I'm ready to request a payout but I think I remember reading in this thread that theirs got screwed up somehow after the so-called "upgrade."  I think it was sent to the wrong email address or something.  My Paypal address is different than my account email address so I fear they'll screw it up.  Has anyone successfully requested and received their payout lately?

Has anyone emailed support about the lack of SSN encryption?  If so, what is there response?  This is a pretty big security hole.

I submit full size images to all sites.  I don't have the time or patience to adjust sizing for sites like SS.  Plus, as others have noted, you never know when a site might change their policies and suddenly decide to charge more for larger sizes.

I filled out the non-exclusive survey.  Can't wait to see the results.   

Hey Miz,

Of course I enjoy them since I emailed you directly for an invite to your site.    Keep up the good work.  I've learned tons so far and look forward to more!!

I use Canon's Digital Photo Professional that came with my 5D.  I use it for my editing and viewing.  I also have Adobe Camera Raw but haven't really used it much.  I like Canon's DPP surprisingly well.  I also use ACDSeePro for viewing but it's not very fast.

Hey there.  Quick question for you, what method are you using to isolate your images?

vicu,
I can understand your frustration level, however, like you, we all have our own opinions.  Believe me, I would love to go exclusive if for nothing else than to enjoy only having to upload to one site instead of 4.  Unfortunately, I have seen too many things go on at iStock over the past year that will prevent me from putting all of my eggs into one basket. There's no need in dredging up those demons here but I do feel they are valid for my decision.  Others feel differently and that is fine for them too.  To each his own.

Please keep something in mind though... the iStock forums are very restrictive and heavily censored, which is their right.  This forum here at microstockgroup is one of the few places where we are free to express our opinions about iStock, whether they are negative or otherwise, so I imagine you are going to see a lot more of the former here for that reason.  It's just the nature of the beast.

Yeah ... I got this e-mail too.

I'm a native English speaker with a university degree in the subject, and I found it difficult to understand exactly what they were offering.

It seems to be one of those messages that seem to be telling you a lot, but when you look at them closely, don't say much at all ... the sort of thing so beloved by politicians.

For example, they write about contributors receiving "...  big commissions." What is a 'big commission?' They do give a concrete example further on ... "Microsoft pays an extended license fee of $75 per photo, of which the contributor receives 35 � 50%"

Okay, lets be generous and take the upper limit. 50% of $75 is $37.50.

I don't call $37.50 a big commission for:

a) Allowing Microsoft to use your image in it's products however it wishes and ...

b)  All MS customers being able to use this image as they wish and ...

b) Allowing MS to sell it on as one of their 'products' (even if you do receive a cut) and ...

c)  You, as an independent photographer, not being allowed to sell any other RF image (even if it is not remotely related) anywhere else, through any other agency or means.

Bottom line ... ask yourself this question - "Who's going to get richer as a result of this?"

Very well put.  You hit the nail on the head.

I love the name

Partner Image Management Program

or

PIMP

 

Classic!!  LOL   

How odd.  Thursday was awful for me too, especially on iStock.  I was beginning to wonder if there was some holiday I didn't know about.  Odd for some many people to have a bad day like that.  Very odd indeed.

If you ask me, only the sensor movement is real image stabilization.

I completely agree!