I remember the same thing happened with another agency (StockXpert). The sales decreased slowly and then they sold the agency at the end.
Last year, especially the last three months, had very slow earnings. I used to make three to four times more with a port of 3000 images, than what I'm making now with a port of 5000 images.
My RPD droped from $1.28 (in 2008) to $0.91 (and I see significant drop last three months)

I was wondering what is your experience like with Dreamstime?

Kone

What I understand, it�s the tonemapping that is different (easier) with these softwares.    Im not sure how to get same result in Ps though...

Here,

I am not an expert but I did try it few times, Leaf you should make a video-tutorial on this one

I suggest, do not use JPEG-s use TIFF-s

From one RAW image (as Leaf mentioned).

Develop (optimize) one TIFF for the shadows and a second for the highlights.
1. Set your RAW Converter output to PS as 16 bit files.
2. Clean images, dust spots etc, in PS and save each image as 16bit TIFF.
3. Use: File/Automation/Merge to HDR (I have CS4) to open and merge the TIFFs.

Kone

Why don't you call them?

Fotolia US 718-577-1321

Kone

Funny... I just got done asking Race this question in a private email...LOL
I'm only really active on DT,  BigStock,  SS  & IS,  the only 4 where any money is coming in on a regular basis..   StockXpert was sending me checks... but no more... on 3 others but no money to be made for me there.
    Been down the road on many many more....some I eventually dropped, others shriveled up and blew away ....
    I too am looking for something new, something fresh.  Anyone with any ideas, I'm all ears. =tom

Hi,
After the loss of StockXpert I researched market and picked Canstockphoto. But the only ones that produce steady returns are the top 4 same as for Lisafx.
Good luck with what you decide to go with.

Kone

Quote from: cclapper on March 16, 2010, 15:46

Quote

In other words if they are using the Flickr account as storage or sharing vehicle (between say project group members), it is not violation of any rules. Except that it sounds pretty stupid.

I don't think that's true. If they are allowing the images to be shared by multiple members, they would have needed to purchase an appropriate seat license for that and right off the top of my head, I am not sure which sites offer that license. And there is NO existing license on any of the sites, that I know of, that allows one person to purchase a web-sized image, post it on their site, and allow others to "share" it. Whether there is a download button there or not. That's called re-distribution and copyright infringement. They are allowed to purchase the image, post it on their site for their own personal use, period.

And if they did purchase the correct license, they should have kept the copyright information of the contributor intact or given them credit. I'm not sure this is a requirement, but...

The only license that would allow it would be "buy the rights" on dreamstime

Agree!!!

So did they "buy the rights"?
NO!!!

Kone

 I also had several PM's about entering third party Macro and how to approach the agencies. It's friday night and I'm relaxing for the evening but I'll be happy to post more advice in the near future on the subject.

That would be great.

Kone

sorry I didn't understand, wasn't I clear?.. next week to upload more 15 photos
[/quote]

I see.

Kone

In my sad attempts to get one of the thermal mugs I came across this shot of a concept mug that I think is better.

http://dvice.com/archives/2008/09/zoom_lens_mug_h.php

I like this one.
Looks like medium size.

Kone

@ Jonathan Ross

Thanks for your response.

Kone

Quote from: leaf on March 10, 2010, 04:11

I thought Arena Creative had a realistic view of the microstock industry in this blog post - so thought I would give it a link from here.

http://www.arenacreative.com/blog/microstock-related/can-you-really-make-a-living-selling-microstock-photography/

My opinion is that for dabblers and hobbyists - I still think they can make a few bucks a month and have fun, if that's all they want.  For those who want to have it as a profession - it is an uphill battle.  Yes, I do think it is possible as there is never enough of the best of anything in any field - but even then it won't be easy.

Thanks for the link Leaf....excellent reading. I totally agree.  500 microstockers making it full time is about what I though too.  I am not there yet, although I made $19,000 in 2009 it is my best year yet with 1200 images. Maybe if I had quitted my full time job I would have made much more but I did not like the risk.  Denis 

Don't quit your full time job Denis

Kone

Hi Guys

Although Im new here Ive been reading this forums pretty much every day for a few months, so hi everyone, I definitely feel as if I know some of the characters in here, my first post is in regards to flickr. I have a small portfolio on flickr, mostly long exposure landscape shots separate from my microstock portfolio, I have about 1500 images across the stock sites half of which are illustrations. My question is has anyone uploaded their stock portfolio to flickr and found it useful, had any work from there?

On another note I wasnt sure whether to add my portfolio links to my profile I notice a lot of people dont and prefer anonymity, any advice much appreciated, Amended!: Have decided to be open cant bear the cloak and dagger stuff my links are in my profile!

Jo

Welcome!

I would be very careful with Flicker, they are not very safe site.
But that is me maybe somebody else has different story.

Kone

Hi Lisa FX and All,

 Please remember that there are several very good Macro third party companies that support and guide their contributors with a great deal of kindness and effort. They make themselves a community to grow and build as a team. Agencies like Rubberball, Blend, Cultura, Tetra. These are all strong Macro third party smaller agencies that truly support the investment of their contributors. This is something I think is overlooked a lot.
 It is not just Getty to choose from when entering Macro. I just got back from a big gathering of one agency that included speakers and information for two days that was very valuable. They want to make their shooters better at what they do, it makes sense for both sides. I am off to another one this month for creative briefs and to share information with and learn from some really talented friendly people.  
 I think everyone should consider third party agencies in Macro as an option, I don't here them mentioned here very often. I make far more money at third party agencies per image than I do at Micro. It doesn't make it better and might not be to some peoples liking but as far as supporting their contributors they could not do a better job in my opinion. I only named 4 of them, there are more.

Best,
Jonathan

Hi Jonathan,
Thanks for all of your input in this forum. They have been more than helpful.
I was just wondering how some people can do all of this and does your day have more than 24 hours?
I see you're active at this forum and you are doing macro stock, mid stock and microstock, and also you are in the video productions business, family stuff and .... .
My days are much shorter and I hardly have the time for this forum, trying to keep sales at the same level. Is there a formula or is that just how you organize yourself?
I apologize to all other helpful people here, there are more, but I picked Jonathan because I like to read his posts and he looks to be an honest guy.

Kone

StockXpert was easy to delete compared to DT.  With StockXpert, you could delete a whole page at a time, versus disabling each file individually with DT.

I did not see that option.

Kone