Same here Just sent them a note, and then saw all the posts on here and elsewhere. I'm sure they'll sort it out soon.

Hmmm.. Interesting to see so much negative feedback on the site. The "pinterest debate" is definitely a heated one and both sides have really good points.

I like that it's a "social" type of bookmarking, I like that it's a "visual" type of bookmarking (unlike bookmarking on your computer)... I'm not getting into the debate on whether it's the best or the worst thing to happen recently, there is plenty of that going around without my 2c, but I thought I'd throw in my personal feelings about it.

I like the concept and have been using pinterest quite a lot for different things, including pinning some recipes (which my hubby loves), home organizing ideas, some GREAT-GREAT-GREAT ideas for activities and diy's with kids (which my toddler loves!) and (of course) some ideas that I like and I'd like to remember to use in my own photo sessions with photography clients.

I also have thought of it as a sort of informal marketing for my photo business and I"ve actually gotten a couple of clients off of it as well as connected with other photographers doing kids and baby and family portraiture... In my book, it's not black or white... more like shades of gray

Quote from: Phillip Minnis on February 25, 2012, 03:47
My photos are on my personal Facebook page:  http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1444590705

They are also on my web-site: http://www.phillipminnisphotography.com/

Please feel free to add me as your friend! -:)


Cheers

Phil

Liked

Thank you thank you thank you for the list!!!

Quote from: Ed on February 23, 2012, 02:20
In the U.S., the difference between a sole proprietorship and a "single member LLC" from an accounting perspective is essentially the Federal Tax Identification Number on Schedule C of Form 1040.  There is no other difference from an accounting perspective.

From a liability perspective, in the legal sense of things, there is a pretty significant difference.

My accountant told me that the most important factor to keep in mind when considering LLC is limited liability (thus, the name...). I do family and newborn portraiture and he suggested that as I move more towards newborn sessions exclusively I should register as an LLC, just because the nature of the sessions is more sensitive (e.g., a "once in a lifetime" session, similar to weddings, etc). Other than that, no reason to...Stock photogs, or non-newborn/non-wedding photogs have probably a lot less reason to do an LLC

Quote from: Anyka on February 22, 2012, 18:58
Done!

Madelaide, I love your profile picture!  Simple but beautiful.
Chasingmoments, I am stunned by your baby photos!  People must be queuing at your door with their babies!

Thanks, Anyka, I'm very flattered by your comment. Learning newborn photography has been a wonderful and humbling experience and I learn new things every day!

Quote from: madelaide on February 22, 2012, 00:18
I've created a page here in Facebook only for photography, separate from my personal profile.

It's public, but if you click on "Like" you will start receiving its feeds. Plus, you will have access to special downloads! At this time, there are two wallpapers and one jigsaw puzzle.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Maria-Adelaide-Silva-Fotografia-Photography/385551334805333

I've just started this page and I will be adding some facilities in it.

Added, old friend )) (I'm the "Chasing Moments Photography" - https://www.facebook.com/ChasingMomentsPhotography)

Are you still on shutterpoint?

~Olga (PS: re-read my post and realized I changed my username from photonotebook... now it's my business name)...

Quote from: Microstock Posts on February 22, 2012, 07:13

Quote from: ChasingMoments on February 21, 2012, 23:59

Quote from: nicku on February 20, 2012, 10:20
how are your sales on SS compared with DT?

Both make very similar monthly $$ for me, but whereas I am confident that DT will stay at the same level, I am not sure about SS as I feel my income from it slowly decreasing (only ELs and ODs save the day, not subscription downloads... which sort of takes me to a totally different question - about the role of non-subscription downloads for SS and in the industry... Photogs certainly love them!

For me ss continually grows where as dt continually stagnates. ss new images seldom take off anymore, but my old pics do very well. Agencies always change things around and we never know where are images will be placed from one year to the next.

"only ELs and ODs save the day, not subscription downloads"

The other agencies adopted sub packages and ss adopted ODs and SODs, so they all have similar things now and are eating in to each others original markets. Have a look at this post and you can get an indication of just how much subs have dropped from significance on ss Just how much of a subscription site is Shutterstock?. There is also a poll in the post which is still open.

On another point, something interesting that Serban has said, which will probably mean something bad for us. 

"At this time we give more royalties than competitors and we charge customers more based on the level-based system. Both these are putting very significant pressure on the agency's growth. As per one of my previous posts, sooner or later we will have to address this."

http://www.dreamstime.com/thread_30555
[/quote

All interesting points, thanks for posting. I am quite fond of DT and would like it to do well in the long term... I understand their concern with the level-based system (it seems to be hurting both customers & sellers - higher prices drive customers to get subs or cheaper images)... It makes sense for exclusive images that you canm't get anywhere else, but not for ALL images, imho.

I have not been uploading much recently, but whatever I do upload does not sell on SS, period. May be with the current algorithm images take time on SS to mature until they appear in better positions in search results, my old images sell well on SS. I am not sure I like this algorithm (if that's what it is) because many older images are of sub-par quality... both mine and other photogs'...

