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Author Topic: Zoomy Images Launches  (Read 11796 times)

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« on: May 26, 2013, 03:36 »
0
Zoomy Images is a Los Angeles-based, on-line resource serving the creative market's demand for stock imagery and audio files. Zoomy Images is staffed by tenured stock imagery professionals and offers 3 tiers of images; Royalty Free, Premium Royalty Free, and Rights Managed.

Zoomy Images features high quality stock imagery that can be searched through its face-recognition-enabled software, that provides faster search times, more relevant visually similar results and an innovative reverse image search function. For more information, please visit www.zoomyimages.com
« Last Edit: May 26, 2013, 03:55 by zoomyimages »


rubyroo

« Reply #1 on: May 26, 2013, 04:15 »
+2
Where are the names of the copyright holders?

« Reply #2 on: May 26, 2013, 04:46 »
+2
Hey, how come I find tons of my images on your site (with no reference to me as copyright holder)? :o Who is (are) your partner site(s)?

« Reply #3 on: May 26, 2013, 06:13 »
+1
Same here, lots of my Taiwan images with no author's name. They even sell one of my editorial images as regular RF. Strange outfit! I hope they do some explaining.


Microbius

« Reply #5 on: May 26, 2013, 06:24 »
+1
You have my work too. Who are you, who are your partners?

ETA its YAY, did an email search and they announced the partnership a while ago

« Reply #6 on: May 26, 2013, 07:54 »
0
3 new Images Agencies appearing in this week??? OMGvector, imageyard and now Zoomy.

« Reply #7 on: May 27, 2013, 01:46 »
+2
The same here! Lots of my pictures on Zoomy Images with no no reference to the owner!  >:( In my eyes, this is not a good introduction of a new agency! I think time to test for a test purchase order. We'll see if any revenues arrive. rde-orm

« Reply #8 on: May 27, 2013, 03:24 »
0
Quote
ETA its YAY, did an email search and they announced the partnership a while ago
Yes, but I havn't enabled the partner Zoomy Images in YAY :(

« Reply #9 on: May 27, 2013, 03:50 »
+2
Sorry, without the names of the copyrightholder, I have to disable you as API-partner at Yay.
Bad start.

ShadySue

  • There is a crack in everything
« Reply #10 on: May 27, 2013, 04:21 »
+8
Although they rushed onto the boards yesterday, they haven't been back to explain. Bad show.

« Reply #11 on: May 27, 2013, 05:53 »
0
I wrote them an email: Hello, I'm  from Germany and I'm actually not a Zoomy Images contributor. But today I saw a couple of my images on the Zoomy Images site without a reference to me as copyright holder. Therefore I declare that I do not agree with that. Either my images offers with copyright notice, or I require the removal of my photos.  Here are some examples of my work on Zoomy Images:RF0091523,RF0534873,RF0091515
Best regards

« Reply #12 on: May 27, 2013, 06:26 »
+6
From the "contributors" link on their page (bold from me):

"At Zoomy Images we are always on the look out for fresh, new talent. One way we like to stay ahead of the pack is to only accept content that is exclusive to the Zoomy Images site. That way we can ensure that our clients are not seeing the same images that are found on other stock photo sites.  We offer a 40% commission on all exclusive content licensed through us. "

And that when they are obviously source images from Yay, so the same images are likely everywhere.

Pretty crappy, I'd say.

Some of mine are there too, not all of them though. I assume via Yay, but even then they should attribute them to the copyright holder. Bad business.

Zoomy, if your are reading: Better fix that asap!

Poncke v2

« Reply #13 on: May 27, 2013, 08:44 »
0
Why not report these issues to Yay? I am sure YAY doesnt like to get bad press.

« Reply #14 on: May 27, 2013, 09:31 »
0
I wrote to YAY some hours ago, no response so far.

« Reply #15 on: May 27, 2013, 10:25 »
0
Hello All,

We have read your responses and would like to respond:

While we are not legally/contractually obligated to list copyright holder names, we would never want to disappoint or anger any copyright holder.  We are working on rectifying the situation.

