The day Ukraine was attacked, a group of people walked past our front door demonstrating against the government's Corona measures. From a loudspeaker a song sounded: "I don't want to conform anymore, I want to take my freedom back into my own hands...".

This was perhaps one of the saddest moments in my life. These people have only one thing in focus: themselves.

There was an entire nation under attack, the freedom of the citizens of this country was under attack, and people were walking by down there whose only problem is that they had to wear masks to protect themselves and others.

Sorry, I just had to get that off my chest because it's just unbearable. But I'll end this topic and I won't start it again.

shutterstock: 250% compared to January and 29% more than last February.
AS: 2% less than January and 39,5% less than last February. Ouch.
AS 13% more than shutterstock.

I would like to express a few thoughts. In doing so, I would like to try to put myself in the minds of everyone involved.

NATO has made many mistakes. And I can understand to a certain extent that Russia feels backed into a corner. The West must work on itself! A policy that works on de-escalation would be very important.

But I'm not sure that the NATO issue is really what Putin is most concerned about. No one can see inside him.

As I said, NATO is not faultless. But Ukraine has given up all nuclear weapons in exchange for treaty assurances of state sovereignty and integrity.

Today Ukraine is a country without nuclear weapons - as agreed. But already in 2014 the integrity was violated by annexing Crimea. And after that, other territories.

What I can't understand - maybe because I lack some background knowledge and some emotional and cultural roots:

Russia has "only" 144 million inhabitants and gigantic amounts of mineral resources and raw materials. It is one of the most resource-rich countries on earth - with a rather small population compared to other resource-rich countries. Nevertheless, a large part of the Russian population does not exactly live in prosperity. Many are poor.

Why is it not possible to make 144 million people content and happy with these immense mineral resources? Why do people want to return to the "old greatness" and put world peace at risk? And risk that an endless number of states will turn against Russia? That precisely those that are not doing well economically will have even more problems? That there will be domestic unrest? Without economic necessity!

I do not understand it!

Sometimes the opposite of what one wanted to achieve happens.

In 2017, there was a survey in Finland about NATO. Only 17% were in favor of NATO membership. Between February 23 and 25, 2022, there was another poll. Now 53% are in favor of membership in the NATO.

I can imagine that such a shift would also be seen in other countries if a survey were to be launched there.

Quote from: DO on February 27, 2022, 09:50

Quote from: Wilm on February 26, 2022, 21:45

Quote from: GrayMouse on February 26, 2022, 20:33
It's disgusting to support Russians. Yes, you are home, safe, while Ukrainian people are dying. A "collective responsibility" is unknown term?!

I believe that this is exactly what we should not think. Because a single Russian goes berserk does not mean that every Russian is a bad person.

The propaganda machinery in Russia doesn't seem to be informing the Russian people the way I would like it to.

I feel threatened by Putin to the most extreme degree. But I do not feel threatened by any Russian contributor. And I fervently wish that Putin would not succeed in dividing us contributors! And also not us as normal thinking people from different homelands. Please: All of you, help us not to be divided here. None of us creatives wanted this war - I am absolutely sure of that!

I do not feel safe at all!

I am German. I was never a Nazi. I have never discriminated against a foreigner. I will not discriminate against a Russian either. Or make negative comments about him because he is Russian. Because a Russian is no more a bad person than a Ukrainian or a German.

It is sad that Putin manages to conjure up exactly what is happening here right now. That is what he wants to happen. That we think badly of each other. That we are bad to each other.

We had a peaceful coexistence. Why he is destroying that, I don't know. He is sick. I hate him.

Bless you Wilm.  You couldn't be further from a 'Nazi'.  You are definitely one of the good guys in life.

A great post.  I also think that generally on this forum, people listen to others, and reply in a balanced way. 

With one or two exceptions, we are all learning from one another.

And well done 'Everest'.  I think that's the highest 'likes' I've ever seen on a post on the forum 

Thank you very much for your kind words, Debbie!

Quote from: Zero Talent on February 26, 2022, 23:12

Quote from: Wilm on February 26, 2022, 21:45

Quote from: GrayMouse on February 26, 2022, 20:33
It's disgusting to support Russians. Yes, you are home, safe, while Ukrainian people are dying. A "collective responsibility" is unknown term?!

