Quote from: derby on December 19, 2019, 20:36
Mmm Better to forget It in my opinion...
I received a lot of invitation in the past for my area, all about US cities... And I live in Italy 

And what is your opinion based on? 
My invitation was for my area.

Quote from: ShadySue on December 19, 2019, 19:00

Quote from: Hoodie Ninja on December 19, 2019, 18:38
The website is not displaying some pages correctly so they must be uploading the stats now.

The 'unexpected error' displaying pages has been happening on and off all month.
So mebbes aye, mebbes naw.
'Should' be reported by end of day tomorrow on PST.

Also, just tried to access royalties and it says they are importing new statement data.

Also, does this mean the images have to be exclusive?  The invite doesn't mention anything about being exclusive, but when I was looking on the website, it looks like they are.

Quote from: ShadySue on December 19, 2019, 19:00

Quote from: Hoodie Ninja on December 19, 2019, 18:38
The website is not displaying some pages correctly so they must be uploading the stats now.

The 'unexpected error' displaying pages has been happening on and off all month.
So mebbes aye, mebbes naw.
'Should' be reported by end of day tomorrow on PST.

But.....but.....but.....I already got the popcorn!  I will not be denied my popcorn! lol 

Quote from: Uncle Pete on December 19, 2019, 15:59

Quote from: qunamax on December 18, 2019, 21:53

Quote from: Uncle Pete on December 18, 2019, 20:16

Quote from: pancaketom on December 18, 2019, 05:08
IS was by far the most annoying. not anymore. Now it is probably Alamy. The DT automatic categories helps there a lot.

Odd, I find Alamy a piece of cake. I upload photos, with embedded data, they approve, I select all, if it's a series or set, and hit some stars... done. Anyone who is still trying to please discoverability is driving themselves nuts. Put in what belongs, star some top words for extra weight, and be done.

Not

Quote from: drd on December 18, 2019, 19:27
Least favorite is Getty

Yes, to the point that I've stopped uploading there. When I don't earn that bottle of expensive single malt, every year, for doing nothing, maybe I'll wake up and leave their party.

True, the whole process is dead easy and quick, and the site is quite responsive and bug free compared to AS and SS, the only downside being that clicking the next photo adds to selection without holding CTRL.
And I may add that I had maybe max two rejections in my time with them and reviews are quite fast.

I'm trying to figure out why some people don't like Alamy?

I mean compared to others, it's really less complicated and less time consuming, if one has the words and description embedded. Click for property or not, No Release Uploads. In fact submitting is even easier, just upload and wait, then add the details when they are accepted. OK maybe that's part of the problem? Having to go back and do the data, after being accepted, instead of with upload?

Yes, that click just adds is frustrating. Also unclick is one by one, select is one by one. When I do a series, I like to do them all, click the Supertag, and get on with it. I tried holding Shift, doesn't work.

I use the same pseudo for a batch, one click for Illustration or Photo, batch by type of content, I don't even see category, which is one of my least favorite things to add on the other sites, because they are so limited, but we are forced to decide. Oh nice, it's an object? 

Having to go back afterwards is probably the biggest complaint.  It's much smoother if you can get it done all at the same time and not have to remember to go back and finish things up.  But I also wonder if adding all the extra info they ask for is better for sales or not?  I was getting sales when I was doing it, but now that I've neglected many batches, I haven't had a sale in quite awhile. 

Did anyone else get an invitation from Getty/iStock to participate in a brief for their area?  I don't see it on the website, but it popped up when I was on the app.  A friend of mine, who lives in the same area, said he didn't get one so I'm not sure how people are chosen for this type of thing.  I've never had it pop up before.

Quote from: Uncle Pete on December 18, 2019, 21:48
The phone app shows views and download stats, January through December, doesn't show earnings. Shouldn't be long before this will be an active topic.

The website is not displaying some pages correctly so they must be uploading the stats now.  I'll get the popcorn!

Quote from: ForrestBrown on December 18, 2019, 18:55
I think Adobe is the most annoying with having to reorder the keywords so that the most important keywords are first. It's extra annoying because even if I have several videos with the exact same keywords, I need to go through and reorder each video separately.

You can copy the re-ordered key words and then paste them into the next one.  But I agree that it's annoying to have to put them in order in the first place. 

Quote from: George_ on December 13, 2019, 09:06

Quote
Supposedly you can download the images for free. 

