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Messages - Zero Talent
Pages: [1] 2 3 4 5 6 ... 94
1
« on: April 01, 2025, 18:48 »
Average month:
2
« on: March 21, 2025, 09:23 »
With todays 19.1.4 release of Resolve it now has licensed full native ProRes support.
This means no more using ffmpeg/voukoder based workarounds and comes at a good time since Voukoder is going payware.
Im assuming is Resolve Studio only not free but unsure.
Great news! This means that I don't need Adobe Encoder anymore, and I will be fine with PS+LR only, instead of the all apps package (in case I don't get it from Adobe anymore).
3
« on: February 01, 2025, 22:58 »
Good month - 2nd best January (by a couple of bucks, compared with 2024).
Massive decline for SS, but fully compensated by AS. AS accounted for the first time almost 50% of the monthly revenue.
4
« on: January 28, 2025, 10:57 »
I checked the 1099-K from PP, and it matches the earnings from mass payments made by my microstock companies to the cent. The only discrepancy comes from the 1099-MISC provided by Adobe, since they don't report payments but earnings.
Does anyone using TurboTax know where this 1099-K should be entered to avoid duplicates?
FYI
https://www.irs.gov/businesses/what-to-do-with-form-1099-k
Thanks. There is a box in the 1099K form that can be used if the amount in box 1a is too high. I input the total values reported through all 1099-MISC and NEC. The total amount reported by 1099-K is then reduced accordingly. The only remaining difference is a few hundred dollars, resulting from Adobe's unusual reporting of earnings instead of payments. All is well now.
5
« on: January 27, 2025, 16:18 »
I checked the 1099-K from PP, and it matches the earnings from mass payments made by my microstock companies to the cent. The only discrepancy comes from the 1099-MISC provided by Adobe, since they don't report payments but earnings.
Does anyone using TurboTax know where this 1099-K should be entered to avoid duplicates?
6
« on: January 17, 2025, 15:57 »
my current plan expires February 19th.
the year before,my plan expired in April,I requested the code in advance in 2024 in February,and for 2 months I had 2 identical plans that were going on their own,with even double the generative credits available because they were running 2 identical plans at the same time,the old one which expired in April 2024 and the new one which expired in February 2025.
so no,from my experience it is possible that 2 identical plans with different deadlines are running at the same time.
now I don't know if they updated this or what,everything is possible,also because now each plan has a set number of generative credits.
However,I wait until the last day of the current plan that is still valid before requesting the new one.
If your plan expires in October,it's probably best to redeem the new one a couple of months before at least.
Of course,it would be useful to know if these free codes have an expiration date and what it is,because for example I could also think about taking a break and maybe starting again in a few months and requesting the new plan when I need it,but it is not known whether they must be requested in 6 months or a year or when.
This is very clear, and this is exactly what I experienced. And so did mike123.
7
« on: January 17, 2025, 15:09 »
the plan begins the moment you request the code,a different plan.
my old plan will expire in February and I will redeem the new code one day earlier,of course October is far away,it's possible that the blue bar is still there,probably yes,but I can't say for sure.
No, the plan gets extended for another 12 months. My plan ran until 31.12.2024 and I extended it in November or so with a new code and now the plan ends on 31.12.2025.
Only if you chose a different plan as you had before when redeeming a new code, will it start immediately and replace your previous plan.
Correct. My plan was expiring on March 3rd, 2025 and after redeeming the new code (for the same type of plan), it got extended until March 3rd, 2026
8
« on: January 16, 2025, 14:19 »
The only drawback is that ProRes codecs are not available on PCs, and ProRes is the only 10-bit codec universally accepted by agencies.
In my case, after editing my clip, I export it uncompressed, then use Adobe Media Encoder to create a ProRes version and preserve its original 10-bit structure.
This is why Adobe Media Encoder is the only reason I am happy to have the full Adobe Suite, instead of only LR and PS.
Just use Voukoder. https://www.voukoder.org/forum/thread/1009-voukoder-11-3/
Free ProRes output direct from Resolve then. Works just fine.