I believe that this is exactly what we should not think. Because a single Russian goes berserk does not mean that every Russian is a bad person.

The propaganda machinery in Russia doesn't seem to be informing the Russian people the way I would like it to.

I feel threatened by Putin to the most extreme degree. But I do not feel threatened by any Russian contributor. And I fervently wish that Putin would not succeed in dividing us contributors! And also not us as normal thinking people from different homelands. Please: All of you, help us not to be divided here. None of us creatives wanted this war - I am absolutely sure of that!

I do not feel safe at all!

I am German. I was never a Nazi. I have never discriminated against a foreigner. I will not discriminate against a Russian either. Or make negative comments about him because he is Russian. Because a Russian is no more a bad person than a Ukrainian or a German.

It is sad that Putin manages to conjure up exactly what is happening here right now. That is what he wants to happen. That we think badly of each other. That we are bad to each other.

We had a peaceful coexistence. Why he is destroying that, I don't know. He is sick. I hate him.

Wilm, all who support sanctions against Russia, should be aware that sanctions will always make ordinary Russian folks suffer (not so much their wealthy leaders), including photographers, including people who are against Putin.

This is what the chess world champion Grand Master Garry Kasparov, a Russian, asked YOU to support:

-Support Ukraine militarily, immediately, everything but boots on the ground. All weapons, intel, cyber.
-Bankrupt Putin's war machine. Freeze & seize Russia's finances & those of him and his gang.
-Kick Russia out of every intl & financial institution. PACE, Interpol, etc
-Recall all ambassadors from Russia. There is no point in talking. The new unified message is "stop or be isolated completely".
-Ban all elements of Putin's global propaganda machine. Turn them off, shut them down, send them home. Stop helping the dictator spread lies & hate.
-Expose and act against Putin's lackeys in the free world. If Schröder and his ilk continue to work for Putin, bring charges. Ask the owners & advertisers of networks platforming Putin propagandists like Carlson why they allow it.
-Replace Russian oil & gas. Pressure OPEC, increase production, reopen Keystone. You can't save the planet if you don't save the people on it.
-Acknowledge there will be costs, sacrifices. We waited too long, the price is high, but it will only get higher. It's time to fight.

Cannot ignore the political 5th column of Putinists, from the far-right & left in EU to the tankies & Trump & his GOP followers in the US. They may have the right to support a brutal dictator's war in order to criticize Biden, but it's disgusting and anti-American. Do not forget.

Are you supporting the sanctions imposed by your government?
If yes, be aware that Russian photographers, may suffer too. Probably much less than the Ukrainian photographers.
If not, then what are you proposing to stop the killing of innocent Ukrainians (photographers inclusive)?

Because you can't be for sanctions in general, but against when it comes to people close to you.

It just doesn't make sense.

I fully support the sanctions! And I am ashamed that the German government has hesitated for so long because it fears the economic consequences for our country.

The common people suffer much more under sanctions than those against whom the sanctions are actually directed. As Firn very correctly writes, Putin is swimming in prosperity.At the latest at the time when his luxury yacht left Germany in flight on February 9, it should have been clear that Putin would attack and before that he wanted to bring his "property" to safety.  Property that was paid for by the Russian people.

Of course, the sanctions will also hit the Russian contributors. This is collateral damage that we cannot avoid. And the sanctions will also hit countless contributors from many other countries. Me included. I'm willing to put on three sweaters on top of each other if we don't get any more gas. I'm prepared to accept that inflation will rise dramatically because everything will become much more expensive. But we owe that to Ukraine, that's our solidarity contribution.

I just oppose the sowing of discord among us contributors, who are certainly not aggressors!

Quote from: GrayMouse on February 26, 2022, 20:33
It's disgusting to support Russians. Yes, you are home, safe, while Ukrainian people are dying. A "collective responsibility" is unknown term?!

I believe that this is exactly what we should not think. Because a single Russian goes berserk does not mean that every Russian is a bad person.

The propaganda machinery in Russia doesn't seem to be informing the Russian people the way I would like it to.

