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Author Topic: Goodbye Shutterstock  (Read 53335 times)

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axon_guru

  • Save time with Axon Guru!
« Reply #75 on: October 12, 2016, 17:47 »
0
I wonder if maybe opening up a new thread, introducing your product and talking about the benefits, and having all questions related to your specific product in one thread, would be more beneficial for anyone looking to use your product. Otherwise, you are just posting your marketing spiel on a bunch of different threads where it will eventually get lost and not be of benefit to anyone, including you. Just an idea.


Thanks for the excellent suggestion. We did have a thread announcing the product earlier:

Hi Guys, we have created a new site to streamline your stock photo submissions. It will save you 2-5 minutes per image! Just host your photos on one of the leading photo hosting sites (Google Photos, Amazon CloudDrive, Dropbox, Smugmug etc.), and we will do all the heavy lifting. We will recommend the marketable photos, tag them automatically and pre-fill categories automatically. We even let you compare your photo to similar ones already on the marketplace. All you have to do is review and submit. There is no FTP or sharing passwords. It is using the latest AI and cloud technology. It is free for basic plan with unlimited low priority processing right now.  http://axonguru.com

We are also looking for testers and reviewers. Drop me a line if you are interested.


I will add new questions and answers to the main thread. I am also a contributor on Shutterstock. We built the software based on our personal experiences as contributors. Thanks.


marthamarks

« Reply #76 on: October 12, 2016, 22:27 »
+4
I dont think people leave SS as such they leave their portfolios but dont upload.=

That's exactly what I'm doing.

My older images still sell on SS, but newer ones die there. So now, all my newest images are going to Adobe and Dreamstime, where they do sell.

If you don't upload them they will never sell. Perfect plan. Then you can say, sales are down on SS, because you don't give them new files?

Frankly, new images sell elsewhere but not on SS. I've made quite a few of my newest exclusive on Adobe/FT, which gives me higher royalties per credit DL, which occur a lot more than equivalent sales on SS.

You can do whatever works for you, and I'll do what works for me. At present, this strategy makes sense to me. If that changes, I can always upload again to SS.
« Last Edit: October 12, 2016, 23:49 by marthamarks »

lemonyellow

« Reply #77 on: October 13, 2016, 01:18 »
+6
Frankly, new images sell elsewhere but not on SS. I've made quite a few of my newest exclusive on Adobe/FT, which gives me higher royalties per credit DL, which occur a lot more than equivalent sales on SS.
You can do whatever works for you, and I'll do what works for me. At present, this strategy makes sense to me. If that changes, I can always upload again to SS.

I have a terrible suspect about this (New images not selling on SS): since they started accepting everything without a proper review they are ashamed to show the new images to buyers; they just need more and more images to have the largest collection in the universe, provide those images stay hidden from buyers.

« Reply #78 on: October 13, 2016, 01:30 »
+3
Frankly, new images sell elsewhere but not on SS. I've made quite a few of my newest exclusive on Adobe/FT, which gives me higher royalties per credit DL, which occur a lot more than equivalent sales on SS.
You can do whatever works for you, and I'll do what works for me. At present, this strategy makes sense to me. If that changes, I can always upload again to SS.

I have a terrible suspect about this (New images not selling on SS): since they started accepting everything without a proper review they are ashamed to show the new images to buyers; they just need more and more images to have the largest collection in the universe, provide those images stay hidden from buyers.
I thought newbies had a grace period one conspiracy at a time please

gyllens

« Reply #79 on: October 13, 2016, 02:38 »
+2
Frankly, new images sell elsewhere but not on SS. I've made quite a few of my newest exclusive on Adobe/FT, which gives me higher royalties per credit DL, which occur a lot more than equivalent sales on SS.
You can do whatever works for you, and I'll do what works for me. At present, this strategy makes sense to me. If that changes, I can always upload again to SS.

I have a terrible suspect about this (New images not selling on SS): since they started accepting everything without a proper review they are ashamed to show the new images to buyers; they just need more and more images to have the largest collection in the universe, provide those images stay hidden from buyers.

