The Istockphoto Forum

[ShadySue]

As well as what's been said above about them having trashed contributors so much they no longer feel like contributing, and helping others could be harming yourself with the RCs thing, it's very significant that very few admins/inspectors post now (since the September shocker). At that time, it seemed like they'd been banned from commenting on the Major Issue, but very few have returned. As a result, a lot of genuine questions aren't having proper resolutions, just being tossed around by peers with their opinions, then a snippy interjection from a moderator to 'take it to Support/Scout', which might be OK except that they can get lost there (I've still got outstanding Support and Scout tickets since mid-March, though others have had very fast replies, and I've got a couple of later ones which have been answered) and as we all know, the answer you get from Support staff depends on who answers your query on the day.

[jamirae]

There are also disaffected people like me - I'm not banned, but have chosen to stop any sort of community involvement in response to Getty's choices about how they treat contributors.

When you treat people like dirt, it's not surprising when they stop hanging out

this is my position as well. 

[jamirae]

RT

I find your comments and those of the other posters above very offensive. This subject is of interest for many people, especially the istock exclusives.

If you personally dislike Shank than please take your sandbox fight elsewhere. Or just ignore him, problem solved.

I really don't need you to police a thread I am interested in.

Please stay out of threads if the subject doesn' interest you.

just use that ignore button. 

[RT]

RT

I find your comments and those of the other posters above very offensive. This subject is of interest for many people, especially the istock exclusives.

If you personally dislike Shank than please take your sandbox fight elsewhere. Or just ignore him, problem solved.

I really don't need you to police a thread I am interested in.

Please stay out of threads if the subject doesn' interest you.

Really, you find my reply very offensive, wow you must be the most sensitive person on the planet sorry it wasn't meant to be, I've read over it a couple of times and I can't see why, and please don't accuse me of personally disliking Shank I've never met the guy and as far as I'm aware I'm not in any sandbox fight with him, I just want him to find something else to do over his morning coffee! 

With this in mind I'm surprised you're not supporting my 'thread ignore button'.

Oh and I really don't need you to police my right of free speech.

[cobalt]

Thank you for replying.

I am not interested in censorship, but I was surprised to see three people post in what to me looked like a personal attack on Shank without any comment on the thread topic. And why would you assume that such an important subject wasn�t of interest??

It seemed personal as if there there is more to it, than just Shank opening many threads here. Maybe continuing a sqabble from another thread.

I don�t see what a "Thread ignore button" can achieve. If you had Shank on ignore, you wouldn�t have been abe to read his posts and not reading what he writes is what you want?? I don�t see why leaf should add another funcionailty in a very well managed forum.

I wish we had an ignore button on istock or many other forums I frequent. It is a very useful feature.

[cathyslife]

Thank you for replying.

I am not interested in censorship, but I was surprised to see three people post in what to me looked like a personal attack on Shank without any comment on the thread topic. And why would you assume that such an important subject wasn�t of interest??

It seemed personal as if there there is more to it, than just Shank opening many threads here. Maybe continuing a sqabble from another thread.

I don�t see what a "Thread ignore button" can achieve. If you had Shank on ignore, you wouldn�t have been abe to read his posts and not reading what he writes is what you want?? I don�t see why leaf should add another funcionailty in a very well managed forum.

I wish we had an ignore button on istock or many other forums I frequent. It is a very useful feature.

Unfortunately, other people feel the need to reply to his posts, and they quote him when replying. So no, the ignore button doesn't cut down totally on the problem. But an ignore thread would.

And I'm not directing anything solely at Shank. There are others here who are only posting because the IS forum is dead. Prior to that, everyone here was just a bunch of ignorant, incompetent idiots with foul mouths and everything posted at the IS forum was WONDERFUL.  Suddenly I guess everyone here is intelligent and worthy of their presence! 

[cobalt]

"So no, the ignore button doesn't cut down totally on the problem. But an ignore thread would. "

That is a very good argument. Ok, I think a thread ignore button is useful.

[cobalt]

"just use that ignore button"

I just did. Had to look for it first, I am that naive. ;-)

Back on topic. I miss the fun on the istock forums as well and I miss all the staff and admins. I don�t think they have been asked not to take part in the community, they all share freely on facebook. But of course to have it on istock was better. On facebook I also have a lot of other friends and family. I also miss just quickly looking at peoples portfolios when you see someone knew, or check the latest uploads of the network.

You also can�t really browse facebook to discover new artists.

Well, now we are here :-)

[Shank_ali]

I do think moderators are over protective,viewing the forum as Istockphoto's shop window as we say to the outside world.Most designers and buyers using the company for commercial purposes do not even venture into the forum.
The credit card fraud.The Redeemable credit targets.Bugs and less sales in general for it's contributors has slowly worn down the nerves of most .....
I think the company should implement a chat room/games room/ live feed to HQ to get back some interest.

[Red Dove]

At least you don't have to put up with that pudding head on SS with his puerile politics and incessant pimping of images - marketing for dummies.