I made this weird thought.
Assuming your image was bought for commercial use.
They just publish it over or under a headline texted: Free art!
And they can always claim that your image is legally bought ande used to decorate the page with no intention to give it away as free download and that users just misused your image?

I believe they stole it from a site I used to post my photography to.  The reason I believe this is because I always watermark my photos for that stuff and this particular photo has water in it...and when I look at the water where my watermark would be, I can see that it looks like they cloned it out (poorly, I might add). 

Quote from: George_ on December 13, 2019, 07:07

Quote from: charged on December 13, 2019, 00:29

Quote from: Hoodie Ninja on December 12, 2019, 20:38
I still wonder why anyone would buy my plain-Jane tree photo when there are so many better shots.  But it just goes to show you that you never know what is going to sell and what is not.

Sometimes the buyer deliberately want shots that are not 'better'
I had two photos appear Saturday Night Live in the last 12 months. Both were boring photos of people. Neither of them would be considered super attractive. Just average looking. Thus they clearly wanted show average looking people photos in their skit.

Perhaps not the case. Hoodie Ninja as most artists developed the sense of framing and composition and this reflects outside photography to everyday life, from making a tost to decorating a tree or a room. No matter the style or the 10cent reward. A tree deco is a personal perspective and view assuming the millions of combinations and colors available.

Well, in all fairness, I did call it a plain-Jane shot.  There's no presents or other decorations to really speak of.  But maybe the plain-ness is what they wanted.  Just a tree.  Not much else.

Quote from: charged on December 13, 2019, 00:29

Quote from: Hoodie Ninja on December 12, 2019, 20:38
I still wonder why anyone would buy my plain-Jane tree photo when there are so many better shots.  But it just goes to show you that you never know what is going to sell and what is not.

Sometimes the buyer deliberately want shots that are not 'better'
I had two photos appear Saturday Night Live in the last 12 months. Both were boring photos of people. Neither of them would be considered super attractive. Just average looking. Thus they clearly wanted show average looking people photos in their skit.

My husband thinks it's because I didn't have a topper on my tree (no star or angel).  Not sure if that is the case or not.  For one of the sales listed on Dreamstime, it says the buyer searched for: Christmas tree room lights.  It's too bad other sites don't list what the buyer searched for because I have found that information incredibly helpful when prioritizing my keywords.

Quote from: hellou on December 12, 2019, 21:38

Quote from: Hoodie Ninja on December 12, 2019, 20:38
..because I probably only got 10 cents. lol

Do not upload to sites that pay you 10 cents. shame on you 

That's your takeaway from the whole story?  Jeesh. smh

That site is 27% of my income.  Don't tell me what to do.  You worry about yourself.

Last year I uploaded a pic of my Christmas tree to several sites.  Adobe was the only one to reject it.  They wanted a property release.  I could've done one, but didn't feel like my lowly tree would get any action, so wasn't worth the time to fill out a form.

Then one day I was watching The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.  He was doing his usual Friday Thank You Notes bit.  And he was thanking Christmas trees for the 10,000 needles he'll be finding in his carpet until August.  As the picture of a Christmas tree was fading into the screen, I thought, "Oh, I have that same Christmas tree skirt!"  As the picture came in fully, I went into shock...it was MY Christmas tree photo!  Mind you, this was not a set-up stock scene.  This was just a quick shot in my living room of my own personal decoration.

Of course, all my friends and family whom I told about it wanted to know how much I made from my photo being featured on a major television show.  And that's where I would look to the ground and not want to answer....because I probably only got 10 cents. lol

I have sold the photo several more times on that site, and on other sites as well.  I still wonder why anyone would buy my plain-Jane tree photo when there are so many better shots.  But it just goes to show you that you never know what is going to sell and what is not.

I know this doesn't have anything to do with the original question about when to submit Christmas photos, but thought the story was worth a share anyway.

Quote from: Uncle Pete on December 12, 2019, 16:55

Quote from: Hoodie Ninja on December 12, 2019, 01:25
I was just doing an image search of one of my more popular images and found it being given away for free on TIMELINECOVERS.PRO as a Facebook cover.  Anyone else had experience with this site?  I wonder how many other images of mine are on  there?  Grrrr.

Is that a licensed use where someone pays a fee for web use? I think IS and SS had some of those? Or could be illegal use and they "found" the image on a free site. Good to track back. Heck I'd write and ask them for money, because they used a protected image. Maybe you'll get a payment?

Oh I looked, it's a clickbait site. Shows 12 images and has a more button for the next set. Interesting.

