Author Topic: Tom’s (Old Sheriff) Tips to being ‘Successful’ in the Microstock World (Read 25938 times)

memakephoto · « **Reply #25 on:** November 12, 2017, 12:17 »

Quote from: Brasilnut on November 12, 2017, 11:34

Quote
Simplified: those who can't do microstock, write books about microstock.

I don't need to do only Microstock or write books.

I'm a finalist for "Travel Photographer of the Year 2017" - image attached.

Where? Where are you a finalist for travel photographer of the year? I do an image search for that shot and I find it on Shutterstock and Fotolia but can't find any reference to it being a finalist anywhere.

You submit a shot to microstock when it's up for travel photographer of the year?

Zero Talent · « **Reply #26 on:** November 12, 2017, 12:27 »

Quote from: Brasilnut on November 12, 2017, 11:34

Quote
Simplified: those who can't do microstock, write books about microstock.

I don't need to do only Microstock or write books.

I'm a finalist for "Travel Photographer of the Year 2017" - image attached.

Most of us don't do just microstock or write books. You got that right.

That image a good catch, indeed. The beauty if being in the right place at the right time.

Nevertheless, since you posted it, let me wonder: why it is much brighter around the camel than where the sun's reflection should be?
I guess we all have some more learning to do about how to boost the shadows of a silhouette, without affecting the whole luminosity range and without making it look like the sun was added in post.

Maybe something you will write about in your next book?

ShadySue · « **Reply #27 on:** November 12, 2017, 12:41 »

Quote from: YadaYadaYada on November 11, 2017, 22:02

I'd think someone who's a success would actually be happy instead of always finding things wrong?

Well, no: if someone sees that agencies are doing things wrong, or wrong things, why would they be happy? - they can see the train crash coming.

Brasilnut · « **Reply #28 on:** November 12, 2017, 12:45 »

Quote

I find it on Shutterstock and Fotolia but can't find any reference to it being a finalist anywhere.

It's on Alamy as RM, also on FAA.

Quote

Where are you a finalist for travel photographer of the year?

http://www.tpoty.com/judging/finalists2017

Quote

Nevertheless, since you posted it, let me wonder: why it is much brighter around the camel than where the sun's reflection should be?
I guess we all have some more learning to do about how to boost the shadows of a silhouette, without affecting the whole luminosity range and without making it look like the sun was added in post.

Thanks for your input

memakephoto · « **Reply #29 on:** November 12, 2017, 13:00 »

Quote from: Brasilnut on November 12, 2017, 12:45

Quote
I find it on Shutterstock and Fotolia but can't find any reference to it being a finalist anywhere.

It's on Alamy as RM, also on FAA.

Quote
Where are you a finalist for travel photographer of the year?

http://www.tpoty.com/judging/finalists2017

Good for you. I thought it might have been for something else like National Geographic.

Not sure I would submit anywhere, even Alamy, when it's in a contest. The contest organizers retain the right to reproduce the image which may not be good if a buyer is looking for image exclusivity.

ShadySue · « **Reply #30 on:** November 12, 2017, 13:21 »

Quote from: memakephoto on November 12, 2017, 13:00

Not sure I would submit anywhere, even Alamy, when it's in a contest. The contest organizers retain the right to reproduce the image which may not be good if a buyer is looking for image exclusivity.

But that very seldom happens on Alamy, and if they do, just tell them where it has been used, they may then decline (which they usually seem to do anyway or they might think it's kudos.

I'm suprised brasilnut put it on the micros, but it's his ball.

Brasilnut · « **Reply #31 on:** November 12, 2017, 13:39 »

Quote

I'm suprised brasilnut put it on the micros, but it's his ball.

I'd never put that image (or similars) at micros.

I have made this sort of mistake in the past though, but they're no longer on there.

Dec 16 is when they'll decide on the winners

Quote

Not sure I would submit anywhere, even Alamy, when it's in a contest. The contest organizers retain the right to reproduce the image which may not be good if a buyer is looking for image exclusivity.

TPOTY, reproduction rights & your copyright: TPOTY does not make any claim whatsoever on the copyright of YOUR images. The copyright will, at all times, be respected by TPOTY and retained by the photographer. Where an image or images are reproduced by TPOTY, the photographer will be credited. The organisers and sponsors reserve the right to free reproduction and exhibition of entered images in all media, but only in connection with these awards. A selection of the winning and other best images may be chosen for reproduction in TPOTY portfolio books, exhibition catalogue and TPOTY app. For compilation and retrospective books, TPOTY will seek the permission and agreement from photographers before inclusion of any image entered more than four years previously. We do not claim unlimited licence for TPOTY or its sponsors to reproduce your images outside of the terms set out above. Images included in all other TPOTY Collection of merchandise (cards, calendars, prints etc.) will subject to separate agreement with the photographer and a royalty will be paid. Where image reproduction is unrelated to the awards then permission and a fee will be agreed with the photographer in advance.

