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Messages - Mantis
5001
« on: January 22, 2012, 08:48 »
I actually photographed this ship in the port of Stockholm a few years back, was a job for the port of Stockholm authorities, their cruising magazin.
It'll be very interesting to see how and/or what they actually do with it now. Remove it? Remove it a piece at a time? Clean it, then sink it in deeper water? I saw something on the news that a ship of this type costs $500,000,000. WOWZ!!
5002
« on: January 22, 2012, 08:42 »
Also is there ever going to be a way to upload more then one image at a time?
ask for FTP, they have it 
Cool when did they add that?
1st day I guess, I ask them and they sent me details by email
Luis, I am so glad that you are pilot testing this site for the rest of us because I refuse to enjoy all the frustration with uploading to a site fraught full of process gaps. I personally think they jumped the gun by launching prematurely. I am going to wait to upload as the $20 or so per month I'd make isn't extremely motivating. So my heartfelt thanks.  
5003
« on: January 22, 2012, 08:22 »
The problem is that there's been the same helmsman steering the boat since last summer. Is it appreciably further from the shoals now than it was then? Has confidence in completing the voyage safely improved since Rebecca took the helm?
With all these nautical references, this image keeps springing to mind...
ETA: Just read the prior page and saw Gostwyck beat me to the Costa Concordia reference 
Another's trash can be someone else's treasure...an artificial reef!!
5004
« on: January 22, 2012, 08:14 »
I'm with James! give me your vision not your secrets. I need to make an informed business decision!
Yes, James post is excellent and down to the point.
This "no -information announcement" from the Wizard(s) of Oz hiding behind some thick curtain is so counterproductive, I really dont know what to say. Apart from all the site bugs, the company communication, if there is any, seems to be designed to belittle and embarrass us. Just like the strange "little monster in the cellar" screen that was used AGAIN.
A CEO of an international 200+ million dollar business that hides? Or that other admins feel they need to protect and shield from the real world?? Isnt "superior social network leadership skills" the most essential part of the job description for an internet based marketplace?
All the competition now has to do is parade their brainpower - CEOs and executives that give public interviews, show themselves in videos, smart presentation of intelligent new business tools for contributors and customers, a leadership team that OMG (!) dares to personally meet contributors. Maybe even shakes a hand or two and says "I hope the service our agency provides meets your expectations"....and all the time appear to actually ENJOY leading a company. There are indeed people that thrive under that kind of responsibility.
Where will the next generation and talent go? Digital entrepreneurs are not silly little children.
The competition is certainly just sitting back, having enormous fun watching istocks reputation sink lower and lower.
Very sad. And completly avoidable. 
--------------------------------------------------
I see a lot of new members popping up here. Looks like msg will be even more powerful as the main business plattform of the industry.
Unfortunately, I spent too little time building my portfolio in the last few years. And I seriously wonder how the Inspector team or any admins are taking the new developments. I wish them all the best, they are amazingly passionate and hard working people. Best team I have ever been part of. Truly grateful to the istock that was.
I think I will try to take a break from the forums for a while and just focus on content production. I own my products, it is the only thing I have full control over.
Nice post. Bottom line...they either simply don't know what their go-forward plan is or they know it's going to be a knock out punch to many, many current contributors and until they are ready to drop that axe mums the word. I still personally feel that all indys will ultimately be pushed into PP as their only "relationship" with Getty.IS. I have no proof, of course, just that it seems that is just the thing these vultures would do.
5005
« on: January 21, 2012, 09:09 »
From the IStock Reorg discussion: "I'm impressed with the way Lobo has responded to some very relevant concerns; if he's being honest (and there's no reason to believe he isn't), then I don;t think we've got too much to panic about."