This is good information. It's $74, but I like the smooth integration with DaVinci Resolve. Do you know if it has the proper licenses from Apple for commercial use? Anyway, since I will have Adobe Encoder for another year, I will postpone the purchase.
9
« on: January 16, 2025, 09:17 »
If anyone does video or animation you can download Davinci Resolve. There is a *free* version that has plenty of functionality, the paid license for life is around $300.
I have the full Adobe package, but for video, I use DaVinci Resolve (Studio version). The only drawback is that ProRes codecs are not available on PCs, and ProRes is the only 10-bit codec universally accepted by agencies. In my case, after editing my clip, I export it uncompressed, then use Adobe Media Encoder to create a ProRes version and preserve its original 10-bit structure. This is why Adobe Media Encoder is the only reason I am happy to have the full Adobe Suite, instead of only LR and PS. Obviously, I would never pay for the full suite only for Adobe Encoder.
10
« on: January 15, 2025, 18:59 »
About 190 assets uploaded and 14,277 downloads (excluding video downloads counted three times).
Glad to qualify for the full package, although besides Photoshop and Lightroom, I only use Adobe Encoder.
Nice!
11
« on: January 10, 2025, 11:55 »
December 2024 was particularly bad for my SS sales, making it the worst month of the year, and confirming a downward trend, which will certainly continue this month.
However, I was pleasantly surprised to see that my total 2024 sales were not that bad, being only 2.9% worse than 2023.
Anyway, my lifetime microstock earnings exceeded $430k, and that's amazing for a hobby.
Excellent! Especially considering the modest size of your portfolio!
What is striking, however, is the ratio of shutterstock to Adobe Stock, which was completely different in December than in your previous statistics. You are starting to see a convergence from shutterstock to istock. For me, istock has long since overtaken shutterstock. Clearly.
The question that arises: Why is this the case for you with shutterstock? For DaLiu, for example, shutterstock continues its positive trend. Upload activity seems to play a much greater role in shutterstock's algorithm than with other agencies.
In 2024, I uploaded 170 photos (reaching a total of 1888) and 26 videos (reaching a total of 427). That's more or less in-line with what I did in 2023.
Yes, that's what I was getting at. I have the feeling that you have to continuously increase the uploads in order to at least remain constant in terms of downloads.
Probably, but that's not sustainable. I can only process a few items during weekends. After all, this is only a hobby, and I'll enjoy the ride as long as it will last. Everything I earn is a nice bonus.
12
« on: January 10, 2025, 11:34 »
December 2024 was particularly bad for my SS sales, making it the worst month of the year, and confirming a downward trend, which will certainly continue this month.
However, I was pleasantly surprised to see that my total 2024 sales were not that bad, being only 2.9% worse than 2023.
Anyway, my lifetime microstock earnings exceeded $430k, and that's amazing for a hobby.
Excellent! Especially considering the modest size of your portfolio!
What is striking, however, is the ratio of shutterstock to Adobe Stock, which was completely different in December than in your previous statistics. You are starting to see a convergence from shutterstock to istock. For me, istock has long since overtaken shutterstock. Clearly.
The question that arises: Why is this the case for you with shutterstock? For DaLiu, for example, shutterstock continues its positive trend. Upload activity seems to play a much greater role in shutterstock's algorithm than with other agencies.
In 2024, I uploaded 170 photos (reaching a total of 1888) and 26 videos (reaching a total of 427). That's more or less in-line with what I did in 2023.
13
« on: January 10, 2025, 10:01 »
December 2024 was particularly bad for my SS sales, making it the worst month of the year, and confirming a downward trend, which will certainly continue this month.
However, I was pleasantly surprised to see that my total 2024 sales were not that bad, being only 2.9% worse than 2023.
Anyway, my lifetime microstock earnings exceeded $430k, and that's amazing for a hobby.
14
« on: November 06, 2024, 19:30 »
Zero Talent, You lost! And you know what I mean.
My condolences. 
