I'm thinking of starting into this but I'm not sure the iStockAudio is the place to be.  Anyone using any other sites they like? 

c h e e r s
fred

I also don't think that forum participation is factored into it as they would be rewarding people that are constantly in the forums complaining or asking questions.
I think that this confusion came about as positive participation in the forums is one of the factors that Serban said is involved in being chosen as featured photographer.

 

Quote from: lisafx on March 07, 2009, 18:56

I don't think forum participation is a factor though.  I rarely participate in the site forums anymore.  Especially since discovering this group

Appreciate both of your comments.  Can you tell me if appealing reviews is of any use on DT?  I am afraid that my poor acceptance rate in the past may have reviewers giving my stuff greater scrutiny - assume reviewers have this information - I've had some questionable rejections lately but I'm not sure how to appeal or if it is even worth it. 

c h e e r s
fred

I like the $100 payout level.  It isn't difficult to make that every month with DT.  They payout quickly, unlike some of the sites with lower payout levels that have more to process every month.

Well, I can't see your portfolio so I really don't know how your getting a monthly payout relates. If you have a small portfolio it would be an interesting fact.  If you like the $100 level that is fine but DT could (like SS) allow contributors to set it lower if they wanted to be fair (and lose some of the income from zombie accounts and small ports).

I have probably not had as many payouts as most here but I have had a few and never had any problem with any site once I reached their limit.  I even managed to get paid from LuckyOliver once they lowered their payout to a reasonable level.  fred

Everyone's experience is different, and people are entitled to their own opinions. It's not a contest - you don't have to like one (DT) and complain about the other (FT) or visa versa. 

Each site has its different issues, strengths and weaknesses. 

Personally Dreamstime is my favorite - not for touchy feely reasons and not because I am just a hobbyist or just have a few images.  I have named my reasons for preferring them in numerous other threads and don't need to reiterate them all here.  My opinion is based on over 4 years of doing this, and having over 4K images on all the major micros.   

This is my full time living and Dreamstime treats its contributors like professionals, not like third world sweatshop workers to be exploited.   

My favorite is the site that pays me most for my time.  DreamsTime has failed pretty miserably in that department for me.  I wouldn't want any newbies to think that because they can make a $100 payout at IS or SS in a few months with 100 images that they can do the same at DT.  DT is just not in the same league.  Better to go with FT and other sites with lower payout limits until you build a portfolio of 500 or so unless you like waiting a long time for your money.

 

I have a lot of problems with DT.  Mostly I am not happy with my sales there.  I could blame my small (142) portfolio but my smaller(121/118)) FT/IS ports have outperformed DT for a long time and other sites (StockXpert, SS) do much better on a per image basis with larger ports. Even 123Rf beat them last month!

I would like to have a larger portfolio but their review system is very slow and I still have not figured out what they want.  It took me awhile to realize that acceptatnce percentage was very important so over the last 8 months or so I have only submitted images that are accepted at multiple other sites.  This has brought me up to 60% but it makes it difficult to build a substantial portfolio - and I guess uploading in dribs and drabs may be holding down my sales.

Others complain about FTs commission drop but I would rather be with them and make some money than with DT and - to date - not make anything.  At FT I not only make more I can take it out at $50 with DT I still have not reached their $100 payout limit.

I hope you all realize that this high payout level is money in DT's pocket.  Many contributors (I seen estimates as high as 80%) never reach payout and others like me have too small a portfolio to reach payout very often so they get free use of the money I make.  FT's commission drops are a much more honest way to make money than DT's high payout limit.  The only site I know of with a $100 limit is IS and they get the traffic to justify it.  DT really doesn't.

fred

I just made Bronze on FT and need to reset my Extended (Enhanced?) License prices. Always hated the 20 credit low price I was forced to charge - would prefer even higher but 50 will have to do for now.   Do I have to do this one at a time or can I do some kind of bulk edit to change them all at once?

Any assistance appreciate.

(I suppose I could ask on their forum or from FT support but spend more time here!)

c h e e r s
fred

Best site I have found for Nikon Lens evals -->http://www.naturfotograf.com/lens_surv.html#rating

He likes it -->http://www.naturfotograf.com/lens_zoom_03.html#AFS70-300EDGVR

c h e e r s
fred

What's with having to enter a verification code on uploading files at Dreamstime now?

Real problem is it is required for resubmittals also apparently but you never get an opportunity to put it in so when you try to resubmit if errors out.  (Of course it has to waste your time by waiting till the image has downloaded before it tells you you need a verification code!)

I sent a note to support yesterday but they don't work over there on the weekends as far as I can tell. 

c h e e r s
fred

Quote from: madelaide on February 18, 2009, 16:59

Quote from: MatHayward on February 18, 2009, 16:13

Can you dispute this math for a silver photographer?...

I think I can, given that most of my sales are either subs, XS or S.  I will do my own real-world math for the past months sales and post it here.

Regards,
Adelaide

I must say I bit my tongue and in the final math for the past months the new plan would result in an increase of 5-10% in my earnings. 

On the other hand, as Mellimage said, price increases in the credit side will move some buyers to the subs side.  Also some buyers may decide to save a bit buying a smaller size.  My calculations might then give a different result.

Nevetheless, it is disappointing to see FT cutting our already meager commissions and still force us to sell subs, FT being already one of the cheapest in the market in both cases.  I keep my position of not uploading to FT.

Regards,
Adelaide

Frankly I don't have much of a problem with the changes.  However, I don't see anyone doing the math right on the price and commissions changes.

The law of supply and demand is pretty iron clad in competitive markets and Microstock is a near perfect competitive market (i.e. easy entry, many sellers, many buyers, etc.)  That being the case the 20% rise in the price of images will result in a 20% decline in demand for images and total revenue from the sale of images will remain the same.  The important change for contributors is that the lowered commission means that a smaller proportion of the total revenue will be going to the contributors.

Total demand - the number of images needed in the market - will continue to increase and revenues will increase with that demand but the price increase will mean that Fotolia sales will not increase as fast as the demand for images increases.  Increases in the supply of images constrains the ability of MS sites to increase prices without losing market share. 

FT can make up for some of this with marketing but in the end I think contributors will be lucky to break even with the changes.

fred

Standard recommendation I have seen is that VR should be turned off if a tripod is used.  This is in the instructions with the Nikkor VR lens - 200 - 400mm may be an exception - but no reason given.  Thoughts are that it introduces a slight blur and/or shifts image slightly trying to compensate.

fred

Bjorn Rorslett gives the Nikkor 80-400 a 4 out of 5 and likes the VR.  Here's a link to his review.

http://www.naturfotograf.com/lens_zoom_03.html#AF80-400VR

c h e e r s
fred

Has the URL for this changed?  All I get is an ad with a list of financial services.

This is the link I was using:

http://www.istock-apps.com/compare/groupInfo.php?gID=620

Was the link hijacked?

fred

C'mon Fred, etc... do you honestly think that BigStock is the only one who give certain contributors preferential treatment?    Look around and make a note of who gets Editor's Choice,etc...  Friends, partners,etc... do get the white glove EVERYWHERE.
Not just BigStock. Please, don't be naive!

I just call 'em as I see 'em guy.  Cheating doesn't impress me even if everyone does it.  If you don't like the way Editor's choices, etc. are done complain about them but don't get on my case for pointing out the flaws in a site.

c h e e r s
fred