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Messages - cybernesco
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376
« on: November 01, 2009, 07:30 »
My last BME was in June 2009. However, my Oct 09 total revenue has increased 23% over Oct 08. Considering that for the last 12 months I averaged only 23 uploaded images a month, this is quite reasonable.
Oct 09 breakdown:
IS 31%
SS 17.3%
FT 14.6%
SX 10.9%
DT 9.4%
Alamy 9.1%
BS 2.2%
Featurepics 1.9%
123r 1.3%
CanStock 0.2%
Crestock 0.2%
Denis
377
« on: October 31, 2009, 06:10 »
I use Second Copy from secondcopy.com to mirror everything to external HDs. That little piece of software is amazing and highly useful. Just got it the other day...you can mirror files, folders, group of folders, HD and anything you want to any location you want. Each copying task is defined in a profile identified in the secondcopy window. Each profile can be adjusted to your requirements such as automatic copying before the PC shutdown or copying anytime you want it or every two hours ect.. and the type of copying such as an exact duplicate or just files added or zipped ect... Maybe many of you know secondcopy as apparently it has been working for years. Just found out about it the other day. Denis
378
« on: October 30, 2009, 14:19 »
I think the answer will be: when they create upload limits
Ah __ I think you may have hit the nail on the head there.
If they are accepting 15K images every day then they are probably reviewing 20K+ in the process. Even at a reviewing cost of say 10c per image, including bandwidth, storage, etc, then it is costing them about $2K per day or $60K per month.
There must come a point when the agency starts to question whether all of that investment is fully justified in what it brings to the library. If you halved the allowable uploads then you would also halve the reviewing costs, probably with very little real loss to the collection __ it might even improve it.
I still think that their growing will diminish our income individually before it affects them as a whole. I know for a fact that my images at SS bring me in approximately $0.25 per image per month while SS probably average more then $0.25 per image per month. Over a year that image had brought them over $3.00. The $0.10 to review the image is a finite expense. Bandwidth, storage, etc has been getting cheaper so I am not sure how much of an issue this is, however put in a couple of cents per month per image for storage and bandwidth and it still is low expenses. For them it is better 20 millions images multiply by $2.00 then 10 millions images multiply by $3.00. For us individually it is better the $3.00 per image per year. My numbers are probably way out, but this is just to articulate the logic. Denis
379
« on: October 29, 2009, 20:21 »
New record for SS I think __ over 100K new images accepted in just the last 7 days. They've now got 8.7M images on-line and are adding to the collection at the rate of nearly 15K every day.
Just under 5 years ago they were proudly proclaiming '4000 new photos added in the last week' and it's been growing fairly steadily ever since. At what point do you think it might start to level off?
I think that for such an agency the cost of growing is minimal and it is far more benificial for them to grow then it is for us contributors. Our slice of the pie is getting thinner while their slice is getting fatter. I guess they can keep on growing until our slices get so thin that quality would start to decline. When I look at those numbers, I am still amaze that I still get downloads everyday. I guess if part time guys like me can still grow in that climat that there must be a couple more years to go. It appears that their present collection could double up to 16 millions before we see some decline in quality in new submitions as a lot of good photographers would give up if the slice is too thin. Denis
380
« on: October 29, 2009, 04:40 »
I have pondered that question myself, but ultimitely I go back and forth between the keyboard and my Intuos. Wouldn't you have to lay the Cintiq down and pull out your keyboard every time you named a file, a layer, added a keyword?
With the Cintiq you need to let the pen go so that you can type with both hands for the same reason that you need to let the mouse go so that you can type with both hands. You do need more space as the tablet should be layed down at 45 degrees or less which would put your keyboard in a more difficult position to reach. In my case, it is more on the left side of the tablet. When I edit, my right hand is on the pen most of the time and my left hand is used to handle the keyboard and the tablet's left side buttons. The technique is definetly not the same as the mouse but the positioning is similar. You just need a wider space. Denis
yeah this is what I was wondering about. I use the Intuos 3 tablet now so I know how the tablets work, but having such a large tablet I was curious where you fit your keyboard.
