that iS once did, I don't think its possible to grow much, in this business.  Getty pressured them to grow or get slapped on the wrist, and that forced their hand with all these changes.

Some might call attention to the fact that SS is growing without these changes, but that's because it didn't have the marketshare iS once had, so it is growing by stealing its market share.  If it once reaches that near-monopoly status, I don't think it can grow anymore (besides the things stated in the SS forum like exclusivity options, etc).  My hope is that if and when it reaches that status, it is happy with sitting on that throne, and does not feel immense (outside or inside) pressure to grow.  Because if it does, that's when we get screwed.

« Reply #35 on: September 29, 2011, 17:34 »
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But if you have the market share that iS once did, I don't think its possible to grow much, in this business.  Getty pressured them to grow or get slapped on the wrist, and that forced their hand with all these changes.
Imho its quite the contrary... there is a GIGANTIC grow potential.
When i hear  people ( as in not involved in the advertising or editorial industry) around me they mostly dont even know stock exists, or have vaguely heard about it. When they need pics for their website, flyers, newsletter, schoolwork etc.  they pull them off google (or, in best case, hire a photographer).I think there's a huge portion of marketshare in students, housemoms making scrapbooks, small local entrepeneurs etc who havent discovered stock yet waiting out there.

« Reply #36 on: September 29, 2011, 17:56 »
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It may be part of the business book-reading legacy from Bruce.

There are books out there that give marketing staff all the best phrases to use to whip up enthusiasm (God I hate those books).  I sometimes think they've read those, employed the phrases, and neglected to include the actual point.  When I used to read KT's messages, they struck me exactly the same way.  So I don't think it's a language issue.  I think it's a legacy issue.


I love this characterization of the original announcement from the IS forums (alanphillips): I'm copying here as I think it may not survive on IS.

"Really, the OP is so full of jargon, mumbo-jumbo and meaningless verbo-pompostic phrases that the true message is totally obscure. Its almost as if we have gone right back to the dark and fuzzy days before Sir Ernest Gower did his magic to clarify incromprehensible pompous bureaucratic English."

I did a search on Ernest Gower and found this page full of fun quotes and ways of describing this type of writing.

rubyroo

« Reply #37 on: September 29, 2011, 18:31 »
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Oh thank you so much for that, Jsnover.  I loved reading that.  I intend now to buy a copy of his book! 

"Pudder" - what a great word  :)

« Reply #38 on: October 01, 2011, 12:33 »
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Never met the man (JJRD) so I have no opinion of him but based on his istock forum communications I`m not terribly impressed. Everything is always a huge success on one hand but not sustainable on the other. Huge bag of double speak. In the long term this tends to erode his credibility. So happy not to be exclusive there anymore. Don`t care for Lobo`s watch what you say or I`ll lock this thread bully tactics either.

« Reply #39 on: October 01, 2011, 15:23 »
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On a personal level, I'm positive that JJRD is an ethically-minded individual. But you must bear in mind he is also a deconstructionist piss artist of the most superior order, someone who perceives the making of money from the labours of others as an art form. Marrying his persona with his job, he is consistent in warning us before the bombshell. This is now his third or fourth warning about the new inspections coming up. All he's really saying is "Tie up your loose ends, upload now as much as you can. Later you may not be so pleased with how your files are accepted." It's not as if he has any power in this. He's merely doing the best he can.

« Reply #40 on: October 01, 2011, 16:05 »
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On a personal level, I'm positive that JJRD is an ethically-minded individual. But you must bear in mind he is also a deconstructionist piss artist of the most superior order, someone who perceives the making of money from the labours of others as an art form. Marrying his persona with his job, he is consistent in warning us before the bombshell. This is now his third or fourth warning about the new inspections coming up. All he's really saying is "Tie up your loose ends, upload now as much as you can. Later you may not be so pleased with how your files are accepted." It's not as if he has any power in this. He's merely doing the best he can.

This is exactly what I am afraid is happening.  Prelude to a kiss, so to speak.

RacePhoto

« Reply #41 on: October 03, 2011, 09:04 »
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Thank you for your submission.  It is not good enough for Istock, but we'll see what we can suck out of it at Thinkstock and Photos.com.


I have a laugh every time I read your post. Thanks!