I'm sure they're just running off the ads and that the stolen images are just a way to generate traffic.  Supposedly you can download the images for free.  I didn't try as I'm not fond of viruses.

Quote from: Hannafate on December 12, 2019, 15:31
At least they have a dmca link at the bottom of the page.

Which is, of course, very time consuming to have to do. 

The map for the eastern countries seems to be an overlay issue because everything is to the right and a little south of where it is supposed to be.  The Americas seems to be accurate-ish (I'm not a geography major and the map is small).

I was just doing an image search of one of my more popular images and found it being given away for free on TIMELINECOVERS.PRO as a Facebook cover.  Anyone else had experience with this site?  I wonder how many other images of mine are on  there?  Grrrr.

I always use Sandisk and have never had a problem with any of their cards.  But one time, I decided to try Lexar and it failed me right away.  I threw it away and have never tried any other brands since.

I have the 5D4 but only write to one card at a time.  But shooting events is different than my landscapes....the waterfalls and mountains are more than willing to do a second shoot...or third. lol

I have had some batteries not work properly.  One of my 5D4's wouldn't charge correctly so I labeled it "Trouble."  Same with one of my drone batteries.  I put a piece of tape on it so I'd know it was the one that gave me trouble.

Quote from: Uncle Pete on December 07, 2019, 17:58

Quote from: Hoodie Ninja on December 06, 2019, 19:33

Quote from: George_ on December 06, 2019, 06:35

Quote
There isn't just one right answer and that dictates that all of us should hold the same views or opinions. 

In a perfect world, yes.
But in the actual web, influencers if not everyone are trying their best to dictate what's right for us. From opinions to reviews to info. It is sometimes hard to separate biased to actual helpful knowledge any more.

:/

The best way to navigate the sea of information is to know that each and every blog/influencer is selling something, so you need to look at the facts rather than their opinion.  For instance, I have heard sooooooooo many people say over the years that one of the best lenses to buy is the 50mm.  I have a 50mm lens and I RARELY use it and will be giving it away to my son soon.  So, figure out what YOU need (what are you going to be using it for?) and go from there.

Wait, you have a Nifty 50 and don't like it? I still don't own one, seems like something else always comes first. Like a 24mm TS-E or a 135mm f/2.

Which 50mm do you have and why are you unhappy with it?

Quote from: jodijacobson on November 23, 2019, 20:20
I have two Canon 5D4's. I fell and can't lift them so I didn't shoot in over a year. I just bought the Iphone 11pro and this phone camera blows the Canon away! Everything I am shooting is getting accepted. The color right out of the phone for stock is fantastic. It even shoots in the dark without noise!

Some days it's much harder to spot Apple fanboys, not this one. LOL

Although maybe there's a sale of the two unused 5D IVs coming up for forum members, since you can't use them anymore? Not me, I'm still using crop cameras, but there are plenty of people here who could use your used cameras for a good price? I mean, especially since the 5Ds have been replaced by an iPhone?

I just have the basic $125 version of the 50mm.  But it could have been the L-series and I'd feel the same.  It's just not the focal length I tend to use for the type of photos I shoot most (landscape/nature).  I think I have an aversion to prime lenses because I also have a 100mm macro lens that is collecting a lost of dust as well.  I use three main lenses....the 16-35mm, the 24-105mm, and the 100-400mm.  I'm using a 5D4 body.

Quote from: Microstockphoto on December 06, 2019, 16:19

QuoteI have the Samsung Note 10+, which has just as good of a camera as the iPhone 11 Pro Max

interesting, i have one too, but there are 1000s of complaints about the S10+ camera, there are several issues with it. night shots are horrendous, seriously, its not even funny, its an overprocessed noise fest

hdr never turns off, even if you disable it, so most images have low contrast and look shiiiiiiiit, only if hdr is not triggered the images in daylight are fine, i have several submitted and accepted

the selfie camera applies a beauty filter which makes me look like a plastic doll

for a flag ship phone costing around 900 dollar, its a horrendously shiiiiiit camera. and samsung refuses to fix any of this, which pisses off many users

just had to get that off my chest, rant off

The S10+ is not the same as the Note 10+.  So, maybe you don't have the same phone because I don't have any of those issues.

My night shots look fine.

I don't try to turn off my HDR because I think the images look great with it.  It's one of the pluses to the phone and why I like using it as a reference to the images I made with my DSLR.

I can turn Beauty filter off and I can also reduce the amount of smoothing if I leave it on (I prefer level 2 for a realistic amount of smoothing).

