Quote from: Faustvasea on May 01, 2024, 16:12

Thanks a lot, really appreciate your help. I've seen your portfolio, and I think even If I would have good metadata, I won't be make big money, your videos are way superior than mine.

And other people's videos are way superior to mine.  It makes no difference. :-)

You cannot predict what customers are looking for.  If you have subject matter that is in demand; if you shoot, edit, and grade it competently; and if you have excellent metadata, you will succeed.  That is the recipe for success.

I will have to focus more on quality and metadata. I only sold a video for the first time on pond5. But I have very small port of 800 clips. Obviously I won�t compete with people that has 10k+, and being longer on the market.

Quote from: Faustvasea on May 01, 2024, 07:54

Thanks, I thoughts you use Ai tags or description using apps like Xpiks or other similar apps.

AI is crap for stock.  In my experience, it can't tell the difference between a smokestack and a rocket; between a goldfish and a salamnder; between an airplane and a cross.  I could go on an on, but anyone who relies on AI is leaving money on the table. If buyers cannot find your images, then they cannot buy them. Simple as that.

BTW, we don't get paid for images or clips because that is the fun stuff most people would shoot for free. We get paid for the boring drudgery work of creating metadata. More than anything else, that's what separates the the successful from unsuccessful.

If anyone honestly thinks AI can replace a human for creating effective metadata, I will challenge that person to show me some examples.

Thanks for heads up, I have started stock last year, and I am using Ai description and Keywords, there aren't big money in stock, so don't want to sink too much time. Any advice for a newbie like me?

Quote from: Injustice for all on April 30, 2024, 18:14

like many,I know you from the days of the SS forum,excellent work,congratulations! 

I don't think anyone who starts producing videos and uploading them to SS today,will ever be able to achieve these results.

I seem to remember that until a few years ago you used to make over $30k in a year.

luckily there is Adobe,otherwise microstock would have no future!

No, I'm not making $30K per year at Shutterstock, but the earnings keep rolling in month after month with virtually no effort on my part. And quite a few newer clips that I've uploaded are making good money now.  I have had a pretty busy last couple of years with regular work and have not had the time to upload very many new clips.  I'm still out shooting regularly because I enjoy it, but doing the metadata is another story.  I've got a backlog of about 5000 4K clips that are all edited and graded.  Will I ever find time to do the metadata and get them earning some money for me?  I don't know.  Too busy with other work to even think about it right now.  Metadata is the bane of my existence.   It takes time to do it well, and if you don't take that time, then why upload at all? Without good metadata it is just a waste of time.

Are you using any app for your metadata, if you don�t mind me asking.

Hi. I'm after some help. Can any point me to the right direction how I can fill the model release for people in Adobe. I have downloaded the form, but slightly confused. Thanks

unique means that the content is that speciel because only you offering it, in that case customers are willing to pay a premium price if its exactly what they need, because they cant get it anywere else.

Thanks, I'm still thinking. Because I sold more videos on Adobe than P5, and to be honest, i had my first sale with them last week, basically in 1 year time 1 sale.

I went exclusive with Pond5, and it was the best thing i could have done. Because i make much more now, than i ever did before.
And the reason are the high prices, i sell clips at 299$ so that made all the difference for me.
And nobody steals your content at that price thats for sure.
So higher prices and the higher commission for being exclusive on Pond5 leads to a very high profits per sold video.
Wish you best of luck

May I ask how many files you have in your port?

Blackbox has a gigantic community wih people regularly posting their income. Makes it very easy to see that serious uploaders are slowly getting into fulltime income territory with thousands of dollars a month.

Does Robert Harding have a huge, active contributor community with thousands of people?

Well, I don't know. But with the low sales, I can't see the future giving my content to the middle man. Like blackbox, or wirestock, I've seen some people including YouTubers promoting blackbox, but to be honest I don't think that will work in long run.

That's why I wanted to know if Robertharding works the same.


I like to manage everything myself.

Quote from: Faustvasea on April 06, 2024, 06:01

Quote from: fotoroad on April 06, 2024, 05:34

Hi check Alexandre's webpage https://brutallyhonestmicrostock.com

I've seen on his website, but not sure whenever is worth to upload or no. Seems like individual website that distribute images on other agencies.

Maybe the guys can write some feedback about that agency. Sadly, don't know how to tag him here

I think he already write about that, check his web, he is also here just I think he is on trip at this time

Thanks, I haven't found that, probably will PM him.

I've been on P5 for a year, neve sold anything. 700 clips. But I have sold some videos on Adobe
. Makes sense if you have huge portfolio. But with smaller ports, better to diversify.

Very informative. And I see you are very close to monetization.

If you want some CC as I am doing YouTube myself , here are below:

- Edit you YouTube channel, link, so you can get better credibility.
- Add some images, and some b rolls on your videos, as it's getting boring a bit.

Overall, very good video.

Thank You  Faustvasea, I appreciate your respond, I appreciate your helpful ideas.
[/quote]

No problem. If you need any help, feel free to PM.

Never heard of people having multiple accounts for different content types, not sure if that is even allowed on Adobe. I am only aware to open a new account when you are over 1 million files or an account for a special media group - only video, only ai

It would be crazy difficult to reach a good ranking with several portfolios, each has to work itself up by itself?!

I would never be able to create enough content.

I have no intention of spamming Adobe, I usually upload around 50 files a week, trying very hard to increase that.

There is no chance of me having 30k files on Adobe in 2 years.

But for a full time living from ONLY Adobe I would probably need 30k files.

But there are other agencies and other media types.

So to reach a full time income over 3-4 years is certainly possible with the right content.

But not only ai and certainly not only Adobe.

Don't think it's worth having multiple accounts.

Personally now I am on 3k files on Adobe. But planning to have 10k images and 1 k in videos by end of this year.

Will focus more on macro and aerial shots, maybe add some FPV and time-lapses.

Quote from: Faustvasea on April 03, 2024, 16:14

What art you sold? Normal photos or Ai? I have around 3000 files, never sold anything

9 of 9 sales were AI images - my portfolio is about 40% Fotos, 60% Ai images (3.712 files here)

Motifs were all different: Landscape, Animals, Watercolor Art, Fantasy Landscapes

Thanks. Might try that as well

Quote from: illstudio on April 03, 2024, 12:26

Thanks. Last I heard only Adobe, 133RF and Dreamtime (limited ), correct?

I am uploading AI to: (in order of sales)
- AdobeStock
- Vecteezy (the only take really good AI images with people)
- 123rf (the didn't review any images within the last 3 month for me -> waste of time)
- MotionElements
- Dreamstime (no people)
- Photo4me (Poster and Print site taking AI too)
- PantherMedia
- DesignBundles (taking AI, uploading only backgrounds)
- Ingram (people and good concepts)

Have a sunny day,
Michael

Have you sold anything on photo4me ?