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Messages - Artemis
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101
« on: September 23, 2011, 23:39 »
It sort of guarantees that Fotolia can be the winner of the race to the bottom of what they pay their contributors... Too bad the contributors can't reverse this -
I intend to turn it around on them when I close my port. I will tell them that by reducing me to White, they will greatly reduce my earnings on the same images that earn greater returns for me on other leading sites. Therefore it is in my financial interest to no longer sell my images at Fotolia.
Let's not feel powerless to this change. We don't have to accept this.
Of course you don't; quite the reverse, it would be rather idiotic to accept it 
102
« on: September 23, 2011, 12:08 »
Thank you much mister Etien Ok... that didnt take long to decide to opt-out; selling an EL for $0.13 (or $0,14-3,75), nuhuh. Kudos to veer for the opportunity to opt-out though!
103
« on: September 23, 2011, 12:05 »
BTW, there is/was a reality show about exactely this. A bunch of photographers were sent out every day to do different assignments, in the evenings got critiqued and followed up by the 'pro jury' and every once inna while someone was sent home because they werent good enough.
any uploads of this show on Youtube or anywhere else would like to see it.
I've only seen one episode awhile ago when i came passed it zapping; but i'm pretty sure it was this show:
America's next top model for photographers 
104
« on: September 23, 2011, 11:59 »
I didnt get the e-mail and i also cant find the royalty chart for those subs. I checked the contributor FAQs and there's the chart for regular sales, but no sign of the subs.
Could anyone please toss a link to the subs info?
Merci!
105
« on: September 22, 2011, 20:26 »
It's only speculation of course, but from what i experienced (with a non-exclusive port) it really looked like its a factor playing along.
I dont know the upload limits for exclusives, if they're pretty limiting, like the non-exclusives are, it doesnt matter whether you're a team or not because of the constant backlog of images waiting for new slots to open. If they arent limiting and are more than one person could fill up weekly it indeed wouldnt make sense profit-wise for istock (one could argue it does make sense to reward hard working, constant uploading people or teams more, but we all know PROFIT is the one and only bottomline there nowadays)
106
« on: September 22, 2011, 19:47 »
Exactely! *IF* as i suspect monthly uploads plays a decent role in best match ranking 'they' have a big advantage as they're not limited by the upload limits and have stellar upload numbers each month, resulting in this high best match ranking.
(i think its only part of it though... im sure there are other artificial ways to get the wholly owned and thus most profitable content in front of the best match)
107
« on: September 22, 2011, 18:19 »
I *think* 'monthly uploads' is a pretty important factor on iStock.When i stopped uploading on istock after sept '10 my sales dropped like a stone to about 1/4th of what they were, and sales picked up remarkably when i started uploading again, despite the new images not selling.
This is probably also one of the reasons why our dear 'Ed' is doing so well, having constant uploads .
(being arteficially protected by keeping all inhouse competition away from Edstock's playing field helps too i guess)
108
« on: September 22, 2011, 16:57 »
Hmm.. gotta admit he never sits still.
Hell, i'd consider signing away copyright for images taken there if in return i can travel around the world for free, have wild parties and learn a thing or two on the way. I'm fed up with stock anyways and what am i with my copyright if im forced to sell them not even creditted with my name, for a miserable $0.28.
Not that i will, because Very little photography knowledge is needed, we will equip you with what you need to know., but still my nikon D700 doesnt cut it because Bring your own digital SLR camera that can produce at least 16 mega pixel images.
...guess he's looking for amateurs with a very big budget.
BTW, there is/was a reality show about exactely this. A bunch of photographers were sent out every day to do different assignments, in the evenings got critiqued and followed up by the 'pro jury' and every once inna while someone was sent home because they werent good enough.
Maybe he bought the format to make a scandinavian version.
109
« on: September 17, 2011, 13:36 »
The induction of Edstock files has been going on since April. That's at a rate of about 400 files a day. It sickens me. 
...and now we also officially know it'll be a neverending influx. blegh.
110
« on: September 16, 2011, 11:34 »
I also think SF has a lot of potential. The quality of the collection is really high, the site sleek and simple, communication outstanding and it's fair trade.
(i just wished they'd change the pics on their front page more often; we've seen and know them by now...there's so many other good pics/designs in the collection to show off.)
I don't get how some expect it to be in the top- or middle tier already; theyre around now for what, a good 2 years? It takes quite some time to build a decent collection that can compete with the others and dont think its wise to burn a good chunk of your marketing budget when the collection isnt big enough yet. Growth takes time and i'll start to worry when i dont see improvement in a couple of years.