----

Reasonable terms above including in regards to royalties, although no mention of how much it would be (I suppose I would have to negotiate).

ShadySue · « **Reply #32 on:** November 12, 2017, 14:06 »

Quote from: Brasilnut on November 12, 2017, 13:39

Quote
I'm suprised brasilnut put it on the micros, but it's his ball.
I'd never put that image (or similars) at micros.

When memakephoto said he could find the image on SS and Ft, I just took it at face value.
Sorry, my fault for not checking.

Brasilnut · « **Reply #33 on:** November 12, 2017, 14:09 »

Quote

When memakephoto said he could find the image on SS and Ft, I just took it at face value.
Sorry, my fault for not checking.

No worries

Shelma1 · « **Reply #34 on:** November 12, 2017, 14:22 »

Quote from: ShadySue on November 12, 2017, 14:06

Quote from: Brasilnut on November 12, 2017, 13:39
Quote
I'm suprised brasilnut put it on the micros, but it's his ball.
I'd never put that image (or similars) at micros.
When memakephoto said he could find the image on SS and Ft, I just took it at face value.
Sorry, my fault for not checking.

According to Tineye it was on SS and FT, but he removed it.

Chichikov · « **Reply #35 on:** November 12, 2017, 15:16 »

Quote from: Zero Talent on November 12, 2017, 11:07

Quote from: Shelma1 on November 11, 2017, 05:01
I should write a book.

No need. We all know that:

"Those who can't do, teach".

I add:
Those who can't teach, write books

Simplified: those who can't do microstock, write books about microstock.

Those who can't write books read them

(In short: those who can't do microstock, read books about microstock)

namussi · « **Reply #36 on:** November 13, 2017, 01:34 »

Quote from: Justanotherphotographer on November 12, 2017, 02:37

Successful people are never satisfied. That's how they get to be successful.

Being permanently unsatisfied doesn't sound like much of a success to me :-)

ShadySue · « **Reply #37 on:** November 13, 2017, 04:45 »

Quote from: namussi on November 13, 2017, 01:34

Quote from: Justanotherphotographer on November 12, 2017, 02:37
Successful people are never satisfied. That's how they get to be successful.

Being permanently unsatisfied doesn't sound like much of a success to me :-)

Ah, so now we're debating what success means. It's certainly a very subjective* term, but you're equating it with contentment, by which definition those who seem super-happy to have a few 25c sales are the most successful.
*In fact, it's so subjective that each us can only be successful, or not, by our own standards.

Brasilnut · « **Reply #38 on:** November 13, 2017, 11:17 »

Laurin Rinder gave me the attached quote about motivation and (personal) success in the Arts. He told me that it was handed down to him by his mentor/Art teacher at UCLA 35 years ago and he gives a copy to all his students.

The quote was written in 1939 By Martha Graham, the most famous choreographer ever to Agnes B Demille, who was also a huge supporter of the Arts.

I believe those words are still relevant today.

Thanks Laurin for sharing this with me.

Pauws99 · « **Reply #39 on:** November 13, 2017, 11:59 »

Quote from: ShadySue on November 13, 2017, 04:45

Quote from: namussi on November 13, 2017, 01:34
Quote from: Justanotherphotographer on November 12, 2017, 02:37
Successful people are never satisfied. That's how they get to be successful.

Being permanently unsatisfied doesn't sound like much of a success to me :-)
Ah, so now we're debating what success means. It's certainly a very subjective* term, but you're equating it with contentment, by which definition those who seem super-happy to have a few 25c sales are the most successful.
*In fact, it's so subjective that each us can only be successful, or not, by our own standards.

"successful" as what....an artist, a business person, a human being? One often comes at the expense of the others.

Justanotherphotographer · « **Reply #40 on:** November 13, 2017, 12:38 »

I just meant successful at microstock (or business in general). I'm not here to pry into people's personal lives or make assumptions about it.

DallasP · « **Reply #41 on:** November 13, 2017, 15:05 »

Quote from: Justanotherphotographer on November 13, 2017, 12:38

I just meant successful at microstock (or business in general). I'm not here to pry into people's personal lives or make assumptions about it.

Huh ... that's the most pleasant thing that I've read in this forum for a few months. Get this man a beer.

