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Messages - RGebbiePhoto

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126
Shutterstock.com / Re: Please help me get in!
« on: September 13, 2008, 14:08 »
On the rejections:

I believe the reviewers check your images until there are four declined, then the entire batch fails.  The images that "passed" the first time would have been accepted if THAT REVIEWER was reviewing the entire batch.  The images without comment were probably not looked at.
To assume that the images without notes will pass the next time is a false hope. 
From the general feel of everything I've read, it's best to try again with entirely new images.
I've seen threads on this, many photographers have tried for MONTHS to get in. Some as long as six or seven tries (30 days between initial submissions).
The best part of those frustrating threads is the immediate victory when you DO get accepted, and for the first month, you sell like crazy!!
So, good luck, keep trying, don't get frustrated. It's well worth it!
Gebbie

127
Newbie Discussion / Re: Help, no sales :(
« on: September 11, 2008, 12:08 »
Eugene,

You could have picked a NUMBER of sites to mass upload to.  The issue is, you did it with the #1 subscription site.
The problem?  Had all your images gone thru, your entire portfolio would be timed out in about 3 weeks.  Shutterstock is the beast which constantly hungers.  Best way to approach SS, from what I've done and what i've read others doing, is to feed them a bit at a time, every time images get reviewed, pop another small batch in there. And diversify the batches, so you get different subjects up.  Worst thing in the world is to search for New Submissions, and see three pages of the same model *or apple* in various poses, different angles... :: yawn ::
You get much more mileage out of a shoot if you upload it over a few weeks or months.

Feeding the beast that many images was BOUND to make it barf 70% back up....

128
General Stock Discussion / Re: How many of you would?....
« on: September 08, 2008, 11:58 »
Who would decide what was fair and unfair?
What would be the criteria for allowing a photographer in the "guild"?
Would you weigh a new portfolio the same as you would weigh an established portfolio?
Would someone fresh and new have the same opinion "weight" as someone that has been around a few years?

See, I was cautious about the StockXpert issue, but all I read were angry mobs with pitchforks wondering who brought the match to light the fire.

Companies give us approximate dates they are going to start something, and at 12:01am that morning, people start bitching that things aren't happening yet.

It's these hysterical individuals that would keep me out of an organization such as this.  If they were controllable, they wouldn't be posting such nonsense in the first place. But if you lock them out, then you become another one of the "Nazi" forums that only post good things.

So, thanks, but no thanks.  If the micros don't pay enough, go midstock. If your quality isn't up to midstock standards, then you have something to work toward, don't you?

Gebbie

129
Bigstock.com / Re: Slow Sales At BigStock
« on: September 08, 2008, 11:25 »
Sales are slow... but steady.

Our port is pretty big there (900), and we are seeing almost daily sales now.  In fact, as I write this, I just sold two more for a total of $5 today, and it's only 9am :)

We submit to a number of sites.  Not every site accepts every image.
If we pissed and moaned about every rejection, I'd never submit again!

BS is run by a Mom and Pop style organization, from what I hear.  All I know is every time I've sent an inquiry on something, they get right back to me, and the issue is resolved in a quick and friendly manner.

Tougher on rejects? Maybe... but with the continued improvement on sales, I'm quite happy with them.

Gebbie

130
I've had quite a few sales on older images lately.  I have different images with the same subjects, that, in my opinion, are much better. But the older ones still sell.

These are up on the microstock sites, because the company deemed them stock worthy.  These were submitted to the sites, because *I* deemed them stock worthy.

Since they just sold, I'm sure that's quite enough proof for me that they are.

Gebbie

131
General Stock Discussion / Re: Was it something I did?
« on: August 25, 2008, 17:41 »
LMAO Tom!!

Biggest problem I'm having with Vista is the properties tab on the images is more advanced than on "regular" windows.
The "Keyword" field translates over to "Tags" on Vista, but it doesn't translate back the other way.
If I keyword with the Vista computer, I have to put the keywords separated by a comma in the comments section, and then I have to go to the other computer and add the tags from the comment line back into the keyword field and save it there.
Unfortunately, I didn't realize that, and I have about 100 images that seem to have zero keywords on them since I worked them on the new system.  The keywords show up if I check them thru Vista, but they are blank on the other.

Vista has some interesting features, but, yeah, I wish I had regular windows on here....

Mac? well, there are various schools of thought on that, but THAT OS drives me insane, too...

