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Author Topic: First full year of the "levels"  (Read 13647 times)

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« Reply #50 on: January 04, 2022, 07:16 »
0
I made $190 last month on shutterstock and  My income has not reset to zero yet. anyone having this issue ?

Yes, my earnings also haven't reset.
Usually I would not worry about it, because sometimes it can take a bit longer, because I had to update my tax form and wasn't sure the update had gone through (as I kept getting notifications that it needed to be updated, even though I already had) so I was not sure I would get my payment this month and  contacted support and was told that there was nothing to worry about, the payment process was delayed because of the holiday weekend. Since this was not an answer from real support, but just an "expert contributor", I don't know how much validity it has.


« Reply #51 on: January 04, 2022, 07:23 »
+1
Its about the talent not uploading, sure your going to get the odd person who will continue too, but overall the bigger picture is, the majority of creative people are not going to be uploading and this will in time have an impact, I predict (and it is the Season for predicting) that five years from now Shutterstock will be a mere shadow of what it was five years ago.
When I started in 2019, SS was number 1 for the majority of contributors in terms of revenue and downloads.
And that is still the case today. Still the majority of contributors write that SS is the 'best horse in the race'. Also with me.
SS are the best sellers. There is no downward trend to be seen.
Anyone who wants to make money must logically be with the number 1 agency.

I had a very steep upward trend with shutterstock. I started there in November 2010 and it went steeply uphill until 2015. In 2012, shutterstock was better than Fotolia (Adobe Stock) for the first time.  Since 2016, I have been going downhill with shutterstock. Since 2018 Adobe Stock is better than shutterstock again.

In the poll results, shutterstock was listed as the number 1 for a very long time. Meanwhile, it is often the case that Adobe Stock is number 1. This is despite the fact that there is no money to be made there in editorial for many contributors.

I don't know how many contributors offer their numbers in the Poll results. But if that number is high enough to indicate a trend, you can see that your statement is not a blanket statement.

Can't that be because you upload new photos to Adobe and not to Shutterstock Wilm? (I know your port on Shutterstock well, the one on Adobe not)

Thijs,

I also uploaded very little to Adobe Stock. But at the time when shutterstock was going downhill for me, I uploaded as much there as I did on Adobe Stock.
I don't know exactly, but maybe there is some element in shutterstock's algorithm that penalizes you for uploading little. And with AS, I don't think there is.

Anyway: Obviously most of the contributors at shutterstock meanwhile don't earn more than at AS. And that used to be different.

marthamarks

« Reply #52 on: January 04, 2022, 10:22 »
0

My portfolio is approx 75% travel and wildlife

So is mine, as you can see if you click my link below. Except mine includes what I call "Avian Impressions," some of my own digital bird photos that I've creatively manipulated to produce unique decorative images.

I would love to see your portfolio, not to copy or steal anything but just to admire and appreciate. However, I also respect your desire to remain private.

To each her own, I suppose.

Good luck in 2022! :)
« Last Edit: January 04, 2022, 10:45 by marthamarks »

« Reply #53 on: January 04, 2022, 10:33 »
0
I made $190 last month on shutterstock and  My income has not reset to zero yet. anyone having this issue ?

Yes, my earnings also haven't reset.
Usually I would not worry about it, because sometimes it can take a bit longer, because I had to update my tax form and wasn't sure the update had gone through (as I kept getting notifications that it needed to be updated, even though I already had) so I was not sure I would get my payment this month and  contacted support and was told that there was nothing to worry about, the payment process was delayed because of the holiday weekend. Since this was not an answer from real support, but just an "expert contributor", I don't know how much validity it has.


Exactly the same happened to me, Firn. I had submitted my new W8BEN and several days later got the same notification.

The payout will follow in the next days.

« Reply #54 on: January 04, 2022, 10:58 »
+2

My portfolio is approx 75% travel and wildlife

So is mine, as you can see if you click my link below. Except mine includes what I call "Avian Impressions," some of my own digital bird photos that I've creatively manipulated to produce unique decorative images.

I would love to see your portfolio, not to copy or steal anything but just to admire and appreciate. However, I also respect your desire to remain private.

To each her own, I suppose.

Good luck in 2022! :)

Thank you, Martha - and best of luck to you too!

