Thanks to everyone who responded about how long they've been at it and their port size.  

Sorry, I missed your original post.

4 years/ 3K images/ slower growth, but still growing at some sites. Growth was a lot better from 1K to 2K images than from 2K to 3K. I guess I need to change up what I'm doing.

I have to wonder if they've been tweaking the best match a little to try and assist some groups in making their redeemed credits targets for 2011 - i.e. if they're worried about too many exclusives dropping the crown. It isn't just exclusive vs. independent - if you look at the thread on the IS forums there are lots of very unhappy exclusives whose sales for November weren't what they expected.

It's been pretty stable for me as an independent, so I can't say it's been a search change.

So? they still shut this 'money making machine' (according everyone on this forum) down in favour of what seems to be other strategic objectives

If I was to guess I'd say that they wanted what they had created with subs to use for Thinkstock. They really didn't shut that part down just rebranded it. They gutted that part and threw out the rest.

I want to know what people use so I can start learning with the proper tools.

Pencil and paper? 

I downloaded Blender and it is definitely a lot to learn. I'll probably get back to it at some point, but it is going to take some time.

Quote from: cthoman on December 01, 2010, 09:37

Is anyone else missing the 30th at IS? It hasn't been reported in my stats, but I had sales. 

Yes, I'm missing that day too.

I guess I can do it by hand. IS needs to fix their sh... [wanders off grumbling].

I'm still making money.  I'd love to make more.  But until then, I'll try doing that through making better photos

I'm still making money as well, and I also would like to make more. That's why some of us are a "little" ticked. All my growth and hard work in 2010 was basically wiped out by this royalty change for 2011. If I continue to upload, will it just happen again? I can't speak for iStock's sustainability, but I know this pattern is unsustainable for me.

The model isn't based on one, two or 100 contributors.  And the likelihood of the best and the brightest all leaving is so low that I don't particularly care much.  Additionally, they will be replaced by others who will prop the portfolio up at a smaller commission, which in turn lowers the weighted average and allows iStock to continue to pay out better exclusive commissions.  So I'm okay with people who want to leave.  Most won't.  And thats what drives this.

I'll take that as a no, not worried. 

Micro has established that it needs millions of images to compete, maybe that will change as well. I don't know, just guessing here.

You don't need a million images. You just need the right ones and a good business model. You know, one that takes into account profit and stuff.  I'm pretty pleased with my shops performance in its first month and I don't have a million images.

Nice interview. It is interesting to see what everyone is thinking. I can't say it influences my direction very much, but still interesting to see. I was surprised by the video push. Do most still photographers enjoy shooting video? I'd think it would be a whole different animal.

I imagine the way they will enforce this is if you deduct those purchases on your tax return.  If you don't take the deduction, then you will probably not have to bother filling out the 1099.  But most of us probably deduct our business expenses.  I know I do.  

I meant enforcement from more of a manpower aspect. You have to assume that the majority of small businesses have some sort of expense deduction over $600 per year. Are all of those going to be reported? Are they going to chase after everyone who doesn't fill out the form, but keeps the receipts? Legal fees and time expenditures are a two way street. There doesn't seem a lot of logic in going after grandma's yarn expenses for her small crafting business. Unless the IRS has hired a significant amount of staff, I don't see why they would pursue these small cases. If I was to guess, I'd say they'd use all of this as another tool to raise red flags about suspicious behavior and not to chase down normal business expenses.

Allow me to go back in time, 1985 I guess.

I remember having a computer in 1985 and the internet was bulletin boards (bbs). You dialed from one computer to another. You know like in Wargames the movie.  I think all your examples show a clear history lesson. When something better comes along people jump on it. Windows is better than Dos, Facebook is better than Myspace, and the internet is definitely better than dialing to a single computer. Things can change quickly, but if you keep your eyes open you can see them change and change with them. In relation to the original topic, having a presence at some of the smaller agencies can let you monitor how they are doing. Basically, observing and watching for change.

You got some good stuff in your book!

Micro?  hardly the right way of selling and for us who remembers the Trad-agency days, well its down out blasphemy, isnt it? selling off the peg for peanuts BUT!  its qite fun and it can be pretty rewarding and its opend doors for many. We shouldnt knock it, its become a living for many.
Whats the alternative? as far as stock, I mean?  hanging around in some RM agency and wait for the ship to sink?

Thanks. I'm not really questioning the micro model because I don't really have any experience with RM and I know my stuff sells in this model. It's more things like: should I be selling subs, what's the ideal price, should I sell at agencies that are under x% royalty. Those kind of questions that seem to come up over and over again in this forum. I always respect people that stand up for their principles and don't sell at some of these places. But me, I'm always blinded by the money.

Quote from: cthoman on November 19, 2010, 10:57

So do these solutions actually solve anything or does it just make it harder for people that actually do pay their taxes.  

What solutions do you mean?  Paypal sending 1099s?  If that's what you mean, I don't see how that benefits anyone.  I talked to my accountant and she said it's going to be a real PITA to sort out the money on the paypal 1099 along with the SAME money on 1099s from DT, FT, BigStock, SS, etc.

This is one area where the Istock exclusive folks have it a lot easier, I think. 

I meant IRS solutions to try to find tax dodgers. I assume the cheaters will still cheat and the only people dealing with the new forms will be the rest of us.