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Messages - cthoman
3177
« on: July 12, 2010, 14:39 »
This has happened to me before, so you're not alone.
Putting on my critique hat, I'd say the composition is what hurts the illustration for me. The two elements are about the same size and are competing with each other. I'd make the dive flag smaller and maybe a darker red to tone it back. The shark could probably be bigger too. I'd also like to see more of a background. Maybe, just a subtle silo of some coral or plants behind everything. Just something to give the image a little depth and interest.
3178
« on: July 11, 2010, 19:18 »
I don't want to be Captain Obvious, but didn't iStock significantly raise prices for exclusives 6 months ago. That usually results in lower downloads, but higher revenues for contributors. Just a theory though.
3179
« on: July 10, 2010, 19:21 »
Complaining and wild speculation doesn't help but I don't think blind optimism does either.
Hahaha. I wouldn't say blind optimism. There's been a lot of bumps in the road. SS needs a raise to keep pace, DT is still recovering from their changes and FT is constantly on double secret probation with me. Despite all that, I'm having my best year in stock, so I can only tell it from my perspective (which is optimistic). I guess I was joking about the Thinkstock complaining because I don't get it. Thinkstock wasn't for me, so I left. End of story. I wouldn't fault anyone for joining them though, and I don't really think their warts are much different than all the other agencies. I guess I've resigned myself to the fact that no agency really represents my interests. They represent their own, so there are always going to be issues and conflicts. But complaining about agencies that I don't even participate at is just silly.
3180
« on: July 10, 2010, 17:26 »
The trend has been to increase prices while "adjusting" the terms where contributors either get less or must reach higher goals to earn more.
If it's a trend, then I'm not sure which direction it is going. Up would be my guess though. For a while, it was all upward with raises at SS and IS. Then, it was a mix of simultaneous up and down like at FT or DT. That's probably still an up trend for contributors though. Things get tougher in stock over the years, but companies generally want to make more. And some of that trickles down to us. I removed my portfolio at Thinkstock, but I don't really have any ill will towards them like many others. As far as microstock atrocities, It's pretty low on my list. If it is even on it.
3181
« on: July 10, 2010, 16:19 »
Don't support TS with your content. Without content it can never become a threat. Simples.
I thought the plan was to ceaselessly complain about it and make up wild speculations?  I guess nobody ever talks about the other possibility. Thinkstock actually increasing prices and royalties down the road. That's been known to happen in the stock world too. I'm just saying it could happen, but I'm sure it is all doom and gloom in the future. 
3182
« on: July 09, 2010, 15:42 »
I was trying to find the website that has all the specs for the different agencies but I can't find it so here is what I know.
BigStock EPS (they generate the jpg)
Dreamstime must upload the jpg then after it is approved you upload the EPS
Shutterstock Eps+small jpg (same file name) and 1 large jpg (different file name)
Deposit photos Eps+jpg zip file
CanStockPhotos Eps+jpg zip file
Veer Eps+jpg (same file name)
I've never uploaded vectors to iStock or Fotolia so you'll have to look on their website. I do know that you have to save the vector in EPS8 for iStock. Hope this helps with your original question.
That looks about right. For DT, you don't have to wait for approval. You just have upload the jpeg first, then attach the eps as an additional format. For CanStock, you can just submit the eps, but you won't be able to use IPTC. For Shutterstock, you can use the larger jpeg as a preview as well. For FT, it's an eps with a JPEG preview inside a ZIP archive or an SVG file. for IS, a high res jpeg and an eps file.
3183
« on: July 09, 2010, 11:20 »
Didn't we have the exact same thread last month, then everyone got paid?
Paid!
3184
« on: July 09, 2010, 09:32 »
Didn't we have the exact same thread last month, then everyone got paid?
3185
« on: July 09, 2010, 09:29 »
I know it looks different, but I'm failing to notice what actually is different. The similar images in my portfolio feature seemed to be working very well, but it is tucked away at the bottom of the page.
3186
« on: July 07, 2010, 13:41 »
OK. I understand now. Feel free to send me more info when you can. As far as your questions:
1: Yes, I have a lightbox that I use often.
2: Right now, I don't travel much, but might if I ever built a mobile studio, a portable lightbox would be a must have.
