MicrostockGroup Sponsors


Show Posts

This section allows you to view all posts made by this member. Note that you can only see posts made in areas you currently have access to.


Messages - Fran

Pages: 1 ... 3 4 5 6 7 [8] 9 10 11
176
I'm still a newbie so any feedback about what I'm doing is very welcomed.

I only shoot RAW on a new A900. Av when I shoot outdoor, tripod when I shoot landscape and cityscapes, fill in with a HVL-58 and natural light when I shoot outdoor portraits. I need to get an omnibounce. If someone is helping me, I sometimes use a second flashgun outdoor. I very often use intelligent preview to set the ambient light as I want it, again to fill with flash and then I start snapping away. I always try to expose to the right and set the exposure I want in PP.

I'm starting to learn indoor people shooting and I have a second flashgun with an umbrella to get the feel with it before moving to something more professional: in this scenario I shoot all manual, flashguns set on TTL with ratios, hand-held, intelligent preview to understand the lighting, shadows and so on. I need to start learning manual flashes when I get a HVL-42.

I import my images with LR as soon as I get back home to two separate folders, one is converted to DNG. I never save jpgs, only DNGs. I divide my images in RM and RF, I pick the keepers, do all the PP I can in LR, then choose some of them for further local retouching in CS3.

I export all RFs to upload to micro from LR using a preset for each agency, then upload using smartftp.
I export RMs to Alamy and upload.

177
My main goals last year were to upload an average of 15 photos each week, and to reach $1000 per month in dowloads. I exceeded the first goal, and reached the second in about August, unfortunately I dropped back below $1K in December.

This year my goals are to:
1. Upload in excess of 20 photos per week
2. Learn Spanish to a reasonable conversational level
3. Travel from Guatemala where I am now, all the way to Tierra el Fuego in Argentina, without jumping on a plane for any part of the trip
4. Do my scuba diving certificate
5. Fund all of the above + my trip back home solely from microstock earnings...

Good luck everyone with your goals!

Stunning. I envy you so much.

178
iStockPhoto.com / Re: Time to cull your portfolio's..
« on: January 05, 2009, 08:00 »
I think you are failing to realize, shank_ali, that (older) non-sellers show up at the very bottom of search queries, and are thereby automatically culled: taking the time to eliminate them from your portfolio is doing nothing but wasting time.


I agree. The reason I see to cull my old images is purely personal: since I have improved in a year I want to present a better portfolio.

179
First off, I've not seen a single agency make an honest attempt to purge their database of poor images.  We all know agencies accepted virtually anything when they first started to grow their image count, and those images still bog down search.  Rather than raising criteria to macro standards, it would seem far more reasonable to purge non-performing, poor images from the existing database.  Addition by subtraction.  It's a win-win, as the agency will have a higher quality portfolio and more sales due to a lack of poor images showing up in search.  The contributors will see be rewarded due to increased portfolio exposure.

I was wondering if you can't reach the same result by simply tweaing the search engine to penalize, say, images older than two years with less than X sales/views (just making an example for the sake of argument). It would achieve the same effect you are describing, give better search results to the buyer and still let the agency boast about numbers. At the end of the day an image in the database that never shows up in broad searches costs only in terms of storage for the agency.

180
General Stock Discussion / Re: Were you Happy with 2008?
« on: December 27, 2008, 13:47 »
Ok guys, let's stop this argument, shall we?

181
- 9 days photo trip to Toscana, Italy

Next summer? I go to Tuscany practically twice a year. Meet you there.

182
My goals for 2008 were:

- pick my first reflex up [done]
- 100$ a month [exceeded, max was 160$]
- first sale at Alamy [done]
- first payment at ISP [not done]
- 125 images online at ISP [3 short]
- 250 images online at DT and SS [exceeded]
- 100 images online at Alamy [exceeded]

My goals for 2009: I'll think about it next week :D

183
Shutterstock.com / Re: SS rejections explosion!!!
« on: December 19, 2008, 06:20 »
6/6 rejected yesterday, but they were poor shots so I'm happy if they raise the quality standards.