I feel threatened by Putin to the most extreme degree. But I do not feel threatened by any Russian contributor. And I fervently wish that Putin would not succeed in dividing us contributors! And also not us as normal thinking people from different homelands. Please: All of you, help us not to be divided here. None of us creatives wanted this war - I am absolutely sure of that!

I do not feel safe at all!

I am German. I was never a Nazi. I have never discriminated against a foreigner. I will not discriminate against a Russian either. Or make negative comments about him because he is Russian. Because a Russian is no more a bad person than a Ukrainian or a German.

It is sad that Putin manages to conjure up exactly what is happening here right now. That is what he wants to happen. That we think badly of each other. That we are bad to each other.

We had a peaceful coexistence. Why he is destroying that, I don't know. He is sick. I hate him.

Quote from: GrayMouse on February 26, 2022, 19:10
I hope stock agencies will do action. Russian photographers should be banned.

Artists, photographers, designers and other creative people are usually the sort of people who generally do not support war, but reject it.

I don't want to have to read something like that here.

I am firmly convinced that none of the Russian contributors is in favor of this war.

I would rather express my sympathy to the Ukrainian image producers and contributors! And would be very happy if the Russian contributors would share this sympathy.

I didn't know that istock also had a payout treshold. Do you set it yourself or is it always $100?

Quote from: dziggedy on February 22, 2022, 21:39
Hi all, did you receive payments? Thanks!

Yes, today.

Currently I have 50 downloads less than on February 23 last year, but at least I already have a touch more revenue than in the complete February 2021 - which was extremely bad.
Nevertheless, the February revenues at AS are significantly higher.

Quote from: nazlisart on February 22, 2022, 14:14


Thanks for your information and thoughts, nazlisart.

I do not only offer at AS. I am also at shutterstock, 123rf, istock, dreamstime, canstock and depositphotos.

But I still have one question: You write that your RPD is higher than with shutterstock. To which shutterstock level is this referring?
Or, in other words: What is your RPD with Vectorstock?

I'm at Level 4 at the moment and I expect to be at level 5 late at spring.
I'm talking overall after SS restructure. Also note that the VS RPD is calculated from the beginning when I was at Level 1 (25%) - now I'm at Level 3 (35%) (FOR LIFE not for 6 months as it is in SS)
My VS RPD=$0.56

IMO VS is a profitable addition to vector illustrators.
[/quote]

Thank you very much once more!

Quote from: nazlisart on February 21, 2022, 23:28

Quote from: Wilm on February 21, 2022, 16:22

Quote from: Wilm on February 20, 2022, 20:54

Quote from: nazlisart on February 20, 2022, 19:47

Quote from: Wilm on February 20, 2022, 18:31

Quote from: nazlisart on February 20, 2022, 18:13
I'm an illustrator and I contribute predominantly vectors.
I have ~1500 vectors in all agencies listed below. I make $25-50 every month in 123RF; it used to be $50-100 three years back, but after the "restructure" it dropped.
It is also fair to say that due to other activities I haven't uploaded for about a year and a half, so I can't say what the numbers could be if I was consistent. I've started again this year, so I'll be able to be more accurate if you ask me in 2023.
For 2021 here are the agencies I contributed in order of income:
1. SS
2. AS (looks like it will soon become #1)
3. iS
4. VectorStock
5. 123RF
6. DP
7. Alami (!)
8. Canstock
9. ENVATO (Graphic River)
10. DT, Big, Pond5 (I check them out every Christmas for a small end-of-the-year bonus)

Special mention needs to be made for ENVATO's Graphic River. They can be a major stream of income if you're good on what you are doing, BUT...
Uploading the same set-up as the rest of the agencies won't cut it. It has different philosophy and different audience, and it needs a more labor-intensive approach in preparing and presenting your artwork. You have to give this special attention if you don't want to have 2/3 of your submission rejected as well as to have some success over there.

Recently I started uploading my portfolio in Vecteesy.  I'm still in the process and I don't have any sales yet, but - It has more traffic than VectorStock and this is something that makes me optimistic for future gains.

I hope that was helpful.
Cheers

May I ask what percentage of your total revenue you make at VectorStock?

I have never dealt with VectorStock before. But if it was worth it, I would take a closer look at the agency.