I do have valid personal reasons for remaining anonymous, (other than having some content closely copied in the past), but if those ever reason change, I will identify myself ;)

marthamarks

« Reply #55 on: January 04, 2022, 11:47 »
+1

My portfolio is approx 75% travel and wildlife

So is mine, as you can see if you click my link below. Except mine includes what I call "Avian Impressions," some of my own digital bird photos that I've creatively manipulated to produce unique decorative images.

I would love to see your portfolio, not to copy or steal anything but just to admire and appreciate. However, I also respect your desire to remain private.

To each her own, I suppose.

Good luck in 2022! :)

Thank you, Martha - and best of luck to you too!

I do have valid personal reasons for remaining anonymous, (other than having some content closely copied in the past), but if those ever reason change, I will identify myself ;)

Deal!  8)

Level6

« Reply #56 on: January 04, 2022, 11:54 »
+1
I made $190 last month on shutterstock and  My income has not reset to zero yet. anyone having this issue ?

It will, just a little slower these days just like the payout was later last month, maybe a different trusted 3rd party they're using to process payments, mine hasn't reset yet either, probably will reset any day now and then payout will be on or just after the 15th like last time.

I'm not worried, $35.75

« Reply #57 on: January 04, 2022, 13:05 »
+1
It's funny how Adobe is winning for me right now in January. $19 for 19 downloads on Adobe vs $10 for 51 downloads on SS.

SpaceStockFootage

  • Space, Sci-Fi and Astronomy Related Stock Footage

« Reply #58 on: January 04, 2022, 13:17 »
+1
Agencies and Designers are not going to be buying from a company that shafts their contributors.

Well the last full year of revenue before they were shafting us... was $623m. And the first full year of revenue after they started shafting us was $666m. Not to mention the totals for 2021 are looking to be even higher. So did these agencies and designers not get the memo, or are they just still willingly buying from a company that shafts their contributors?

Level6

« Reply #59 on: January 04, 2022, 14:01 »
+2
Agencies and Designers are not going to be buying from a company that shafts their contributors.

Well the last full year of revenue before they were shafting us... was $623m. And the first full year of revenue after they started shafting us was $666m. Not to mention the totals for 2021 are looking to be even higher. So did these agencies and designers not get the memo, or are they just still willingly buying from a company that shafts their contributors?

I don't think most customers care or even care to look.  A few ethical customers might but the masses don't unfortunately, same in the physical world, lost cause sadly.



thijsdegraaf

« Reply #60 on: January 04, 2022, 14:27 »
+4
Agencies and Designers are not going to be buying from a company that shafts their contributors.

Well the last full year of revenue before they were shafting us... was $623m. And the first full year of revenue after they started shafting us was $666m. Not to mention the totals for 2021 are looking to be even higher. So did these agencies and designers not get the memo, or are they just still willingly buying from a company that shafts their contributors?

I don't think most customers care or even care to look.  A few ethical customers might but the masses don't unfortunately, same in the physical world, lost cause sadly.

The few customers I've spoken to often don't know. But to be honest, I also don't know if all my clothes are made under good conditions for a good wage, or if all the wood I use is responsibly harvested.
The customers I know are people who don't buy for themselves, but for a company they work for.

« Reply #61 on: January 04, 2022, 14:57 »
+3
The few customers I've spoken to often don't know. But to be honest, I also don't know if all my clothes are made under good conditions for a good wage, or if all the wood I use is responsibly harvested.
The customers I know are people who don't buy for themselves, but for a company they work for.

Absolutely right Thijs.
No one has the time to critically scrutinize every product they buy.
And the purchase of photos from stock agencies should be at the bottom of the list of priorities  ;)

Level6

« Reply #62 on: January 04, 2022, 16:01 »
+1
Agencies and Designers are not going to be buying from a company that shafts their contributors.

Well the last full year of revenue before they were shafting us... was $623m. And the first full year of revenue after they started shafting us was $666m. Not to mention the totals for 2021 are looking to be even higher. So did these agencies and designers not get the memo, or are they just still willingly buying from a company that shafts their contributors?

I don't think most customers care or even care to look.  A few ethical customers might but the masses don't unfortunately, same in the physical world, lost cause sadly.

The few customers I've spoken to often don't know. But to be honest, I also don't know if all my clothes are made under good conditions for a good wage, or if all the wood I use is responsibly harvested.
The customers I know are people who don't buy for themselves, but for a company they work for.

I honestly didn't know either when shopping at Walmart until the factory collapse and factory fire that killed well over 1000 people hit the mainstream media here in Canada, that's when I started to check the labels and look more closely but until that happened I simply didn't know, I just bought what i needed and what looked good at a good price.

