Author Topic: Model Releases on PhotoDune - what to do? (Read 20106 times)

jacoblund · « **on:** August 08, 2012, 07:06 »

Hi,

After some time I'm getting used to PhotoDunes way of attaching modelreleases to images. It's a bit annoying though - especially when I use PicWorkFlow for distributing my images to the agencies.

My question is, how do you guys handle the model releases when uploading pictures with different people in different pictures? Lets say I have 10 images with person A and 10 images with person A and B. Should I upload the first 10 images of person A with the A's release and then process them? Or could I upload all the images at once and just attach model releases for both A and B.

I hope you understand my question.

Best regards,
Jacob

Mantis · « **Reply #1 on:** August 08, 2012, 07:19 »

Quote from: ammentorp on August 08, 2012, 07:06

Hi,

After some time I'm getting used to PhotoDunes way of attaching modelreleases to images. It's a bit annoying though - especially when I use PicWorkFlow for distributing my images to the agencies.

My question is, how do you guys handle the model releases when uploading pictures with different people in different pictures? Lets say I have 10 images with person A and 10 images with person A and B. Should I upload the first 10 images of person A with the A's release and then process them? Or could I upload all the images at once and just attach model releases for both A and B.

I hope you understand my question.

Best regards,
Jacob

PD is so jacked up that way. I upload person A first via FTP then go into their processing page and pull the images into PD. Then I go into FTP again and do person B. They have simply rejected too many images doing it any other way.

steheap · « **Reply #2 on:** August 08, 2012, 08:29 »

The way I work it is a bit simpler. I upload all my images as normal and submit them. Then I get the rejection emails for the images without model releases. If you then go to Author's Dashboard and look in "Hidden", the rejected images are there. Click edit against each one, and you can first upload a model release in a zip file, but then use that same model release on all the others in the series. Add a note that you have added a model release, and resubmit. They go through OK after that.

Steve

ruigsantos · « **Reply #3 on:** August 08, 2012, 10:06 »

Quote from: steheap on August 08, 2012, 08:29

The way I work it is a bit simpler. I upload all my images as normal and submit them. Then I get the rejection emails for the images without model releases. If you then go to Author's Dashboard and look in "Hidden", the rejected images are there. Click edit against each one, and you can first upload a model release in a zip file, but then use that same model release on all the others in the series. Add a note that you have added a model release, and resubmit. They go through OK after that.

I do the same. I don't understand why Photodune doesn't have an easier way to do this like all other sites (except IS) have.

lisafx · « **Reply #4 on:** August 08, 2012, 10:12 »

I group images from a series together. Then I include all the model releases that are in any of the images in the series. All releases will be applied to all pictures whether or not a given person is in a particular photo. This was my understanding of how we are supposed to do it. If that's changed and images are being rejected for doing it that way, then my latest batches are in trouble...

I do agree that this is a really time-consuming and inconvenient way to deal with releases. Because it is so disruptive to my workflow, Photodune ends up getting my new images much later (even months) than the other sites.

Smithore · « **Reply #5 on:** August 08, 2012, 12:03 »

I've stopped to upload to photodune for this reason, we asked them many times to do something with model release upload and attachment. Also, the selling have really decreased, 70% for me...so i give up.

Pixart · « **Reply #7 on:** August 08, 2012, 16:50 »

Why not upload each release ONCE and you have to pay a reviewer ONCE to approve it. Keep them in a library and when we upload again it asks "upload new release" or "select release from library".

This way, when in the future PhotoDune realizes it actually should have paid more attention to the whining photographers and that they have clients who would liked to see the "portfolio" of a specific model you would have that ability. And while you are at it, have a "link releases" option so that updated releases can be associated with older photos of that model. The other agencies are so specific that they ask gender, age, ethnicity - so if you have a buyer that wants a Latino female construction worker age 40-50 they can find it.

steheap · « **Reply #9 on:** August 08, 2012, 17:39 »

Another piece of input. As you can imagine, no-one could make a living just uploading to Photodune, and so it is just one of a number of sites that I upload images to (currently around 20). The only sensible way I can do that is to use a service like Lightburner that acts as a distributor of my files - I ftp to them, and they ftp to the 20 sites I am supporting. I then visit the agencies at my leisure and complete whatever steps are necessary to put the files online. With smaller sites, those steps need to be simple and quick, otherwise it is not worth supporting the site. Hence, what arrives at Photodune is just a copy of whatever files I have uploaded elsewhere - no model releases at all.

