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Messages - Les
101
« on: September 27, 2012, 19:17 »
Oscars. High artistic value, but low receipts.
102
« on: August 27, 2012, 20:52 »
Its amazing that these taxes differ so much in the world. I guess Sweden is one of the worst places to live for a microstocker, when it comes to economical factors at least.
That's not the whole story. What is alarming, is the fact, that microstocker's model is taxed at the same rate.
103
« on: August 13, 2012, 01:44 »
I could never see any benefit for contributors by giving the pictures away for free. Just opt out.
104
« on: August 10, 2012, 16:07 »
Paying retouchers $4.63 per hour is abusive.
Let me educate you about the real world. This doesn't even compare to the abuse I get from my girlfriend or some despicable MS agencies.
According to my calculations, getting paid $4.63/hr for sitting in a warm place one could make $37.12 for eight hours of work. Not counting other benefits. That's substantially more than most microstock contributors make in one day.
Why haven't you left your girlfriend? 
Good benefits?
According to Facebook, South Africa gives you free condoms. (from Facebook or Health Department).
105
« on: August 10, 2012, 15:52 »
Paying retouchers $4.63 per hour is abusive.
Let me educate you about the real world. This doesn't even compare to the abuse I get from my girlfriend or some despicable MS agencies.
According to my calculations, getting paid $4.63/hr for sitting in a warm place one could make $37.12 for eight hours of work. Not counting other benefits. That's substantially more than most microstock contributors make in one day.
Why haven't you left your girlfriend?
It's a friendly abuse. I borrowed the line from BB King's Lucille. Play it, it's a great tune.
106
« on: August 10, 2012, 03:17 »
Paying retouchers $4.63 per hour is abusive.
Let me educate you about the real world. This doesn't even compare to the abuse I get from my girlfriend or some despicable MS agencies. According to my calculations, getting paid $4.63/hr for sitting in a warm place one could make $37.12 for eight hours of work. Not counting other benefits. That's substantially more than most microstock contributors make in one day.
107
« on: August 02, 2012, 18:06 »
If I have an exclusive image i.e. with DT or RM on Alamy, may I sell the same image as print on my own website or another site, such as FAA or Zenfolio?
Here is the official reply from DT: Thank you for contacting us. You can sell the same image from your own site in both print and electronic format. You cannot sell prints on demand using platforms that act as intermediaries and retain commissions from your same. Dreamstime can be the only agent for your files.
108
« on: July 06, 2012, 16:08 »
Here is another tricky question about exclusive images.
Let's say you have a 4200x2800pixel image as an exclusive image with one agency.
1. Can you submit a small crop from that image (i.e. 1800x2500) to another agency?
Different composition because of cropping, perhaps even different orientation, but it originated from the same image. Would it qualify as a different image?
2. How about if you process the original image differently, resulting in a new look? (i.e. conversion to B&W, replacing some colors, adding a new element, etc)?
109
« on: July 05, 2012, 09:48 »
All of the exclusive agreements I'm aware of stipulate the image cannot be sold under an RF license anywhere else, not that you can't sell the image as prints or on T-shirts. You still retain the right to sell is as anything other than an RF license.
Not with DT. Their convoluted terms won't allow exclusive images to be sold anywhere as anything other than RF. Not even on a T-Shirt on a POD. Makes no sense at all.
Thank you for all the tips.
110
« on: July 04, 2012, 17:39 »
If I have an exclusive image i.e. with DT or RM on Alamy, may I sell the same image as print on my own website or another site, such as FAA or Zenfolio?
I didn't think there was an RM/exclusive option with Alamy.
As for DT, I guess it will be in their T&C.
In my understanding, RM option is by definition exclusive. The agency controls the licensing and distribution.
111
« on: July 04, 2012, 17:20 »
If I have an exclusive image i.e. with DT or RM on Alamy, may I sell the same image as print on my own website or another site, such as FAA or Zenfolio?
112
« on: July 01, 2012, 02:04 »
My way - the convenience and price
Almost like istock - convenient and pricy
113
« on: June 27, 2012, 21:58 »
I like Oleg's initiative, including teaming up with other photographers on his website and create a reasonable size mini microstock agency.
I havent said the opposite, I have questioned here what were the royalties and such, so far nothing, so I dont it as teaming up anything, thats not even a proper way to announce a new "agency"
The good intentions are there, he just needs some polishing.