ARE YOU KIDDING ME? Does someone really think that Lobo is part of the strategic team, that he makes decisions, that he dictates the rule of law? So he is nice in a couple of "forum moderator posts" and this guy equates that to "everything will be okay"? Really, this is an unbelievable perspective, somebody who is grasping at straws and totally doesn't get that Lobo's role has NOTHING to do with business development, and everything to do with locking posts, demeaning posters who mean well, and laughing every time he gets a paycheck.
5006
« on: January 20, 2012, 09:00 »
I have searched in vain to find more than rumors about rumors about rumors. The analysis of some seems rather far reaching. I see JJ is leaving, but his statement does not seem to be cause for alarm, in fact quite the contrary. I am not saying there is no problem, but must the sky always be falling each time something changes? Along with all of you, it has always seemed like poor policy on the part of iStock to remain quiet so long during times of change, they have to see how the rumors explode and unsettle those trying to pay attention. Sorry for my outburst, I need to take another monthly sabbatical from the forums.
Try searching a bit harder: http://www.bjp-online.com/british-journal-of-photography/news/2140045/jobs-shed-getty-images-absorbs-istockphoto
"We are completing the process of full functional integration across the two brands," says Getty Images' co-founder and CEO Jonathan Klein.... while confirming 30 redundancies at iStock (not at Getty) and then needlessly mentioning that they are not going to shut up shop at Calgary (which might suggest it is something he has been thinking about doing - there's a new rumour for you).
Fact 1: 30 staff, estimated at between 15% and 30% of the entire staff being fired
Fact 2: Senior management figures KT and JJRD among those fired
Fact 3: Sackings declared by Getty chief to be part of an "integration process" with Getty
Fact 4: "Integration" involves downsizing iStock, not Getty, making it plain iStock is being "integrated" into Getty, not the other way round.
Fact 5: Earlier part of integration process involved pushing low-grade Getty collections into iS at high price points and pushing most of iStock's collection into other Getty subsidiaries, TS and PP
Fact 6: Istock was stripped first of its CEO then of its COO and now of whatever JJRD is. The CEO job is considered too insignificant to merit a full-time in-house boss, instead it is made part of the duties of a Gettyimages employee.
Fact 7: (I almost missed this one) according to Klein's statement, iStock is no longer thought of as a company, it is regarded as a Getty "brand" (see his quote above).
From being a self-contained, self-governing, stand-alone unit, as Bruce Livingstone was promised it would remain when he sold it, it has become one of "the Gettyimages collections" and Calgary has become a Getty branch office rather than the headquarters of a company.
But you're right. The sky has not fallen in. People will continue to buy and sell image licences at iStockphoto and the name will remain a proud part of the Gettyimages group, alongside the other famous collections. Tony Stone, the Bettmann Archive etc.
However, while the marketing, quality control and accounting functions may remain in Calgary, the financial control, strategic planning and budgeting will be done in Seattle, where due consideration will need to be given to the competing demands of other active collections, such as TS, Photos.com and, of course, the main Gettyimages collection. That is what "integration" is about.
So it is still iStock, Captain, it's just not iStock as we knew it.
This is an excellent summary. Nice job.
5007
« on: January 15, 2012, 19:47 »
honestly, whatever criteria they use to inspect, whatever number of queues they have--to suggest they're using inspection as a means of retaliation is still absurd
So why segregate?
The exclusive queue is faster, that's one of the tangible benefits of exclusivity so it makes sense to have two queues. One fast one and one slower one.
Speed is what I suggested originally. But it is not what I believe.
5008
« on: January 15, 2012, 19:30 »
honestly, whatever criteria they use to inspect, whatever number of queues they have--to suggest they're using inspection as a means of retaliation is still absurd
So why segregate?
5009
« on: January 15, 2012, 19:25 »
According to Donald G at IS, there are indeed different queues, he is part of the independent submission queue and others are part of the exclusive queue. I can't find the exact post but according to him this is the way they divide the submissions. So having criteria for one versus the other is entirely possible.
It may be entirely possible, but having spent plenty of time in both queues, I saw no evidence at all that one queue's inspection criteria are different from another.
