Quote from: MotionDesign on December 15, 2023, 13:26

For animation and motion graphics i think AE is #1, easy to use, lot of plugins, lot of tutorials.
BMD Fusion is more a compositing tool (with some motion graphics capabilities)

Thanks for this answer. I think you're the only one here who answered the OP's question. Others may be confusing AE (for animation) with Premiere Pro for (standard video).

You are welcome
I've used fusion studio on and off for a couple of year, i've made some motion graphics that sell well on stock, but i prefer to use AE with plugins such as Element3d, Stardust and Plexus

Quote from: ADH on November 08, 2023, 09:45

I have no doubt that at the rate artificial intelligence is advancing, stock photography has a maximum of two years left to live. Right now the smart thing to do is to sell all the lenses, equipment and cameras on ebay before it is too late and they become worthless junk.

I haven't sent any AI images, and don't think I ever will.

I get help from AI for my post-production, but I'm not interested in generative AI.

It's boring, and the images are all the same, all with the same style.

I think eventually, people will get bored, and the majority of AI users will create their own images.

I hope in the future, there will always be a niche of customers who prefer real images captured with authentic landscapes, models, and objects. And I continue to work for that niche.

We'll see in a few years.

This!
Agree 100%

some sale here and there

2018 (before the glitch) $ 150/200 month
2023 $ 7/15 month

level 4 illustrations (level 5 should be around october)
level 4 videos

Great! Thank you Adobe and Mat!

Deb, you have thoroughly embarrassed me . But let me try to explain.

First of all, if we are modest its because we know you dont have to be talented to do well in microstock. You just have to know the ropes.

The other thing is that people like Mihai, myself, Doug Jensen, and remember Iain Campbell with the great model release video port? - are just a few people that come to mind. The common thing is that we all started about the same time - around 2012 to 2013. Why is this important? For one thing, it was a great time to start. There was still quite a bit of competition back in those days, which is important because you need that in order to keep upping your game.

On the other hand, the people who started before us were used to easy street. Back in the beginning when a good stock pic went to the top of the search - it stayed there (forever) depending solely on how many dls it had. So, when things got tough, a lot of them were not willing to change.

When we came along, was the time SS first changed their algorithm and boy did that hurt a lot of people. But the newcomers like us, learnt from it. Also, I remember having all these arguments with Lauren at the time about what sold and what didn't. I started getting 1,000+ DLs on SS a month, and he was trailing behind me, but we still had these arguments. Long story. The older group were not willing to change.

The other thing about the people I know who started then and did well, was we learnt from reviewers rejections. They were even tougher back then, and it was another thing that made or broke you.

And thirdly, we played to our strengths, and we got better and better at knowing how to use them for microstock. Mihai of course is an engineer and brilliant at technical stuff, I come from a business and graphic design background, Iain started off as a model and then learnt video from one of the top video contributors in the industry at the time. Doug had a strong background in video.

So, the question is, can it still be done again if you start today? I know its getting more and more difficult.  SS pulling the rug out of people's feet with their rates restructure has made it even worse. But there is still money to be made with new uploads, and ways to get around all the low subs I have found. And it all comes back to what you shoot, and how to be just that bit different to the rest of the crowd.

So in a nutshell: Play to your strengths, always check with what's already on the database, don't shoot what everyone's shooting, keep learning, keep improving your skills, keep upping your game, and do research. In fact there's heaps and heaps of subject matter that I find every day that is popular on social media and not well covered on the microstock databases.**

And dont listen to all the complaints. It will bring you down. Productivity and negativity don't go well together.

And finally, always remember you are not competing against a million other contributors. You are only competing with those who shoot the same subject matter as you - or rather, those who have the same keywords as you. Puts it all in perspective then.



ETA: ** This is important because advertisers know they have to follow social media trends to sell their products to them - and we (as the stock providers) are there to provide them with that content. NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND! lol

Dear Annie,
i agree with every single word you wrote!
this is exactly what i do and...it works!
In the meantime, October 2021 is my BME (since 2010)
(but i'm not a photographer, 2d/3d illustrations and animations)

I'm still uploading to the 'dime royalty agencies' (IS and SS) simply because i can't afford to lose five figures earnings every year.
AS is growing and it's by far my best earner. P5...is 'stable'

My goal was, and is, to live only with microstock income.
Goal achievied (i started this adventure on 2010, full time since 2012)
I've put all my energy and efforts on this business, spent a lot of time and money on software, courses, practise, follows the trends, and so on...
I've had a fall on earnings on 2016, but from 2017 earnings are growing, thanks to new type of content i submit and a constant effort to upload
better content than my competitors.
I love what i do and despite the 'exciting news', i'm still here
Good luck to everyone! Peace!

@Tenebroso
Thanks for your kind words!

I really appreciate your offer, but i work full time on microstock plus some freelancing (i upload new content almost every day),
so i have little to no spare time for other projects.

But i read this forum, and if there are any questions i can answer i'll gladly do so.

@Pacesetter
Sorry, i prefer to not share my portfolio, but if you are searching for inspirations this is a good start point:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UqWqoJ6qJo

And yes, i often use element 3d, especially for conceptual animations where i don't need realism

Hi all

I�m using a Dell mobile workstation with intel i9 and nvidia quadro card,
it�s about 4000 euros.
You can do almost the same with a less poweful computer, but the
render time will be longer.
The software i use: Adobe CC, Cinema 4D, and Blender.
And a lot of after effects plugins (element 3d, plexus, stardust and others)
But it�s not all about money. Because you have to learn the software.
It�s about time, and mostly about passion and love for what you are doing.
It�s not an easy path, i�m sorry

Quote from: MotionDesign on February 04, 2021, 14:50

Ok, thanks Matt!
Tomorrow i'll contact the customer service 

OK good luck. I asked around and it sounds like you may incur a penalty for early cancelation of your single app subscription. There is an FAQ at the bottom of the page I shared. This is a relevant statement for others with similar questions.

If your paid plan is different from the selected Creative Cloud bonus, it may make sense to delay the redemption until the paid plan is up for renewal, because otherwise both plans run in parallel and you may not get the benefit from the complimentary plan.

Mat

Thanks again Mat,
yes i have read about the penalty, but it�s not so bad compared to a full CC free for one year 😀

Hi Matt!
Thanks a lot to you (and Adobe of course)

Now i have a little problem

I redemeed the code for the CC all apps, but i also have a plan for After Effects (annual, billed monthly).
Can i cancel (without penalties) the After Effects plan?
Thanks