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Messages - gwhitton
1
« on: March 19, 2012, 17:59 »
There is one way to get around the tedium of dealing with their design software. If you use their templates, and create everything to the size they request you should be able to do 90% of the design, including the text outside of their software. This leaves keywording and SEO stuff, which is a royal pain in the butt, when you really just want to assign the same set of information to a dozen or more things using the same image or design.
2
« on: March 19, 2012, 16:29 »
Click,
I know of a fellow timelapse shooter who uses 5D Mark II, named Randy Halverson (dakotalapse.com). He seems pretty open about what he's doing so you might ask him a question or two. He obviously likes the camera, or wouldn't have upgrade to it in the last year or so.
Of course timelapses aren't traditional video in origin, but rather hundreds of stills stitched together. This seems a very popular approach these days to get really high quality footage, and to do night sequences.
3
« on: March 19, 2012, 12:05 »
Its been a long while since I sent images into 123RF, and I was bit disturbed to get property release rejection for shots taken from a perfect legal location, of very non-descript buildings, and subjects (no possibility of architectural copyright liabilities). What's even stranger is I had a bunch accepted that easily suffered from any of the same "property" problems the others might have had.
I'm kind of figuring the real reason was LCV, but if it was, I wish they'd stop with the BS rejection reasons, because if they start rejecting every shot of a human created subject from a public road way, you might as well not bother submitting anymore.
4
« on: January 26, 2012, 12:51 »
Unfortunately we're not really able to provide highly specific rejections at this time. The review messages list similar potential issues (eg. from lighting, or quality issues, etc) which should, in most cases, provide enough information to make the necessary improvements and resubmit. If it becomes clear that we need to provide more specific feedback, we'll certainly do that. 
Sorry, but are you kidding me?
With every rejection you give us the kitchen sink of possibilities.
- Element or framing composition
- Noise, exposure, lighting or saturation
- Chromatic aberration, moir pattern or other image quality issues
At least you could narrow this list down to whether its compositional problem or an image quality issue. I can't possibly respond back with anything but a guess on reupload, if I don't know which of these two it is. I bet the reviewers could narrow it down, if the GUI they were using gave them a choice. This is simple programming of the interface they use. And if they can't narrow it down, then you have bigger problems.
Oh and despite this flame....I do give you huge brownie points for at least responding to these issues, that is more than can be said for many of the bigger players. I hope you take our advice and make a better process...it will pay dividends.
5
« on: January 23, 2012, 19:22 »
Yep, now I know Photodune staff fat finger it just like everyone else.
Minutes apart I get these two emails.
Congratulations, your item Trans Alaska Oil Pipeline has been approved for sale on the Envato Marketplaces. You can view it online here:
http://photodune.net/item/trans-alaska-oil-pipeline/1372680
Then this one.
We're sorry, your item Trans Alaska Oil Pipeline has been hard disabled for sale on PhotoDune. This is the reason given by our item inspector:
Unfortunately we're not able to accept your submission at this time as the image quality does not meet our quality requirements due to one or more of the following aspects:
- Element or framing composition
- Noise, exposure, lighting or saturation
- Chromatic aberration, moir pattern or other image quality issues
Thanks for your submission, we look forward to seeing more of your work.
All the best,
Above link now dead...
Of course there is a reason I never responded to the soft reject email...one because it made no sense, and this image was probably the poorest example in the series, all of which were rejected. Okay whatever. They are on 6-8 other sites, were they sell just fine.
6
« on: January 23, 2012, 19:21 »
Yep, now I know Photodune staff fat finger it just like everyone else.
Minutes apart I get these two emails.Congratulations, your item Trans Alaska Oil Pipeline has been approved for sale on the Envato Marketplaces. You can view it online here:
http://photodune.net/item/trans-alaska-oil-pipeline/1372680Then this one. We're sorry, your item Trans Alaska Oil Pipeline has been hard disabled for sale on PhotoDune. This is the reason given by our item inspector:
Unfortunately we're not able to accept your submission at this time as the image quality does not meet our quality requirements due to one or more of the following aspects:
- Element or framing composition
- Noise, exposure, lighting or saturation
- Chromatic aberration, moir pattern or other image quality issues
Thanks for your submission, we look forward to seeing more of your work.
All the best,Above link now dead... Of course there is a reason I never responded to the soft reject email...one because it made no sense, and this image was probably the poorest example in the series, all of which were rejected. Okay whatever. They are on 6-8 other sites, were they sell just fine.
7
« on: January 22, 2012, 11:17 »
Anyone else find their reviews rather arbitrary? Alot of my best sellers didn't make it through, and even one of those initially accepted as part of their test didn't make it through. Oh well LOL!
Oh and if a photodune person happens to read this it sure would be nice to see a picture of the file you rejected, especially if you are asking for something before resubmitting it, as I may have multiple files from the same shoot with similar names, and may have no idea which one it is without putting codes in titles and descriptions which you don't want.