184
Off Topic / Re: Hey Merry Christmas, everyone
« on: December 18, 2008, 11:23 »
Merry Christmas everyone.

It's been quite an interesting year for me, very stressful and painful in lots of ways, but from "suffering" comes strength and good things if you don't let go.
So I will remember this year, I got into photography, and this new passion will probably stay with me for a long long time, and let me find a very interesting comunity here which I'm following daily. And I got a new incredible job right at the end of the year when all hope seemed gone.

What I've learnt this year is to endure pain and enjoy joy. And always work for the better. I want to pass this to everyone here, hope it helps.

185
Off Topic / Re: Major IE password vulnerability
« on: December 17, 2008, 17:54 »
While I agree with most of the statements that you made, I have to disagree with this one.

IE is less secure by the fact that it is the most prevalent browser.  More people use it and this makes more people interested in hacking it.

Hackers are not that interested in less known browsers, since they will not give them the "bang for the buck" that they are looking for.


This is opening a can of worms. I'd agree with you if you say that IE is the most attacked browser cause it's the most popular at the moment, but this doesnt automatically translate in being less secure. A decent objective measure of "security" is the number of security holes found, or even, better, the number currently unresolved. In this metric FF is slightly "less secure" than IE cause there are more vulnerabilities currently opened. You could say that IE, though more attacked, has less vulnerabilities.
I tend to prefer IE under Vista cause it works in conjuction with Vista Protected mode and UAC to keep malicious software away from my system. But it doesn't really matter cause FF is a perfectly capable and good browser to work with. The biggest hole in security is by far between the PC and the chair. If the user says yes when asked to install a program with Administrator rights, there is no browser and no security measure that will help him.

186
Off Topic / Re: Major IE password vulnerability
« on: December 17, 2008, 16:41 »
I worked for Microsoft Games Studios since they acquired the game team I was in years ago, till, well, now. But I'm finally moving to Germany to an independent game developer. I'm really not much for Big Corps.
I make videogames and not browsers though :D

As much as UAC is annoying, and it bloody is!, i strongly suggest to keep it on as much as possible, cause it's the best line of defence against malicious software.

187
Off Topic / Re: Major IE password vulnerability
« on: December 17, 2008, 16:16 »
Fran, did you read the article I linked?

FWIW I have been fairly internet savvy for over 10 years and already use all the precautions you have mentioned plus a number of additional, and I don't believe or pass along any of the myriad hoaxes and warnings floating all over the net. 

If you are not concerned, feel free to blow this off, but it seemed serious and credible enough to me after reading the article that it was worth mentioning. 

Yes Lisa, I have. I'm a programmer myself (I mean, I've always been since I was 8... awww geek) and I know it's a credible threat, as credible as other less publicised (so even more dangerous!) for other browsers. What I'm saying is that to be protected, just keep doing what you've always been doing and use the browser you are more comfortable with. IE is not less secure than FF. The security level comes primarly from our own practices and not from the software we use.

On the other hand it'd be very dangerous to change browser, as the article suggests, feeling more secure and lowering our defences, if you see what I mean. On a more technical level, if you are running Vista with UAC on and with normal priviliges (not as Administrator) you are very well protected against this kind of attacks on any browser.

188
Off Topic / Re: Major IE password vulnerability
« on: December 17, 2008, 12:46 »
Lisa, security is more a social issue rather than technical.
FF is not more secure than IE (link) per se, it has just different issues.

Just be careful about what you visit, install a good antivirus (Avast Home is free for personal use), never install anything unless you know where it's coming from and someone else used it before you and you will be absolutely fine with any browser. The rest is down to IStock security processes, for example.

189
Off Topic / Re: Major IE password vulnerability
« on: December 17, 2008, 10:32 »
Are there people who still use IE?! Firefox rulz. hhh

I do use IE and not intend to go back to FF.

190
General Stock Discussion / Re: Similar images
« on: December 17, 2008, 09:09 »
Why don't you raise the problem with him and Fotolia? There's nothing you can do, but you can at least scare him off a bit.

