This will be an ongoing battle till the end of time.  It�s not just microstock, its everything that has a value.

The simple rule at play here is Supply and Demand.

If supply increases faster than demand, the value of the supply decreases.

Who is at fault?  Well, we all are.  Photographers, microstock photographers, camera companies, stock agencies, ...  That is why Unions were created, but that is always just a temporary measure.

What is the correct value?  There is no answer to this.  If people in the US can't make it cheap enough, maybe someone in another country can.  The stock photography supply is growing much faster than demand has or even will.  Again, whose fault is that?  As long as a dime can be made, someone will sell it.

Here is an example not related to apples:  When I was in school, Information Technology was on fire.  I had employers begging me to take jobs.  A friend and I opened a consulting company while in school for income.  Rates were great.  We could work just 10 hours a week to pay for school.  This went on for a while, then the economy took a hit.  Supply increased at a rate beyond demand.  Companies had to reduce workforce further adding to the supply of talented I/T consultants.  Rates dropped quickly to the point I stopped consulting.  I thought if I can�t get $$$ dollars an hour it�s not worth it.  The supply continued, and jobs were now lost to offshore staffing companies for pennies on the dollar.  If we can�t work that cheap, someone can.  Here we are today.

Ask yourself this.  When you go to the store, do you buy the product made in your country for $$ more, or do you by the product made in another country for $$ less?

Now make that product stock photography and make yourself an image buyer.

We are at a point in stock photography where a company spends more money finding an image than buying it.

For me, IS is the most frustrating site to upload to.  Not because of the process; because of the reviews.  I stopped bothering with them a long time ago.  Every now and then I toss a photo there to see how it goes.

I just do not know what to expect.

Cityscape photo rejected for keyword: business (rejected for that one keyword, that�s it)
Model wearing a necklace that is a fake dog tag: image contains a license plate (even if it did, you can't even make anything out on it) the only text on it was the birthdate of his child.
San Jacinto Monument: rejected for keyword ( Battle (Historical War Event) ); I guess you have to be in the historical war event itself to use that keyword?

I can go on and on and on... so I don't anymore...

I guess the exclusives there do not have to worry about my images taking sales, although I still get multiple payouts a month with just 265 images.

I have heard that the only people with bigger egos than photographers are surgeons.  I know a lot of photographers, and I kind of agree.

With that said though, I also agree that this forum is pretty calm compared to most photography forums.  If you feel abused here, check out some of the other big photography forums and you will come running back here for hugs.

This is the internet.  Take what you want from the information available.  Like sharply_done stated, the ignore button helps also.

I got mine today.  I still have some $$ in my account and affiliates bringing me pennies, but I requested that all of my images be removed.  They did and I will keep the account open just to see what happens.

I sent multiple emails.  None got me anywhere.  What I am upset about is that they just flat out don't care to discuss the issue.  The thread getting closed without any Fotolia response tells me that once again.

It's the same old thing.

I wonder if the dying of the issue is really others just doing what they need to do to go exclusive with IS?  It would be nice to hear from everyone again on this thread as to what they think.

I have 1 subscription sale there, but I have not uploaded much.  I need to go back and finish doing that.

My referral link: http://submit.depositphotos.com?ref=1001512

As Donkey from Shrek would say, "Pick me! Pick me!".

Based on who it is and what they use, for me it's DT or SS.  Mostly DT.

As you can see in the forum there, that�s already happening...

I think it�s a last attempt at a paycheck for the operators before closing the doors.

I could not find an affiliate link in this thread so here is mine http://submit.depositphotos.com?ref=1001512.

That's a joke of course.  But the affiliate link is mine and works.

They do seem to be spending some marketing $$$ because I have seen their banners on many sites before the affiliate program was started (including my site Microstock Photography).  This would at least say they have some cash to back the project.

I have given them a try and have been happy with the site and flow so far.  Lets hope they can bring the buyers when the site goes live.

I like the Canon vs. Nikon threads better ;-}

I use both; but if I had to pick one, I would choose Windows (7).

My iCore7 monster system "built for Windows" cost me less than $1k.  I went looking for the same from Apple, but they did not have it at the time.  Just looking, not buying.  It would have been 3x the price easy.  If all you do is "creative" work then I would say either; but since I play some games, code software, run multiple businesses, Windows works better for me.

But really its Mac OS vs Windows since its all Intel based architecture now anyway.  Buy whatever hardware you want, then choose your OS (disclaimer: I believe you can only run Mac OS on "Apple" hardware per their agreement).

hmmm, the question might be is anyone uploading to StockPhotoMedia?

Are you getting any sales there?

I looked through the budget section and saw a lot of images I have seen on the micros.  Some I have seen on Shutterstock and iStock.  Wonder if they have sales?  It does not look like they are new to stock, just maybe new to microstock.