Sheriff · « **Reply #42 on:** November 13, 2017, 19:29 »

Quote from: DallasP on November 13, 2017, 15:05

Quote from: Justanotherphotographer on November 13, 2017, 12:38
I just meant successful at microstock (or business in general). I'm not here to pry into people's personal lives or make assumptions about it.

Huh ... that's the most pleasant thing that I've read in this forum for a few months. Get this man a beer.

I could use a beer right now

cathyslife · « **Reply #43 on:** November 14, 2017, 07:11 »

Quote from: Sheriff on November 13, 2017, 19:29

Quote from: DallasP on November 13, 2017, 15:05
Quote from: Justanotherphotographer on November 13, 2017, 12:38
I just meant successful at microstock (or business in general). I'm not here to pry into people's personal lives or make assumptions about it.

Huh ... that's the most pleasant thing that I've read in this forum for a few months. Get this man a beer.

I could use a beer right now

Oh good another anonymous poster with nothing to say, using a sheriffs badge to pretend he/she is in charge. Unless it is Leaf, which is ok, but I bet it's not. LOL.

YadaYadaYada · « **Reply #44 on:** November 14, 2017, 11:46 »

Quote from: Shelma1 on November 12, 2017, 06:42

Quote from: YadaYadaYada on November 11, 2017, 22:02
Quote from: Justanotherphotographer on November 11, 2017, 04:43
I would rather listen to someone who has demonstrably been very successful in this business, like michelle, than follow lists from anonymous forum posters no one even remembers. And don't get me started on books, classes and portfolio reviews from people who's performance has been pedestrian at best.

She's a success? I wouldn't know financials, but from the complaining about lack of sales, downward income, dropping earnings, plus other surveys motivated by attempts at intimidating agencies, plus obvious dissatisfaction, that a success? I'd think someone who's a success would actually be happy instead of always finding things wrong?

I disagree with 19. Don’t try to analyze this business. We can analyze as we wish, use math and just don't over analyze. Don't find conspiracies or patterns where there are none, like people do about sales times or regions or up and down swings in downloads. The natural swings will be up and down, without outside interference, not up and up. This whole market is unreliable and unpredictable, don't have unrealistic expectations based on some random good days.

33. The agency is not your enemy. But they aren't your friend either.

Why don't you tell us who you are, and we can compare successes? I'm assuming since you're on the SS forums you're not McBurney, but you sure sound like him.

Never mind, figured it out.

I didn't bring that up, I was answering this, and asking. I guess it's wrong to ask a question and always get slapped by some unhappy person, who never stops complaining how bad it is, but then someone else says that's success? It is? I'd say if I'm happy doing this kind of work, that's a measure of success.

Quote from: Justanotherphotographer on November 11, 2017, 04:43

I would rather listen to someone who has demonstrably been very successful in this business, like michelle, than follow lists from anonymous forum posters no one even remembers. And don't get me started on books, classes and portfolio reviews from people who's performance has been pedestrian at best.

I say make the forum without anonymous people I'd be all for that. Lets here from people their opinion of that? Or stop blasting anonymous people, just because they disagree with you or you disagree with them, as a way to discredit anything they write. More than half the people here are anonymous, are we all unable to post what we think because of that?

I thought the OP was posting a joke, now it's all flames and serious.

Uncle Pete · « **Reply #45 on:** November 14, 2017, 11:52 »

Success doesn't make you happy Yada, they aren't the same things.

Sheriff · « **Reply #46 on:** November 14, 2017, 11:58 »

Quote from: Uncle Pete on November 14, 2017, 11:52

Success doesn't make you happy Yada, they aren't the same things.

A good ole scotch makes me happy Uncle Pete!

Shelma1 · « **Reply #47 on:** November 14, 2017, 12:06 »

Quote from: YadaYadaYada on November 14, 2017, 11:46

Quote from: Shelma1 on November 12, 2017, 06:42
Quote from: YadaYadaYada on November 11, 2017, 22:02
Quote from: Justanotherphotographer on November 11, 2017, 04:43
I would rather listen to someone who has demonstrably been very successful in this business, like michelle, than follow lists from anonymous forum posters no one even remembers. And don't get me started on books, classes and portfolio reviews from people who's performance has been pedestrian at best.

She's a success? I wouldn't know financials, but from the complaining about lack of sales, downward income, dropping earnings, plus other surveys motivated by attempts at intimidating agencies, plus obvious dissatisfaction, that a success? I'd think someone who's a success would actually be happy instead of always finding things wrong?

I disagree with 19. Don’t try to analyze this business. We can analyze as we wish, use math and just don't over analyze. Don't find conspiracies or patterns where there are none, like people do about sales times or regions or up and down swings in downloads. The natural swings will be up and down, without outside interference, not up and up. This whole market is unreliable and unpredictable, don't have unrealistic expectations based on some random good days.