Dirkr: We have partner agreements in place that do not require exclusivity, however anyone uploading images directly to our server must be uploading exclusive content. 

roede-orm: If we have not been approved as partners for your content through a Partner site, let the Partner know and they will ask us to remove your images.  We cannot use this forum as a deletion tool, sorry.  Also, if your images are licensed through us, you will get paid.

rene: Our Rights Managed collection is great; the image used in the RM box on our homepage was due to size/shape in order to show the text well.  A graphic design decision.  Plus, we think that image is unique.

I hope this answers some of your concerns.  We are a new agency, give us a chance.  We have noticed a gap in the marketplace in terms of pricing structures, have spoken to large clients who are displeased with some of the bigger agencies, and feel we can take some market share.  We have financial backing and have been working tirelessly on cleaning up our search results to make sure users get accurate, quality results when searching for images.  We have experienced stock imagery professionals on our team and know what it takes to provide a quality user experience in the space.

Thanks for voicing your concerns.  Does anyone have comments on the design/functionality of the site?  Ways we can improve in your eyes?




« Reply #16 on: May 27, 2013, 10:31 »
+1
I hope that "gap in the marketplace in terms of pricing structures" doesn't translate as "we're going to drive prices even lower".




« Reply #17 on: May 27, 2013, 10:36 »
0
snip

>>>We have partner agreements in place that do not require exclusivity, however anyone uploading images directly to our server must be uploading exclusive content. 

snip

Who, besides it seems Yay, do you have agreements with?  Your statement seems to indicate that you're linked with multiple partners.  I'm not with Yay, but I'd like to know if any of my current sites have partnered with you without having to spend hours searching your site looking for my pics - especially difficult when you've stripped the copyright attribution.

« Reply #18 on: May 27, 2013, 10:56 »
0
I hope that "gap in the marketplace in terms of pricing structures" doesn't translate as "we're going to drive prices even lower".

Our pricing is listed on our homepage.  We offer standard pricing, meaning every image in a collection is priced the same.  Most competitors have fluctuating prices, tricky teaser pricing, or the need to buy credit packs.  We have upfront, fair prices for contributors and buyers.

« Reply #19 on: May 27, 2013, 11:08 »
+2
I hope that "gap in the marketplace in terms of pricing structures" doesn't translate as "we're going to drive prices even lower".

I thought their pricing was pretty good. I might think about joining, but the exclusive files seems like too much of an investment for me.

« Reply #20 on: May 27, 2013, 11:36 »
+3
We are a new agency, give us a chance. 

By demanding exclusive content you are not giving yourselves a chance.

If I were to upload exclusive images to Zoomy then I would need to be confident that they would generate more revenue for me than if those images had been placed on SS, IS, DT, FT, TS and others combined. It's not going to happen is it?

Your policy makes no sense when you already have half the content of other micros via Yay anyway. I'm not with Yay so you don't have my 5000-odd images however you could do so if you were to change policy. Nice clean and quick site.
« Last Edit: May 27, 2013, 12:37 by gostwyck »

ShadySue

  • There is a crack in everything
« Reply #21 on: May 27, 2013, 11:38 »
+3
Hello All,
While we are not legally/contractually obligated to list copyright holder names, we would never want to disappoint or anger any copyright holder.  We are working on rectifying the situation.
Prehaps the fact that you didn't include the copyright holder name originally shows an attititude towards contributors. "...we are  not legally/contractually obligated..." is ominous.

« Reply #22 on: May 27, 2013, 11:44 »
+1

...While we are not legally/contractually obligated to list copyright holder names, we would never want to disappoint or anger any copyright holder....


Yes you are...  but it seems like you desire to learn the hard way.

ShadySue

  • There is a crack in everything
« Reply #23 on: May 27, 2013, 11:55 »
0

...While we are not legally/contractually obligated to list copyright holder names, we would never want to disappoint or anger any copyright holder....


Yes you are...  but it seems like you desire to learn the hard way.
Fair comment.

Poncke v2

« Reply #24 on: May 27, 2013, 11:58 »
0
We are a new agency, give us a chance. 

