Getty bought Stockexpert.  Closed it.  Relabeled the collection Hemera. 

Doesn't look like anyone's working to me.  Though post production usually devolves into labor.  I'm sure the the kids will love the footage decades from now.     

It's not just Panther.  It's Panther and their 83 dubious partners. 

http://contributor.panthermedia.net/cms/distribution-partners

They do not allow contributors to opt out. 

As I mentioned in my previous post Ingimage and SignElements are part of Ingram Image Ltd!

http://www.signelements.com/p/about.html
http://www.ingimage.com/p/about-us-en.html

I still have small part of my portfolio on SignElements. They still don't report the sales! No info of which image is sold and how much I get!
My experience and the info from many contributors I know: they pay almost the same amount every month, no matter how much images you upload! I mean extreme differences (+100-200%) in portfolio size (thousands) and just a few pounds (+5-10%) difference in royalties paid! Very suspicious! I don't trust them!
I actually requested termination of my account after payment long time ago with no success! I should try again!

Ingimage = SignElements = No deal

SignElements lack of detailed reporting is why I closed my account with them.

In 6 or 7 years some of the sites listed to the right will be boasting billion image libraries.  The race is on.  I expect most contributors return per upload stats will reflect changing market conditions...     

hmmmm... I'm showing 12 $2- subscriptions dating back into December... 

I will opt out of any deal that is not pay per download/end user.

4K video capability would be helpful.  Please add that.  Thanks

I opted out from here.
https://us.fotolia.com/Member/Modify/Contributor

Just de-select the video clip sub sales.

I hope it works.

Wow I was sure I was opted out of video subs... yet the button was checked!   I'm opted out now.  Thanks for the link. 

I hate partner sites and opt out at every opportunity.  I would like to see a partner site opt out at Panther.  Currently opting out of subs or removing content seems to be the only available options. 

I use the Leaf's keyword tool.  Works great.

http://microstockgroup.com/tools/keyword.php

I wont miss either program.  I prefer Graphic Convertor for image browsing and management. 

My warning to part-timers (I count myself as one, with about 50% of my income from microstock) is this:  don't give up the day job.

I once had dreams of doing exactly that.  My first 3 or 4 years were all up, up, up.  I thought I could ramp up my output and within two years be earning enough to sustain my family just on microstock income.

I followed the plan, but agencies and the rising tide of global contributors have crushed my hopes.  I'm no further ahead now than when I set up my plan a few years ago.  I feel like I've just been spinning my wheels, working more and more hours each night on this just to stay in place.

So make note of what your percentage of income comes from microstock today, and ask yourself the same question a year from now... then two, then three.   

Newbies will fill the forum with boasts of being 200% over last year or 300% over 6 months ago.  I know, I was one of those.  But after a few years, those bright-eyed new contributors so full of dreams will face the same reality the rest of us face, and they'll take our place as the grumpy veterans who moan about the good old days.

Sorry for the rant... been pretty depressed about falling numbers lately.  I'm actually hoping some veterans refute my claims of doom and gloom and tell me there is hope.  I'm just not seeing any right now.

After 5 years I saw the wall.  Last year my return per upload dropped 20%.  Growing the portfolio 25% off set that in a tread mill kind of way.  This year I'm deleting one upload for every two that get selected.  I've read the threads that say never delete anything... they may sell some day... but reality is poorly selling images at crappy selling sites are a waste of effort (do I really need 16 agencies?).  My return per upload stat has stabilized... the compulsive editor inside me is enjoying himself... and things are slowly growing.  Make the art you want to make (and yes keep the day job).     

Quote from: MisterFX on May 13, 2014, 14:21

SHAME ON YOU, MICROSTOCK GROUP!!!!  If you haven't noticed, you have lost a more than nine-year member in good standing from this forum.  Thanks to the number of negative [-1] ratings on LisaFX's posts, her posts have been taken down.[/b] [/color]

Lisa has always been my favorite member here.  A class act, and a lot of wisdom to share based on her years of experience doing this. 

I've pretty much remained silent for the past year or so, but this moves me enough to chime in and say if she's truly gone, I will miss her a great deal.

I also appreciate Lisa's input and insight.  She has been generous and helpful to part timers like myself.  Lisa come back! 

Regarding DPC:  I am opted out because I prefer not to sell large size photos for one dollar.  I also opted out of Clashot for the same reason.  I also opted out of every possible partner program because I am not comfortable with dozens of third parties writing their own licensing terms for my material.  These are personal business decisions and I respect other points of views.

Regarding the future:  The top sites will have 100 million images by the end of the decade.  Cell phones with SLR like quality will soon add fuel to the fire.  The return per upload will drop but there will always be a need for fresh art and value in owning good or unique material.  So I do not see the stock photo industry as being doomed... just highly challenged.