I looked on other iS threads and don't see this addressed. How are we supposed to get our tax forms? My tax appt is tomorrow and I don't see any online links to download a 1099. Anyone know?

Hah...just got one, and an SOD as well...those have also dropped off this month, sadly.  But maybe things are turning around. I'd love it if sales were lost on a server somewhere and suddenly popped up...I just can't imagine such a drastic change in sales is not due to a hiccup.

Quote from: Lagereek on May 25, 2012, 14:44
I know, I normally have around 25 in a month but this month its pretty bad, only 23. Dont know what the world is coming to? the end is nigh.

Glad you're doing well, but when earnings suddenly drop by several hundred dollars it is personally concerning. No need to be snarky.

I've had ZERO when I usually have many, like up to 10. ODs also down. Earnings off by about 50%. Subs strong but after months of soaring income this sudden drop is distressing.

Wow...so I just used "shadow/highlights" on the photo three times...did NOTHING ELSE...and this was the outcome.  Try it yourself from the original from the link posted above.

You can view the 7 official White House photos in high-res here:

http://photos.oregonlive.com/photo-essay/2011/05/osama_bin_laden_killed_-_obama.html

Notice in the famous photo that was released, the inside collar of his jacket is grey...but in the photo where he is at the table and pointing, the inside of the collar is green and there is a visible Nike swoosh on the jacket.

I then Googled other Situation Room photos, and found this interesting discrepancy.

http://media.oregonlive.com/oregonian/photo/2011/05/9541397-essay.jpg

Compare the original photo to the cropped version that the New York Times published.

http://www.nytimes.com/imagepages/2011/10/24/world/PANETTA-2jp.html

In the uncropped version, zoom in on Obama's arms...it looks like the right arm was cut/pasted/flipped to the left side, and now the crook in his left arm shows the pant leg of a person that doesn't exist in front of him.  And look how HUGE his shoulders are compared to his head.

http://www.americanthinker.com/2012/05/strange_anomalies_in_the_famous_situation_room_photo.html

Be sure to read the reader comments for many other found issues.

You can find high-res images of the Situation Room at the link below.  I've spent quite a bit of time delving into them today, and I've found many more curious issues than even addressed in the article. 

http://photos.oregonlive.com/photo-essay/2011/05/osama_bin_laden_killed_-_obama.html

Correction:  Besides shooting 75% of the film on the Canon 5D, 20% was shot in 35 mm and the aerial footage, which was 5% of the total was shot using the Sony F950.

http://www.btlnews.com/crafts/camera/act-of-valor-immersive-filmmaking-with-the-canon-5d/

The movie was shot with a dSLR, with real U.S. Navy SEALs, no computer graphics, and live ammo.

At a mere 2.5 lbs. the greatest strength of the 5D was to be able to move like no camera has been ever been able to move before. The low cost of the camera also allowed the low-budget production to have multiple cameras and to replace any damaged ones as easily as going down to the local Best Buy. The downside of the camera included moiré issues that had to be painted out and rolling shutter issues. Also, with the particular sensor on the camera, finding focus was very tricky. The assistants had to re-teach themselves how to pull focus. They could not lay marks down; they had to feel the distance. Hurlbut confirms that, "Working with the 5D, the most important person is the focus puller."

Official trailer here:

Act Of Valor (2012) Official Trailer - HD Movie - Navy SEALS

I just received my new D700 after returning the D3S.  One major reason for the exchange was that the D3S was just too large for my chick hands and I kept inadvertently hitting the vertical AF button with my right palm.  I couldn't be more pleased with the D700...and it was an easy learning curve from my D300s.  Very, very happy to have gotten one of the few remaining out there (the camera shop had to get it shipped in from out of country with the help of their Nikon rep.)

From PC Magazine...the cons don't bother me at all.   I can not tell you how happy I am right now...I think this might be what I need.  THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

    Pros

    Simple setup. Unlimited storage. Versioning (but not archiving). Can locate a missing computer.
    Cons

    Less control than other services over what's being backed up and when. No OS folder integration. No file sharing. Slow uploads by default. Restore downloads not encrypted.
    Bottom Line

    Backblaze has two very strong suits: unlimited storage per PC, and continuous backup monitoring, making it a good hands-off choice. But it lacks a lot of goodies you get in other products, such as file sharing, mobile access apps, and complementary local backup software.