By demanding exclusive content you are not giving yourselves a chance.

If I were to upload exclusive images to Zoomy then I would need to be confident that they would generate more revenue for me than if those images had been placed on SS, IS, DT, FT, TS and others combined. It's not going to happen is it?

Your policy makes no sense when you are already * in half the content of other micros from Yay anyway. I'm not with Yay so you don't have my 5000-odd images however you could do so if you were to change policy. Nice clean and quick site.
+1 Exclusivity doesnt make sense.

« Reply #25 on: May 27, 2013, 12:32 »
0
I hope that "gap in the marketplace in terms of pricing structures" doesn't translate as "we're going to drive prices even lower".

Our pricing is listed on our homepage.  We offer standard pricing, meaning every image in a collection is priced the same.  Most competitors have fluctuating prices, tricky teaser pricing, or the need to buy credit packs.  We have upfront, fair prices for contributors and buyers.

Makes sense.  Many of us think the big agencies have made things hopelessly complicated for buyers, and that the convoluted pricing schemes also serve to obfuscate the actual 'commissions' paid to sellers.

« Reply #26 on: May 27, 2013, 12:40 »
0
We are a new agency, give us a chance. 

By demanding exclusive content you are not giving yourselves a chance.

If I were to upload exclusive images to Zoomy then I would need to be confident that they would generate more revenue for me than if those images had been placed on SS, IS, DT, FT, TS and others combined. It's not going to happen is it?

Your policy makes no sense when you are already * in half the content of other micros from Yay anyway. I'm not with Yay so you don't have my 5000-odd images however you could do so if you were to change policy. Nice clean and quick site.
+1 Exclusivity doesnt make sense.

Hi guys,

Our exclusive policy is in place to keep our efforts/concentration on building a client base and cleaning up the search results for images we are currently carrying.  If we were to open the gates to everyone at the start we would need to dedicated a huge staff to managing contributor relationships, sorting through new submissions, etc.  That being said, we do plan to modify the policy when the time comes.  There is a method to our madness.

For all those still concerned about copyright mention, we are working with our legal team and developers for a resolution.  We are committed to becoming a professional provider of stock content and your voices are being heard.


falstafff

    This user is banned.
« Reply #27 on: May 27, 2013, 12:48 »
0
People are afraid of exclusivity, the very word send shivers down many spines. people have been burnt, badly.

« Reply #28 on: May 27, 2013, 12:59 »
0
 Zoomyimages

Suggestion: I would rework the Watermark a bit, I find it overly intrusive.

« Reply #29 on: May 27, 2013, 13:15 »
0
Quote
We have noticed a gap in the marketplace in terms of pricing structures,
Quote
We offer standard pricing, meaning every image in a collection is priced the same.  Most competitors have fluctuating prices, tricky teaser pricing, or the need to buy credit packs.

The gap was found earlier, for ex. by agencies like Zoonar or even Pitopia in Germany. Simple price structure, but up to 60 % (Zoonar) revenues for contributors! So what's new !? Just the idea of ​​offering Photos, without naming the authors, is simply completely wrong, it is neither professional nor serious. As long as this does not change, you havn't my sympathy for your newly founded agency. I repeat - I haven't enabled Zoomy Images as Partner on YAY. I wrote them a mail about this problem. But my Images ar on your site (I wrote you a mail too some hours ago) and therefore I ask you here once again: will you remove my images from your site as soon as possible or not? Best regards, rde-orm

Poncke v2

« Reply #30 on: May 27, 2013, 15:13 »
+1
We are a new agency, give us a chance. 

By demanding exclusive content you are not giving yourselves a chance.

If I were to upload exclusive images to Zoomy then I would need to be confident that they would generate more revenue for me than if those images had been placed on SS, IS, DT, FT, TS and others combined. It's not going to happen is it?

Your policy makes no sense when you are already * in half the content of other micros from Yay anyway. I'm not with Yay so you don't have my 5000-odd images however you could do so if you were to change policy. Nice clean and quick site.
+1 Exclusivity doesnt make sense.