How could you possibly see it? The fact that they segregate the queues opens up that possibility. Ask yourself why Q1 inspects these images and Q2 only inspects these images. Is it for speed only?
5010
« on: January 15, 2012, 19:01 »
from my observation Vetta seems better quality than alot of the Agency stuff.
You win the satisfaction of being the most eagle-eyed Vetta scout on MSG. And you're right, Vetta still beats Agency, since a lot of that stuff wouldn't even pass inspection for the main collection. Yet another issue that I'm sure drives customers nuts.
With all respect, I think that if an independent had submitted those files they would all have been rejected except for the pano. That doesn't mean they are bad photos, it just means that different requirements seem to apply to indes and exclusives.
Come on, that's just silly. Look at the latest accepted photos.
agree. can't believe that some contributors here think that they're being singled out. as though iStock has nothing better to do than petty retaliation against independents. really is silly
I don't think I am being singled out, I think there are two different queues which probably have different inspectors and it would be a simple matter to apply different levels of rigour. I don't spent time examining new uploads so maybe I'm wrong, but it is an impression I got some time ago as a result of some of my own rejections compared with acceptances I saw back then.
Actually, I'm not sure why some people seem able to believe that inspectors will go to the trouble to single out their friends for special treatment and might not single out people they don't like for the opposite treatment, one is no sillier than the other, though I'm not claiming that it happens.
According to Donald G at IS, there are indeed different queues, he is part of the independent submission queue and others are part of the exclusive queue. I can't find the exact post but according to him this is the way they divide the submissions. So having criteria for one versus the other is entirely possible.
5011
« on: January 15, 2012, 18:46 »
My PP sales have already exceeded my IS sales for Dec. PP is on track to be $300 for dec.
5012
« on: January 15, 2012, 09:30 »
I am uploading as I type, everything seems to be working fine for me. Using their Java uploader.
5013
« on: January 15, 2012, 08:53 »
Maybe they feel they have enough exclusive Getty content, so they dont need our files to offer content other sites dont have. I really dont know.
I think that's a very good point. They're probably going to kick you to the curb like a rabid dog, just like they kicked us indies in Sep 2010. I mean really, how much content do you really need, top 10 (or even more) photographers (Lise Gagne excluded) all have nearly identical shots, if half of them were to disappear, no one would even notice. Especially with some really awesome ports being transferred from Getty, creative stuff that was also superbly executed (the only problem with those ports is that they're all 100% TAC). And then there's a lot of average stuff of course and then there's Edstock
Sorry this is happening to you and most other contributors at IS. I had a chat not too long ago with a very successful microstocker (they make a FT living at it) and she has all but stopped adding new images to Istock, instead focusing on other ventures such as studio work. I am wondering if Istock really cares about the exclusive defect rate or, for whatever reason, wants that to happen. Was the recent exclusive best match push their last minute desperate attempt at appeasing exclusives or was it a mistake? They don't seem to care (based solely on the opinions of those who have left exclusivity), there has been no "correspondence" that I know of between IS and exclusives asking them to reconsider....I would think that some of this would leak to the MSG boards, but I could be wrong. Something just doesn't smell right given that exclusives are the primary differentiators for IS. It's confusing and there isn't a "one voice" strategy that they are sharing (high level, of course) showing how contributors will help support and grow the business, particularly exclusives. I do feel for them, but even with the few disagreements I've had here in the past with some of you high enders I fell for you too. I do know what it takes to get a good image and all the cost, work etc that goes into it and when I hear your sales are dropping it makes me feel ill. OK vent over.
5014
« on: January 10, 2012, 21:48 »
I'm staying in as well. Uploading takes no time (I upload to all sites at once) so there's nothing to lose. But I think more marketing couldn't hurt.
my exact thoughts, I would say until then lower the min payout to 30$
I am staying in as well, but I don't think they'll be around for another year.