And one last grip...it would be nice to get specific rejections, rather than ones that list 3 different possibilities. It helps us authors argue our case if its clear the reviewer fat fingered it...which we all know from time to time happens.
8
« on: January 17, 2012, 13:23 »
There upload and submission process is pretty simple compared to many...the only way it could be made simpler is if they duplicated the Description in the Title field...giving people the option to change it if they so desire. This would allow me to submit in mass and be done in 5 seconds, rather than spending half an hour doing the duplication for them.
9
« on: December 11, 2011, 18:44 »
The single most powerful tool for getting your website noticed by the world, is getting others to link to you, especially the big and powerful.
And putting a link up where its proper and free to do so. Hint hint! ;o)
Of course I would imagine the owner here has nofollow tags automatically inserted when links are put in posts, but I have never looked.
10
« on: November 27, 2011, 19:56 »
I can picture the November sales tread now - everyone will be posting that they have no idea what their November sales are because the but still isn't fixed and the numbers are jumping all over the place and they haven't received their e-mail telling them what the adjusted amounts are for the timeframe with the lower commission rate.
Oh God. I hadn't thought of that. You're absolutely right!
Next think you know the "numbers climbing" will turn out to be a bug. And when you thought you really had $5k coming to you this month its actually $500. LOL!
11
« on: November 26, 2011, 20:28 »
Just happened upon the "Jay is working on our website" screen at IStockphoto.com, and after reading it, and seeing no sign of Istock photo, or a professional "we're down page", I am wondering if they are really undergoing maintenance or if they really have been hacked instead. I can't imagine a site of their magnitude is really run by just one guy...and I would think they'd have put a little more thought into a maintenance page...like making it at least half look like the original site.
12
« on: November 02, 2011, 19:44 »
stephen,
I think you have a nitche there, and I suspect Microstock isn't your only or best option. There was an outfit up in Alaska this summer, selling aerial photography as postcards and large wall posters of various cities, including the one I was in. I didn't buy any, but the temptation was definitely there. But like any type of landscape photography, being in the right place, at the right time could mean the difference the photo anyone can get and the spectacular one. And I don't know how flexible your schedule is, how wide a range you have, etc. Time of day, etc.
I've actually been thinking about this more lately, seeing about selling prints and postcards or something. I got some shots of downtown Seattle at sunset last week and every building was reflecting off the water while the ferry was approaching. I'd put it up here, but I'm not quite sure how. It was a really lucky right time, right place thing and I don't think it would have a lot of value as a stock photo, but I could see it as a postcard or print. I have no idea how to get started in the photo prints business though, maybe it's as simple as calling or emailing gift shops or the tourism board or something.
I'll PM you some ideas. Check your mailbox on here.
13
« on: October 31, 2011, 16:08 »
Hi Stephen,
Go big! Create an event! Go downtown and pass out flyers to get a big group of people to form a human message at Gasworks park. To be in the pic, everyone must sign a model release. A human sign that says 99%, maybe a peace symbol, exclamation point, question mark, etc.
You would need some assistants on the ground but I think it could be done and with all these guys down there with no real focus or direction right now the opportunity is there if you are willing to take it. I'm in Seattle as well and would love to help out.
Sounds like a cool idea! I think the 99% would have the biggest bang for the buck! I'd be around the world in a heart beat.
14
« on: October 31, 2011, 15:44 »
stephen,
I think you have a nitche there, and I suspect Microstock isn't your only or best option. There was an outfit up in Alaska this summer, selling aerial photography as postcards and large wall posters of various cities, including the one I was in. I didn't buy any, but the temptation was definitely there. But like any type of landscape photography, being in the right place, at the right time could mean the difference the photo anyone can get and the spectacular one. And I don't know how flexible your schedule is, how wide a range you have, etc. Time of day, etc.
15
« on: October 31, 2011, 15:19 »
Michael,
If at all possible, and given all the different groups you work with it may not be, but it would nice to have a better idea what actually sold then this statement.
25.10.2011 * * * Provision via partner agencies (PHOTOLIBRARY) * * * 0,81 EUR
I'm also not understanding the math on this. If Photolibrary is honoring the price range I requested "standard", (they supposedly take all three zoonar ranges) then I should at least get 3 euros minimum, which assumes they first take 40 percent, and you then take 50 percent.
16
« on: October 13, 2011, 18:19 »
While we are on the topic of DepositPhotos pricing, I got this email from them today, about a sale. Since I've only gotten subs up to this point and had very few files with them I haven't had much activity.
So the email starts out:
"DepositPhotos: File Sold by Bonus"
The email looks like regular none sub "M" sized file that sold for $2.00.
What's throwing me here is the word "bonus". Is this a bonus for something or is this just cute language for a regular download.