33. The agency is not your enemy. But they aren't your friend either.

Why don't you tell us who you are, and we can compare successes? I'm assuming since you're on the SS forums you're not McBurney, but you sure sound like him.

Never mind, figured it out.

I didn't bring that up, I was answering this, and asking. I guess it's wrong to ask a question and always get slapped by some unhappy person, who never stops complaining how bad it is, but then someone else says that's success? It is? I'd say if I'm happy doing this kind of work, that's a measure of success.

Quote from: Justanotherphotographer on November 11, 2017, 04:43
I would rather listen to someone who has demonstrably been very successful in this business, like michelle, than follow lists from anonymous forum posters no one even remembers. And don't get me started on books, classes and portfolio reviews from people who's performance has been pedestrian at best.

I say make the forum without anonymous people I'd be all for that. Lets here from people their opinion of that? Or stop blasting anonymous people, just because they disagree with you or you disagree with them, as a way to discredit anything they write. More than half the people here are anonymous, are we all unable to post what we think because of that?

I thought the OP was posting a joke, now it's all flames and serious.

You're not anonymous. And starting a thread with a joke about a specific person isn't particularly funny.

You've been complaining on this forum since 2009. You have a blog complaining about Getty. And you started a thread here complaining about what I'd been saying on the SS forums. I don't believe I've ever started a thread about you...have I?

YadaYadaYada · « **Reply #48 on:** November 14, 2017, 12:15 »

Quote from: Shelma1 on November 14, 2017, 12:06

Quote from: YadaYadaYada on November 14, 2017, 11:46
Quote from: Shelma1 on November 12, 2017, 06:42
Quote from: YadaYadaYada on November 11, 2017, 22:02
Quote from: Justanotherphotographer on November 11, 2017, 04:43
I would rather listen to someone who has demonstrably been very successful in this business, like michelle, than follow lists from anonymous forum posters no one even remembers. And don't get me started on books, classes and portfolio reviews from people who's performance has been pedestrian at best.

She's a success? I wouldn't know financials, but from the complaining about lack of sales, downward income, dropping earnings, plus other surveys motivated by attempts at intimidating agencies, plus obvious dissatisfaction, that a success? I'd think someone who's a success would actually be happy instead of always finding things wrong?

I disagree with 19. Don’t try to analyze this business. We can analyze as we wish, use math and just don't over analyze. Don't find conspiracies or patterns where there are none, like people do about sales times or regions or up and down swings in downloads. The natural swings will be up and down, without outside interference, not up and up. This whole market is unreliable and unpredictable, don't have unrealistic expectations based on some random good days.

33. The agency is not your enemy. But they aren't your friend either.

Why don't you tell us who you are, and we can compare successes? I'm assuming since you're on the SS forums you're not McBurney, but you sure sound like him.

Never mind, figured it out.

I didn't bring that up, I was answering this, and asking. I guess it's wrong to ask a question and always get slapped by some unhappy person, who never stops complaining how bad it is, but then someone else says that's success? It is? I'd say if I'm happy doing this kind of work, that's a measure of success.

Quote from: Justanotherphotographer on November 11, 2017, 04:43
I would rather listen to someone who has demonstrably been very successful in this business, like michelle, than follow lists from anonymous forum posters no one even remembers. And don't get me started on books, classes and portfolio reviews from people who's performance has been pedestrian at best.

I say make the forum without anonymous people I'd be all for that. Lets here from people their opinion of that? Or stop blasting anonymous people, just because they disagree with you or you disagree with them, as a way to discredit anything they write. More than half the people here are anonymous, are we all unable to post what we think because of that?

I thought the OP was posting a joke, now it's all flames and serious.

You're not anonymous. And starting a thread with a joke about a specific person isn't particularly funny.

You've been complaining on this forum since 2009. You have a blog complaining about Getty. And you started a thread here complaining about what I'd been saying on the SS forums. I don't believe I've ever started a thread about you...have I?

Whatever?

cathyslife · « **Reply #49 on:** November 14, 2017, 12:16 »

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Author Topic: Tom’s (Old Sheriff) Tips to being ‘Successful’ in the Microstock World (Read 25938 times)

memakephoto

Zero Talent

ShadySue

Brasilnut

memakephoto

ShadySue

Brasilnut

ShadySue

Brasilnut

Shelma1

Chichikov

namussi

ShadySue

Brasilnut

Pauws99

Justanotherphotographer

DallasP

Sheriff

cathyslife

YadaYadaYada

Uncle Pete

Sheriff

Shelma1

YadaYadaYada

cathyslife

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