Thanks so much for the feedback!  I will get in there and change out the text in pricing asap.  As well as look into the rest.  Turning the music off by default is probably a pretty good idea.  Thanks so much for the detailed information, that is extremely helpful.  In the past, the site was dedicated entirely to weddings as that was my primary focus.  Now, not so much.  I am pricing myself pretty high for them (though giving a very good value through albums and ample coverage) to ensure that they are worth my while.  I was doing tons of weddings for 2K which netted me around 1K though each required at least 40 hours of work.  On top of a full time job, that is tough.  Now I am more interested in showcasing my work, doing portraits and concerts. 

Again, thank you very much!

Mat

Has anyone here upgraded from the Canon 70-200f/2.8L IS to the new version yet?

My 70-200 is coming loose at the joint near the focal point so I need to send it in to get tightened up.  It's fully functional but I find myself using my 100 f/2.8L IS Macro more and more and getting sharper and sharper images.  Problem with that is that I need the focal length of the 70-200 more often than not.  What I'm reading is the new version is as fast and as sharp as the primes.  Do any of you have personal experience that can verify this?  Anyone want to buy my 70-200 as it is to simplify my world and make my decision to upgrade easier? 

Mat

Dang, this had me excited for a second...pretty weak they won't be accepting celebrities or sports considering it is next to impossible to get in with Getty at this point. 

Mat

Zack is never short on words.  The most common misconception in the industry is that our photo's are all selling for a buck and we're just getting a few pennies per sale.  This isn't the case.  Granted, we aren't selling for nearly as much as the big dogs in macro but we aren't getting just pennies either.

As for the concept of grouping together and selling en masse I admit I was surprised at this concept when I received a call from someone recruiting photogs to do this.  For me it just didn't make any sense.  Why would I want to share my slice of the pie?

This has been an interesting thread but no new revelations to say the least.

Have a good one,

Mat

Quote from: Elnur on October 20, 2010, 03:56

Yes, it is competitive market, we all compete against each other. But I prefer to fight competition by making myself stronger, and not by weakening the competitors (or depriving them of growth). I would respect myself more if I lose to a stronger competition, than being a leader among the weak.

Unbelievably, apparently, you can both grow your own skills and business, and be concerned about the growth of competition from the "most active community in the internet", among other things.  I'd respect myself more if I can keep paying my mortgage - keeping an eye on the threat of competition is just a part of that.

If you were the only competent photographer on I-Stock how successful do you feel the site would be? 

Thanks, Mat, but looking back, they did accept quite a few not so great shots from the early days.  Unfortunately, some of them are still selling quite well, so I don't have the heart to delete them...

Times have changed for sure!  I remember originally there were images with the time stamp in the bottom right hand corner accepted. 

As a photographer that has had the privilege of hearing Jonathan speak at a couple of different functions as well as watching him at work I can say that the industry is better off with him and his candor.  Who here that has met any level of success in this incredibly competitive and challenging industry has done so without the help or advice of an established pro?  Fake it till ya make it will only get you so far.  I know that I have learned and continue to learn from many photographers including Jonathan and I am incredibly grateful for that opportunity.  I hope to pay it forward some day as well should I reach a level that people feel they could learn from me.

Scoffing at people for sharing information has in my opinion become an antiquated form of mockery that reminds me of middle school bullying.  It is based on insecurity and fear.  There are millions of DSLR's in the hands of millions of people around the world.  If you want to succeed, shoot better than the others.  It's like wedding photographers bitching about Uncle Joe and his 50D shooting away at a wedding...if you can't outshoot Uncle Joe then you shouldn't be getting paid to shoot. 

On a side note, the first time I met Jonathan he was speaking at a photography group meeting somewhere in Downtown Seattle as I recall.  During his talk he was talking about the different ways a photographer can earn a living and touched briefly on an up and coming popular new fad where photographers gave away their images for as little as $1.  He kind of chuckled at the concept a bit then asked if anyone in the room had dabbled in it.  I sheepishly raised my hand and admitted my dirty little secret.  Jonathan pointed and laughed to the point of tears at me then called me an idiot and threw me out of the room.

No, that's not true..actually he was openly curious about it with a touch of skepticism but he heard me out and listened.  That to me was symbolic of a time when the old school (sorry Jonathan..not calling you old... "old school") stock photographers started to dip their toes in the water of micro and the microstock industry truly began to evolve into what it is today.  Without bad ass, experienced photographers contributing to micro, the quality of images would be too thinly found and we wouldn't find the success we have today.  I say bring on more awesome photography.  I'll continue to learn and hopefully improve and the buyers will continue to find their way to the micros.

Mat

I have tried to submit editorial work to them several times in the past and have yet to hear back from anyone.  The photos I've used to try to gain access can be seen here...  http://www.mathaywardphoto.com/MatHaywardPhotos/

I think it is tricky at best to get accepted there these days but good luck just the same!

Mat

Not bad.   

I was just reminded of this thread in reading a different one.  A couple weeks ago I photographed this band for a private show hosted by a radio station.  It wasn't until a DJ made a comment during an interview at the end about this lawsuit that I realized who they were.  It did not seem like a subject they had a real big sense of humor about.

Here are some of the pics if you are interested...

http://haywardphoto.blogspot.com/2010/09/vampire-weekend.html

Mat

That sounds longer than normal to wait for sure.  Rather than email, I would call support directly and get some help.  Have you uploaded your ID to confirm your account yet?

Good luck,

Mat

I think you really need to ask yourself why it is there is nobody - and I mean nobody - who is a full-time stock photographer and exclusive at Fotolia. You can be fond of all the things you've mentioned, Matt, but when it comes down to the bottom line you are selling yourself short. More short than you think is possible.

One other point I meant to make...I think where I-Stock has been superior in their exclusive program is in their aggressive marketing and recruitment.  From what I understand they have a massive staff to focus on specific things like photographer recruitment.  I think FT is very small in comparison.  They (FT) could sell themselves better in this regard as I don't know how many people even know about the benefits of exclusivity there anymore.  Like you eluded to and others...it confuses people that know this business that I am exclusive at FT.  That being said, I'm happy with my choice.  I want more of course and it's coming but I feel I'm treated fairly. 

Have a good one,

Mat

I think you really need to ask yourself why it is there is nobody - and I mean nobody - who is a full-time stock photographer and exclusive at Fotolia. You can be fond of all the things you've mentioned, Matt, but when it comes down to the bottom line you are selling yourself short. More short than you think is possible.

I promise you I've given that a lot of thought, I really have.  That's kind of why making this post is a bit selfish.  I want Fotolia's volume to be equal to that of I-Stock which everyone knows it isn't...yet.  The best way I see that happening is if the best photographers are there.  I don't think anyone can dispute the fact that the commissions decimate those of I-Stock.  It isn't even close in any category as far as I can tell whether exclusive or not and it never has been. 

As for selling myself short, if I went non or partial exclusive I would need to spend countless hours uploading to the other sites and would need to sell many times the number of pics I do now to even break even.  I had the numbers figured out at one point in time but I don't remember them off the top of my head.  It was a lot though as I wouldn't be able to charge $40 and my commission rate would be less.  As it is, I make a decent amount of money.  Not near where I want it to be but every month of every year has increased for me and I'm not seeing any signs of that trend changing <knock-on-wood>. 

Mat