I am also tired of so much bitching, moaning, complaining and blaming. It only serves the purpose to bring everyone's energy down. The time people use to bitch and moan, they could use to keyword a few more pictures, or try to learn to make video for sale, or if things look so gloomy, find another source of income.

In this day and age if you don't fight for yourself no one else will.  These companies are constantly taking advantage of, lying to and controlling these contributors.  An agreement (contract) is suppose to be honored, they usually are broken in time.  The treatment of these contributors rightfully create this negativity and they should all be sharing information on the arrogant rich that constantly manipulate them.

Quote from: old crow on August 04, 2016, 06:51

(the Chinese remind me of the ferengi aliens with the big ears on star trek).

Blimey. Donald, is that you?

     Actually that is my name  !!!!!!    If you lived here in the states and have seen the many knock off products,  stolen music and videos, stolen software, hacked companies with stolen info, have their baby berthing houses pumping out Chinese babies,  flooring with massive formaldehyde, drywall filled with corrosive poison, toys with lead paint and on and on,  you might think so as well.

as opposed to 20%? I can't possibly guess.

It honestly was the first thing that came up when i searched google.

https://www.google.com/search?q=size+of+u.k.+vs+america&oq=size+of+u.k.+vs+america&aqs=chrome..69i57.7342j0j8&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#q=size+of+u.k.+vs+united+states

But you seem to be one of those people that I simply do not care for when reaching so far during a discussion,  good luck in life.

You seem to be forgetting the dead cops we keep burying.  Yes,  we have people who should not be a cop,  yes that is process we need to change as well,  and it is with cops going to jail for murder.  What some people,  especially in other countries seem to not get from the media,  is how many of the citizens are getting robbed and killed everyday from these thugs. 

Anyone that doesn't think so can should become a law enforcement officer and see for themselves.  Read/watch the news of old ladies being dragged by their purse,  old ladies being killed in their homes,  young girls being dragged away from their mothers in Walmart.

Go gettim cops,  go gettim !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If I were allowed to hang anyone it would be glorifying news media that pumps a story that will sell regardless of the truth.

you can't build a house without someone stealing from it,  park a car without someone breaking the glass, over and over in this country we are besieged by thugs,  most of them young or on drugs.
Many cops are shot as they walk up to a car,  we have many sad stories of the wrong things in this country,  the good people die,  the good cops die,  the innocent are always paying the price.

But we can easily solve 90% of the problem,     "let me see your hands,  Yes officer,  here they are ""

There is a game being played in this country,   "Lets mess with the cops".

Look at this,  U.S.  $  21.99

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Abstract-Art-Landscape-Picture-Photo-Print-on-Canvas-Wall-Decor-Modern-Painting-/201543151737

 three 12 x 16 canvas (split)  prints framed with stretchers, hooks and shipped.  how is this possible ??

This could present a huge problem,  selling images for the purpose of art is different copyright wise than selling them for commercial display.  Artistic print verses distribution.

Are FAA members and FAA ready to review / copyright all images??

So the question is,   is it art or commercial use  ??

no info

A 2005-6 istock article explaining Getty partnership.   The scary thing is,  it sounds nearly identical to SS going public.

http://www.istockphoto.com/article_view.php?ID=159


�If you want things to stay as they are, things will have to change.�

A smarter man than I said that a long time ago, but in the five years we�ve been at this whole iStockphoto thing, I�ve certainly come to appreciate the truth of it. 2005 was a banner year for iStockphoto, with growth of truly unimaginable proportions. Indeed, the stock photography industry itself was an amazing and exciting thing to observe in the past year. Artists of every visual content discipline now have more opportunities than ever before, and we�re certainly proud of the hand we�ve had in the continuing evolution of the digital media landscape.
 
Since our humble beginnings whispering �iStockphoto� from a make-shift server room in 2000, we�ve enjoyed the open dialogue we�ve shared with you, our community. This five year old exchange of ideas has led us to great things, and has helped swell our family from a handful of wide-eyed contributors to an impressive army of leading-edge talent. Our commitment to forge new opportunities and pioneer new ideas through the unique partnership we have with our members has changed the industry and captivated the world. iStockphoto is the �little secret� nobody seems to have been able to keep.
 
As we enter year six, the question is not how to expand, it�s how to improve; how do we do this better? I want iStockphoto to rise above the volatility of mere competition and cement our rightful place in the world of digital imagery as global leaders in innovation and quality. With the kind of creative success we�ve enjoyed so far, we begin to aim higher. As we ascend, so too do our ideas, our philosophy and our members� expectations of us.
 