Pity many of us are in for the short term profit and start pulling portfolio's already...
111
« on: September 13, 2011, 17:05 »
Sorry if this isn't entirely relevant, but for the technology impaired ones like me this is maybe nice to know. This week i was going through my google settings and found an opt-out option for googles targetted ads (default is opted in). Here's some more info on how google's targeted ads work: http://lifehacker.com/5171050/opt-out-of-googles-targeted-ads (on that page there's a link explaining how it works in detail but i cant link to it directly because i get it localized in dutch) They mention ads are displayed also based on your interactions on a site... it all creeps me out somewhat.
112
« on: September 13, 2011, 15:25 »
Actually, DT is one of the few sites that ISN'T pi$$ing me off right now.
I've been nailed by the similars rejection, but other than that I am pretty happy with DT. I still have the highest RPD there of any of the micros, and sales have been increasing steadily year on year, and even holding firm over the summer. They have very responsive contributor service and good communication. And best of all, their site functions all the time.
No site is perfect, but compared to some others, DT is pretty good. The buyers I send there seem to like it too
Absolutely and wholeheartedly agree! It's the site i send all potential buyers to and will keep doing so for a long time. In addition to the above i'd like to add they are constantly trying to improve (and have added quite a few new and interesting features the past years) and are open for, and actively asking for, contributors opinions. If DT pisses you off, you better stay FAAAAAAR away from the real gangsta's. (iStock and FT for me).
113
« on: September 12, 2011, 19:27 »
...but unlike istock they give 40% commission for both RF and RM.
I never heard of them, but before i started 3 years ago i barely knew there was something like 'stock'. (apart from the despising comments by colleagues 'who'd never do that to their pics' when i was studying photography).
Either way, it looks like they're doing a big revamp. i checked them out at facebook and there's big ads for their new website (at least they dont call it 'sexy') everywhere. I also bumped into another one of their ads outside FB again today, never saw them before so maybe upped their marketing...
Anyone submitting there; where would you rank them in terms of sales...? Below the middle tier here?
114
« on: September 12, 2011, 16:23 »
Nice coincidence you're posting this! i saw an add for masterfile yesterday, checked and when i was at work wanted to post here about it too; but i forgot the name and couldnt find it back.
I also think it looks pretty professional with a decent collection.
If they're a loss making company its probably not worth submitting to, but is there someone who submits to them and wants to share experiences? I see they give 40% commission.
115
« on: September 11, 2011, 18:34 »
They did come and "explain", i found none of the 'explanations' remotely satisfying... but i better watch out, because: We are entering the market and are ready for any attacks. I am asked to cashe all public accusations and slander from concrete persons with the possibility to further use of this material in court.  Obviously everyone is free to do as they please; but this "they sell, you're missing out" attitude makes me cringe. Its the exact same attitude that brought us in the sweet position we're at now.... (commissions lower than ever and still dwindling, new sites with good terms left chanceless, forced participation in programs that toss pennies and strip copyright info, etc etc etc) Ah well, same old same old.
116
« on: September 10, 2011, 16:28 »
Did somebody say Scotch. Mine's a Glenmorangie. A double please, as it comes.
Lovely! and a trebble. McAllens and Glenfidish, my favourites.
Glennfiddich? ;P (lol sorry for being a smartass)
Lol, you mean Glenfiddich.
Haha! i so deserved that ! annoying smartasses 
117
« on: September 10, 2011, 13:15 »
Did somebody say Scotch. Mine's a Glenmorangie. A double please, as it comes.
Lovely! and a trebble. McAllens and Glenfidish, my favourites.
Glennfiddich? ;P (lol sorry for being a smartass) I love scotch! Cardhu is my fav For the Glenmorangie fans: try the nectar d'or (finished in sautern white wine casks), its divine! Edit: OT - sales down as usual
118
« on: September 08, 2011, 14:07 »
*snip*
Regarding the profile pic - seemed like the only say to let people know I've been banned, rather than I'm suddenly thrilled to bits with everything iStock does
They didn't ban you because of your comment in the "Feast" thread, did they?!  (that one really made me LOL) KB: really a disgrace...; i'd definitely also go for the BBB! It's not too complicated and about the only thing you can do to fight back....
119
« on: September 06, 2011, 14:10 »
...iStock's migration process is so screwed up, I seriously doubt they'll get everything possible moved over the day the ASA goes into effect...
Historically, whenever istock does something for their own internal (or financial) benefit, or counter to the interests of the contributors, the change happens immediately as scheduled. The royalty rate cut, for example.