I think same with stock or any other gig economy service, free or nearly free labour, no one looks and no one cares,

thijsdegraaf

« Reply #63 on: January 04, 2022, 16:39 »
+1
Agencies and Designers are not going to be buying from a company that shafts their contributors.

Well the last full year of revenue before they were shafting us... was $623m. And the first full year of revenue after they started shafting us was $666m. Not to mention the totals for 2021 are looking to be even higher. So did these agencies and designers not get the memo, or are they just still willingly buying from a company that shafts their contributors?

I don't think most customers care or even care to look.  A few ethical customers might but the masses don't unfortunately, same in the physical world, lost cause sadly.

The few customers I've spoken to often don't know. But to be honest, I also don't know if all my clothes are made under good conditions for a good wage, or if all the wood I use is responsibly harvested.
The customers I know are people who don't buy for themselves, but for a company they work for.

I honestly didn't know either when shopping at Walmart until the factory collapse and factory fire that killed well over 1000 people hit the mainstream media here in Canada, that's when I started to check the labels and look more closely but until that happened I simply didn't know, I just bought what i needed and what looked good at a good price.

I think same with stock or any other gig economy service, free or nearly free labour, no one looks and no one cares,

Today our government pays more attention to that and you cannot compare the circumstances of those people with ours. Then they would laugh really hard at you. Of course when it's in the news you pay more attention to it, especially when there are good alternatives.
And if you buy a cup of coffee or a chocolate bar somewhere, you of course check whether a fair price has been paid for the beans. When you buy a gold ring, make sure it doesn't come from mines with poor conditions. You should also be careful when buying batteries.
Try to see life a little sunnier. There are worse things in the world than an underpaid stock photographer. Also, look at yourself if things in your life aren't going the way you want them to.

« Reply #64 on: January 04, 2022, 16:53 »
0
I made $190 last month on shutterstock and  My income has not reset to zero yet. anyone having this issue ?

it happens first few days each month (it updated this morning) but you can always get accurate numbers by month by using the earnings tab

« Reply #65 on: January 04, 2022, 16:54 »
+4
There are worse things in the world than an underpaid stock photographer. Also, look at yourself if things in your life aren't going the way you want them to.

Yes, there are worse things - colored tattoos.
I am so happy that the EU is now completely and finaly eradicating cancer by taking tattoo artists europe-wide off the scene into bankruptcy.
Next, we should turn off the harmful sun  ;)
« Last Edit: January 04, 2022, 16:59 by RalfLiebhold »

Level6

« Reply #66 on: January 04, 2022, 19:13 »
0
There are worse things in the world than an underpaid stock photographer. Also, look at yourself if things in your life aren't going the way you want them to.

Yes, there are worse things - colored tattoos.
I am so happy that the EU is now completely and finaly eradicating cancer by taking tattoo artists europe-wide off the scene into bankruptcy.
Next, we should turn off the harmful sun  ;)

Thought you were joking but it's true https://www.politico.eu/article/tattoo-parlors-brace-new-eu-ink-bans/  This might be a good editorial stock video and photo idea, shots of the bottles of coloured ink that are now banned and if any model has a coloured tattoo even better.

I'm just waiting for our Ontario Canada politicians to ban toilet paper as there are no doubt some cancer causing chemicals in the manufacturing process of the paper.


« Reply #67 on: January 04, 2022, 21:34 »
0

I'm just waiting for our Ontario Canada politicians to ban toilet paper as there are no doubt some cancer causing chemicals in the manufacturing process of the paper.

Hope so! I have a couple of toilet roll photos already uploaded and accepted and they have even sold a few times. Would be a good opportunity to sell them a few more times.

« Reply #68 on: January 05, 2022, 02:05 »
0
There are worse things in the world than an underpaid stock photographer. Also, look at yourself if things in your life aren't going the way you want them to.

Yes, there are worse things - colored tattoos.
I am so happy that the EU is now completely and finaly eradicating cancer by taking tattoo artists europe-wide off the scene into bankruptcy.
Next, we should turn off the harmful sun  ;)

Thought you were joking but it's true https://www.politico.eu/article/tattoo-parlors-brace-new-eu-ink-bans/  This might be a good editorial stock video and photo idea, shots of the bottles of coloured ink that are now banned and if any model has a coloured tattoo even better.

