I just want to clarify in my opinion where the "Suck Zone" lies



Cranky MIZ
The voice of reason

Tazzy
your statement "I don't think it's that big of a deal to borrow keywords here and there..."
Implies to me that it's ok if you use other people's words due to you inability to come up with words on your own.

And you think it is morally ok? You use the word "borrow" I believe so as to avoid the word "Take".
Borrow sounds less imposing and minimizes your actions. I appreciate you honest confession, but I wont accept your justification for doing it.

Now I realize it is perfectly legal, and that no laws are actually broken. However I think it wise to remain silent and keep it to yourself.
There are other means of obtaining help in gathering Keywords other than surgerically removing them from fellow photographers.

Cranky MIZ

I recycle my own keywords. REASON....I do strictly concept images.
Multiple images that share a common theme.

Where I screw up is when the last image in a series of concepts does not resemble
the first image very much anymore, and I have used the same keywords throughout the series.

So I need to pay closer attention to the recycling of my own keywords.

Cranky MIZ

We learn to "deal with life on life's terms" is what I hear you saying.

...and that's excellent advice coming from a man who wears a funny hat.

Cranky MIZ

Lets keep the focus off me ok, and keep it on the subject.
I appreciate you giving me credit, but I don't want to steal the show Mr. DanP68

DT in my opinion is THE top notch Microstock site I subscribe to when it comes to all
round performance, management, and joy to work for.

It does not hold the title for my most sold image, or the image that has made the most money, or even downloaded.
It's their fairness and attention to details I admire in that site.

If I were to advise a new photographer on what site to upload to first, and to use as a
standard to compare all other sites it would have to be DT hands down!

Cranky MIZ

I would like to ask you a few legitimate questions. I realize that many here will compare.
I ask only that you relate, and not compare.

1. Are you upset at the recent price changes on some sites?
2. Have you received any unfair rejections of your images from reviewers?
3. Are you puzzled over the amount of uploads your permitted on some sites?
4. Are you annoyed that some sites take longer than a few days to review your images?
5. Would you like to have YOUR images on the front pages of the sites once in a while?

Well, if there were a website that:
1. That every sale you made $18 USA
2. Guaranteed every image you submitted was accepted
3. Had no limits to upload amounts
4. Gave instant approvals of every image you submitted
5. Featured everyone of your newly submitted on the front page.

Would you join?
Are you aware that this stock site REALLY does exits?
And that hardly anyone approves of it!!!

Why? because there's nothing for the cry babies to cry and complain about that's why.
That site by the way...want the answer?

http://microstockpix.com/supplies/page8/page8.html

Cranky MIZ

ShutterStock has something like over 103,000 photographers.
Dreamstime like 38,097
A recent Google search turned up nearly 3000 mini microstock sites.
3 years ago many sites you upload to today were celebrating 500,000 images on line, now multi-million images on those same sites are old hat.
More digital cameras have been sold in the last 7 years there then there were film cameras sold in the last 75 years world wide!
Microstock sites are competing for, and cater to the buyer, rather than photographers.
8 years ago 96% of photographers on stock sites were professional...today 85% are hobbyist.
81% of stock photographers in one survey revealed they have less than $400 invested in their camera equipment.
The average new stock photographer made $4500 in his first year 8 years ago. Today it  less than $800.

My opinions:
Subscriptions are here to stay. Stock sites are competing to be the next "Walmart" of stock images.
Stock sites can afford dispose of disgruntled and troublesome photog's.
Stock sites compete for selling prices rather than images or photographers since most sites share the same images and photographers.

Are you up to the task? Will you still be in this game 3 years from now?
I ask all you less than mediocre, P&S stock "Wannabies" to voluntarily get out now.....leave. Find another hobby.
Please make room for us photographers and graphic artists with a more promising future.

Cranky MIZ

For the first time ever on 123, I had a batch of 10 out of 10 rejected for that same reason.

Ahhhhh man what you needed was this!
http://microstockpix.com/supplies/page5/page5.html

Cranky MIZ

Oh but pardon me Mr. RT sir......

If buyers bought a subscription, they are in FACT obligated.....or loose the money they paid.

...by the way my bubble is iron clad. You are so presumptuous  and so self righteous to think you can penetrate it?
I laugh at your silly foolish attempt...hehehehe

Cranky MIZ

I personally am thrilled and tickled pink that others are either not uploading anymore,
or are pulling their images altogether.

Early on I learned to deal with rejections, and to bridle my expectations. If there is one thing
that I can count on always it has to be CHANGE. I've learned to roll with the punches and go with the flow.

So now that everyone is pissed at FT it's in my favor because I don't mind the changes they made.
I will have less competition and my images will get reviewed that much faster.

What's pissing ME OFF is finding out there are other people who think like I do, and are cutting in on my good fortune.
I have to share all the benefits with all the others that are not affected by change......*!

Cranky MIZ

"Does World Stock Photographers Association (WSPA) exists?"

Yes it does! I am the president, the treasurer too.
Anyone wishing to join send me $100.00 into my PayPal acct.

I will send you a "Certificate of Membership" I "Hand Crafted" in Photoshop which is suitable for framing.
I will also send you a link to a JPG of a membership card I designed, that you can right click to DL and print out.

If you act within the next 30 days, I will extend the regular 3 month membership to 6 months (a $100 value)

Cranky MIZ