I suspect that as this is yet another major change that screws us over, it will go into effect as planned.
The changes that often take a long time to implement and are repeatedly delayed are those silly little things like bug fixes, search improvements/fixes, buyer feature requests, etc.
Oh yes! This benefits them, so i'm sure the migration will happen promptly at the end of september (at least if the code isnt ""accidentally"" pushed early), but im also sure they'll stick to not being able to do something correct when it comes to us, contributors. So i'm positive we'll see big delays in payouts, buggy reporting of (completely nontransparent) stats, nobody knowing if and when payout is complete for which month etc etc. I don't want my pics stripped from my name and put on Getty's bargain sites, but the above really is another incentive to pull. iStock's nontransparent stats reporting system is a catastrophe... their PP reporting is even hundred times worse; i dont think i can handle that.
120
« on: August 31, 2011, 14:25 »
I'm still doubting whether to pull my port entirely, or delete my bestsellers and leave the true drab for their 'bargain basement' as Jsnover put so nicely, or cull everything apart from my bestsellers who have been sold to death already so are devaluated in that sense.... tough one. I know one thing for sure though: Cito ignominia fit superbi gloria (arrogance goes before the fall, or however the expression goes in english  Can't wait.
121
« on: August 30, 2011, 09:01 »
Its so sad to see how many of us are beaten completely numb and just shrug and accept this very bad deal because the income can't be missed (altho i understand, i live alone so the only one suffering the consequences is me, not my family).
I need a little more time to think but im pretty positive i'm going to pull my port (maybe i'll keep the real drab there just to have my account and future options open). I REALLY can't miss the income either but i'll find other ways to compensate. Apart from not wanting to see my pics on that disgrace of a TS i definitely dont want to wait every month for their lousy, sketchy reporting where no one knows whats what and which is even more untransparent than the RC system. I'm not ok with my pics going wherever they decide at what rate they decide and take their worth-less-than-nothing word for it that the amounts are correct, and those amounts not added to my istock credits while actively driving away traffic from istock AND more important, shutterstock. I dont want my pics to get stolen, and i definitely dont want to pay for it! I dont want to give my pics for free to advertise for istock,or worse, TS or some other sketchy partner and not even get credited for it either ("we'll credit where possible"). Not to mention the numerous "glitches", always in our disadvantage.
I dont want to bend over for their arrogance any longer, i regret so many non-exclusives will carry on like nothing happened, but im sure those will follow soon as the next "iterations" are announced. It's not going to get better, only worse... our new "distributor" has started "Race to the bottom Pt. 2, where the ship really sinks". Soon enough it wont be sustainable for any of us non-exclusives, apart from the ones willing to take a couple of cents.
Funny how exlusivity used to mean extra perks and advantages, while (for) now it only means "getting shafted a tiny bit less".
I just wished SS would come with a countermove (image exclusivity please!), or nasty istock at least would let us keep P+ away from the PP.
122
« on: August 29, 2011, 15:08 »
All of a sudden I feel sick.
I KNEW this was coming, and still i do too. Grrrrrr....
123
« on: August 22, 2011, 15:37 »
I use smugmug to sell prints and licenses, i think it has some pro's and con's. You'd have to go with a pro account to use watermarking and enable priced dl's etc, which is about $150/year. (google for coupons though ) Pro: easy to set up, a lot of options and flexibility, THE best helpdesk and customer service, 100% satisfaction guarantee for customers, dropshipping, they take only 3% commission on sales and take care of literally everything else, good SEO,.... cons: setting prices for your products is an absolute nightmare (could be me though), they dont have paypal (really..), for prints: although the quality of the labs they work with is really excellent imho prices are a bit on the high side, definitely the rates for shipping overseas and they only support $. The not having paypal part annoys me the most because i think it costs me sales...apart from that i'm really happy with them.
124
« on: August 20, 2011, 07:58 »
Question for those who dropped fotolia in the past (not recently): did you see an increase in sales at the other agencies? I would think it should be a visible gain, because of not spreading your images on fotolia and all its countless affiliates throughout the world.
I ditched them almost 2 years ago and still am very happy i did. Dont recall really if my sales on other sites went up dramatically (probably didnt otherwise i'd remember ) but i find it very relieving to see my pics are away from all those sketchy 'partnersites' which made me feel MY pics were only 1 step away from being public domain and totally out of my control.
125
« on: August 15, 2011, 16:06 »
hehe sorry, but this one took me exactely 3 seconds on SS (searched: empty pizza pan):  Admittedly, there are only a few though
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