Hi there,

Just wanted to give my opinion on Fotolia. I use to have my picture with them and I use to sell regularly.
Compared to all the others, I have to admit that they were the most respectful, open and fair in their dealings with me as a contributor. Fair reviews, fair explanation in case of rejection, fair amount of photo sold. I didn't have  lot online but I really was well represented.

I can't say the same for some of the other "big ones". I-stock and Shutterstock: unfair reviewing bordering on crap reviewing (images sold on Fotolia or others rejected by them). No or very few sales. Often very arrogant attitude (typical fro those who think they have arrived). Customer service close to incompetence very often. etc..

Dreamstime, while more difficult are also ok. Nice attitude and higher standard for selection. In the low earners, YayMicro is a very nice agency. Good attitude, good customer service, really appreciate the spirit there.

Middle Tier: Bigstock (r.i.p), 123RF: well no comment. I wonder why I ever sent my pictures there. All is wrong with these agencies.

The worst by far: PantherMedia: super arrogant, stupid processes and reviewing. Sold nothing, don't represent you well. Are they still around ?

Now, I stopped  "microstocking" because they all sold my pictures too cheap. I am more interested by quality than quantity and it takes a lot of time to have pictures on all these websites while I didn't get a good ROI.

The solution: Sell directly + assignements: more money, time consuming but better ROI.

cool

es a new type of licensing is good but how to control usage in any case ?

1. RF: unfortunately buyers are used to pay cheap for it and they can use the picture as much as they want. It will be difficult to have a RF model more expensive on Symbiostock while agencies sell at lower prices.

2. RM: it's the perfect model but it needs control and a service to enforce the good usage of pictures. Typically, the image has to be used in a specific format, for a specific time frame, in a specific region, for a specific quantity. etc... The buyer has to respect the limits of usage. As we know, we can't trust all buyers, so there is a need for checking, controlling and enforcing if necessary (that is make copyright  infringer pay for their abuse willingly or through litigation). It's a hard job. Even big agencies like Corbis or Getty have a tough time with that and they have the means.

3. An hybrid model where usage wouldn't be as free as RF and not as complicated to manage as RM. The goal is to have decent prices for artists and an incentive for buyers at the same time.

The fair trade concept as opposed to blatant exploitation by microstock agencies is already an incentive fro some buyers.
Buying directly from the artist is another one.
Some service has to be proposed to the buyer.Something that will make her/him change from "traditional"agencies to a Symbiostock model.
What is the unique value proposition of Symbiostock ?
Why would I as a buyer change for another provider ?

Hello everyone,

When I tried to find out the address and contacts for SYMBIOSTOCK, here is the surprise I found on their site:

Contact info
Address: Street 9890, New Something 1234, Country
Telephone: 1234 5678
Fax: 9876 5432
Support info
Telephone: 1234 5678
Fax: 9876 5432
Email: [email protected]

Why do they hide it ? Any idea on that ?