[cobalt]

No, would Lobo would take care of him ;-)

[Microbius]

At least you don't have to put up with that pudding head on SS with his puerile politics and incessant pimping of images - marketing for dummies.

I think you mean pudding heads

[Slovenian]

Sorry for being so blunt but what ** happened...
When i joined Istock in 2007 the forum was a hive of activity.It was bustling with new threads and lots of comments posted by the community of artists and staff.
What's caused its demise?

Who cares...

[Caz]

When I joined iStock, many years ago, there was a group of "original" contributors who were disgruntled about the change in the forums. They thought the tone of the forums, and the contributors posting in them, had changed since the days when images were given away. They moved on and the forum carried on without them and became the vibrant place the OP is nostalgic for. I think that's the nature of forums. People come and go, forums evolve and what they change into might not suit you.

[cobalt]

But the istock forums weren�t just a place to hang out.

They were a B2B place, probably one of the most successful ones in the visual community. I mean what is behind the success of microstock?

It is the fact that professionals from all walks of life connect and learn how to produce sellable content together. WITHOUT CHARGING EACH OTHER.

It is a lot easier to teach a neurosurgeon, a dancer, a restaurant chef, an engineer etc...about photography then to always hire a paid consultant for an industry specific shooting.  

Maybe the images they produce will not be perfect at the start, but istock has many restaurant chefs, dancers, architects who have become fully professional in their given field and continue to create high quality content. Always up to date with the latest industry trend. No need for specialized editors who get paid to research a market. The contributors all do it themselves. Faster. Better.

The Photographers benefit because they have access to specialized locations and "real models" in real business situations. In return they taught me lighting and photoshop and loads of other things.

The istock community was one of the best win-win business operations I have ever seen.

There was also an amazing loyalty, people donating endless hours of free time to advance the community. So many highly skilled, extremely professional high salary people working for free. And without charging istock. All those people who were checking keywords for free, putting together useful lightboxes, standing at istock trade shows in their own time, handing out business cards and promoting istock online etc.

That is why the macro stock photographers could never compete with us.

And that is why I don�t understand why they are not promoting long term business relationships and networks.

After all that is where all internet business is heading. So many companies try to build a community and istock gives it up.

The community on istock is a gold mine and they just give it away to the competition.

[rubyroo]

Two old phrases all businesses (and governments) need to learn:

"Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it". 

and

"If it ain't broke, don't fix it".

[gclk]

^^ Well said cobalt.

With people at the top of the company having so often emphasised the huge importance of iStock's community to the growth and success of the company, it's been odd and concerning to see how little they apparently care that iStock's actions (and in some cases total lack of actions) over the past year have almost 100% demolished that community.

iStock would probably say that their committment to things like iStockalypse events proves their committment to keeping the community strong.  But unfortunately it's not hard to feel a bit cynical about that.

[Shank_ali]

When I joined iStock, many years ago, there was a group of "original" contributors who were disgruntled about the change in the forums. They thought the tone of the forums, and the contributors posting in them, had changed since the days when images were given away. They moved on and the forum carried on without them and became the vibrant place the OP is nostalgic for. I think that's the nature of forums. People come and go, forums evolve and what they change into might not suit you.

I do wish it would return 'to the good old days' but realise it wont happen now.Still some hidden gems of information, just under the surface,which have helped me in recent years with my photography.Available to all within the forum !

[Cogent Marketing]

All I can add, FWIW - is that I am actually quite proud of the fact that my account has been barred from ISP - not due to me personally as I was out of the office  but an employee in the studio that quite literally, 'ripped the ****' out of the admin known as Lobo - ) I should explain, my company has a shared ISP account with ISP as customers and contributors which all of us can access for logistical reasons). For those that don't know - Lobo is the rather trigger happy and generally accepted foolish ISP admin that loves to insult and lock threads on the ISP forums when he and only he feels it necessary. When I discovered the block a few days later I have to admit I was perversely quite proud that one of my team had had the balls (although she's a design graduate without any) and the guts to take him out. Clearly he was pi**ed and barred our account, demonstrating clearly what an unprofessional character he is indeed. Needless to say since then (five months ago) we have never downloaded a single, image from ISP (and never will again) and now all my firms business is from DT,  Fotolia, RF123, Veer, BigStockPhoto, Crestock, Alamy, Superstock, CanStockPhoto and Shutterstock.

Actually, I really like the fact that Lobo is still employed by the hapless Canadians - simply means more and more people migrate away from ISP daily and place their business elsewhere. My only regret is that I and my company have downloaded over 1,600 imaged from ISP until five months ago, images that now I see are available mostly elsewhere. Well as David Cameron said only yesterday 'you live and learn'. Happy days.