Conspiracies are present in every single business. Look and banking, stock-broking trading in shares futures and options. Everyday little conspiracies are harmless. Serious conspiraicis are type Enron GM and Saab and so on.
Its not even called conspiracies anymore its reffered to as business as usual.

Of course the micro stock industry is the only business on the planet totally free from any conspiracies ::)

No I don't think they are ashamed of new content or in that case they would probably be ashamed of 50% of all content. ;D

Justanotherphotographer

« Reply #80 on: October 13, 2016, 03:25 »
+3
http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-492377512/stock-vector-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow.html?

Love it, check out the url as well as the portfolio with hundreds of duplicates!

I honestly think this isn't a problem as far as SS is concerned. They just want to have a big number for the next shareholders meeting.

I am not sure if they will start thinking more long term while they still have any customers left.

SpaceStockFootage

  • Space, Sci-Fi and Astronomy Related Stock Footage

« Reply #81 on: October 13, 2016, 03:38 »
+2
http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-492377512/stock-vector-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow.html?

Love it, check out the url as well as the portfolio with hundreds of duplicates!

I honestly think this isn't a problem as far as SS is concerned. They just want to have a big number for the next shareholders meeting.

I am not sure if they will start thinking more long term while they still have any customers left.


That's a catchy title! I like how it's still not top of the list when you search for 'arrow' though!

« Reply #82 on: October 13, 2016, 03:43 »
+6
http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-492377512/stock-vector-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow.html?

Love it, check out the url as well as the portfolio with hundreds of duplicates!

I honestly think this isn't a problem as far as SS is concerned. They just want to have a big number for the next shareholders meeting.

I am not sure if they will start thinking more long term while they still have any customers left.


unbelievable

ofcourse, it is number 1 on best match search.

I cant believe shutterstock is allowing those things to happen on their site.


« Reply #83 on: October 13, 2016, 04:08 »
+2
http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-492377512/stock-vector-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow.html?

Love it, check out the url as well as the portfolio with hundreds of duplicates!

I honestly think this isn't a problem as far as SS is concerned. They just want to have a big number for the next shareholders meeting.

I am not sure if they will start thinking more long term while they still have any customers left.


That's a catchy title! I like how it's still not top of the list when you search for 'arrow' though!


It is, when you switch to "Best match" view.

Justanotherphotographer

« Reply #84 on: October 13, 2016, 05:02 »
0
That's how I found it, it's top of the search linked to earlier in this thread

jazz42

  • Computer scientist and hobby stock photographer
« Reply #85 on: October 13, 2016, 12:58 »
+3
If you dont hit the market you will die, reversed, if you do hit the market you will gain. All complains about falling sales are worthless and a waste of time. Make better photos, videos or illustrations, thats all.

Yeah  - well, I guess there is an upper limit on how good the quality can be produced on a reasonable budget (time and costs)... At some point, it levels off and the the buyer needs a university degree in graphic design or visual art to tell the difference. It's a bit like good red wine... The artist may decide to spend twice as much on the wine (creating the photo), but the quality increase is maybe only 5% and the guest (buyer) can't really tell the difference. Just like wine tasters, you need a lot of training to tell the good from the really good.

« Reply #86 on: October 13, 2016, 13:22 »
+1

...

 Our keyword generating tool is based on image analysis and real keywords from quality stock photos. The 7 keywords required by SSTK does not usually cover all features and meanings of the images content. Otherwise, there won't be a saying "a picture is worth a thousand words." We produce 30 keywords per photo that captures many aspects of the photo that user often times ignores or can't think of on the spot. It is much easier to kick out a few incorrect keywords than to think of and type out 30 keywords.
....

highly unlikely -- one only needs to edit iptc once, then all submissions are easier; and cut n paste even eliminates retyping similar lists; and even the best algorithm will still likely require additional editing to add missed but important keywords

instead, your process will require re-editing just about EVERY image to eliminate poor or spammy keywords

also, how do you handle categories across all the agencies? do you keep separate categories in the image iptc for each agency?

axon_guru

  • Save time with Axon Guru!
« Reply #87 on: October 13, 2016, 16:10 »
0

...