Quote from: nicku on February 20, 2012, 10:20

Quote from: ChasingMoments on February 19, 2012, 21:30

Quote from: heywoody on February 19, 2012, 12:44

Quote from: ChasingMoments on February 19, 2012, 02:40
Whoa, pretty amazing how DT performance varies for people! I have recently been again revisiting the idea of going exclusive with DT. I already gave it some serious thought last year and decided to wait... One thing I noticed is that exclusive images rank a lot higher in search results than non-exclusive (I compared some of my baby images with comparable keywords and exclusives were always on page one of relevance search whereas non-exclusives did not do as well). Also, DT may be slow in the beginning for "new" joiners, but after images "mature" and sell more, they gain more visibility and momentum.

On the other hand, I am giving up on SS as it just does not find in searches and does not sell any of the new images I submit... very upsetting because I used to be the biggest fan of SS and now here I am again, wondering about DT exclusivity...

Why not just put everything on IS and FT also?

After last year's (or has it been two years?) changes on IS I pulled my port from IS and only left about 60-70 best sellers, they sell consistently and still bring in as much $ as my port used to. I am on FT, but FT doesn't do as well for me as DT (with almost identical portfolios); on FT only my older images do well, not newer ones. I am on a couple other sites too but nearly not as much income from them. Going exclusive with DT makes sense as my images would bring in more  $ per sale and they'd probably appear better ranked in searches (and there's a small upload bonus per upload for exclusives)

how are your sales on SS compared with DT?

Both make very similar monthly $$ for me, but whereas I am confident that DT will stay at the same level, I am not sure about SS as I feel my income from it slowly decreasing (only ELs and ODs save the day, not subscription downloads... which sort of takes me to a totally different question - about the role of non-subscription downloads for SS and in the industry... Photogs certainly love them!

Quote from: ThomasAmby on February 20, 2012, 06:31
Hi ChasingMoments,

The list of links can be restored via Wayback Archive - this is your page from Feb 18 2009:

http://web.archive.org/web/20090218102516/http://chasingmoments.com/featuredsite.html

Awesome! Thanks!

Quote from: holgs on February 20, 2012, 01:29
I'm not sure how valuable formal link exchanges really are - if you really want to help out other sites a much better approach is to mention someone in the context of a post, especially in any blog content.

Also I notice that your blog is on a different URL to your main domain - I'm not sure if you're planning to move it to your main domain, but this will give you much greater benefits than keeping it on a third party service like livejournal.

Thanks, I understand link exchanges have been "downgraded" by google for a while now...right? But I'd hate someone I already exchanged links with to find that I took their links down. I've done a lot of changes to my site, and it's a work in progress for the next few months I guess, I'd be happy to do a relevant blog exchange... haha, once I am done with my blog!

Moving livejournal to my site is number one priority... if you went to my journal you may have noticed that the top post says that I am moving to word press. Now, on to updating, revising and keywording more than two years of posts and shoots (and adding more) .. basically, re-writing the whole blog for better seo     But I'm already half way there  - had hubby map word press on my site LOL... couldn't have done it without help!

Hi All,

I've been updating my photography website and in the process lost the page with links to other stock photogs (we did a link exchange a year or two back... heehee). So, if you have a link on your site to Chasing Moments photography (chasingmoments dot com; link in  the signature  as well) please pm me with your info as I"ll be putting the page back up in the next day or two and I'd hate to not link back to you in return.

Also, if any of you are looking to do some link exchanging - message me.

Cheers,

Olga

Quote from: heywoody on February 19, 2012, 12:44

Quote from: ChasingMoments on February 19, 2012, 02:40
Whoa, pretty amazing how DT performance varies for people! I have recently been again revisiting the idea of going exclusive with DT. I already gave it some serious thought last year and decided to wait... One thing I noticed is that exclusive images rank a lot higher in search results than non-exclusive (I compared some of my baby images with comparable keywords and exclusives were always on page one of relevance search whereas non-exclusives did not do as well). Also, DT may be slow in the beginning for "new" joiners, but after images "mature" and sell more, they gain more visibility and momentum.

On the other hand, I am giving up on SS as it just does not find in searches and does not sell any of the new images I submit... very upsetting because I used to be the biggest fan of SS and now here I am again, wondering about DT exclusivity...

Why not just put everything on IS and FT also?

After last year's (or has it been two years?) changes on IS I pulled my port from IS and only left about 60-70 best sellers, they sell consistently and still bring in as much $ as my port used to. I am on FT, but FT doesn't do as well for me as DT (with almost identical portfolios); on FT only my older images do well, not newer ones. I am on a couple other sites too but nearly not as much income from them. Going exclusive with DT makes sense as my images would bring in more  $ per sale and they'd probably appear better ranked in searches (and there's a small upload bonus per upload for exclusives)

Whoa, pretty amazing how DT performance varies for people! I have recently been again revisiting the idea of going exclusive with DT. I already gave it some serious thought last year and decided to wait... One thing I noticed is that exclusive images rank a lot higher in search results than non-exclusive (I compared some of my baby images with comparable keywords and exclusives were always on page one of relevance search whereas non-exclusives did not do as well). Also, DT may be slow in the beginning for "new" joiners, but after images "mature" and sell more, they gain more visibility and momentum.