VectorStock is slow
It starts with 25% per DL but in time it gets better
I get 10% of my income from them.
I recomend it - as long as you have patience

Thank you for your honest answer! 10% should be worth it. I will give them a try.

I have now taken a closer look at VectorStock and have decided not to upload there. I don't like the pricing structure for contributors. For subscription sales you only get $0.20. From that I have to deduct 3% for paypal. The result is € 0.17, not even 45% of what I get at AS. For an extended license at VectorStock $7.50 to a maximum of $10.50. This does not meet my expectations.

I don't mean to slander, but I think you have very high expectations from the Microstock business...
Circa 2012 such expectations started spiraling to a slow and painful death I'm afraid.
ADOBE Stock is a beacon of decency and hope for contributors, but if you contribute only to them, you do not take full advantage of your stock portfolio.

Thanks for your information and thoughts, nazlisart.

I do not only offer at AS. I am also at shutterstock, 123rf, istock, dreamstime, canstock and depositphotos.

But I still have one question: You write that your RPD is higher than with shutterstock. To which shutterstock level is this referring?
Or, in other words: What is your RPD with Vectorstock?

Quote from: Wilm on February 20, 2022, 20:54

Quote from: nazlisart on February 20, 2022, 19:47

Quote from: Wilm on February 20, 2022, 18:31

Quote from: nazlisart on February 20, 2022, 18:13
I'm an illustrator and I contribute predominantly vectors.
I have ~1500 vectors in all agencies listed below. I make $25-50 every month in 123RF; it used to be $50-100 three years back, but after the "restructure" it dropped.
It is also fair to say that due to other activities I haven't uploaded for about a year and a half, so I can't say what the numbers could be if I was consistent. I've started again this year, so I'll be able to be more accurate if you ask me in 2023.
For 2021 here are the agencies I contributed in order of income:
1. SS
2. AS (looks like it will soon become #1)
3. iS
4. VectorStock
5. 123RF
6. DP
7. Alami (!)
8. Canstock
9. ENVATO (Graphic River)
10. DT, Big, Pond5 (I check them out every Christmas for a small end-of-the-year bonus)

Special mention needs to be made for ENVATO's Graphic River. They can be a major stream of income if you're good on what you are doing, BUT...
Uploading the same set-up as the rest of the agencies won't cut it. It has different philosophy and different audience, and it needs a more labor-intensive approach in preparing and presenting your artwork. You have to give this special attention if you don't want to have 2/3 of your submission rejected as well as to have some success over there.

Recently I started uploading my portfolio in Vecteesy.  I'm still in the process and I don't have any sales yet, but - It has more traffic than VectorStock and this is something that makes me optimistic for future gains.

I hope that was helpful.
Cheers

May I ask what percentage of your total revenue you make at VectorStock?

I have never dealt with VectorStock before. But if it was worth it, I would take a closer look at the agency.

VectorStock is slow
It starts with 25% per DL but in time it gets better
I get 10% of my income from them.
I recomend it - as long as you have patience

Thank you for your honest answer! 10% should be worth it. I will give them a try.

I have now taken a closer look at VectorStock and have decided not to upload there. I don't like the pricing structure for contributors. For subscription sales you only get $0.20. From that I have to deduct 3% for paypal. The result is € 0.17, not even 45% of what I get at AS. For an extended license at VectorStock $7.50 to a maximum of $10.50. This does not meet my expectations.

Quote from: nazlisart on February 20, 2022, 19:47

Quote from: Wilm on February 20, 2022, 18:31

Quote from: nazlisart on February 20, 2022, 18:13
I'm an illustrator and I contribute predominantly vectors.
I have ~1500 vectors in all agencies listed below. I make $25-50 every month in 123RF; it used to be $50-100 three years back, but after the "restructure" it dropped.
It is also fair to say that due to other activities I haven't uploaded for about a year and a half, so I can't say what the numbers could be if I was consistent. I've started again this year, so I'll be able to be more accurate if you ask me in 2023.
For 2021 here are the agencies I contributed in order of income:
1. SS
2. AS (looks like it will soon become #1)
3. iS
4. VectorStock
5. 123RF
6. DP
7. Alami (!)
8. Canstock
9. ENVATO (Graphic River)
10. DT, Big, Pond5 (I check them out every Christmas for a small end-of-the-year bonus)

Special mention needs to be made for ENVATO's Graphic River. They can be a major stream of income if you're good on what you are doing, BUT...
Uploading the same set-up as the rest of the agencies won't cut it. It has different philosophy and different audience, and it needs a more labor-intensive approach in preparing and presenting your artwork. You have to give this special attention if you don't want to have 2/3 of your submission rejected as well as to have some success over there.

