Quote from: Josephine on January 21, 2022, 18:47
and it will take around half a year til you the get your 28 Cents....

I'll never get the 28 cents anyway because my sales are only $51 and my resulting earnings (about $16) are below the payout limit.

But that doesn't bother me at all. Alamy doesn't seem to be doing well - so I'm happy to give them this small donation. It seems to be needed.

I hope that all agencies that think and act like this - because Alamy is not alone - are aware that they are digging their own grave. This pricing policy won't work for long. Not for us. But not for the agencies either. That much is certain!

,,Waiter, please bring another beer before the misery is starting."

,,Can you pay at all?"

,,Okay, there we go: The misery is already starting!" 

I only have 200 images on Alamy. I just wanted to try there and gain experience. And my success is zero. But at the end of the year, my sales have increased by $1 for 7 sales. My earnings should be around $0.28 for those 7 Downloads.

I am very happy that everything went right with the Chinese buyer. That is very good news. He can probably earn really good money with the pictures now.

Personally, I'm also happy because I'm going to delete all the pictures and won't have to be annoyed in the future.

Quote from: Wilm on January 20, 2022, 21:13
I am a little amazed myself. The numbers at shutterstock are absolutely miserable. But they are actually better than at the same time last January. However, at the end of the month there were still some notable SODs coming in - let's see if that works out this year as well.

I have now recalculated this and find that my statement is wrong. I must have miscalculated. Or maybe I got the month wrong - I can't reconstruct it. Sorry. 

January 21, 2022 vs. 2021

shutterstock
DLs minus 53
Income minus $78

Adobe Stock
DLs minus 55
Income minus $80

Quote from: HalfFull on January 21, 2022, 07:49

Quote from: Wilm on January 20, 2022, 22:39

Quote from: HalfFull on January 20, 2022, 22:05

Quote from: Wilm on January 20, 2022, 21:13
I am a little amazed myself. The numbers at shutterstock are absolutely miserable. But they are actually better than at the same time last January. However, at the end of the month there were still some notable SODs coming in - let's see if that works out this year as well.

It's funny you should say that but, my stats are the same. As soon as I hit level 4 last year (around the 20th), things started to improve. Here's hoping the last week and a bit will be a lot better!

Given the volumes the $ difference is tiny. Just over $2 difference between 2021 & 2022 by the 19th.

Even though it may look similar for us, there is a significant difference:

The times when I would have reached level 4 on the 20th are over for me. Last year, that was at the beginning of February. So you're way ahead of me.

Given the way SS has changed, beginning of Feb is still good. Here's hoping it's no later for you!

Thank you very much!

Quote from: elsystudio on February 15, 2012, 02:59
Hi, i have a newbie question to ask. =}
In FAQ it say...

"Vector files should be saved in raster format, JPG at a high resolution, saved at highest quality and submitted in this format. You can also upload an additional format (AI, CDR or EPS extensions accepted) after the JPG upload using the FTP upload/Additional sub-folder or as soon as the JPG is accepted. In some cases (e.g. layouts of web templates) it is advisable to upload the additional format before the review of the JPG file in order to increase chances of approval."

I'm non English speaker and i don't quite understand that. Does it mean all i need to do is just upload a JPG to show them, if it gets approved then only i upload my EPS file?

I am confused as most of the site requires JPG and EPS at the same time...

First you upload your jpg-file. Afterwards you will see this window. I've highlighted the place "Additional format" where you can select and upload your vector file. Of course it must have the same name as the jpg-file, for example

"myfile.jpg" & "myfile.eps"

And, so as not to create a false impression here: I have been offering there for several years - today it is difficult to come up with significant numbers.

Quote from: RalfLiebhold on January 20, 2022, 21:55

Quote from: Wilm on January 20, 2022, 21:24
It's true. 123rf, dreamstime and Depositphotos are rather unimportant. Nevertheless, I'm close to 10,000 downloads on 123. With Depositphotos it is less, but I believe that I will reach the 10,000 before 123rf. At dreamstime it's not even half, but with a much better RPD. Compared to other agencies, with these three it was hardly worth the work. But in the end, there is a little money together, although much less than with the big agencies. Whether it makes sense to continue uploading with these small, everyone must decide for themselves. A few years ago I would have said yes, but now I'm not sure. I only upload there now because it's relatively quick.