191
Dreamstime.com / Re: Advise on DT Please beefore I upload to them.
« on: December 17, 2008, 07:10 »
I think Fran is on to something.  Keeping that acceptance ratio up is important.  It is the key to being able to upload in large numbers.

As for FTP ... have you tried any of the microstock processing programs ... ProStockMaster or Cushy Stock?  I'm still using the trial version with restrictions on number of uploads but find that it is a really good tool to place in the workflow.

Warren Price


Thanks Warren. It also has a (small) impact on search placement as far as I know.

Quote
DT became my #2 earner last month passing IS, and this month they have vaulted to #1 for the first time passing SS.  Their growth the last 18 months has been sure and steady.  They just seem to make better decisions than their competitors when it comes to price increases, contributor relations, etc.  In my opinion they are the best run microstock agency.

From my very limited experience, I totally agree with you on this.

192
Dreamstime.com / Re: Advise on DT Please beefore I upload to them.
« on: December 16, 2008, 09:31 »
OK you guys! I downloaded the filezilla program .... now I just have to learn how to use it. I fear uploading a hundred images at once and having them all rejected for some dumb reason that I knew nothing about.

Advise on that welcomed also. I have been a photographer longer than I care to remember but some of the tech stuff with computers leaves me behind.

Thanks!
-Larry

You can upload as many as you like via FTP and leave them there in the queue. Then you can select few shots and start adding categories and submit them, while the rest stays in the queue. You can learn from there what is acceptable and what is not, so you can go back to the queue and submit some more or delete the shots with the new insight.

That's what I do and even if I'm an almost total newbie to this game and to photography in general, i can keep my Acceptance Rate to about 70% on DT, and learn in the process. It works nicely in my opinion.

193
Alamy.com / Re: Alamy and images orientation
« on: December 15, 2008, 18:21 »
There's a tickbox where you edit the image data. But it will take MONTHS to delete. I suggest you to create a pseudonym (something like FRAN DELETED for me), move it there and THEN request deletion. Or you won't be able to move it afterwards.

194
Alamy.com / Re: RM choices in Alamy
« on: December 14, 2008, 14:20 »
Unless there is good reason.

Always set as L.
Always set as No Releases unless you have one.
Always set all countries.

There is a decent enough market for pure editorial and this will put you in that market.

Peter

What's a good reason in your opinion to not set L?

195
General Stock Discussion / Re: My day with Yuri Arcurs
« on: December 11, 2008, 06:54 »
Hi All,

 It has been a standard in the arts ( as well as crafts ) that when you reach a certain level of success that you give back to the community ( theatre, film, music, art, photography ). That is my belief, I don't expect this sort of thing from people just starting but once you are lucky enough to become successful at your profession what harm is there in giving back. It doesn't show much faith in your abilities to grow in your skill if you covet what you have in fear of others taking it from you.
 I personally started teaching photography at the same school I studied 2 years after graduating. I have been showing in detail what I do to many people for almost 20 years, through workshops and seminars and college classes. I have grown as my skills have grown. Not many of the people I have taught have made it as far up the ladder but some have come close and over the next decade some will pass me, it has been a great feeling watching them grow. For me that is a big part of what this journey is all about.
 How has that affected me. I am in the top 50 money makers at Getty images. I am not trying to brag with this statement just trying to make a point with this stat because I think it shows that sharing your ideas doesn't conflict with your successs it actually makes it stronger.
 I also have the confidence that I can keep improving my craft and that whatever I teach will be interpreted differently and as they learn what I am sharing I am off learning something new. Keeps you fresh and stops you from being stagnant in your style. One style will only take you so far and I think any good photographer will continue to improve along with those he or she teaches. I would say my style even photographic direction has made a radical change every 7-10 years.
 But this has deviated a bit about the original post. It was people that try to Slam Yuri for his own choice, how insecure is that. Believe in yourself and there is nothing that can stop you. I really like what some of you have posted about teaching or giving back.
 Fran you make a really good point about learning your craft through teaching others. There has always been a saying in America : Those who can do and those who can't teach " I completely disagree with this statement. I learn so much more than any student I have had just by trying to better understand what I had to explain. We both grow through the process.
 As for it hurting Yuri, I wouldn't worry to much about Yuri he is a shaker and a mover he is connecting with all the right people ( I am watching it take place ) and he will not be slowed down. That takes a special person with the right circumstances and especially the right amount of confidence and determination.
 AS for you Danp68 I don't want to hear that from you " I will never be " unless you are on your death bed there is always opportunity waiting for all of us it just takes hard work and patience. I think in 2012 we will all be wanting to know your secrets, so get out there and make it happen. I believe you can. ;)
 If any of you are offering others advice through direct e-mails about how to light and shoot I think that is great but please make those posts here for everyone to enjoy that would be awesome and very helpful.