Hi guys,

Our exclusive policy is in place to keep our efforts/concentration on building a client base and cleaning up the search results for images we are currently carrying.  If we were to open the gates to everyone at the start we would need to dedicated a huge staff to managing contributor relationships, sorting through new submissions, etc.  That being said, we do plan to modify the policy when the time comes.  There is a method to our madness.

For all those still concerned about copyright mention, we are working with our legal team and developers for a resolution.  We are committed to becoming a professional provider of stock content and your voices are being heard.
People dont want to submit images on exclusive bases to a non proven agency. If was to submit my images exclusively to you I would end up with zero income from my images, unless you can guarantee me a combined income of 400 dollar per month from 800 images?

How many buyers do you have? What do your sales look like per month? What is the average RPI?

Beppe Grillo

« Reply #31 on: May 28, 2013, 00:31 »
+2


Zoomy Images features high quality stock imagery that can be searched through its face-recognition-enabled software, that provides faster search times, more relevant visually similar results and an innovative reverse image search function.


Ladies and Gents, here is the result!!
http://www.zoomyimages.com/stock-photo/PR0142400/Avocados.html

Look the "Visually Similar Images"
« Last Edit: May 28, 2013, 00:33 by Beppe Grillo »

« Reply #32 on: May 28, 2013, 01:27 »
0
Good example 8)

ShadySue

  • There is a crack in everything
« Reply #33 on: May 28, 2013, 02:58 »
0


Zoomy Images features high quality stock imagery that can be searched through its face-recognition-enabled software, that provides faster search times, more relevant visually similar results and an innovative reverse image search function.


Ladies and Gents, here is the result!!
http://www.zoomyimages.com/stock-photo/PR0142400/Avocados.html

Look the "Visually Similar Images"

So that'll be innovative just like the Google reverse image search.

fotorob

  • Professional stock content producer
« Reply #34 on: May 28, 2013, 04:17 »
0
Quote
We have noticed a gap in the marketplace in terms of pricing structures,
Quote
We offer standard pricing, meaning every image in a collection is priced the same.  Most competitors have fluctuating prices, tricky teaser pricing, or the need to buy credit packs.

The gap was found earlier, for ex. by agencies like Zoonar or even Pitopia in Germany. Simple price structure, but up to 60 % (Zoonar) revenues for contributors!

Just to clarify: It is even up to 80% for the photographers at Zoonar.

« Reply #35 on: May 28, 2013, 04:21 »
0
@Fotorob: You're right, up to 80 %. Thank you! rde-orm

fotorob

  • Professional stock content producer
« Reply #36 on: May 28, 2013, 06:29 »
+1
I just made a test:

I bought an image at Zoomyimages from Ivan Mikhaylov (I know the name because I used Google Images Reverse Search) that is sold at many different agencies (so it is very likely Ivan uses IPTC metadata).

The image I was able to download after the purchase - however - did NOT include any metadata, No name of the photographer, NO agency name, NO image title, NO keywords and so on.

(by the way: my order receipt had the number 15, so I assume the agency made 15 sales since April 22nd.)

ShadySue

  • There is a crack in everything
« Reply #37 on: May 28, 2013, 06:34 »
+1
So, an instantly orphaned photo.
I understand that happens at several other agencies, though. They really must work on this, with new legislation for orphaned images, e.g. in the UK.
Author info should be embedded and retained, as agencies fold, or authors may leave agencies; but authors still have rights over their images.

fotorob

  • Professional stock content producer
« Reply #38 on: May 28, 2013, 06:48 »
+2
Oh, just noticed another detail: In their confirmation email they send along my passwort without encryption or masking it. Dislike.

« Reply #39 on: May 28, 2013, 07:13 »
+2
Zoomy = EPIC FAIL!

rubyroo

« Reply #40 on: May 28, 2013, 07:16 »
+1
This is not boding well for Yay either.  If people are reporting that they've deselected Zoomy and there images are still appearing there, what on earth is going on with Yay's API function?