Thx
bonus is a sale from a promotion
As in it showed up in a ad of their's and someone downloaded it? Thanks Luis
17
« on: October 13, 2011, 18:16 »
While we are on the topic of DepositPhotos pricing, I got this email from them today, about a sale. Since I've only gotten subs up to this point and had very few files with them I haven't had much activity.
So the email starts out:
"DepositPhotos: File Sold by Bonus"
The email looks like regular none sub "M" sized file that sold for $2.00.
What's throwing me here is the word "bonus". Is this a bonus for something or just cute language they are using for a regular download.
Thx
18
« on: October 12, 2011, 12:27 »
Hopefully that's enough to attract more buyers. I'm prepared to wait as long as it takes to get sales going but I think I'm in a minority. Lots of people will delete their portfolios if they don't sell enough. I hope you can solve that problem.
I never understood that mindset...the deleting part. Why waste all that effort you went through, and waste more deleting. Just let them sit there, and wait. I heard the same thing with 123rf, and now I think a few are regretting their decisions to pack up their toys and go home.
19
« on: October 07, 2011, 16:03 »
Why would nikon release a full frame that dwarfs their own flagship (d3x) in resolution, shooting full HD video and at a better price?
Whose to say they aren't planning an upgrade to the d3x. 36Mp does seem a bit over the top to be believed though.
20
« on: September 30, 2011, 15:32 »
Aaron,
I applaud the change you made based on user feedback, and in that regard I give you an A++, but I remain concerned that you would ever have thought that a .13c Extended license was either competitive, or fair. I would expect this mistake from a hobby shooter not a professional agency. Which is another way of saying didn't just miss the mark by a mile, you might as well have been out past the orbit of Jupiter.
I'll be opting back in, but watching. And hopefully if and when the extended comes back to the subscription side of things, we will have to option to keep being a part of the standard side of subscription, and opt out of the extended side.
21
« on: September 27, 2011, 16:17 »
Regarding the extended license royalty, we aligned our extended license rate to what we found in our market research of daily download subscriptions.
Aaron
*. You are starting to sound like Istock trying to explain how an 80% cut of the royalties was driving them to bankruptcy.
22
« on: September 23, 2011, 21:10 »
Any company who thinks paying a contributor 13 cents for an extended license is FAIR is out of its freaking gourd! I am opting out unless some sanity prevails.
And I was beginning to like Veer for giving half decent contributor royalties.
23
« on: June 29, 2011, 17:13 »
I'm curious how you all deal with your camera equipment on these trips. I just can't see myself taking lots of gear, for fear its going to get swiped either during a shoot, or somewhere in between. This is especially the case given I don't see myself spending the money for high end hotels where I know a safe will likely exist. Sure insurance exists, but beyond recovering the cost of lost equipment, this won't salvage trip wasted due to lack of gear. Thoughts?
Even considered going totally minimalist, and investing in a high end point and shoot that can take decent shots when light is decent.
24
« on: June 16, 2011, 18:47 »
sauerkraut mate
looking at google pictures, hell no 
Don't say that :-). Combined with Kasseler (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kassler) it is very good...
that look a little better, I am not a weird food guy, I dont have anything that I dont say I wont eat
Throw a little Kimchi in there and life is good! ;o)
25
« on: June 08, 2011, 18:43 »
The biggest flaw that I see with the Dreamstime system is that you could have a boat load of subscription sales that launch you into Level 5 territory where most people won't buy your image, and instead will look for level 0 or level 1 alternatives. Under this situation you'd almost make nothing except subscription sales.
This is just speculation. How could you know how many buyers are actually shopping like that?
If they see an image they are looking for, how much does it matter what it costs?
This is not iStock where an image could range from 3 credits to 55 credits for a small file.
At Dreamstime a small file is 5 credits for level 1 and 13 credits for level 5 (even for exclusive files).
We're not talking about hundreds of $ price difference.
I have plenty of level 5 sales, which never led me to believe what you're saying.
OTOH, anyone else's mileage may vary in this game.
I say what I say, because I have, and continue to play both sides of this game, as a supplier and as a buyer for clients. There have always been those who were looking for something really unique and were willing to pay for it. But to assume buyers won't shop for bargains in a garden of plenty, is being overly positive. Not all buyers are running around with their hair on fire, grabbing the first cool thing that works at whatever the cost. They are sitting down with the client, and choosing which ones they like. And if they can get five images that work for $50, versus 5 that work for $100, guess which ones they will choose. I also think that those who are doing on demand shopping, versus the subscription route are more likely the smaller design houses, with smaller clients who will pinch pennies. As for the scenario I painted, all I am saying is its possible, and its not hard to imagine an image to hit level 4, if not level 5 quickly on subs alone. I've hit the equivalent of level 4 in a month or less on Shutterstock, so there is no reason to assume it can't happen on Dreamstime, especially if subs become a greater part of the mix in the future.
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