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Messages - Sean Locke Photography
2826
« on: October 21, 2013, 12:26 »
Figure out something that attracts a new group of buyers.
Do you guys think that what pixoto is doing is innovative for buyers? http://www.pixoto.com/
They sort content.
This:"Submitted images are matched against each other in the ImageDuel system and voted on by other community members. The winners advance on the Image Leaderboards and vie for the coveted top spot. By surfacing the best images to the top of the Leaderboard, Pixoto hopes to be the place to find the highest-quality photographs in any given subject." Combined with this: "Our ImageDuel feature allows the community to decide which images are the best. Pixoto Stock search results list the highest ranked images first!" is concerning. Why would I want other contributors ranking my images and determining where they show up in a sort? They certainly need to work on their keywording - images have one or two tags, for all I found. Oh, and this, lol (although I guess they just haven't updated it in a year: http://www.pixoto.com/become-a-stock-contributor): When will my images be available for purchase? In October 2012. We are currently collecting from our members photos that will be available for the launch of our stock photography service in October. Make sure your photos get seen at launch submit them now.
2827
« on: October 21, 2013, 12:21 »
So, according to everyone here, there's nothing innovative that can be done in the stock photography industry? This is kind of sad.
No, you're suggesting one thing, which isn't particularly innovative, from the short description.
2828
« on: October 21, 2013, 10:55 »
"Thats one reason we do not shoot with flash or strobe anymore, we use LED or tungsten lights and shoot video and stills at the same time, time is money."
I saw Steve do a little of this at *. Nice lighting, although large and heavy, which is why having his assistant was helpful.
2829
« on: October 21, 2013, 10:15 »
I mean, build something like Zoomr, that never came to fruition: http://rising.blackstar.com/an-interview-with-thomas-hawk.html
What every happened to that?
Buyers aren't interested in socializing on a photo sharing site. They're looking to buy an image and get back to work.
2830
« on: October 21, 2013, 09:02 »
USP: Social network + marketplace.
I don't even know what you mean in this context by "social network".
2831
« on: October 21, 2013, 08:33 »
Seems like there's a fair number of you here who think it's actually a good idea,
Apart from those who already made the move to Symbiostock, I can't see why you'd think that.
What on earth is your USP?
Yeah, I must be reading another thread, lol.
2832
« on: October 21, 2013, 07:59 »
Nope.
2833
« on: October 21, 2013, 06:13 »
I closed my high-end studio of 22 years in 2002 to "retire". I decided to try microstock a year and a half ago and trading THEIR services as a "PHOTO-ACTOR" is the only way I've gotten models. It has worked fantastic for me; but a lot may depend on your approach and personality. If I meet someone (on a walk, at an
event, or even just friends of friends) that I think would be good for a stock photo situation (or just like their "looks") I explain everything up front. I can't pay them, but they will get professional photos from the shoot. I take the best ones (that I think they'd like) and either email them the jpegs or give them hard 5x7 prints in exchange for their SERVICES. I explain what I'm doing technically during the shoot and what the "story" is. People LOVE seeing what goes on "behind the scenes". They become involved in the process, sometimes come up with additional situations and ideas, and really enjoy learning about photography. I even joked with one senior working in her garden that she might show up in a billboard saying "With Depends, I can garden all day" She thought that was hilarious. After every shoot, people say what a good time they had and that I should call them again anytime. This has been my experience with seniors, couples, and parents of young children. Oddly enough, they think a couple of 5x7s (not even the files, sometimes) are great. But again, this approach probably depends on where you live and what your approach and personality is. I have a very small portfolio, but have a high percentage of sales.
I do believe in quality over quantity (since keywording, categorizing, scanning and uploading releases, and images is labor intensive and time-consuming)
That's how I got all the models here http://www.shutterstock.com/gallery-779257p1.html
If you're going to take the time to secure models, either paid, or unpaid, you should make sure to make the most of your investment. I see one image of a woman in the garden. Most of your people images look like one off grabs where the release was an afterthought. Use your pre-production time to create a theme that you can create many different planned captures from.