« Reply #41 on: May 28, 2013, 07:25 »
0
This is not boding well for Yay either.  If people are reporting that they've deselected Zoomy and there images are still appearing there, what on earth is going on with Yay's API function?

Thats exactly what I was thinking rubyoo. Shinanigans.   And I bet we get the "it was an honest technical error" excuse if Yay ever decides to come in here and clarify things.
« Last Edit: May 28, 2013, 08:31 by Mantis »

« Reply #42 on: May 28, 2013, 08:16 »
0
Thank god I never signed up with Yay...  8)

« Reply #43 on: May 28, 2013, 08:56 »
0
Ok, I got responses from Zoomy Images and YAY Micro. Guess what! Zoomy Images wrote that I should contact YAY Micro. YAY Micro-wrote, they will contact Zoomy images. And in the future Zoomy will solve the copyright problem. But what if all the informations are gone? Look at fotorobs test purchase. And my pictures are still online at Zoomy images. Without metadata, copyright status, without information about anything!
rde-orm
« Last Edit: May 28, 2013, 11:39 by roede-orm »

« Reply #44 on: May 28, 2013, 11:30 »
0
Ok, I got responses from Zoomy and Images of YAY Micro. Guess Zoomy Images wrote that I should contact YAY Micro. YAY Micro-wrote, they will contact Zoomy images. And in the future Zoomy will solve the copyright problem. But what if all the informations are gone? Look at fotorobs test purchase. And my pictures are still online at Zoomy images. Without metadata, copyright status, without information about anything!
rde-orm

We are working on the issue.  We are in contact with our partner sites and our developers.  It takes longer than a few hours to update information on our site for millions of images.  Please be patient.  Even if you request your images to be deleted it will take more than a few hours for our partners to supply a list of all your images, and in turn for us to match those to our image numbers and delete.  It is a process but it is being worked on. 
rde-orm, can you provide your contributor name exactly as it listed with your agency and we will try to expedite for you?  Although we are not sure whether you are asking us to add your copyright info or delete your images, so please specify.  We would love to represent your images on our site.


« Reply #45 on: May 28, 2013, 11:31 »
0
Zoomyimages

Suggestion: I would rework the Watermark a bit, I find it overly intrusive.

Thanks, we will take that into consideration. 

« Reply #46 on: May 28, 2013, 11:38 »
0


Zoomy Images features high quality stock imagery that can be searched through its face-recognition-enabled software, that provides faster search times, more relevant visually similar results and an innovative reverse image search function.


Ladies and Gents, here is the result!!
http://www.zoomyimages.com/stock-photo/PR0142400/Avocados.html

Look the "Visually Similar Images"


The technology behind Visually Similar Searches is not perfect, and some images get worse results than others.  You happened to find a pretty bad result, but here is my first search for a car:
http://www.zoomyimages.com/stock-photo/RF0460514/Red-pick-up-truck-isolated-on-white.html
As you can see there are some good results, and a few that are off.  We are constantly tweaking it to get more accurate results but we feel this tool works good most of the time.

Thanks.

« Reply #47 on: May 28, 2013, 11:43 »
0
Quote
rde-orm, can you provide your contributor name exactly as it listed with your agency and we will try to expedite for you?  Although we are not sure whether you are asking us to add your copyright info or delete your images, so please specify.  We would love to represent your images on our site.

Of course, I will write you an email. So long I can't see any change on Zoomy Images I would prefer to see my images removed. Best regards, rde-orm
« Last Edit: May 28, 2013, 14:43 by roede-orm »

Beppe Grillo

« Reply #48 on: May 28, 2013, 14:05 »
0


Zoomy Images features high quality stock imagery that can be searched through its face-recognition-enabled software, that provides faster search times, more relevant visually similar results and an innovative reverse image search function.


Ladies and Gents, here is the result!!
http://www.zoomyimages.com/stock-photo/PR0142400/Avocados.html

Look the "Visually Similar Images"


The technology behind Visually Similar Searches is not perfect, and some images get worse results than others.  You happened to find a pretty bad result, but here is my first search for a car:
http://www.zoomyimages.com/stock-photo/RF0460514/Red-pick-up-truck-isolated-on-white.html
As you can see there are some good results, and a few that are off.  We are constantly tweaking it to get more accurate results but we feel this tool works good most of the time.