I'm just waiting for our Ontario Canada politicians to ban toilet paper as there are no doubt some cancer causing chemicals in the manufacturing process of the paper.

Unfortunately, many of the eu parliament's decisions really do seem like a joke and are not comprehensible with clear common sense. For the banned tattoo inks it is not even proven that they are carcinogenic and this assumption probably applies to almost all substances - so your comparison with toilet paper is not so far-fetched.

« Reply #69 on: January 05, 2022, 02:46 »
0

Thought you were joking but it's true https://www.politico.eu/article/tattoo-parlors-brace-new-eu-ink-bans/  This might be a good editorial stock video and photo idea, shots of the bottles of coloured ink that are now banned and if any model has a coloured tattoo even better.


If only Shutterstock hadn't that rule that you need a property release from the atttoo artist for models with tattoos, which makes things quite complicated.  ::)
Apparently once you get tattooed you lose the right to decide over your own body.
« Last Edit: January 05, 2022, 02:55 by Firn »

thijsdegraaf

« Reply #70 on: January 05, 2022, 03:07 »
+2
There are worse things in the world than an underpaid stock photographer. Also, look at yourself if things in your life aren't going the way you want them to.

Yes, there are worse things - colored tattoos.
I am so happy that the EU is now completely and finaly eradicating cancer by taking tattoo artists europe-wide off the scene into bankruptcy.
Next, we should turn off the harmful sun  ;)

Thought you were joking but it's true https://www.politico.eu/article/tattoo-parlors-brace-new-eu-ink-bans/  This might be a good editorial stock video and photo idea, shots of the bottles of coloured ink that are now banned and if any model has a coloured tattoo even better.

I'm just waiting for our Ontario Canada politicians to ban toilet paper as there are no doubt some cancer causing chemicals in the manufacturing process of the paper.

Unfortunately, many of the eu parliament's decisions really do seem like a joke and are not comprehensible with clear common sense. For the banned tattoo inks it is not even proven that they are carcinogenic and this assumption probably applies to almost all substances - so your comparison with toilet paper is not so far-fetched.

I find that difficult.
I used to cut asbestos sheets for behind my stove. I sometimes find the security measures a bit exaggerated, but it is now clear that it is harmful.
In my youth it was said, the harmfulness of smoking has yet to be proven.
The hole in the ozone layer turned out to be our own cause and the ban on the use of some substances has helped.
In the Netherlands there are processes because people have become seriously ill from spraying paint with Hexavalent chromium (chromium(VI), Cr(VI), chromium 6). It was much too late to intervene with regard to the inadequate safety regulations.
I think taking the tattoo inks off the market before new ones are also overkill. Although I would never want to have a tattoo.  ;D
I just wonder what happens if (now that it is known that there are harmful substances in it) someone gets cancer maybe as a result. Then someone can sue the tattoo artists or the ink makers. Or the European legislators, because they did nothing about it.
Think of Philips' breathing devices  (breathing machines with harmful foam) . They have already set aside millions for possible lawsuits. While you also hear the harmful effect is actually not that bad.
We live in a strange world in that regard.

But we are straying from the topic. :-X

« Last Edit: January 05, 2022, 03:36 by thijsdegraaf »

Uncle Pete

  • Great Place by a Great Lake - My Home Port
« Reply #71 on: January 05, 2022, 13:18 »
0
There are worse things in the world than an underpaid stock photographer. Also, look at yourself if things in your life aren't going the way you want them to.

Yes, there are worse things - colored tattoos.
I am so happy that the EU is now completely and finaly eradicating cancer by taking tattoo artists europe-wide off the scene into bankruptcy.
Next, we should turn off the harmful sun  ;)

Thought you were joking but it's true https://www.politico.eu/article/tattoo-parlors-brace-new-eu-ink-bans/  This might be a good editorial stock video and photo idea, shots of the bottles of coloured ink that are now banned and if any model has a coloured tattoo even better.

I'm just waiting for our Ontario Canada politicians to ban toilet paper as there are no doubt some cancer causing chemicals in the manufacturing process of the paper.

Unfortunately, many of the eu parliament's decisions really do seem like a joke and are not comprehensible with clear common sense. For the banned tattoo inks it is not even proven that they are carcinogenic and this assumption probably applies to almost all substances - so your comparison with toilet paper is not so far-fetched.

Here's one more from the news:  The Taliban have ordered shop owners in western Afghanistan to cut the heads off mannequins, insisting figures representing the human form violate Islamic law.