« Reply #42 on: October 03, 2011, 09:28 »
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When I read this interview with Jonathan Klein, I wondered if he was talking about some company other than Getty, or some Getty from a parallel universe - this champion of values and social responsibility seems to me to bear no resemblance to the guiding hand squeezing the life out of iStock in pursuit of minimum costs and compliant contributors.

Thanks to StockPhotoTalk for the link

« Reply #43 on: October 03, 2011, 10:13 »
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When I read this interview with Jonathan Klein, I wondered if he was talking about some company other than Getty, or some Getty from a parallel universe - this champion of values and social responsibility seems to me to bear no resemblance to the guiding hand squeezing the life out of iStock in pursuit of minimum costs and compliant contributors.


When I read that interview with Klein it almost made me puke. Talk about utter bullsh1t. He met Nelson Mandela once you know, just in case you missed it.

Q: Who has been your greatest mentor?

A: Two people: somebody I have only met once, Nelson Mandela, and my late father.
(Takes out onion)

« Reply #44 on: October 03, 2011, 10:18 »
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I think thet are going to install some automated process for artifacts, noise, out of focus etc

« Reply #45 on: October 05, 2011, 05:49 »
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probably the ingestion of new content will be make only through Getty in the future.
so, feel free and get a Getty account like that one for editorial content ;)

« Reply #46 on: October 05, 2011, 15:39 »
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So it's now been a week since JJRD made his cryptic announcment. Have I missed something - where is the follow up?

And not a word from Andrew since?

The longer the silence, the worse I assume the changes are...

« Reply #47 on: October 05, 2011, 16:05 »
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They must be just returning from Milano.

RacePhoto

« Reply #48 on: October 06, 2011, 01:13 »
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So it's now been a week since JJRD made his cryptic announcment. Have I missed something - where is the follow up?

And not a word from Andrew since?

The longer the silence, the worse I assume the changes are...


As I look into the crystal ball, I see... They are going to start telling us what photos they want based on, what content thinks we should be doing, search analysis and customer requests.



"My new job is to now come to you and say 'we would like more pictures of this or that subject.' Basically, I'll be highlighting our needs - letting you know what subjects our clients need more of, and giving advice on different ways of producing those subjects."
« Last Edit: October 06, 2011, 13:54 by RacePhoto »

« Reply #49 on: October 06, 2011, 02:20 »
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They must be just returning from Milano.

sure, probably they walk all way back.

« Reply #50 on: October 06, 2011, 02:41 »
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I am wondering - where is Rebecca? Did she come to Milan? Is she still working at istock?

Did she post anything, anywhere on what is coming? It would be nice to hear from her and after all she is now leading a huge community driven site.
« Last Edit: October 06, 2011, 04:47 by cobalt »

« Reply #51 on: October 06, 2011, 05:28 »
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I am wondering - where is Rebecca? Did she come to Milan? Is she still working at istock?

Did she post anything, anywhere on what is coming? It would be nice to hear from her and after all she is now leading a huge community driven site.

Honestly I don't want to hear a single thing from them unless its we've decided to restore the previous commission structure.

ShadySue

  • There is a crack in everything
« Reply #52 on: October 06, 2011, 05:44 »
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I am wondering - where is Rebecca? Did she come to Milan? Is she still working at istock?

Did she post anything, anywhere on what is coming? It would be nice to hear from her and after all she is now leading a huge community driven site.

Honestly I don't want to hear a single thing from them unless its we've decided to restore the previous commission structure.
Aaaargh, I didn't have a camera to hand when that pig flew past the window.  >:(

« Reply #53 on: October 06, 2011, 10:31 »
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I'm thinking they may plan on making it very, very difficult for anyone to get anything accepted. Then they can flood IS with their wholly owned images, where they don't have to pay any royalties at all. Of course the quality standards will probably be much looser for Getty owned content.

« Reply #54 on: October 06, 2011, 10:37 »
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Well, I just had 8/9 accepted and I was stupid enough to miss a release on the 9th one.  They usually rip me to shreds on the over-whites, so maybe they are becoming easier.  That wholly owned content can only stay fresh for so long on TS after all.

Can anyone fill me in on Photos.com?  Is IS content going there also, or just TS?