Thanks.


Well, in every site if you make a search with "red, pick-up, truck, isolated, white" you will get a similar result, even without Visually Similar Searches
http://us.fotolia.com/search?k=red%2C+pick-up%2C+truck%2C+isolated%2C+white&filters%5Bcontent_type%3Aall%5D=1&submit.x=0&submit.y=0

http://www.shutterstock.com/cat.mhtml?lang=en&search_source=search_form&search_tracking_id=wZe0buXWBFFaUsWQqoUY1A&version=llv1&anyorall=all&safesearch=1&searchterm=red%2C+pick-up%2C+truck%2C+isolated%2C+white&search_group=&orient=&search_cat=&searchtermx=&photographer_name=&people_gender=&people_age=&people_ethnicity=&people_number=&commercial_ok=&color=&show_color_wheel=1

and so on
« Last Edit: May 28, 2013, 23:10 by Beppe Grillo »

« Reply #49 on: May 28, 2013, 14:07 »
0
snip

>>>We have partner agreements in place that do not require exclusivity, however anyone uploading images directly to our server must be uploading exclusive content. 

snip

Who, besides it seems Yay, do you have agreements with?  Your statement seems to indicate that you're linked with multiple partners.  I'm not with Yay, but I'd like to know if any of my current sites have partnered with you without having to spend hours searching your site looking for my pics - especially difficult when you've stripped the copyright attribution.

I'm still looking for the answer to this question. In a later post you've again referred in the plural sense noting "Partner sites" indicating more than just Yay.

« Reply #50 on: May 28, 2013, 14:53 »
0


Zoomy Images features high quality stock imagery that can be searched through its face-recognition-enabled software, that provides faster search times, more relevant visually similar results and an innovative reverse image search function.


Ladies and Gents, here is the result!!
http://www.zoomyimages.com/stock-photo/PR0142400/Avocados.html

Look the "Visually Similar Images"


The technology behind Visually Similar Searches is not perfect, and some images get worse results than others.  You happened to find a pretty bad result, but here is my first search for a car:
http://www.zoomyimages.com/stock-photo/RF0460514/Red-pick-up-truck-isolated-on-white.html
As you can see there are some good results, and a few that are off.  We are constantly tweaking it to get more accurate results but we feel this tool works good most of the time.

Thanks.


Well, in every site if you make a search with "red, pick-up, truck, isolated, white" youwill get a similar result, even without Visually Similar Searches
http://us.fotolia.com/search?k=red%2C+pick-up%2C+truck%2C+isolated%2C+white&filters%5Bcontent_type%3Aall%5D=1&submit.x=0&submit.y=0

http://www.shutterstock.com/cat.mhtml?lang=en&search_source=search_form&search_tracking_id=wZe0buXWBFFaUsWQqoUY1A&version=llv1&anyorall=all&safesearch=1&searchterm=red%2C+pick-up%2C+truck%2C+isolated%2C+white&search_group=&orient=&search_cat=&searchtermx=&photographer_name=&people_gender=&people_age=&people_ethnicity=&people_number=&commercial_ok=&color=&show_color_wheel=1

ans so on


It was just an example, here is another: http://www.zoomyimages.com/stock-photo/RF0239644/bamboo-shoot.html

These are just samples of our "Visually Similar Images" results, someone posted an avocado that had bad results so we are just showing how the technology works.  It's not perfect but it does work and we feel is better than keyword related similar images that really are just a results page in smaller format. 




« Reply #51 on: May 28, 2013, 15:50 »
+3
Hello All,

We have updated our preview page to include Copyright info. We also made the copyright name a link so that a user can see all images by specific photographer.

We hope this has solved your concerns and apologize for the inconvenience.


« Reply #52 on: May 28, 2013, 19:22 »
0
That's correct. I've seen it. Why not from start ? Finally it was changed quickly, it must be said.


 

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