Yes, I lost. However, I do not need condolences. Rest assured, I will be fine. Those who need condolences are the Ukrainians who are now condemned to give putler the land so many died defending... for nothing. So sad...  Anyway... you got what you wished for! Congrats, and I'm sorry for you... Cheers!
15
« on: November 05, 2024, 13:44 »
I am not a photographer and I do not take portraits of people. For video shooting, I think the micro 4/3 system is ideal. I also think that it is better to buy telephoto lenses of the micro 4/3 system because they are smaller in size and lighter in weight than lenses of other systems. I dont know whats in Canon, but the stabilization in Panasonic lenses and cameras is so good that you dont need to carry a tripod or monopod with you. High-aperture lenses are also produced for the micro 4/3 system.
Considering that an ordinary person cannot have two systems at once (it is expensive), it is better to sell all cameras and lenses of other systems and buy only a micro 4/3 system !!!
I tend to agree. I already switched to a mirrorless APS-C camera, and I couldn't be happier with the reduction in the size and weight of my gear. With the improvment in software capabilities from Topaz, Abobe, I get similar quality, if not better. I already sold my full-frame camera and some L lenses and I am in the process of selling everything else. I don't have a purchasing wish, but a selling wish 😁
16
« on: November 01, 2024, 08:45 »
Average month
17
« on: September 03, 2024, 22:06 »
Good August.
Looks you make good on FAA , is it worth the effort ?
There is no effort; once the metadata is in for the main agencies, uploading to FAA is just a matter of a few clicks.
Thanks, I know. Wanted to know if is worth paying to be a premium so I can upload more images. Have around 4k images ready to upload.
Ah ok. That fee was paid back many times over during last month... so yes.
18
« on: September 03, 2024, 14:47 »
Good August.
Looks you make good on FAA , is it worth the effort ?
There is no effort; once the metadata is in for the main agencies, uploading to FAA is just a matter of a few clicks.
19
« on: September 02, 2024, 11:00 »
I doubt I can double my income again next year, but if I reach 12k in 24 I think to aim for 15K as a baseline for 25 seems reasonable.
Making 12K - 15K per year on Adobe is totally doable. In 2023, I hit about $20K, and so far this year, I'm at $14K with about 8.000 videos.
What do you mainly produce? Videos? How long have you been at it? I started back when it was Fotolia, so I've been at this for quite a few years. I think that might be the trick, but if longevity and a strong history is the secret, then people starting more recently have a serious uphill battle unfortunately.
Doable indeed, even with 1,839 assets (including 368 videos).
20
« on: September 01, 2024, 14:07 »
Good August.
21
« on: June 20, 2024, 07:16 »
Not that relevant since Adobe offers many of us free access to all apps or to LR/PS.
22
« on: June 07, 2024, 15:20 »
Average May for me.
23
« on: June 03, 2024, 12:18 »
24
« on: May 03, 2024, 17:44 »
Happy to report two events:
- Last month was my best April ever.
- My lifetime earnings crossed $400K
Congratulations on these figures! I know very, very few contributors who can achieve such success with such a small portfolio. They are my role models. And you, too, have remained true to your motto "rather less, but very good".
If I see it correctly, you have an RPF (return per file - images and videos mixed, with a ratio of approx. 4:1) of around $200. That's really good!
We can still argue about whether talent is part of it or not. I say yes, you say no. But ultimately it doesn't really matter. The fact is: you deliver "stocky" image material - and that pays off.
What I can't remember: Did I ever ask you how long you've been offering on microstock?
Thanks, Wilm, cobalt and Pacesetter. Yes, we can still argue. This job doesnt require talent. Its very much engineering, and not only about how to operate the equipment. Once youve identified the formula, you apply it over and over again. Zero Talent is required for such repetitive work....  We are producers, not artists.... like or not. About your question: In September 2013, I uploaded my first photo to Shutterstock. P.S. Averages can be deceiving. In this case, the Pareto principle works better (my top seller, a photo, brought in over $8k, my best video, over $7k).
25
« on: May 03, 2024, 12:11 »
Happy to report two events:
- Last month was my best April ever.
- My lifetime earnings crossed $400K
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