« Reply #55 on: October 06, 2011, 11:29 »
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Can anyone fill me in on Photos.com?  Is IS content going there also, or just TS?

Unless they change things, the existing PP goes to photos.com and TS. The collection is smaller and subs are cheaper at photos.com - why, I can't fathom. It's the best URL for photos and they put the lowest end of the low end there.

« Reply #56 on: October 06, 2011, 12:12 »
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On a personal level, I'm positive that JJRD is an ethically-minded individual. But you must bear in mind he is also a deconstructionist piss artist of the most superior order, someone who perceives the making of money from the labours of others as an art form. Marrying his persona with his job, he is consistent in warning us before the bombshell. This is now his third or fourth warning about the new inspections coming up. All he's really saying is "Tie up your loose ends, upload now as much as you can. Later you may not be so pleased with how your files are accepted." It's not as if he has any power in this. He's merely doing the best he can.

I'm not really sure what a "deconstructionist piss artist of the most superior order" actually means, but as to the intent of the announcements its how I read it as well.

« Reply #57 on: October 06, 2011, 13:37 »
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rogermexico's post about 32 minutes ago:

Okay, here's what 'Creative Resources' means and what I'll be doing now at iStockphoto.

Outside of a very brief 'Needs' list in the training manual, iStock has never provided much in the way of direction. We haven't said 'We would like more pictures of this or that subject.'

My new job is to now come to you and say 'we would like more pictures of this or that subject.' Basically, I'll be highlighting our needs - letting you know what subjects our clients need more of, and giving advice on different ways of producing those subjects. I'll be publishing articles and briefs for you covering as many different topics as I can manage.

We want you all to keep providing us with the same kinds of content that you currently do. You already have an excellent understanding of the general client base here at iStock and what to produce for them. Keep doing that and don't change - you are the experts.

What I'll be doing is highlighting all the little niche growth areas where there's room for more, and provide additional creative direction for interested contributors about emerging trends and areas with opportunities.

That's it in a nutshell. I've been working the last month here planning and preparing and look forward to getting rolling over the next while. I'm excited to work with all of you on the images you create and providing you with as much inspiration and direction as I can. Thanks for all the well wishes everyone - it's good to be back.

« Reply #58 on: October 06, 2011, 15:28 »
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I am wondering - where is Rebecca? Did she come to Milan? Is she still working at istock?

Did she post anything, anywhere on what is coming? It would be nice to hear from her and after all she is now leading a huge community driven site.


NO, Rebecca hasnt been in Milan ... but for my surprise Kelly T. was there ....

« Reply #59 on: October 06, 2011, 17:06 »
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I had a different take than you all.  I assumed they were going to make it way easier, like SS, and also way easier to get accepted.  This will all be in anticipation of a change down the road where they can put any photo of anyones on PPs but NOT have it on istock, so they have a slough of mediocre images you thought were lucky to get accepted, but then they move them to their much newer, bigger, shinier dollar bin.

« Reply #60 on: October 06, 2011, 17:33 »
0
I had a different take than you all.  I assumed they were going to make it way easier, like SS, and also way easier to get accepted.  This will all be in anticipation of a change down the road where they can put any photo of anyones on PPs but NOT have it on istock, so they have a slough of mediocre images you thought were lucky to get accepted, but then they move them to their much newer, bigger, shinier dollar bin.

If that happens I think it would lead to a mass exodus of independents from iStock. Why would anyone in their right mind want to stay? It's like getting kicked out and sent to the basement to rot.

lisafx

« Reply #61 on: October 06, 2011, 18:01 »
0
rogermexico's post about 32 minutes ago:



What I'll be doing is highlighting all the little niche growth areas where there's room for more, and provide additional creative direction for interested contributors about emerging trends and areas with opportunities.



Oh good.  So anyone with successful niche areas better be prepared for a whole flood of images destroying their income.   ::)

« Reply #62 on: October 06, 2011, 18:04 »
0
rogermexico's post about 32 minutes ago:



What I'll be doing is highlighting all the little niche growth areas where there's room for more, and provide additional creative direction for interested contributors about emerging trends and areas with opportunities.



Oh good.  So anyone with successful niche areas better be prepared for a whole flood of images destroying their income.   ::)

That's how I interpreted rogermexico's post, too. Maybe our thinking reflects 'battered contributor syndrome'.