I guess it's all in what ya know.  If we did a whole lot of manipulation or photoshopping, then I could see the benefit in using a Mac.  But we are simple folk, and Windows works for us. :)

132
New Sites - General / Re: Microstockphoto.com... anybody there?
« on: August 25, 2008, 10:00 »
I just tried to click the link, and the site seems to be gone.


133
New Sites - General / Re: Microstockphoto.com... anybody there?
« on: August 25, 2008, 09:52 »
:)

Graphicallyminded, Microstockphoto, not MostPhotos... lol

But, good to know that about MostPhotos!

134
General Stock Discussion / Re: Was it something I did?
« on: August 25, 2008, 05:29 »
Dreamstime is still, apparently, having some issues with uploading.

I'm glad, i thought it was a conflict with Vista on my new computer...  But, today, timed out with another two images.

Thanks for starting this thread, was hoping it wasn't ME... lol

135
Shutterstock is the best because they are very easy to upload to, and have good sales.


But they can be a bit tricky to get into.  Some try quite a few times before getting in, and at a month in between submissions for initial review, it can take quite a number of months.  We were lucky and got in on our second try, but I've seen a few people say they took four or five submissions before they got in.

Bottom line... QUITE worth the effort to get into :)

136
New Sites - General / Re: Microstockphoto.com... anybody there?
« on: August 22, 2008, 22:02 »
Look at the top selling images for the month. 

http://www.microstockphoto.com/popular_photos.php?month

this should be a good indicator to you on how the site is for contributors.

137
General - Top Sites / Re: Dropping DT exclusivity?
« on: August 19, 2008, 17:21 »
Depending on how many quality images you can produce per month, you might want to consider just dropping the exclusive contributor status.

You can keep what you have exclusive at DT and start with fresher images at the other sites. 

You've already made an impact on Dreamstime, don't dillute it by spreading those images everywhere else.

Good luck to you!!  And remember, the top four have strict applications, it may take you a few weeks to get in, DO NOT GIVE UP!!!!

138
Adobe Stock / Re: Rejections, rejections, rejections...
« on: August 17, 2008, 19:03 »
maybe they rotate acceptance percentage like some sites rotate the search engine :D

Dunno what to tell all of you, we just had 98 of the last 120 accepted onto the site.
Rejects: Overabundant (we had some daisies :D )
              Similar (they took one of four shots of a series, etc)

Well, I guess I better finish bulk uploading before they rotate acceptance again... lol

139
Newbie Discussion / Re: Help, please.
« on: August 17, 2008, 15:32 »
Also, while they are attractive, the top sites have an approval process to get in.
Shutterstock usually takes a few tries to get in, plan on about 3 months. I hear they also reject the first submission almost every time...
iStock also has a reputation for turning down new contributors on the first submission... or two... StockXpert definitely has a reputation of making you wait.  Several have reported getting in only after their 3rd or 4th submission

Just so ya know... it's not ALWAYS you :)

140
Shutterstock.com / Re: New Logo?
« on: August 16, 2008, 04:08 »
... yep, sure looks that way...

141
Crestock.com / Re: "Account Terminated"
« on: August 14, 2008, 23:55 »
Ironarrow,

You talk a good talk. But several times people have asked to see your port, or to get a link, or something to back up these incredible statements.  And you never answer.

Go on, tell me you are afraid someone will "steal" your ideas.  Well, I think if you are making the numbers you are making, several that would have considered it have already done it. 

This is a professional forum, and we come here to share ideas and to learn and grow.

I'd love to see your little speedometer thing.  It would lend a lot of credibility to your statements.

But, without any proof offered, I have nothing to do but take whatever you say as tongue in cheek.


142
Cutcaster / Re: Cutcaster customer base?
« on: August 13, 2008, 23:48 »
Curious, what other sites are you registered with?

143
General Stock Discussion / Re: Uploading for Peas!
« on: August 10, 2008, 13:13 »
quote author=ironarrow link=topic=5447.msg58346#msg58346 date=1218385062]

Does terms & conditions of cutcaster say "we will never announce subs"?
-NO, it doesn't..


I guess I shouldn't buy a car, then...  It isn't a safe thing.
So many people die from accidents, how many is it going to take to realize that you can DIE from it!
Does it say in the owners manual that you will never be in an accident? NO
So, if you want to buy a car, then go ahead and waste your time, I'll stay walking, thank you............[


144
General Stock Discussion / Re: Another new micro site...
« on: August 09, 2008, 16:22 »

Peer-to-peer review to weed out the crap instead of some hired idiot who makes arbitrary decisions.  If enough users flag a photo as crappy, dump it. 