Early in 2005, it became clear to me that we needed help financing our future, and we needed experienced guidance to help take us to the next level. I considered various sources of partnership and funding, exploring possible relationships with hi-tech venture capital firms, making great friends along the way. However, in making a decision for our future, it was important that it not be based on purely financial considerations � our passionate culture and independence were crucial, and from my perspective, non-negotiable. I also had to make the right choice for the continued development of our community, with a powerful partner that would nurture our evolution, respect our philosophy and provide leveragable resources.
 
Recently, in a rainy, sleepy suburb in Seattle, I met someone that shared my passion for iStockphoto and my drive to see it succeed. Over a greasy breakfast, he talked excitedly about how our community has created a new market, a culture of participation serving a vast audience. Our talk developed into a wide-ranging collaborative discussion about industry trends, size, consolidation and personal values. We dished a fair amount of gossip, too. After three hours passed in a blink, it was clear how naturally and sincerely our relationship was forming. We continued our dialogue as I detailed our community philosophy for site and feature enrichment, development of artist portfolios, international expansion, localized content and continuous improvement of our technology and methods. "This community is the most important development in the picture business this decade", he declared. Yes, Jonathan Klein understood us. He "gets it.�
 
In Getty Images, we have found our perfect partner. On February 9, in the early hours of the morning, iStockphoto agreed to join the Getty Images family, functioning independently with the benefits of Getty Images, yet, very importantly for them and us, autonomy. They will nurture and encourage our pioneering spirit so that our entrepreneurial culture will continue to thrive.
 
Through this union, iStockphoto will have the opportunity to leverage critical industry expertise and resources, expand internationally through the Getty Images presence worldwide, and offer localized support and content. We�re thrilled by the new possibilities this collaboration represents, and proud to add luster to the best-known image brand in the world. I know you�ll have questions, thoughts and concerns, and as always, I�ll be here to listen and respond.
 
Nothing�s going to change, and nothing�s ever going to be the same. We can�t wait to show you how.


The truth is, and always has been,  they say whatever it takes to keep pushing the train down the tracks.  It does not have to be the truth, it's all about money.  This Steam train has made it farther than they had ever hoped, every inch further is pure profit, why have a CEO when they would simply be another expense.  I believe the company has served it's purpose and is expendable. There is no more wood for the furnace so it is time to burn the seats.

Thanks,
 I looked quickly at shutterstock to see if there was a category for this and did not see it.  Is there a certain word describing this kind of image.

I create panoramas a lot,  is that just simply what it is called?

Is there a ratio for the images length vs heigth ?

What color fibers,  what will happen to fibers in the blowout  ?   maybe if that doesn't work green screen, select - color replace tool and adjust edge parameters ? 

Does PS color replace tool have many ill effects in microstock ?

I am sure there is a term for an image that has never been sold and is only available for sale one time to one customer for a higher than normal price like a commissioned shoot would be.  Does any agency do this.  Do you get request or does SS DT etc ever communicate a customers desire for such and remove it from public sale ?  I was looking at some forums that have customers requesting images but I would be afraid that they are just looking for ideas.

Thanks

At this point, many photographers looking to make a little money would not do this if they were well informed.  Unforntunetly, it is like quick sand.  You learn about stock and say , hey that's cool and you jump in and maybe buy your first serious DSLR.  Then uh oh, they didn't accept it.  Then the learning curve begins.  The reading, the forums, the questions about sharpening, size and resolution, color, pushing shadows, file types and on and on.  Now comes the purchasing, lighting,  the right tripod, rats I need lenses, oh dern  now i need software, dang, computer is not handling this well.  Then you learn that all your purchases could have been a little smarter by not being so budget minded.  And then the advanced stuff kicks in as you try to problem solve, blend mode and high pass sharpening, noise reduction using color channels, color management, monitor calibration etc etc.  Then you look back at your self taught college level education and say hey,  these folks are getting a lot for what I get in return. 

But cudos to all of you here and everywhere that have done this.  I look at your shots on the agencies and know that I am up against some d*mn fine competition.

Quote from: old crow on July 23, 2014, 06:10

These companies may have expexted a contributor revolt long before this and are amazed that actual humans still contribute for this amount.

Still contribute for what amount? You have no idea what contributors earn there, the spread is so great. I still earn a reasonable 5 figure income, despite seeing a fall of 50% or so over the last 3 years. I'm not happy with things at IS, but nor am I happy with some of the nonsense I read here, usually written by hobbyists.

Your point is well written and understood,  and I am a hobbyist at best.  The responses on IS forums tend to show however that many long term contributors, (even one that brown nosed a lot) are willing to speak out at IS.  How long will you ride the ship ?  How much of that 50% occurred after the lowering of standards?