Sorry about my babling about stuff you knew....to be more precise, I position the right 2/3 of myself behind the tablet and the left 1/3 of myself behind the keyboard. If you are left handed then it would be the opposite. The tablet is sitting at about 40 degrees from the table and slighly turned towards me. The keyboard is slighly turned towards me as well. To stay away from the keyboard as much as I can, I programmed the most used keys on the tablet's and pen's buttons. Such as cut, paste, go back and go forward are all programmed in the tablet and pen's buttons. Perhaps I should mention that the Cintiq came with handwriting recognition software so that you can use the Cintiq's pen to write the name of a file instead of using the keyboard but after I tried it a few times I found that it was faster using the keyboard as the recognition software would make alot of mistakes (maybe my handwriting is not good enough).
381
« on: October 29, 2009, 02:47 »
I have pondered that question myself, but ultimitely I go back and forth between the keyboard and my Intuos. Wouldn't you have to lay the Cintiq down and pull out your keyboard every time you named a file, a layer, added a keyword?
With the Cintiq you need to let the pen go so that you can type with both hands for the same reason that you need to let the mouse go so that you can type with both hands. You do need more space as the tablet should be layed down at 45 degrees or less which would put your keyboard in a more difficult position to reach. In my case, it is more on the left side of the tablet. When I edit, my right hand is on the pen most of the time and my left hand is used to handle the keyboard and the tablet's left side buttons. The technique is definetly not the same as the mouse but the positioning is similar. You just need a wider space. Denis
382
« on: October 29, 2009, 02:26 »
how do you manage using a keyboard and the tablet at the same time?
The computer understand the tablet's pen signals the same as if it was coming from a mouse. Therefore for the computer the relationship between mouse and keyboard is the same as the relationship between tablet's pen and keyboard. I can move the arrow by hovering the pen 1/4 " over the tablet the same as I can move the arrow by moving the mouse. A left click of the mouse is the same as one tap of the pen's tip on the tablet. They all can co-exist together, mouse, pen and keyboard as none lose its regular functions. Denis
383
« on: October 29, 2009, 01:49 »
Yes I had it for a year now. This is an amazing tool!!! just love it. Use it to edit my photos. You will not find anything else that is more precise and that will make your editing work faster then the CINTIQ 21". With this I am using 64 bits photoshop CS4, 8gb ram memory and a better then average graphic card. I got it for $2000.00 CA at Future Shop last year, but now it is $2500.00 CA. I haven't checked prices in the US lately. I did a few vectors as well using Illustrator CS4. I only have a few hours a week for microstock and that tool save me a lot of time. It does make a good prop for your model too!!!  http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-23816311/stock-photo-woman-drawing-on-a-digital-tablet.htmlDenis
384
« on: October 27, 2009, 08:05 »
Agreed - I also feel the default should be removing them from the database - or at least a dollar bin idea. However, I assume their free images will really get a boost from lazy people who do not care to remove their images or those who don't follow their accounts any longer. 'Free' sure seems to be a traffic driver for the sites so I understand why they want it, but as an individual I don't see giving away MY images a direct advantage to me.
Anyhow, here is the link to where the images which have not sold in three years 'should' show up.
http://www.dreamstime.com/oldfiles.php
I agree. I think most would agree that it should be removed by default, if the file is not wanted for sales. Denis
385
« on: September 23, 2009, 08:08 »
I think this is great news!!!!
Denis
386
« on: September 15, 2009, 06:19 »
Congrats Mark!!! You have nice shots of Seattle...makes me want to go there. Denis
387
« on: September 14, 2009, 15:34 »
With Dreamstime my average RPD for the last 12 months is $1.30 and it is $1.60 for this month. It has steadily increased since I have been with them end of 2005. Revenue and sales have steadily increased as well. My acceptance ratio for the last 12 months is 88.8% on 282 images submitted. Total with them now 1054. I have nothing to dislike about them as they have showed steady growth so far. Sure I do get rejections once in a while but I adapt. To me as long as my revenue keep on increasing for the amount of effort I put in, they can do whatever legal thing they want. It is the quality of your effort that matters and how much of it you put in. The majority rule and if most of us were unhappy about their business then they would not last long would they? Denis
388
« on: September 12, 2009, 20:58 »
I know a couple of Alamy devotees who basically ended up there because they couldn't actually hack it in microstock; the technical standards were too high if they couldn't 'self-edit' and their stuff didn't sell much if it did actually get accepted. Judging by a few searches it would seem that plenty of Alamy photographers can't even achieve a basic isolation-on-white, they think it means having a grubby sheet as a background. That's self-editing for you __ nobody told them that their images are crap.
HERE Doggy, Doggy, Doggy! Come to microstock __ there's good boy!
You're on a rapidly sinking ship my friend so you'd better start practicing your doggy-paddle (geddit) if you want to survive. The future is stock __ not micro, not macro, just stock.