3: That's a good size. I think about the size of a piece of paper is ideal. Most lightboxes are between $30 and $50, so somewhere in that range. It depends on the quality.
3187
« on: July 07, 2010, 12:19 »
I have a 10x12 Porta-Trace that I like. I don't see a lot of people talking about lightboxes, but I use mine all the time. I joke often that illustrators are just professional tracers. I could see getting one that was more portable if I traveled more. What kind were you looking at?
3188
« on: July 07, 2010, 00:00 »
It never hurts to try. And if you get accepted, tell them I sent you. 
3189
« on: July 06, 2010, 20:47 »
The first couple months on Veer it did feel very much like SnapVillage 2 "The Revenge". But the last few months have really piqued my interest in it. I'm curious to see how their relaunch goes. It will be interesting to see if someone can really launch a new big player. Some of my most promising new players are illustration or vector only. This had kind of lead me to believe that new upstarts will have a more unique feel or content (like boutique shops ). But Veer becoming successful could really put a dent in that theory. We'll see.
3190
« on: July 05, 2010, 21:04 »
Out of curiosity why are you locking layers? I only really lock layers for design projects like die lines or crop and bleeds. I guess I lock sketch layers, but I delete those.
3191
« on: July 01, 2010, 21:28 »
I guess I don't understand either. Aren't you spending that 800k to grow your business from say a million a year to 2 or 3? I could see if your business isn't growing, then you may just be throwing that 800k away, but the simple solution for that in stock is to stop producing. Live on your residuals or focus your business somewhere else.
I'm just not understanding the logic in not spending money to grow your business and produce new images. I think during a recession if you can grow your business and still come away with enough profit to live comfortably, then you are doing it right.
3192
« on: July 01, 2010, 16:21 »
This month was #2, but not the kind of #2 you're thinking of. It was my second to best month ever. IS and SS were down, but I did pretty well with the rest.
3193
« on: June 30, 2010, 18:58 »
If there is none, he'll cry all the way to the bank. 
I don't think he'll be able to make a deposit because they'll probably declare it an official bank holiday.
3195
« on: June 29, 2010, 00:41 »
I just can't understand why there seems so little coordinating (selling and marketing) between BigStock and SS. Didn't they try a clumsy attempt at that when they were directing on demand sales to Bigstock? I don't think I want that to happen again.
3196
« on: June 29, 2010, 00:24 »
this is mine, this is mine, think should change your id number behind the link.
http://sgiz.mobi/s3/873032dc8c77?uid=20045xxxx
Mine looks the same only with my user ID after the equals sign. I don't know if it will work if you replace your user ID or if the email link you got was different.
3197
« on: June 28, 2010, 12:05 »
To me, saying I don't want to see RPI is like saying I want less information. The people who succeed in ms, as well as any other part of life, are those who collect as much useful information as they can, but more importantly, know how to use it to their advantage.
This argument looks very familiar, but your wasting your breath. For me it was like they were trying to tell me that math doesn't exist. I had a sad look and thought, "but the numbers... they're numbers. Don't you see." I guess everyone is entitled to run their business in their own way. No matter how much it hurts my robot brain.
3198
« on: June 28, 2010, 10:24 »
The survey seemed to be all directed at buyers. Not much to add from a contributors standpoint. I filled it out anyway, but not sure how helpful my feedback will be to them... ?
That's weird? Mine was all contributor questions. I thought it was an interesting survey. It will be interesting to see if anything comes from it. I'm sure many of us have the same complaints. Mine were royalty drops and the tiered vector system (very bad). I did give them credit for vector subs, although they should be expanded better into large size jpegs. Also, I'd like to see price tweaking added for all users.
3199
« on: June 27, 2010, 16:12 »
I'm not really sure what there is to complain about. The dash for cash money alone was worth the very, very minimal effort put in to upload files there. That said, June has been my best month there and I reached my first payout. I don't know what the future holds for Veer, but the present isn't so bad.
3200
« on: June 25, 2010, 19:10 »
I would say it's worth uploading there if you don't have very high expectations. If you want a site where you can get a payout every month or two, with a couple thousand images, then it's worth it to upload there.
I agree with Lisa on this.
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