Best,
AVAVA

Very inspiring. Thanks :)

196
General Stock Discussion / Re: My day with Yuri Arcurs
« on: December 10, 2008, 07:48 »
Sure, it improves your brand if you're selling to photographers.  I just don't see how buyers care about who he trains to do what.  That's why it seems like he's moving to a consultancy position to other photographers.

I think we are talking general brand awareness here.

Quote
And I still disagree.  If you are training people to do exactly what you do, don't expect them to not compete with you.  I answer plenty of email questions about lighting, and cameras and 3d, but I don't believe in completely training someone to take over for me.  There's one contributor I know on iStock who uses his models, shoots in his place, and uses his "network".  Her stuff looks exactly like his.  So, when she makes a sale, she's likely taking a sale that would have been his.  Just doesn't make sense to me.

Well, we don't really know if he's teaching absolutely everything he knows. I surely don't do it in my field even if I give out a lot.

197
General Stock Discussion / Re: My day with Yuri Arcurs
« on: December 10, 2008, 05:57 »
If he's so concerned with dropping profits, I'm still surprised he's going around training his competition.  That doesn't make any sense to me.

It makes a lot of sense to me: tutoring is an excellent marketing tool and improves his brand. He has a lot more to gain from this than what he's losing from competition in my opinion.

All I can guess is that some people are just easily threatened and that's a shame. You are all great photographers in your own right and there is no one that can stop you from being the next Yuri of Micro, except for yourself. Don't see him as anything but a mark to shoot for if you wish, or a mentor if you find his information helpful. There is nothing wrong with having mentors. I have had a few in my life and they have all been a great asset.

I totally agree with you. I've read a lot and I had some great teachers in my main profession (which is programming videogames) and I spend a substantial amount of my time back to writing on books (for free), conferences, answering emails, discussing ideas with people. Doing it doesn't give me any money, and I don't have a brand to create cause I'm selling nothing else than my workforce, but I think I owe this to the community I learnt from in the past and, even more important, when I'm explaining a technique or discuss it with someone, it becomes clearer to me to cause I'm forced to break assumptions. Mentoring others is a great tool to improve yourself. And if you are good at what you do, competition is usually not a problem. So I'm totally against the idea that "giving advices is helping competition".

198
Consolidation is part of the normal business cycle. Times like these cash rich companies buy out cash poor - asset rich acquistions.

Personally I believe that most of the smaller players (not StockXpert) are only in it in the hope a major player buys them out.

I would be very surprised if DT and SS are not in talks with either a buyer, or a seller.

It happened exactly the same in the videogame industry in the last 10 years. Lots of small independent companies when I started; they either closed down or got acquired by bigger and more efficient companies. The company where I've been working for the last 5 years (Lionhead) was acquired three years ago by Microsoft (a giant).

It's natural course of capitalism.

199
Thanks, I use it constantly.

200
Alamy.com / Re: At last my first sale
« on: December 08, 2008, 07:02 »
Had my first RM sale today for 90$ to a national newspaper in UK, few months short of my goal (first RM sale within a year since I held my first camera, which was in Feb). I have about 130 images online.
Can't hide that it really feels good. Still a long way to making 24.000$ a year but it's a start :D

Pages: 1 ... 3 4 5 6 7 [8] 9 10 11

Sponsors

Mega Bundle of 5,900+ Professional Lightroom Presets

Microstock Poll Results

Sponsors