All other sites then allow you to select the images that require a model release, and, normally in some grouped way, add a stored model release to them as part of the final process. My preference would be to see all new files, select the ones that need a specific release, and then be shown a list of my uploaded model releases so that I can attach the appropriate one. If a particular image needs two releases, then I select that one and add a second release in the same way.

Steve

lisafx · « **Reply #10 on:** August 08, 2012, 17:52 »

Quote from: joshsprague on August 08, 2012, 16:38

On a related note, I am not a photographer really and would love to understand the frustrations with our process better. Is it more that it is just so different than the rest of the stock sites? Or is this process more time consuming based on tools you are using? Again, I am likely naive but to me it seems quite simple, and even less time consuming than attaching each release to each photo... Believe me, I know we have some work to do concerning improvements to our site, but for where we stand today, cluing me in on the core issues would be helpful

Thanks! - Josh

Some good answers to this question above, but my issue is slightly different. I don't process or upload all images from the same shoot in one batch. I tend to process and upload batches that contain images from multiple shoots. I tend to squeeze a lot of different concepts into each shoot I do, so sometimes it can be more than a year before I finish uploading all the various images and concepts from a single shoot.

To each of the other sites, I will upload a batch of 20-30 a week with a diversity of models and subject matter. I can't upload that batch to Photodune because of the way your model releases are handled. Instead, I have to maintain a separate folder for PD, with separate folders in it for each model or group of models. When I edit 5 or 6 of a series, I then have to squirrel it away in the appropriate file and then wait, sometimes months, until I have enough of a batch to be worthwhile uploading to PhotoDune.

Although I love most things about Photodune, and appreciate the uniqueness of your site, the model release system just doesn't fit with my workflow of uploading a diversity of pictures in each batch.

disorderly · « **Reply #11 on:** August 08, 2012, 19:14 »

Following advice from Envato, I just upload a batch of photos whenever I have one. Then I upload whatever releases apply to any of the photos to the appropriate directory on the FTP site. I don't worry about associating releases with specific images, and they don't seem to mind. No trouble at all.

StockCube · « **Reply #12 on:** August 16, 2012, 07:44 »

I would agree with what Lisa says - I don't want to upload a lot of images of the same model at the same time - it is far better to stagger these out over time, but the photodune method of handling releases is very frustrating and prevents that uploading system. On other sites the releases are uploaded via a separate stream to a holding area. When you upload there is an option to link the image to a release held in your releases folder. A simple click and it is done. Any chance you could change the photodune system?

hofhoek · « **Reply #13 on:** September 11, 2012, 10:34 »

I agree with Pixart. The easiest way is to let us upload model releases and you keep them in a library where we can attach them to our images. That would be easier for all of us (including PD).

fotografer · « **Reply #14 on:** September 11, 2012, 14:42 »

Quote from: Pixart on August 08, 2012, 16:50

Why not upload each release ONCE and you have to pay a reviewer ONCE to approve it. Keep them in a library and when we upload again it asks "upload new release" or "select release from library".

I gave up trying to upload my port to this site as I couldn't work out how to upload the releases. If an MR library was introduced to the site then I would definitely have another go.

jenniferhoward06 · « **Reply #15 on:** October 26, 2012, 05:39 »

Yes He have!!!

Poncke · « **Reply #16 on:** October 26, 2012, 07:52 »

I think its funny, considering all agencies that come here to clarify things, that they drop one comment and then leave the discussion again not clarifying anything. And they always respond to the simple stuff, never to the real frustrations people have.

Why not change the whole * release model to something simple and logic. Look at SS, 123, CanStockPhoto, FT and DP. Attaching a MR is fast easy and simple there.

gillian vann · « **Reply #17 on:** November 27, 2012, 03:59 »

i have <100 files at PD because of this same issue. It took me ages to work it out the first time, and I was so put off I concentrated on the learning the idiosyncrasies of other agencies. I just don't get the point of uploading a batch of images with the MR when all my MR are sitting in the MR folder anyway. what's the difference? I've got a bunch of random images that have been sitting in Unfinished (or whatever it's called there) for months, because even though the MR is in the right folder, I can't find how to attach it.