OK...for that price, Backblaze seems too good to be true!  I haven't read yet that they have data limits but I'm just stunned at what I've already read and there are two testimonials here.  I have been given quotes this week of about $1200 per year to back the GB's I need backed up.  Off to read more.

Thank you jsnover and Sadstock...I have researched and researched and have not yet come across Backblaze for some reason.  I'll check it out!

(And yes....Carbonite does turn VERY disappointing once the images start piling up.)

QuoteI have to say I'm impressed with BigStock.  I was invited via Bridge to BigStock and in just 3 months it's jumped to #2  (SS is of course #1...I also submit to DT, FT, and blah iS...and Alamy and Getty via Flickr).  I'm encouraged with my short experience there.

how long are you in BigStock?

This is my 3rd month and I've made several hundred dollars for doing nothing.  Can't complain about that!   

Thanks louoates.  That's what my computer guy recommended but I have to be honest and say that, for a non-tech-chick, I prefer an automatic process, even if it costs a bit more.  But I'm starting to realize there isn't a good alternative to doing this manually.  ARGH.

Thanks for the reply...I HOPE it's an interesting thread.  As pro photogs, we have a unique backup storage need...if I knew how to do it I'd start up the company myself!

I'm actually with MostPhotos but I can't even tell you how many images I have there...I get an occasional comment and even more occasional sale...but I didn't give them much effort.

You are correct...the images I have for backup are a mix of stock, contract work, and personal.  Most are RAW but any image I edited also has a JPG version. 

I should have added that I've had 2 ELs there this month so that obviously has helped since ELs aren't common at most sites (except SS...LOVE THEM!)  I used to get them regularly at FT but not so much lately.

I have to say I'm impressed with BigStock.  I was invited via Bridge to BigStock and in just 3 months it's jumped to #2  (SS is of course #1...I also submit to DT, FT, and blah iS...and Alamy and Getty via Flickr).  I'm encouraged with my short experience there.

OK...I'm not a techie so please be kind if you choose to reply.

I have over 350,000 images on my 3 hard drives. I have an external hard drive as a mirror back up.

For the past few years, I've been using Carbonite for extra insurance...offsite backup...and it has saved me 2 or 3 times.  But as the size of my backup increases, they have reduced my bandwidth as "punishment" so it's taking a very long time to get my files backed up now.  But it was still bearable since the bulk of my images were already backed up.

I just upgraded to a new computer and my computer guy transferred all of the data from my 3 internal hard drives to my new computer.  I then go to re-install Carbonite and it tells me that since I didn't do a system restore, they are going to delete my entire backup and then they will re-start a new backup (which will take months!)  They think I am trying to be sneaky and use them as additional external storage.

So, I am looking for a new offsite storage option.  It seems like the ones out there aren't robust enough to handle such a huge backup as I need, and then you jump up to the offsite storage for small business and it's cost prohibitive.

I would love it if I could find an offsite storage geared towards professional photographers who have a huge number of files (that are large) that can be backed up safely and doesn't break the bank. 

That's why there is a comment box to send a note to the reviewer. Use it!

I missed it this morning that the slideshow is a companion to this article titled Where's the Boss? Trapped in a Meeting

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204642604577215013504567548.html?mod=slideshow_overlay_mod

In contrast, Jon Oringer, CEO of New York based stock-photo provider Shutterstock Images LLC, doesn't seem to lack "alone time." He is rarely on the phone and averages about three meetings a day mostly lasting about 30 minutes, with some going up to 90 minutes.

The rest of the time he is usually scoping out his competition on blogs like TechCrunch, monitoring Web traffic and Twitter feeds and working on his own pet projects.

He is in the office from about 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., but says he works a lot from home, even during weekends.

"It doesn't feel like I work when I'm working," Mr. Oringer said. "It's my thing."

This obviously isn't intended for those that only work with paid models...I should have clarified it would likely be humorous only to those that also shoot client work in this day and age.   

Shtuff People Say to Photographers

Shutterstock is credited for story image.

http://m.gawker.com/5882999/the-most-prolific-hacker-on-the-internet-a-one+handed-shadow