[cathyslife]

All I can add, FWIW - is that I am actually quite proud of the fact that my account has been barred from ISP - not due to me personally as I was out of the office  but an employee in the studio that quite literally, 'ripped the ****' out of the admin known as Lobo - ) I should explain, my company has a shared ISP account with ISP as customers and contributors which all of us can access for logistical reasons). For those that don't know - Lobo is the rather trigger happy and generally accepted foolish ISP admin that loves to insult and lock threads on the ISP forums when he and only he feels it necessary. When I discovered the block a few days later I have to admit I was perversely quite proud that one of my team had had the balls (although she's a design graduate without any) and the guts to take him out. Clearly he was pi**ed and barred our account, demonstrating clearly what an unprofessional character he is indeed. Needless to say since then (five months ago) we have never downloaded a single, image from ISP (and never will again) and now all my firms business is from DT,  Fotolia, RF123, Veer, BigStockPhoto, Crestock, Alamy, Superstock, CanStockPhoto and Shutterstock.

Actually, I really like the fact that Lobo is still employed by the hapless Canadians - simply means more and more people migrate away from ISP daily and place their business elsewhere. My only regret is that I and my company have downloaded over 1,600 imaged from ISP until five months ago, images that now I see are available mostly elsewhere. Well as David Cameron said only yesterday 'you live and learn'. Happy days.

Good for you (and your ball-less employee)! 

[gostwyck]

All I can add, FWIW - is that I am actually quite proud of the fact that my account has been barred from ISP - not due to me personally as I was out of the office  but an employee in the studio that quite literally, 'ripped the ****' out of the admin known as Lobo - ) I should explain, my company has a shared ISP account with ISP as customers and contributors which all of us can access for logistical reasons). For those that don't know - Lobo is the rather trigger happy and generally accepted foolish ISP admin that loves to insult and lock threads on the ISP forums when he and only he feels it necessary. When I discovered the block a few days later I have to admit I was perversely quite proud that one of my team had had the balls (although she's a design graduate without any) and the guts to take him out. Clearly he was pi**ed and barred our account, demonstrating clearly what an unprofessional character he is indeed. Needless to say since then (five months ago) we have never downloaded a single, image from ISP (and never will again) and now all my firms business is from DT,  Fotolia, RF123, Veer, BigStockPhoto, Crestock, Alamy, Superstock, CanStockPhoto and Shutterstock.

Actually, I really like the fact that Lobo is still employed by the hapless Canadians - simply means more and more people migrate away from ISP daily and place their business elsewhere. My only regret is that I and my company have downloaded over 1,600 imaged from ISP until five months ago, images that now I see are available mostly elsewhere. Well as David Cameron said only yesterday 'you live and learn'. Happy days.

Interesting. You might enjoy reading this thread about others who feel the same as you;

http://www.microstockgroup.com/istockphoto-com/buyers-bailing-on-istock/

[Cogent Marketing]

Good for you (and your ball-less employee)!  Smiley

Thx. She's really great as an associate as well. Incredibly talented and a super graphic designer. She's beginning to develop nice skills as a reportage photographer - good eye for catching people off-guard and in natural poise. Hates iStockphoto thought all down to Lobotomy guy! Talk about negative influences at an early age! (I did actually see the site emails he sent to her - totally unacceptable)

[cobalt]

Hi Cogent Marketing,

I am very, very sorry your team had such a bad experience on istock. It is sad that many artists there will not have a chance to do business with you.


"I do think moderators are over protective,viewing the forum as Istockphoto's shop window as we say to the outside world"

The only comments that people remember are those of Kelly and the admins. It is their words, especially Kelly�s that get posted all over the intenet and end up in Wikipedia.

Customers are used to forums, everyone uses them the istock forums are pretty mild compared to a lot of oher forms out there. I really don�t think whatever the contributors say will be remembered.

If you are leading an important B2B site - instead of not growing the site because some admins have shown to lack forums skills, why not bring in the people who can?? imagine we had a spokesperson that could encourage the plattform and expand it?? How much more and better content would we create? And Kelly could focus on his work, instead of doing two jobs.

Besides, avoiding the forums doesn�t work anyway. People will just discus the issues you don�t like somewhere else. And then you can�t even reach out and clear up misunderstandings.

The internet has created a very transparent business world. I think this is good. Open, honest, upfront is what I like. And you can create a buzz that travels he globe, which is exciting.

I miss a lot of the lively discussions. If new talent walks through the door today - how will a quiet forum encourage them to go excusive?

[Shank_ali]

I was hoping for a more general disscusion at to why the forum has seen less activity this past year.Talking about individual Admins,who no doubt will not be able to defend themselves, is pretty crass .
For the record i've had a few site mails from Lobo these past four years..Very direct and to the point but always cival and polite.No problem with the guy what so ever.
Sorry you had your account closed though !

[cobalt]

Kelly is head of istock and he gets quoted all over. I don�t think mentioning him is at all surprising. It is not meant as an attack, I think reactions to his posts in sensitive situations are obvious. Whatever Mark Zuckerberg says on facebook will get quoted all over as well.

It doesn�t mean, he doesn�t work hard, I am sure he does. I think many people would love to see him participate more. In general the staff and admins are missed, as you well know.

You said yourself the forums are unusually quiet. But the people are still there and they go elsewhere for a discussion. If you say that istock prefers to have less discussions on istock because they are scared of their business reputation, I don�t see why it is better if things get discussed over here.