Has anyone had luck with support at 123?  The latest batch of images I uploaded shows up in the pending section with everything except for the images.  The keywords and all that good stuff are there but the pics are not. 

When I attempt to add a model release no images show up from the new upload (over a week ago loaded).  Is there a way to refresh or should I just re-upload and cross my fingers?

I am attempting to add releases to newly uploaded images but it seems to be frozen and has been this way all day.  When I go to view my "pending" photos the image for the newly uploaded shots don't appear though the keywords do.  Do the photos go through an approval process prior to the actual submission and as a result we need to wait for the review before we can actually keyword and submit or is this just a glitch?

Thanks,

Mat

Hi Stephen,

Go big!  Create an event!  Go downtown and pass out flyers to get a big group of people to form a human message at Gasworks park.  To be in the pic, everyone must sign a model release.  A human sign that says 99%, maybe a peace symbol, exclamation point, question mark, etc. 

You would need some assistants on the ground but I think it could be done and with all these guys down there with no real focus or direction right now the opportunity is there if you are willing to take it.  I'm in Seattle as well and would love to help out.

Quote from: gostwyck on October 24, 2011, 13:56

Quote from: Ed on October 24, 2011, 13:44

I've been doing a lot more research on this camera....just a heads up - this issue makes ABSOLUTELY no difference to me - but it may make a difference to wildlife photographers - especially those that shoot birds.

The new body does not have the ability to autofocus on lenses with a minimum aperture of f/8.  What does that mean?  That means if you add a 1.4x or 2x teleconverter to a lens it may not autofocus (think 200mm f/4 with a 2x converter or 400 f/5.6 with a 2x converter).

Again, makes no difference to me, but if it makes a difference to you, you'll probably want to get a 1D MK III before they're all gone.

^^^ I thought this was the case with all Canon cameras and is a 'function' of the lens combination rather than the camera body itself.

That's interesting.  I hadn't read this before.  On wildlife trips I like to use the 400 f/2.9 with the 2x converter so it'll still be OK for my needs.  I wonder why that is though.  I'll bet this will impact the decision for a lot of bird shooters.

Mat 

Until now the 1D series always had a working autofocus (only the center point IIRC) with f/8. The new 1D-x doesn't. That does make a difference for those using the big lenses (500 f/4 or 600 f/4) with a 2x converter (which is a very common combination for wildlife photographers).

I think I'll stay with my 1D Mark IV - can't find a reason to upgrade with the specs of the 1D-x.

Yeah, I get that. I can see the advantage for an event photographer/newshound. It's the rest of us (and Mat in particular, though I know he does some events) I am wondering about. It's a lot of money to justify spending.

I shoot quite a few concerts so this is pretty much my dream camera.  I am spoiled with the 1D Mark III with a 10fps bursts I get shots that I would more than likely miss with a slower camera.  With the even faster X I won't have to sacrifice the speed for the size and quality.  The size of the images will bump me into the XXL range at FT.  The insane ISO range will also help with the many low light scenarios I find myself in.  The new imaging sensor sounds extremely promising to me as I have found most every image I run noise reduction software through gets rejected at SS so hopefully that need will be eliminated as well. 

I love the images produced with 5D cameras.  I love them.  I just shot a wedding with a 5D as my backup and realized there is no way I could shoot with it on a regular basis.  It just feels too fragile to me.  I am so hard on my gear that I would be shocked if a 5D lasted in my arsenal more than a year.  The 1D super strong body is essential for me.  Plus I live in sunny Seattle so weather sealed is essential.  This camera sounds to me like it will exceed the 5D in image quality and have all the essentials I need for my personal shooting style.  I'm well over 100,000 clicks on my Mark III and I am overdue for an upgrade.  Anything besides this new beast for me personally would be a step backwards.

That being said, it is more money that I hoped it would be.  I was expecting a 5K price tag so there was a definite lump in my throat when I called the camera store this morning.

Mat

I suppose we could always judge who is serious and who is just mouthing off by how far over their little sales meters are, eh Mat? No need to pay $40 for that.