Once he has to pay the other photographers, he may find that $3.00 image prices are "unsustainable".
honestly I believe its quite soon to think of sales, I am in a contributors agency too and even after many expenses in seo, ads and other things are still very very very slow.. if small, new agencies cannot compete imagine a 15k files "agency" like Oleg one.. if there isnt a niche it will be even harder.. best of luck anyway
p.s: I am a big supporter of new agencies paying better royalties but in the end not much happen there, what I am trying to say that it aint easy, sure you and other know that
Louis, can you give some indication how much are your monthly expenses to run the agency? I agree, that the niche orientation is the best route - at least for the start. It's also good to know from Elena's posts that she is getting some sales, and the site not only pays for itself, but it is starting to make some money.
114
« on: June 27, 2012, 21:39 »
I like Oleg's initiative, including teaming up with other photographers on his website and create a reasonable size mini microstock agency.
I havent said the opposite, I have questioned here what were the royalties and such, so far nothing, so I dont it as teaming up anything, thats not even a proper way to announce a new "agency"
The good intentions are there, he just needs some polishing. Once he has to pay the other photographers, he may find that $3.00 image prices are "unsustainable".
115
« on: June 27, 2012, 21:38 »
Well, maybe we can get here some good estimates about the size of advertising budget and server costs for a small yet responsive website.
116
« on: June 27, 2012, 21:31 »
I agree but what for? not even small/new agencies can compete with top agencies, how can us alone or even a few selected contributors open an agency and succeed? I love the new. I like to do the impossible
we need to be rational too, don't forget that unless the expenses are very low 
Actually, the initial setup expenses are quite low. The question is how much should one budget for advertising and what is the best way to advertise it? I like Oleg's initiative, including teaming up with other photographers on his website and create a reasonable size mini microstock agency. However, IMHO, the subscription model is not viable for the small collections under 1 million images.
117
« on: June 26, 2012, 16:07 »
What do you mean polished ?
Designed in Poland.
I do not speak English, but if it's a joke, then it is bad
Admittedly, not my best writing, but look at the material I'm working with. It's only Tuesday, by end of the week I should get better. My second advice to you for today is to use online dictionary. Doesn't take more time than to post a question on forum. I'm not native English speaker myself, but so far, it has worked for me.
118
« on: June 26, 2012, 14:16 »
What do you mean polished ?
Designed in Poland.
119
« on: June 26, 2012, 11:29 »
In particular - why $ 3 a little, and $ 0.3 for a subscribed well ? Your greatest challenge is to find the buyers, not the right price point. When someone finally finds you and likes the image, a price difference between $3.00 and $5.00 won't stop him from buying. If you can get from the buyer $5.00 rather than $3.00, you can invest that extra profit (of course, multiplied over many images) for advertising or for hiring a model.
120
« on: June 26, 2012, 06:54 »
Oleg,
as in the most businesses, the worst mistake you can make, is to set your prices too low.
Unfortunately, most starting entrepreneurs learn it too late (some never).
some - I
Les you have your own business, you have experience errors ? Yes, I have operated several business ventures, and I made also some errors. A long time ago, I read somewhere the advice which I gave you, and it was one of the best tips I got. It really works. Selling low (and in very high volume) might be profitable for some businesses, but that is more exception than a rule. You have nice photos, don't sell yourself cheap.
121
« on: June 26, 2012, 04:33 »
Would it be worth trying to sell the images as stock rather that offering them all for free? Most definitely, your income would be higher even at 25 cents per download.
122
« on: June 26, 2012, 04:26 »
Congratulations! Hope you'll get many more:) My site (www.elenaphoto.com) has been around for a year, and it's paying for itself and even bringing in some profit. Of course, the money are not comparable to what we get on "big" agencies, but it's my own sales and my own clientele and it really feels like my own business. I am very grateful to people who buy directly from photographers, it's a bit more work I guess to find what you're looking for, but it's kinda similar to "fair trade"
Elena, Your website looks great. What website service/template are you using? Les
123
« on: June 26, 2012, 04:20 »
I have the opportunity to do different types of content and at different prices.
Prices - it is always difficult
I start with the cheapest type of content
Oleg, as in the most businesses, the worst mistake you can make, is to set your prices too low. Unfortunately, most starting entrepreneurs learn it too late (some never).
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