Extremist Politics and Extremist Religions some of the worst offenders of common sense. And then there are places that love to ban and regulate things. The EU is becoming one but California is the biggest bunch of proposition regulation weenies in the world. They are now suing the power companies for Acts of God, like when a tree in a storm, falls on a power line and it starts a fire.

California Prop 12: The "Bacon" Law

The contentious law over farm animals -- specifically bringing bacon and pork products into the conversation -- was passed in 2018. The first deadline passed Jan. 2020, and required that egg-laying hens have adequate space. The hens have to be housed with a minimum of 144 square inches per hen. Calves intended to be sold as veal must be housed with a minimum of 43 square feet per calf.

The second part of the law is what goes into effect in January 2022. Egg-laying hens must be cage-free, and breeding pigs must be allotted 24 square feet per pig.


Anyone with any math sense can see that 144 square inches is a square foot. That seems pretty small, and I wonder how they could pack them any closer than that in the first place, terrible conditions, that should be banned, but... just wait until 2022, oh that's now? Hey anyone who lives in CA, watch your bacon prices go through the sky, bigger than Bitcoin, because the laws forbid importing of bacon that doesn't meet the CA standards.  ::)

Black market Tats are in the forecast for the EU.

Level6

« Reply #72 on: January 05, 2022, 14:27 »
0
There are worse things in the world than an underpaid stock photographer. Also, look at yourself if things in your life aren't going the way you want them to.

Yes, there are worse things - colored tattoos.
I am so happy that the EU is now completely and finaly eradicating cancer by taking tattoo artists europe-wide off the scene into bankruptcy.
Next, we should turn off the harmful sun  ;)

Thought you were joking but it's true https://www.politico.eu/article/tattoo-parlors-brace-new-eu-ink-bans/  This might be a good editorial stock video and photo idea, shots of the bottles of coloured ink that are now banned and if any model has a coloured tattoo even better.

I'm just waiting for our Ontario Canada politicians to ban toilet paper as there are no doubt some cancer causing chemicals in the manufacturing process of the paper.

Unfortunately, many of the eu parliament's decisions really do seem like a joke and are not comprehensible with clear common sense. For the banned tattoo inks it is not even proven that they are carcinogenic and this assumption probably applies to almost all substances - so your comparison with toilet paper is not so far-fetched.

Here's one more from the news:  The Taliban have ordered shop owners in western Afghanistan to cut the heads off mannequins, insisting figures representing the human form violate Islamic law.

Extremist Politics and Extremist Religions some of the worst offenders of common sense. And then there are places that love to ban and regulate things. The EU is becoming one but California is the biggest bunch of proposition regulation weenies in the world. They are now suing the power companies for Acts of God, like when a tree in a storm, falls on a power line and it starts a fire.

California Prop 12: The "Bacon" Law

The contentious law over farm animals -- specifically bringing bacon and pork products into the conversation -- was passed in 2018. The first deadline passed Jan. 2020, and required that egg-laying hens have adequate space. The hens have to be housed with a minimum of 144 square inches per hen. Calves intended to be sold as veal must be housed with a minimum of 43 square feet per calf.

The second part of the law is what goes into effect in January 2022. Egg-laying hens must be cage-free, and breeding pigs must be allotted 24 square feet per pig.


Anyone with any math sense can see that 144 square inches is a square foot. That seems pretty small, and I wonder how they could pack them any closer than that in the first place, terrible conditions, that should be banned, but... just wait until 2022, oh that's now? Hey anyone who lives in CA, watch your bacon prices go through the sky, bigger than Bitcoin, because the laws forbid importing of bacon that doesn't meet the CA standards.  ::)

Black market Tats are in the forecast for the EU.

Just like black market haircuts became a think in Ontario Canada during the lockdown, self-haircuts with clippers or on friends and family and then laid off stylists who are mostly and technically self employed as they rent the chair basically in these salons started risking massive fines and doing black market haircuts in their homes for customers they know and trust.

Same will happen with the tattoos, the artists will find a way to get the coloured ink and they will find a way to serve regular customers.

All the rules, regulations and laws, surveillance and tracking in the EU, California and Ontario Canada, it's just hard to accept for those of use who remember what it used to be like, I think we are going to become like communist China but taking a different route to get there. Will it eventually lead to civil war in some places?, maybe, can't rule anything out. There's only so much people cant take, being screwed at every turn by businesses, employers and now the governments and omicron isn't helping.



 

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