Axel Lauer · « **Reply #18 on:** January 09, 2013, 04:12 »

Hi there
To get that clear i posted a a very detailed question in their forum and requested a staff reply.
Until now i wait since two days - no answer.
Today i reminded them and i hope that they will answer in an appropriate manner and detailed so that we all get a reliable standard.

Here is the URL:
http://photodune.net/forums/thread/rules-for-ftp-mr-if-more-than-one-model/84291

regards axel

Smithore · « **Reply #19 on:** January 09, 2013, 11:51 »

I've added a very gentle answer to your post, last year, I've already asked to photodune to do something about this sooooo stupid and weak procedure to upload releases, i think there are very busy to collect money and stop to improve the site, maybe next century...

Poncke · « **Reply #20 on:** January 09, 2013, 15:40 »

Its really easy to add releases. I just uploaded 50 images to PD using FTP ( which no longer works with your password, but you need to generate an API key for FTP). And in the folder model releases I dumped 6 model and property releases. Dumped my photos in the photos folder and thats it. Done. Now all you need to do is submit them on the site.

Jo Ann Snover · « **Reply #21 on:** January 09, 2013, 16:39 »

It isn't hard, but it's highly inconvenient. I keep my model releases in a separate folder from my images. I use several properties over and over as "props". For all the other agencies but iStock and PhotoDune, I just pick the one I need from the stored list. With DeepMeta, iStock effectively has stored releases too, which leaves PhotoDune as the only agency where I have to find the right releases and remember to change folders in FTP and upload them.

It was fine as an initial makeshift solution, but nothing has improved in contributor tools in the last year, so I'm beginning to get the impression they're not going to bother fixing it.

gillian vann · « **Reply #22 on:** January 09, 2013, 16:58 »

I haven't bothered updating my port with them, even for non-modelled pics I just put PD at the bottom of the list as "too hard". I know I'm of little importance (for now

) but Lisa has the same feelings...

It's great to have feedback from the company, but eek! not a photographer Josh?, I dearly hope you aren't a reviewer also. So if you are the tech side of the business, you are saying you haven't bothered to investigate how your competition works? you haven't even gone through an upload process elsewhere? Your comment that your site "is simple" is based on what experience?

How your site works (from our side) will also determine the quality of contributors you attract.

Poncke · « **Reply #24 on:** January 10, 2013, 12:39 »

Quote from: joshsprague on January 10, 2013, 12:29

Hi guys, I completely understand your frustration and wish I had some better news for you. But at this point, the only real option is to upload to PhotoDune under the current conditions or to hold off until a better system is in place. I do know that PhotoDune improvements are being discussed but since PhotoDune is not our only marketplace, it must share developer resources.

I have put together a short and simple demo of how photos should be added to PhotoDune and hope it will help out for those who choose to do so

So to recap the process, simply add all photos at once (no folders) to the /bulk_import/photos directory via FTP then add any and all associated release for those photos to the /bulk_import/photos/model_releases/ directory.

All releases will be associated to the images and you will need to do nothing more on your end for that. After this is complete, head over to your dashboard on PhotoDune and process theme from there.

Please let me know if you need any further assistance. [email protected]

Demo Link:
http://enva.to/VRE465

Hi Josh, thanks for chiming in. I saw the new tut on the site and it looks good.

Just one thing, it seems FTP has some issues. When I uploaded 48 images, only 40 showed up on the site. And then I uploaded 8 again, and only 6 of them showed up. It seems your FTP is not processing all images correctly. FYI.

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Author Topic: Model Releases on PhotoDune - what to do? (Read 20106 times)

jacoblund

Mantis

steheap

ruigsantos

lisafx

Smithore

joshsprague

Pixart

joshsprague

steheap

lisafx

disorderly

StockCube

hofhoek

fotografer

jenniferhoward06

Poncke

gillian vann

Axel Lauer

Smithore

Poncke

Jo Ann Snover

gillian vann

joshsprague

Poncke

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