Sorry you are having so many issues with your phone.

Quote from: George_ on December 06, 2019, 06:35

Quote
There isn't just one right answer and that dictates that all of us should hold the same views or opinions. 

In a perfect world, yes.
But in the actual web, influencers if not everyone are trying their best to dictate what's right for us. From opinions to reviews to info. It is sometimes hard to separate biased to actual helpful knowledge any more.

:/

The best way to navigate the sea of information is to know that each and every blog/influencer is selling something, so you need to look at the facts rather than their opinion.  For instance, I have heard sooooooooo many people say over the years that one of the best lenses to buy is the 50mm.  I have a 50mm lens and I RARELY use it and will be giving it away to my son soon.  So, figure out what YOU need (what are you going to be using it for?) and go from there. 

Quote from: Uncle Pete on December 04, 2019, 16:03

Quote from: Hoodie Ninja on November 27, 2019, 18:01

Quote from: hatman12 on November 27, 2019, 02:34
Ken Rockwell recently did a Yosemite trip where he took several cameras and an iPhone 11 Pro.  Naturally there are quality differences when viewed 100%, but at full screen size (24 inch monitor) I find it difficult to see any difference between the mega-pixel cameras and the iPhone.

https://www.kenrockwell.com/trips/2019-10-yosemite/index.htm

As everyone has been saying, they're fine if you're just wanting to share photos online, but stock is a 100% game and the phone still can't compete with the big boys.  But he doesn't shoot raw, so how can you take him seriously? lol

I don't shoot RAW, but that doesn't make either of us right or wrong. Just a personal choice.

I also have a minivan and a Honda to go get groceries or take vacations. Since I'm not actually doing high performance driving, racing or anything like that, my cars are just fine, vs a $60,000 Corvette or a much more expensive sports car. Similar to RAW, where much of the power and usefulness is wasted. Once you make a RAW image into a JPEG, there you are, back where someone like me started. 

As long as I can get suitable images and quality without RAW, taking space, and time converting, adjusting and pixel peeping, I'm happy. I spend way to much time editing tiny details as it is, without worrying about minute tone and color adjustments. That's my answer which is, personal choice and to each their own choices.

When they make a DSLR that has a phone, I'll have a camera phone. 

I waited a long time to switch to RAW and I'm really sad I did because more could have been recovered from images that I took that needed a little bit more 'help,' particularly with highlights and shadows.  I don't convert to jpg until after the adjustments have been made and I've utilized all that 'power' from the RAW file. But it is a personal choice and if it works for you, then great.  Keep doing what works! 

I had enough images uploaded, but still hadn't seen my code.  So, I checked my spam and there it was.  Thanks Mat and Adobe!  I love getting the free subscription.

Quote from: hatman12 on November 27, 2019, 02:34
Ken Rockwell recently did a Yosemite trip where he took several cameras and an iPhone 11 Pro.  Naturally there are quality differences when viewed 100%, but at full screen size (24 inch monitor) I find it difficult to see any difference between the mega-pixel cameras and the iPhone.

https://www.kenrockwell.com/trips/2019-10-yosemite/index.htm

As everyone has been saying, they're fine if you're just wanting to share photos online, but stock is a 100% game and the phone still can't compete with the big boys.  But he doesn't shoot raw, so how can you take him seriously? lol

Quote from: Graiki on November 27, 2019, 00:29

Quote from: Hoodie Ninja on November 26, 2019, 17:22

Quote from: Graiki on November 25, 2019, 23:41
Amazing how the reviewers or artificial intelligence went crazy.
Very boring all this.
I edited 7 videos and uploaded, were denied for various reasons. I sent again because Pond5 and Adobe had accepted. They were not accepted again.
I got the impression that the reviewers were crazy.
What did I do?
I sent it one by one.
Of the 7 videos, 5 of them were accepted after submitting by 3rd.
I believe sending in Batch is worse than one on one.
I ridicule it, but in my case it worked.

I had a batch of 6 images that had gotten rejected due to noise and focus.  All images were in focus, but a couple did have a small amount of noise.  After reading your post, I decided to submit them one at a time.  All but one was accepted. 

Yeah.
Something very crazy is happening over there.
Now I'm in this madness.
I edit everything, keywords, titles and saved.
And I send it one by one.
My God, what a job that works.
Good luck to everyone.

I will continue to send as batches unless I keep getting mass unwarranted rejections. 

May the force be with you! lol