Batman

« Reply #63 on: October 06, 2011, 20:24 »
0
rogermexico's post about 32 minutes ago:



What I'll be doing is highlighting all the little niche growth areas where there's room for more, and provide additional creative direction for interested contributors about emerging trends and areas with opportunities.



Oh good.  So anyone with successful niche areas better be prepared for a whole flood of images destroying their income.   ::)

That's how I interpreted rogermexico's post, too. Maybe our thinking reflects 'battered contributor syndrome'.

iStock is trying to help make the sales grow and you find flaw with that, just like always you people hate everything IS.

« Reply #64 on: October 07, 2011, 02:18 »
0

iStock is trying to help make the sales grow and you find flaw with that, just like always you people hate everything IS.

The moment I read the Plain English version of this initiative I immediately thought, pity the people already contributing in that niche and whatever gets put forward to the crowd as an area to shoot is a list of things NOT to shoot.

Lets say that an agency, any micro stock agency with tens of thousands of active contributors, says that there is a perceived need for more Dogs On Rollerskates images.

A handful of folk are making a significant income from a niche that they have some access, expertise and knowledge in. Rather than contact them and give extra art direction and advice thousands of other folk spend a few moments looking at existing Dogs On Rollerskates images and then sally forth to produce Xeroxes of them, pose reluctant smiling cats masquerading as dogs without the correct safety gear, etc.

The market is flooded with Dogs On Rollerskates, some of the new ones may be better than the existing ones but most are no better or even worse, the search results make it harder to find the work of those who know enough to produce the realistic Dogs On Rollerskates vibe, their income falls significantly, a few extra peoples income will rise marginally, the agency will maybe sell more and at a better cut to themselves and thus make more profit but the supply of Dogs On Rollerskates images is devalued to the point that it becomes unprofitable to those who look at it as a business. Thus lies the fundamental flaw in "crowd sourcing".

« Reply #65 on: October 07, 2011, 02:50 »
0

iStock is trying to help make the sales grow and you find flaw with that, just like always you people hate everything IS.

The moment I read the Plain English version of this initiative I immediately thought, pity the people already contributing in that niche and whatever gets put forward to the crowd as an area to shoot is a list of things NOT to shoot.

Lets say that an agency, any micro stock agency with tens of thousands of active contributors, says that there is a perceived need for more Dogs On Rollerskates images.

A handful of folk are making a significant income from a niche that they have some access, expertise and knowledge in. Rather than contact them and give extra art direction and advice thousands of other folk spend a few moments looking at existing Dogs On Rollerskates images and then sally forth to produce Xeroxes of them, pose reluctant smiling cats masquerading as dogs without the correct safety gear, etc.

The market is flooded with Dogs On Rollerskates, some of the new ones may be better than the existing ones but most are no better or even worse, the search results make it harder to find the work of those who know enough to produce the realistic Dogs On Rollerskates vibe, their income falls significantly, a few extra peoples income will rise marginally, the agency will maybe sell more and at a better cut to themselves and thus make more profit but the supply of Dogs On Rollerskates images is devalued to the point that it becomes unprofitable to those who look at it as a business. Thus lies the fundamental flaw in "crowd sourcing".

Suppose, Dogs On Rollerscates was my niche. Due to crowd sourcing the existing stock collection is devalued, and the clients, who used to source their images from the agency, are no longer pleased with the content, due to flaws in safety gear, etc. Yet, their demand for those images remain the same, and they now approach me directly, and ask me to continue to shoot in my niche, now on a commission base. Ergo, my income increases, as well as I spread my risks. Markets localise again, and new opportunities arise.

I pity the people, who fail to adapt to a changing market place.

Yes, competition increases, but quite a few should've identified those niches themselves, without someone pointing them there. And whilst these same folks struggle gaining a basic understanding of their new theme, style and technique, others have already moved on, an history repeats itself once again.

Plan - Do - Check - Act

« Reply #66 on: October 07, 2011, 03:21 »
0
rogermexico's post about 32 minutes ago:



What I'll be doing is highlighting all the little niche growth areas where there's room for more, and provide additional creative direction for interested contributors about emerging trends and areas with opportunities.