5015
« on: January 07, 2012, 20:00 »
Hi Mantis,
I really was the one that gained the most those two days. It made my own issues so much easier to deal with and I received so many hugs and hand shakes from truly kind people. I wish I could afford to do this kind of thing for a living. Maybe when I retire but being I am involved in stock photography it is hard to say when that day will come.
Cheers,
Jonathan
Well, you have my deepest respect.
5016
« on: January 06, 2012, 21:07 »
Hi Lthan,
Yes, I made a $1000 dollar donation to two of the cities homeless shelters and I pass out food and socks to the Seattle homeless every year for going on twenty years now, my sons are now old enough to help now so they come along as well. I spent a tough childhood and spent many days on the streets so my passion to share this comes from personal experience, my father also lived on the streets from the age of 14 until he made it back into the working class society. I do not want to glorify myself through the hardship of others I want to empower the people that maybe do not see or realize the hardships of the homeless and try to educate others to think of their fellow man. Not everything people do is to benefit themselves financially.
Best,
Jonathan
Very admirable. Nice work.
5017
« on: January 06, 2012, 20:43 »
The advantage, for me at least, is peace of mind. I can't in good conscience support a company that refuses to support its contributors.
+1 Well said.
support = support AND the way they treat them. They have the "I don't give a sh_t if you pull your port or not" attitude and LOBO makes things worse when people who care try to gain info in their forums. I honestly think he waits excitedly like a child at Christmas for a post to appear that he can belittle, embarrass and demean the OP and then say FU and lock it. It makes people angry and amplifies the way we feel about the other aspects of IS's poor business decisions. Just frustrating.
5018
« on: January 06, 2012, 20:30 »
Interestingly (or not) my only sales seem to be from Photo +, and even those are 50 percent plus off the norm (last 6 months of 2011). Golly, big surprise.
5019
« on: January 04, 2012, 18:12 »
Do we include Thinkstock with Istock?
5020
« on: January 02, 2012, 18:15 »
Perhaps there is a better place to post this. If so, my apologies. I have just received the forums email invitation to participate in the 2011 Independant microstock Survey. So I took a quick look at the 2010 survey portion that dealt with income vs portfolio size. I will not fill out the survey form as I am somewhat concerned about the tabulation of at least this portion of the last (2010 survey). My comments and concerns can be read at:
http://blog.microstockgroup.com/microstock-income-vs-portfolio-size/
Your username here does not match up to that link you reference. So we don't know which comments are yours.
5021
« on: January 02, 2012, 09:12 »
I cant see any changes? I think their "relevance", actually show quite relevat results though. Good search actually.
I agree here. I did a digital image video for a worthy cause and used DT for my images. I think I purchased somewhere like 200. It was easy to find what I wanted, but sometimes you do have to wade through a bunch of pages to find the right composition and look to fit the tone of your project and placement of copy.
5022
« on: January 02, 2012, 09:07 »
Hey Leaf,
Do we just clump Thinkstock into IS? Reason I ask is that I now make the same if not more from TS. This new best match makes it really caddywhompus. If it keeps up, TS will be 75% of my sales and IS only 25%. It would be interesting to see IS and TS as separate measurable entities.
5023
« on: January 02, 2012, 09:00 »
Yeah, as long as you ticked the box (at the end of the survey) 'I took part in the 2011 Survey' you'll be entered in the draw
I tried. I ticked the box and entered my info, but it kicked it back saying you already had that address on file. Hope it works out. Either way, the info is even more useful than the prize
That's what happened to me, so I just let it go. Not sure if it took.
5024
« on: January 02, 2012, 08:58 »
I wished there would have been more love for exclusives like myself the last few months. The end of this week I am NON-exclusive.
Best of luck to you. Your port is very beautiful. You will do well as an independent.
5025
« on: January 01, 2012, 19:41 »
I suppose this one would get rejected too? For any number of reasons.
Just another Enzo, with strange lines in the sky?
That would be accepted by SS from some individuals.
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