Dude, listen, I'm here for you anytime you need, OK? If it makes you feel better to go on some sort of psychotic rant against Alamy just to get it out of your system, I'm fine with that.
But Einstein, are you seriously implying that if Alamy ever fails (and Dingo couldn't care less if they did), that the only other option is microstock?
You haven't been bit by a rabbid dog recently, have you?
Dingo, how about introducing yourself?
389
« on: September 10, 2009, 09:23 »
deleted
390
« on: September 09, 2009, 14:48 »
You humble me yet again, Mr. Dingo. But I assure you that your wisdom has convinced me of the folly of my actions and I will give up. But it's a shame. I just checked today's figures and it will be a best sales day ever for me.
Dude, this is your best sales day ever and you're still earning less than $14/hour, closer to $10/hr after expenses.
The pimple-faced kid STARTING at a McDonald's gets paid around $8/hour.
Yep, it is a shame.
How much value would you put into someone's advice that will refuse talking about his own experiences? Are you such a failure and ashamed of yourself?
391
« on: September 09, 2009, 12:06 »
Wow. Your wisdom has convinced me of what an utter failure I am. I'll earn $2,000 this month, but your calculations have shown me how it will all evaporate before I can touch it.
By the end of this month, you will have earned around $10K total for your 660 hours of work. That means you made around $15/hour during the equivalent of over four months of full-time work (40 hours per week). From your $10K you'll deduct your expenses which will leave you with much less, in terms of real hourly wage. Your agents, on the other hand, have made probably close to $100K from your work and labor.
In my book, you are a failure.
But you are a failure yourself aren't you?
392
« on: September 09, 2009, 11:07 »
For any beginners following this thread, you've now read both sides of the story: the success story of someone who has done his research, figured out a niche and is making it work (also see cthoman's post), vs. the skepticism and anger of folks who either blame microstock for ruining the world or couldn't figure out how to make it work for them.
You've been doing microstock for less than a year and you're giving advice to beginners?
But you are a beginner yourself aren't you?
393
« on: August 21, 2009, 09:25 »
Musician in Canadian military bands for 21 years. Security guard for the last 14 years. Denis
394
« on: August 15, 2009, 20:27 »
395
« on: August 14, 2009, 17:02 »
Last few images uploaded to StockXpert yesterday and within the last few days all have been accepted within a few hours. For me StockXpert has always been the easiest to upload and I can't remember the last time I had a rejection with them. As well never had problems getting paid. Denis
396
« on: August 13, 2009, 15:48 »
I had a BME in June, slowed down a bit in July, for august I have 1/3 of June so far which is good. Denis
397
« on: August 05, 2009, 19:27 »
Canon 5D Mk II on the way from Adorama, just ordered today. Could not wait anymore, they have been back ordered all over in Canada for months.
Canon 5D
Canon Rebel 300D
Denis
398
« on: August 04, 2009, 11:48 »
The local MacDonald's jobs start at 8.75 per hours with up to 29 hours. You receive a 25 cent raise after 90 days. Free food and drinks!!
8.75 per hour at 29 hours equal: $253.75 per week times 52 weeks for a total $13,195 per year.
Plus free food, drinks, and management opportunities!!!
Give up your Micro Stockings and join the Golden Arches.
Even if free, I wouldn't call it 'food', and think of the smell. 
That's right another reason for me to stay away from that place as I have some difficulties to keep my bad cholesterol low. Denis
399
« on: August 04, 2009, 11:19 »
The local MacDonald's jobs start at 8.75 per hours with up to 29 hours. You receive a 25 cent raise after 90 days. Free food and drinks!!
8.75 per hour at 29 hours equal: $253.75 per week times 52 weeks for a total $13,195 per year.
Plus free food, drinks, and management opportunities!!!
Give up your Micro Stockings and join the Golden Arches.
Mickey Dee beat Micro Stock!
In my case, microstock hours are very flexible which I can work around my security guard job. I would not be able to do that at Macdonald. Plus, for me, microstock is way much more fun then working at Macdonald and now is more lucrative. Denis
400
« on: August 04, 2009, 08:57 »
Cyber,
You've got the right idea and a great attitude. Your progression will continue as long as you persevere despite outside pessimism. That's true for microstock or any other endeavor. Your past occupation means nothing. Your view of the future is what counts. And the drive to achieve it. Good luck.
Thank you Louoates I share your though. Denis
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