MicrostockGroup

1

AI Generated Stock Photography / Separate vs regular account

« on: March 15, 2024, 11:02 »

Hi everybody.
I have an established AS account which performs pretty well (no AI images). I opened a separate AS account for AI images 3 months ago. It performs relatively ok, but the wait times are incredibly long. It takes 4-6 weeks on average for them to accept 200 images, I'm capped at 500 in the queue and I have started thinking if it was a wise strategy. (The whole reason for having a separate account was "if they ban AI account then my real one will remain intact)

A couple of questions.

1. Is it true that established accounts that were there for about 10 years have much faster AI acceptance rates?
2. Would you advise mixing AI and regular content in the same portfolio?

Thank you!

2

General Stock Discussion / Opting out of Data Licensing on Shutterstock

« on: July 12, 2023, 07:50 »

I opted out of Shutterstock Data Licensing. Three days later some of my images still automatically go into the Data Licensing catalogue.

Anyone is experiencing the same issue? If yes, were you able to resolve it?

Cheers!

3

General Stock Discussion / How do you find where your images are used - reverse search options

« on: June 14, 2023, 14:30 »

Hi guys, how do you find where your images are used? (legally or illegally)

I used to do Google reverse search which is a pain in the butt.
Recently there seems to be an improved tool https://petapixel.com/2023/06/13/vecteezys-ai-powered-reverse-image-search-tool-is-surprisingly-impressive/
If you tried the Vecteezy tool extensively, what's your feedback?

Anything else you have in mind?

4

General - Stock Video / Question about 4096x2160 vs 3840x2160

« on: January 29, 2023, 20:38 »

Hi guys, recorded some videos in 4096x2160 by mistake, Started digging if SS accepts it and found this (see attached screenshot)
As per the article https://support.submit.shutterstock.com/s/article/What-are-the-technical-requirements-for-footage?language=en_US
they actually prefer 4096x2160.
As they say "resolutions in bold are preferred" and the first resolution in bold is 4096x2160

It got me confused. 4096x2160 is not 16:9 which is the most popular aspect ratio, and if memory serves me - if you upload 4096x2160 to youtube it will place some 'filling bars" to emulate 16:9.

Kinda curious:
1. Which video resolution do you use to upload to SS, P5, and AS?
2. What are your thoughts on 4096x2160 vs 3840x2160 from a sellability perspective?
3. Did you ever sell a 4096x2160 clip?

Thank you.

5

MicrostockSubmitter / Painful configuration wipe outs 2-3 times a year

« on: December 31, 2022, 17:44 »

Guys at SS, do something about it - EVERY year at least 3 TIMES all configurations disappear from the stock submitter after program updates. All agencies, all custom configurations, all pricing - all get wiped out. I spend at least 5 hours a year just fighting with your program. This is unbearable and unacceptable for the amount of money that is being paid. Quality control is below any acceptable level. Support is good, but what's the point of great support if the coding is so crappy that it makes my life so difficult.
I'm very tired of the responses that I usually receive that in short can be summarized as "we are not sure what it is it is probably you"
I waited 2 years and didn't post anything hoping that 'this is the last time when it happens", but it keeps happening, and honestly patience is running very thin at the moment.

6

General Stock Discussion / Thinking about blogging?

« on: August 19, 2021, 18:14 »

Hi guys,
Lots of photogs think about sharing their experiences in the form of blogging.
If you are one of them - some good tips can be found here:
https://brutallyhonestmicrostock.com/2021/08/19/interview-with-alexandre-rotenberg-tips-on-getting-started-as-a-blogger/

Some were useful even for experienced guys like me.
Hope it helps.

7

General Photography Discussion / Paul Hardy interview

« on: June 17, 2021, 18:24 »

Interview with the guy who was shooting for 25 years. The story about 'good old days' told in a calm and thoughtful way. It is hard not to agree with the assessment of where the industry is at at the moment.

https://brutallyhonestmicrostock.com/2021/06/17/interview-with-paul-hardy-conceptual-stills-and-motion/

8

General Stock Discussion / Interview with Mat Hayward, Adobe Stock Artist Evangelist

« on: April 24, 2021, 13:08 »

Happy to share with you an interview with Seattle-based, Mat Hayward, Adobe Stock Artist Evangelist, where he discusses his background, what's happening with Adobe Stock, and offers valuable tips on how to make money in this industry! He touches on the subject of the newly introduced Adobe Pro Edition plan as well.

https://brutallyhonestmicrostock.com/2021/04/24/interview-with-mat-hayward-adobe-stock-artist-evangelist/

9

General Stock Discussion / Google trends

« on: January 06, 2021, 16:37 »

Hi, I wonder if anyone uses Google Trends to fine-tune their concepts and create new ones for images.
https://www.stockstudio.io/post/covid-related-stock-opportunities-in-2021-using-google-trends-analytics-part-i

It seems a bit time-consuming, but if somebody intergrated this in their workflow it would be nice to hear the feedback.

Cheers.

10

General - Stock Video / 4K vs HD

« on: May 07, 2019, 17:05 »

Hi, ladies and gents. Pretty much everybody says that 4K is the way to go, and it's kinda hard to argue this point. Yet pretty much every contributor I know would say that HD videos absolutely outsell their 4k videos. I wonder how's it going with you guys?

Elijah.

11

Video Equipment / Sofware / Technique / Best cellphones for 4K video

« on: April 14, 2019, 14:09 »

Hi guys and ladies, trying to figure out which phone can be used for pro stock video

The result of my digging:
a. Huawei 30 Pro - beats Samsung 10S Plus in image quality department but not so great for video (review here https://www.dxomark.com/huawei-p30-pro-camera-review/)
2. Samsung 10S Plus - best for video, ok for images. (review: https://www.techradar.com/reviews/samsung-galaxy-s10-plus/4)

A couple of questions:
- Would you pick Samsung over Huawei for 4K video?
- Would it be possible to create successful commercial 4K videos with the cellphone?

Thank you!