Wilm, 10,000 downloads are impressive.
Because the upload is so nice and easy, I would say that it still makes sense to supply the small agencies mentioned. Over the year, the 3 agencies together already add up to a nice sum. If the images are prepared, the upload simply runs alongside.

Ralf, yes, the upload is easy because the keywords, title and description are already included in the images anyway. Therefore I am still active there. If istock would generate so few downloads and income, like 123 or deposit or DT, then I would have stopped offering there long ago - because that takes there - still - a lot of time. These three small ones don't bring so much, but at least they don't make work.

Quote from: HalfFull on January 20, 2022, 22:05

Quote from: Wilm on January 20, 2022, 21:13
I am a little amazed myself. The numbers at shutterstock are absolutely miserable. But they are actually better than at the same time last January. However, at the end of the month there were still some notable SODs coming in - let's see if that works out this year as well.

It's funny you should say that but, my stats are the same. As soon as I hit level 4 last year (around the 20th), things started to improve. Here's hoping the last week and a bit will be a lot better!

Given the volumes the $ difference is tiny. Just over $2 difference between 2021 & 2022 by the 19th.

Even though it may look similar for us, there is a significant difference:

The times when I would have reached level 4 on the 20th are over for me. Last year, that was at the beginning of February. So you're way ahead of me.

It's true. 123rf, dreamstime and Depositphotos are rather unimportant. Nevertheless, I'm close to 10,000 downloads on 123. With Depositphotos it is less, but I believe that I will reach the 10,000 before 123rf. At dreamstime it's not even half, but with a much better RPD. Compared to other agencies, with these three it was hardly worth the work. But in the end, there is a little money together, although much less than with the big agencies. Whether it makes sense to continue uploading with these small, everyone must decide for themselves. A few years ago I would have said yes, but now I'm not sure. I only upload there now because it's relatively quick.

I am a little amazed myself. The numbers at shutterstock are absolutely miserable. But they are actually better than at the same time last January. However, at the end of the month there were still some notable SODs coming in - let's see if that works out this year as well.

Progress? Which progress?

Some have to go back to 1930. I have to go back to Ramses II.

30%

Quote from: thijsdegraaf on January 15, 2022, 12:22
The topic is not nearly as big as on the Shutterstock forum. I was reminded of it yesterday and today when I saw Rose-ringed parakeets (Psittacula krameri) in our garden near the peanuts for the tits.
The bird does not belong in the Netherlands, of course, but it does feel at home there and even causes nuisance in large groups.
I had never seen them. This one in the photo was in the back of the garden. Today there were a few close to the window, but it is a foggy winter day, so shooting (photo) is not possible. I hope to be able to take another photo suitable for stock when it is sunny.
It reminds me of the large groups of parrots that I saw looking up a tree in Australia at night.
Now I have to wait for feral hummingbirds!!!   

Hello Thijs,

thank you for reminding me. About 45 years ago we had close to 50 of these parakeets in our garden in Heidelberg. That was quite exotic at that time. Today the birds are part of city life there. But there are none up here in the north. It's probably too cold for them here.

Quote from: marthamarks on January 14, 2022, 20:36

Quote from: Wilm on January 13, 2022, 15:40

Quote from: wds on January 13, 2022, 15:15
Does Time Machine offer a way to verify your backups?

To be completely honest, wds: Sorry, I don't understand the question. What do you mean by verify?

Wilm, I think he means "confirm that the backup took place."

Thank you for your clarification, Martha.

The best way to see if the backup has taken place is to just open Time Machine and look into the backed up data from the days before.

But that's not really necessary. Time Machine runs absolutely securely, smoothly and reliably.

Quote from: Unamas on January 14, 2022, 19:32
I reached level 3. "25% royalty earnings as of Jan 13",  and half of today's downloads are still 10 cents.

But this knowledge is not new either. You know this from last year and the year before last from Level 5.

Quote from: vintage age on January 13, 2022, 07:49

Quote from: Wilm on November 15, 2021, 11:55
shutterstock no longer has the capacity to maintain the forum. It's all the more amazing how often they ask me to participate in the contributor survey. I get it at least once a week.

After months I uploaded an image again. It was rejected because of noise. With all other agencies the problem did not exist. But I don't care. If they don't want it, they don't want it. I do not make a second attempt.