Recently I started uploading my portfolio in Vecteesy.  I'm still in the process and I don't have any sales yet, but - It has more traffic than VectorStock and this is something that makes me optimistic for future gains.

I hope that was helpful.
Cheers

May I ask what percentage of your total revenue you make at VectorStock?

I have never dealt with VectorStock before. But if it was worth it, I would take a closer look at the agency.

VectorStock is slow
It starts with 25% per DL but in time it gets better
I get 10% of my income from them.
I recomend it - as long as you have patience

Thank you for your honest answer! 10% should be worth it. I will give them a try.

Quote from: nazlisart on February 20, 2022, 18:13
I'm an illustrator and I contribute predominantly vectors.
I have ~1500 vectors in all agencies listed below. I make $25-50 every month in 123RF; it used to be $50-100 three years back, but after the "restructure" it dropped.
It is also fair to say that due to other activities I haven't uploaded for about a year and a half, so I can't say what the numbers could be if I was consistent. I've started again this year, so I'll be able to be more accurate if you ask me in 2023.
For 2021 here are the agencies I contributed in order of income:
1. SS
2. AS (looks like it will soon become #1)
3. iS
4. VectorStock
5. 123RF
6. DP
7. Alami (!)
8. Canstock
9. ENVATO (Graphic River)
10. DT, Big, Pond5 (I check them out every Christmas for a small end-of-the-year bonus)

Special mention needs to be made for ENVATO's Graphic River. They can be a major stream of income if you're good on what you are doing, BUT...
Uploading the same set-up as the rest of the agencies won't cut it. It has different philosophy and different audience, and it needs a more labor-intensive approach in preparing and presenting your artwork. You have to give this special attention if you don't want to have 2/3 of your submission rejected as well as to have some success over there.

Recently I started uploading my portfolio in Vecteesy.  I'm still in the process and I don't have any sales yet, but - It has more traffic than VectorStock and this is something that makes me optimistic for future gains.

I hope that was helpful.
Cheers

May I ask what percentage of your total revenue you make at VectorStock?

I have never dealt with VectorStock before. But if it was worth it, I would take a closer look at the agency.

I got an e-mail from Alamy on February 13 that my account will be closed within the next 45 days.

Quote from: Zero Talent on February 18, 2022, 13:42

Quote from: Wilm on February 18, 2022, 11:59

Quote from: MxR on February 18, 2022, 11:05
Looks like Yuri isn't exclusive anymore or has made some weird deal with istock.

It seems that Yuri Arcirs is uploading images to Dreamstime.

It is not an old abandoned portfolio, it is new uploads, today 10,000 photos and 21 sales

What a disappointment when he upload it again to shutterstock.



https://www.dreamstime.com/peopleimages_info

How do you know his sales?

Click on "more info", under his profile.

Thank you! 

I didn't know you could see these numbers so openly at dreamstime.

If what is shown on Yuri is actually true, that must be incredibly frustrating. Uploading almost 3500 images every month and having 24 downloads after three months must be a nightmare for someone who made millions in the business and used to be able to define sales by seconds. And the question why he chose dreamstime is indeed interesting.

Oh crap, Debbie and Ralf.

I keep my fingers crossed for you. 122 miles is strong! Ouch!

Quote from: thijsdegraaf on February 18, 2022, 11:42

Quote from: DO on February 18, 2022, 11:02

Quote from: thijsdegraaf on February 18, 2022, 10:54

Quote from: ShadySue on February 18, 2022, 10:36
Meanwhile, having risked my camera in stormy conditions, I sold a Live News photo and netted 68c.

I suspect that I can now also take nice storm pictures at the beach (a few kilometers away). But I'll stay home anyway.
In England it is now code red. In two hours it will really start storming here (also code red).