I'm not sure what that means Mr. Trousers.  Would you elaborate?

I wrote a long, thought out post here and got called away from my desk.  I thought about it, came back up and deleted the entire thing.

Why?  Because it just isn't worth it.  

Leaf, I applaud you for asking the question at all.  I would encourage you to go through all the threads for as far back as you have the patience for and write down how many people are anonymous making confrontational (pointless) posts and how many are legitimate photographers looking to engage in serious discussions about the Microstock Industry.  I would guess it's 10 to 1 or more on anonymous cyber-bullies compared with legitimate, serious people.

It seems any time someone from the outside that isn't part of the "cool crowd" gets ripped up down left and right.  It's a very hostile environment and frankly it is more unpleasant and unwelcoming than anything as is.  

I love the idea posted around page 2 or 3 about a group of established, serious photographers forming a sub-group to discuss and vote on serious issues then bring them to the table as one.  That many images behind a group joined in solidarity could have a real voice where right now there isn't one.  Any time a commission is cut or a benefit is reduced there is the same sound of white noise rushing empty through the forum.  "Union" this, "pull your port" that..blah blah blah.  A group of legitimate photographers with established portfolios and reputations as professionals debating and discussing could open up a lot of doors in my opinion.

Leaf, I think many people would back you creating a private forum within the forum.  Invite the top contributing photographers in this forum and begin a discussion on who else could be a valuable asset.  Heck, charge $40 a year to be a member.  Once the momentum gets going we might just be able to get something accomplished around here.  

Big business for Canon will be 5D mark III, ONLY!

Believe it or not there is a whole other world of photographers out there besides Microstock shooters.

This camera would appeal to a wider range of shooters than the 5D series in my humble opinion.  Sports shooters, concert/event shooters, wedding photographers, nature/wildlife photographers.  Basically anyone that needs to capture moments that come and go in an instant.  The 5D cameras produce unbelievably beautiful images in my opinion but they are slow and they are fragile when compared to the 1D series. 

My entire portfolio at Alamy consists of editorial footage.  I had all but forgotten about the site until recently I logged in to find a $95 balance based on one sale of an image of Ichiro.  I like the high return on one sale but am not crazy about the low volume.

When did this become a serious conversation? 

I think this is a serious and important topic for photographers.  Especially for those just starting out.  I worked for free for a high end wedding photographer in the area for a good chunk of time.  Heck, not just free.  I paid tons of money for top of the line gear to provide him and his clients with usable images from high profile weddings.  It turned out not to be free at all but rather a very inexpensive education from an established pro that had invested time and money in his education.  I got more out of that relationship than he did by far.

The first wedding I did on my own I charged just $500.  I was terrified but because they were getting such a great deal it took a lot of the pressure off.  Later when I was charging up to $6,000 for weddings I would still find myself terrified but there was no relief from the pressure.  Quite the opposite. 

As a result of that time spent working for free I learned more about photography than I could imagine anyone could learn in school.  It made me the shooter I am today and opened the door to the Microstock world and the world of concert photography for me. 

In addition to the weddings I have shot charity events for free.  I have shot high profile rock concerts for free, I have shot many events for my work and I think it's fair to say that each thing I did for free helped establish my reputation in Seattle as a photographer and landed me some incredibly high paying opportunities that wouldn't have happened if I was digging my heels in the dirt and holding to the principle that I won't take one picture for anyone for less than X amount of money.  There are some events that need to be photographed but the coordinators simply don't have the budget.  In my opinion there is no shame in helping where help is needed.

I would rather shoot free than hang out at home waiting for the phone to ring with a camera layered in dust and an unused shutter.

Mat

Looks like the watermark is changing on Fotolia.  As of this post it appears about half of my images have the new and in my opinion much improved watermark. 

I am very happy to see this change.

Mat

I finally reached silver today and I hope they won't throw me back into white level.

Chad's post says specifically that "this rule only applies to Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, and Diamond ranked images that are non-exclusive, and selling at prices above the standard XS price."


You should be good to go ibogdan.  Congrats on your rank increase by the way.

Mat