2834
« on: October 20, 2013, 20:53 »
I don't understand. Why is everyone here so pessimistic about trying to do something innovative in this industry?
Is there anything innovative that can be done in this industry?
Maybe, but having a site anyone can upload anything to without controls isn't it. Besides, this obviously isn't something you're passionate about since you're just 'thinking about it'. People with more drive than that have failed.
2835
« on: October 20, 2013, 20:00 »
@cuppacoffee
I'm thinking of starting the company. I wanted to hear people's feedback. What do you think of the idea? It's not a get-rich scheme. It would be a long-term open platform for people to sell their work, and make a fair price.
Don't waste your time.
2836
« on: October 20, 2013, 07:02 »
On the original point, I'd say that if there is anything holding back the market from achieving higher earnings potential it would be price. I think there is enough content or content providers, but the prices are still too low. Too much content is devalued.
I'd say it's knowledge. All these people out there need content, but you tell them about stock images and legalities, and they're like "what?".
2837
« on: October 19, 2013, 22:44 »
Years ago, at shutterpint, image rating was an endless source of conflict and wrath among pohotographers.
Ah, Shutterpoint... 
2838
« on: October 19, 2013, 22:43 »
I've read this elsewhere. I'll try to dig up the sources later on.
It may be a time sink, but it's true. Is it that hard to imagine? If some random person needs an image, their first thought is to "google" it.
That's totally different then a legitimate buyer looking to pay money to license an image legally.
2840
« on: October 19, 2013, 19:24 »
@Sean Locke Photography
I've read a lot that this is true. Most buyers go to google and then follow an image from there.
That may be true for some, initially, but once they are at an agency, they tend to stay there, unless something bigger than a missing image sways them. IMO. Google is more a source for people to steal content.
2841
« on: October 19, 2013, 19:09 »
@Sean Locke,
Most searching comes through Google Images first though, no? So, buyers first find the image in google and then go from there.
Doesn't this defeat your argument? thoughts?
Nope and nope.
2842
« on: October 19, 2013, 19:00 »
"It argues that the licensing market could be as large as 20 billion dollars if a company just accepted most photographers that tried to sell."
Nope. Buyers are tired of looking through tons and tons of useless images to find one good one.
2843
« on: October 19, 2013, 16:15 »
That's been a problem since the cv started.
2844
« on: October 19, 2013, 10:48 »
I never thought I'd hear "getting onto TS" as a benefit of uploading to iStock.
2845
« on: October 18, 2013, 14:36 »
Keep in mind, they are the only company I know of that will never let you remove images unless you terminate the whole shebang.
2847
« on: October 18, 2013, 11:31 »
2848
« on: October 18, 2013, 06:33 »
I have just looked at your demo version - I am curious as to where are the images coming from as there are a lot of mine there, many of which have not been available online for some time, nor were they all licenced.
They said in the last post they are from Fotolia.
2849
« on: October 17, 2013, 11:49 »
"Designers, rate your downloads! We're currently testing a new feature, available on your downloads page, which enables you to rate and add a review for the images you licensed. We'd love to have your valuable feedback, use this feature to send us your opinion on our images."
Does anyone think a buyer will take the time to rate an image? The buyers that are worth anything buy in bulk and won't take the time. One-off buyers might but is their feedback valuable, and if so for what purpose? Odd.
Well, according to iStock, this is the kind of "feature" that slows down the site to the point where the loupe takes 10 seconds to load. Better watch out, DT!
2850
« on: October 17, 2013, 06:04 »
but they can not copy the quality.
If you stand out from the crowd with quality, your content will be more popular, which will bring you more sales, no matter of the price (hint: Vizerskaya) (hint 2: go for exclusive, you will not regret it).
The people who copy other peoples work mostly don`t have that certain quality, if they have, they would not copy. 
Sure they can have the same quality. BTW, I was never talking about someone directly duplicating an image. Just that you have hundreds of guys who are really good at "home interiors", etc.
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