A weighted review system where your photos climb in the ratings based not only on how many users like it, but also against a formula that includes how many photos of others the artist has rated him/herself.  This gets the photographers involved in keeping high quality stuff on the site.

MostPhotos did this, and it just didn't work...  People were rating high quality images with low ratings, and poor quality images had high ratings, just because they had enough friends voting on it...
I'd rather deal with a set of reviewer, this way there is a set standard on the site.

145
General Stock Discussion / Re: Another new micro site...
« on: August 09, 2008, 15:23 »
We took a look, but there are a few unanswered questions...

"To sell your photos, you first have to sign up as a member. Then just sign in and add a few images in your private folder to show us what you can do. Then post a message on the forum explaining why should you become a photographer!. Once your application is approved, you may begin uploading your photos! "

Hey, we don't have any enemies, so far as I know, but what about those that are a bit more noisy on the forums?  Say you put your post on how you are such a brilliant photographer with a proven track record... and your post goes hot because everyone jumps your ass.  Wow.  While I'd be tentative about posting a "Please Accept Me" post, I'll sure be interested to read them :)

Ok, so you get your images up online, and you sell one! YAY!!
At what point do you hit payout? At every sale? after $50? after $5,000? When? The $20 bonus for submitting is good, but without knowing what payout requirements are, it's impossible to see how good a deal this is (Albumo offered the same, and is basically dead with a lock-in of 400 days on your images, zero communication from admin)

What about deleting images? Is it easy to do? or do we have to go thru admin to get them removed? Are they locked on the site for a certain amount of time before they can be removed?

What about advertising? Saw the site was just put up in the last month.  What movement is going to be made in that area? Is the site going to remain in Beta for a few months while bugs are worked out? Or is it considered Live already?

The only payment option I saw was for Moneybookers.  Is there going to be Paypal or check options, as well?

These are just a few questions I have...


146
General Stock Discussion / Regarding "Editorial" images...
« on: August 06, 2008, 07:01 »
Anyone have some suggestions? We recently went to a Beach Boys concert, and got some really great shots of the band in action.  I figured out who all the band members are, from various websites and fan pages, and they are all ready for submission.
Question is... Which sites should we send them to?
Which sites seem to be good sellers for "celebrity" images?
Which sites just aren't interested in that kind of image?

Any suggestions or thoughts are appreciated :)  Thanks so much!
~~Gebbie

147
Albumo.com / Re: Bye Bye...
« on: August 04, 2008, 19:00 »
I'm happy to report that after trying to sign in to Albumo to delete yet another of my 475+ images, my account is closed.
I also noticed a tiny upswing in my dreamstime portfolio :)
Coincidence? Possibly...
But, admin apparently doesn't like it when ya change your keywords and description to boost sales at another site :D
This is the way to do it, my friends.
Good Luck!!

148
StockXpert.com / Re: StockXpert Images on Photos.com
« on: July 31, 2008, 18:42 »
Under FAQ: http://www.photos.com/en/help/index#usage

"Can I use my Photos.com images after my subscription expires?    Top
Yes, you are permitted to use any images that you have downloaded and used during the term of your subscription after your subscription expires. We grant you a traditional non exclusive, world-wide and perpetual license for images that you have used however; you may only continue to use the image(s) in the same product or service that they were incorporated in during the subscription term. Any images that have been downloaded and not used during the term of your subscription are not permitted for first use after the subscription expires. This would be considered stock piling and in violation of our End User Licensing Agreement. "

149
Albumo.com / Re: Bye Bye...
« on: July 30, 2008, 14:06 »
I actually got a reply back from them almost 2 months ago that said they were willing to remove almost 100 if I would send the image numbers.
Well, they haven't yet, and now they are going to be the proud representatives of almost 500 images that are all listed as follows:

Title : Read Image Description
Description: Stock Photo of This website refuses to work with us, and we no longer wish to sell here. Please see our complete portfolio at `www.dreamstime.com/resp482745`
Keywords: portfolio, spam, keywords, delete, unresponsive, website, unhappiness.

I seriously think there isn't anyone there anymore... my images are still all up...
I've got about 50 reworked so far, i'm going to spend the rest of the weekend finishing out the rest... However, those 50 or so have been up that way for almost a week...

Well, we'll see what happens...

150
Dreamstime.com / Re: DT become new SS ?
« on: July 27, 2008, 15:05 »
Of the last 20 sales we've had, we've only had 2 subs.
I'm sure as someone else said, as soon as the levels of the images go higher, we'll see more subs, but for now, it's our BME and we're happy with the site :)

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