Oh good.  So anyone with successful niche areas better be prepared for a whole flood of images destroying their income.   ::)

That's how I interpreted rogermexico's post, too. Maybe our thinking reflects 'battered contributor syndrome'.

iStock is trying to help make the sales grow and you find flaw with that, just like always you people hate everything IS.

Lisa has a point here. On the other hand, these ideas will also be available to independents to submit to other sites. I hope this to be somenthing generic enough ("shoot cuisine recipes of your region") to not stir conflict. Something like the Getty Newsletter for contributors.
« Last Edit: October 07, 2011, 08:52 by loop »

fujiko

« Reply #67 on: October 07, 2011, 07:51 »
0
It's very easy to tell what clients look for.

A page with stats of words and phrases used on search.

It's easy as that, anything else is obviously with a different motivation in mind.

ShadySue

  • There is a crack in everything
« Reply #68 on: October 07, 2011, 07:57 »
0
It's very easy to tell what clients look for.

A page with stats of words and phrases used on search.

It's easy as that, anything else is obviously with a different motivation in mind.

I haven't looked recently, but a while back SS had just such a feature and what it showed was what teen boys with spare time were looking for, not necessarily buyers.
Alamy also has just such a feature, and it's only moderately useful.
I'm hoping that RM is going to provide real feedback from real/potental buyers about what they'd like but can't find, or can't find enough of.

(Ha, I might have been a customer last week. I needed photos to illustrate common photography mistakes, e.g. shooting between two subjects, the difference between camera shake and subject movement, under/over exposure etc. Of course, I had to go and shoot them myself.)

fujiko

« Reply #69 on: October 07, 2011, 08:49 »
0
It's very easy to tell what clients look for.

A page with stats of words and phrases used on search.

It's easy as that, anything else is obviously with a different motivation in mind.

I haven't looked recently, but a while back SS had just such a feature and what it showed was what teen boys with spare time were looking for, not necessarily buyers.
Alamy also has just such a feature, and it's only moderately useful.
I'm hoping that RM is going to provide real feedback from real/potental buyers about what they'd like but can't find, or can't find enough of.

(Ha, I might have been a customer last week. I needed photos to illustrate common photography mistakes, e.g. shooting between two subjects, the difference between camera shake and subject movement, under/over exposure etc. Of course, I had to go and shoot them myself.)

It's even more easy to do that. Just store the searches that result on a sale or that come from people with credits and a good download history.
Eve better, show both stats. All searches regardless of downloads and searches that result in downloads.

One think is for sure, maybe the buyer can't find what he wants because the collection is limited or the search is not functional, cluttered by useless files from privileged collections. But what he searches is related to what he wanted even if he cannot find it.

I'm sure out of focus, under/over exposed, shaking and such images have a market, but no agency wants them.

Imagine next week IS says they want oof images because clients need them. That would be awesome. Then the images are rejected for oof and the circle is completed ;D

« Reply #70 on: October 07, 2011, 10:39 »
0
(Ha, I might have been a customer last week. I needed photos to illustrate common photography mistakes, e.g. shooting between two subjects, the difference between camera shake and subject movement, under/over exposure etc. Of course, I had to go and shoot them myself.)

Hahaha, I was thinking exactly the same and had to shoot the same two weeks ago. I bet there is a market for that! It cant be coincidence that just we two are looking for that within a very short period of time.

RacePhoto

« Reply #71 on: October 10, 2011, 07:54 »
0
It's very easy to tell what clients look for.

A page with stats of words and phrases used on search.

It's easy as that, anything else is obviously with a different motivation in mind.

I don't see the big deal. Most of the agencies already have sections saying what people are looking for and tips, and also request areas for customers to ask for images. Also sections devoted to, we don't need these, but people keep shooting those subjects anyway!  ??? So puppies on roller skates or elephants on surfboards, it's not going to make a huge difference.

So IS is going to spoon feed needs (assuming we believe anything will happen at all?) and that's somehow destroying niche markets. Why are so many people always dwelling on the negativity and fear. Telling us what sells, and what's needed, is NOT news.


Honestly I don't want to hear a single thing from them unless its we've decided to restore the previous commission structure.

That Would Be News! I'm with you on that opinion.  ;D
« Last Edit: October 11, 2011, 16:27 by RacePhoto »


 

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