On the other hand, I am giving up on SS as it just does not find in searches and does not sell any of the new images I submit... very upsetting because I used to be the biggest fan of SS and now here I am again, wondering about DT exclusivity...

Thank you all so much! I am in no rush to get a new desktop asap, so I'll be watching dell outlet & coupons and techbargains and doing some more research on getting the most out of my $$!

Quote from: click_click on May 17, 2011, 21:57

Quote from: echbart on May 17, 2011, 18:33
Patrick configuration!

I would recommend you

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883147691

and as Patrick said additional SSD  for scratch-disk PS - should work like magic

You can get almost the same power with a refurbished DELL for $750.

Just bought a XPS Studio 8100, 8GB RAM, 1GB Nvidea graphics, i7 870 (4 cores with HT - 8 threads), 1.5GB HD. It's not the newest CPU but for image processing way too much power anyway.

Since I get a computer every 3 to 4 years I refuse to pay more than $1000 for any computer. These days for image processing these machines are overpowered anyway, unless you do 24-bit, 50 Megapixel RAW processing.

For any prosumer DSLR you can use a computer around $1000 and be more than happy with it.

P.S. I never buy DELL Outlet without a coupon. I save a minimum of $150 every time on top of discounted systems.

Very helpful post, thanks. I bought from Dell several times and I think I'll look into getting something from Dell again this time! Never heard of dell coupons though...live and learn!

Quote from: rimglow on May 17, 2011, 17:39
Absolutely beautiful work!

Get an iMac. You'll love it.
http://store.apple.com/us/configure/MC812LL/A?mco=MjIwNTQ2NTA

Thanks! My husband has an imac... so I know it's great, but I'd prefer to stick to PC!

Quote from: echbart on May 17, 2011, 17:19
How much money do you have for this purchase?

Well, good question

I'd prefer to invest in a machine that'd be solid for a couple of years in terms of speed/performance. Aiming at around $1500... and under

Hi All,

So, it's time for me to get a new desktop, the one I'm working on right now is getting a bit too slow ... and it's almost four years old too!

Right now I've got 4gb ram and 2.10ghz processor...PC person. I'm using CS2 + plugins/actions; I do have CS5  but I have not been able to use it because the computer stalls too much with it. Ideally, I'd move to CS5 and improve speed.

I'm quite overwhelmed by all the options out there and basically am wondering about "minimum" ram/speed (haha, as well as monitor suggestions!!!) I'd need...

I'd love any help/suggestions! Pretty please! Thanks!

I know it's too broad of a questions, but even knowing what other people'r using would give me some baseline..

Awesome, thanks so much for bringing these back to us!

Quote from: jm73 on March 19, 2011, 20:42

Quote from: Newsfocus1 on March 19, 2011, 19:22

Quote from: jm73 on March 19, 2011, 16:32
Mine are there as well. With 123rf number but it doesn't show author of image. Just  "image by  blank space"        


Just checked some of mine there and all those I looked had my correct name as author. Anyone else checked theirs? Regards, David.

I was afraid I am the only one but fortunately I am not: http://hemistock.com/stockphoto/photo/5155734.html

Looks like my images are credited as well... all these affiliate sites are tiring - how are we supposed to keep track of our images! I personally have never seen any profit reported from any of them! And the only solution is really a non-solution (which is remove images from the "parent" site).

Just came across a bunch of my images being sold on this "hemistock" site. Anyone know who it's affiliated with? I only found an online article saying that it's Nigeria's first stock agency.... Gee, hope they are affiliated!

I imagine a lot of photographer who don't check the forums/messages often or at all have no clue about all the changes ...Neither would newbies!

Quote from: lisafx on December 31, 2010, 20:28

Quote from: ChasingMoments on December 31, 2010, 12:56
WOW! 5 years... what 5 years... when did that go in effect? I thought it was18 months

Not sure exactly.  Maybe within the past year or so?  If you thought it was 18 months then maybe yours were added before the 5 yr. hold too...

Oh, shoots! The 5 year ban got introduced in December 2009... and I donated files this summer. I am an idiot.

The thing is, I finally decided to go exclusive with Dreamstime, and I can't... until I deal with the FT issue.... arrrghh! Any advice??? I hope fotolia would agree to close my account and charge me the 0.5 per file... otherwise... well... otherwise, what do I do?

Quote from: lisafx on December 30, 2010, 21:41
I managed to successfully delete free files, but they were all added before the 5 year hold was in place.  The .5 was deducted from my account for each one automatically.

Lisa! Thanks for replying... WOW! 5 years... what 5 years... when did that go in effect? I thought it was18 months