All the best for the storm Thijs.
We are in a code red area near the south coast.
At it's peak now, hopefully..
I won't be leaving the house to take photos.
Too dangerous.
Not as bad as 1987's Great Storm (so far)
🤞

Good to hear that it's not that bad Debbie. 
We are somewhat used to the coast. But this is going to be one of the heavier storms. And that in the winter. More like a spring or autumn storm.

Last week, gusts of over 75 kn were forecast for today. In the meantime, this has been reduced to 61 kn for Kiel Lighthouse.
That's not too dramatic, Thijs.

Quote from: MxR on February 18, 2022, 11:05
Looks like Yuri isn't exclusive anymore or has made some weird deal with istock.

It seems that Yuri Arcirs is uploading images to Dreamstime.

It is not an old abandoned portfolio, it is new uploads, today 10,000 photos and 21 sales

What a disappointment when he upload it again to shutterstock.



https://www.dreamstime.com/peopleimages_info

How do you know his sales?

Quote from: RalfLiebhold on February 17, 2022, 21:27

Quote from: Wilm on February 17, 2022, 21:10

Quote from: smcbuki on February 17, 2022, 17:49

Quote from: Wilm on February 17, 2022, 17:14
Hmmm, I only have a small portfolio there - as with all other agencies. Less than 1500 files.

But that I sometimes have to wait over 4 months until the images go through the review, there is only at 123rf. And this only happens there when I write to the contributor support. With all other agencies, the review process is just as fast as it is with all contributors, even if I upload very rarely and very little.

And - without wanting to seem arrogant - my income with 123rf, although it is much less than before, is still several times higher than $10 a month.

So I can't understand this policy of 123rf. Mass alone cannot be the criterion for the speed of the review.

I guess you vectors are more complex or more stock-friendly.

Reviewers pick larger batches from the queue, because they want to make more money, if they are paid by number of reviewed images.

No, most of my vectors are extremely simple.

The thesis that the review is paid by quantity of accepted images is interesting. I don't know if this is true, but it is at least conceivable.

Wilm ,but somehow this theory makes sense.
I assume that the reviewers work from home. Then it makes sense from the point of view of the agencies not to pay a fixed salary, but per review as an incentive.
Of course, I don't know if larger batches will bring more money per time.

If so, then the agency should consider whether what it is doing is right.

But it would fit into the general credo of the agencies. Quantity is more important than quality. Only: if everyone does it this way, the small agencies lose, because no agency can keep up with shutterstock - purely in terms of quantity. Perhaps marketing should then think about a new, more sensible orientation.

Quote from: Firn on February 17, 2022, 20:04

Quote from: LouisPhotos on February 17, 2022, 15:49
sell around 120 photos per day but $$$ is not there.

Quote from: LouisPhotos on February 17, 2022, 16:30
I am level 4

One of these numbers can't be right. With an average of 120 sales per day you should have more than double as many sales as are needed to reach level 5.

True!

Quote from: Firn on February 17, 2022, 20:04

Quote from: LouisPhotos on February 17, 2022, 15:49
sell around 120 photos per day but $$$ is not there.

Quote from: LouisPhotos on February 17, 2022, 16:30
I am level 4

True!

One of these numbers can't be right. With an average of 120 sales per day you should have more than double as many sales as are needed to reach level 5.

Quote from: smcbuki on February 17, 2022, 17:49

Quote from: Wilm on February 17, 2022, 17:14
Hmmm, I only have a small portfolio there - as with all other agencies. Less than 1500 files.

But that I sometimes have to wait over 4 months until the images go through the review, there is only at 123rf. And this only happens there when I write to the contributor support. With all other agencies, the review process is just as fast as it is with all contributors, even if I upload very rarely and very little.

And - without wanting to seem arrogant - my income with 123rf, although it is much less than before, is still several times higher than $10 a month.

So I can't understand this policy of 123rf. Mass alone cannot be the criterion for the speed of the review.

I guess you vectors are more complex or more stock-friendly.

Reviewers pick larger batches from the queue, because they want to make more money, if they are paid by number of reviewed images.

No, most of my vectors are extremely simple.

The thesis that the review is paid by quantity of accepted images is interesting. I don't know if this is true, but it is at least conceivable.