I saw an ss blog and an example for noise they gave in a photo was the factory ceiling at 100% but I can't see it. https://www.shutterstock.com/blog/how-to-avoid-a-visual-noise-rejection
There may be color noise but I'm not sure. The other examples are easy to see though. I had to start shooting in RAW to get rid of this color noise but SS still rejected some of my pics for another type of noise or grain especially ones with trees or foliage. The same pics were accepted on adobe and they are pretty strict in what they accept.

I shoot RAW exclusively.

And again, I don't care if shutterstock wants the image or not. I don't invest More time for 10 cents. Not even the minute I need for a new upload.

In the short term, that may be wrong. In the medium term, shutterstock only harms itself with its new revenue structure and great AI for selection. My motivation regarding shutterstock is meanwhile - unfortunately - at zero. Just a few years ago I would never have written this.

Quote from: wds on January 13, 2022, 15:15
Does Time Machine offer a way to verify your backups?

To be completely honest, wds: Sorry, I don't understand the question. What do you mean by verify?

Quote from: sanjiv on January 13, 2022, 12:39
Thank you very much!

You're welcome! 

Quote from: HalfFull on January 12, 2022, 20:08

Quote from: Wilm on January 12, 2022, 17:24

Quote from: HalfFull on January 12, 2022, 13:40
SS - $152 approaching level 4 but lots of $0.10
AS - $535 approaching a normal month

How many images and how many videos do you have in your portfolio? Your numbers are strong.

AS - Images 16k - 2.5k Video
SS - Images 12k - 2.5k Video

I don't upload as much to SS now, much of my focus is on AS.

Sapphire? Emerald?

Quote from: HalfFull on January 12, 2022, 13:40
SS - $152 approaching level 4 but lots of $0.10
AS - $535 approaching a normal month

How many images and how many videos do you have in your portfolio? Your numbers are strong.

Still a miserable start of the new year.

SS $27 so far.
AS $80 so far.

But here in Germany, for example, many companies had Christmas vacations until the end of last week. I expect things to get a little better again from the beginning of next week.

Quote from: sanjiv on January 11, 2022, 11:03
Hello fello photographers,

Happy New Yew Year to you all.
I have a question about backing up my desktop.
I have iMac2017, it is connecting to external drive Element for back-up.
How long should you keep your back ups or which back ups to be deleted? How much memory they takes up?
Thank you in advance.

Kind regards,
Sanjiv Kumar

Hello Sanjiv,


I recommend that you read up on "time machine". This is an automated backup tool for which your external backup hard disk should be the same size as the internal one.

With time machine you can also restore accidentally deleted or overwritten files in seconds.

I have two identical external hard drives for this, which I connect in daily rotation in case one of the hard drives breaks. I take them with me in the evening and store them in another place in case of fire or burglary.

I find Mat's speedy information commendable. Other agencies seem to have run out of staff to provide such support to contributors.

Thank you, Mat!

Quote from: Uncle Pete on January 07, 2022, 18:27

Quote from: Wilm on January 07, 2022, 08:59
Is it possible that in your table contributors were confused with paying users, Pete? The difference between 1.6 million and 190 K is just too big for me...

I took the number from SS and the new members actual ID number. Of course if people sign up and leave, that number will be lower. But here it is again...

A new Artist just uploaded image #2,101,861,852 (of her 5 images) she's contributor #319,430,041
https://www.shutterstock.com/g/Nina+Markevceva

319,430,041 people have opened contributor accounts.  No claim as to the actual number who still have an account or the actual number of images, such as Over One. That's why I used the people with 1,000 in 2018 as a fair representation of how many active artists the agency actually had. Some of those could have been dormant accounts, so none of this is perfect science or numbers, just approximate.

Go to your landing page on SS/Dashboard, click Image Portfolio, what's the number after your name? "rid=###,### for example. Look at the list... total registered contributors. Your ID should match the year you joined?



If I found the right WILM 437578 you joined in 2012? Did I pass? 

My only claim is, account numbers assigned and I'm assuming they are consecutive and have been for years, and that one of the newest is, 319,430,041, so I've concluded that, that's how many people have signed up for an account. To be fair, Jon Oringer is account #81, so the number isn't precise.

I started at shutterstock in the middle of November 2010, Pete.

And it was a great time that I will never forget!