 Our keyword generating tool is based on image analysis and real keywords from quality stock photos. The 7 keywords required by SSTK does not usually cover all features and meanings of the images content. Otherwise, there won't be a saying "a picture is worth a thousand words." We produce 30 keywords per photo that captures many aspects of the photo that user often times ignores or can't think of on the spot. It is much easier to kick out a few incorrect keywords than to think of and type out 30 keywords.
....

highly unlikely -- one only needs to edit iptc once, then all submissions are easier; and cut n paste even eliminates retyping similar lists; and even the best algorithm will still likely require additional editing to add missed but important keywords

instead, your process will require re-editing just about EVERY image to eliminate poor or spammy keywords

also, how do you handle categories across all the agencies? do you keep separate categories in the image iptc for each agency?

I do agree with you that the AI tools are not perfect. We did not create it or market it to replace human keywording entirely. To clarify, our tool currently does read the keywords from the IPTC metadata from your photos.  We also add machine generated ones to your existing keywords, i.e. union. It would be easy to add a feature to let the user to decide whether to include the system generated keywords or not. Please feel free to use our Support => Feedback form (after login) to file a feature request. We will be happy to implement it for you. Our current tool was initially designed for photos that have no manual keywords at all. The tool will certainly save time for the initial batch of keywords.

As you pointed out, each microstock agency has different categories. We map your photos automatically to each of  the categories separately. We store the categories in the database. Then automatically fill in the categories on agencies' final submission site (Chrome browser required). If you use any ftp tools to upload files to ShutterStock, you will still need to manually pick the categories on ShutterStock's contributor's site to finalize the submission. We eliminate the need of that. To the best of our knowledge, there is no other tools can do this category auto fill trick right now.

BTW, you can't save categories in the IPTC header. It is not supported by IPTC. Even if it does support, one would have to generate separate copies of photo for each agency. Our approach does not do that.

Thanks for your comment, I hope I have addressed you concerns. Please feel free to email [email protected].


axon_guru

  • Save time with Axon Guru!
« Reply #88 on: October 13, 2016, 16:23 »
0
Frankly, new images sell elsewhere but not on SS. I've made quite a few of my newest exclusive on Adobe/FT, which gives me higher royalties per credit DL, which occur a lot more than equivalent sales on SS.
You can do whatever works for you, and I'll do what works for me. At present, this strategy makes sense to me. If that changes, I can always upload again to SS.


I have a terrible suspect about this (New images not selling on SS): since they started accepting everything without a proper review they are ashamed to show the new images to buyers; they just need more and more images to have the largest collection in the universe, provide those images stay hidden from buyers.


Well, my recently uploaded photo had a sale on the day it was uploaded. It was approved in 26 minutes...

« Reply #89 on: October 13, 2016, 16:44 »
+2
Nice image exactly the kind of stuff we are told doesn't sell  ;D

« Reply #90 on: October 13, 2016, 16:48 »
0
If you dont hit the market you will die, reversed, if you do hit the market you will gain. All complains about falling sales are worthless and a waste of time. Make better photos, videos or illustrations, thats all.

Yeah  - well, I guess there is an upper limit on how good the quality can be produced on a reasonable budget (time and costs)... At some point, it levels off and the the buyer needs a university degree in graphic design or visual art to tell the difference. It's a bit like good red wine... The artist may decide to spend twice as much on the wine (creating the photo), but the quality increase is maybe only 5% and the guest (buyer) can't really tell the difference. Just like wine tasters, you need a lot of training to tell the good from the really good.
I think better is more about more marketable rather than "quality" most stock photography is pretty disposable not meant for hanging on the wall and admiring.

« Reply #91 on: October 13, 2016, 17:36 »
+1
Better more marketable quality content hitting the market is all just a dream if you are excluded from that market or a good proportion of it in the case of Shutterstock, as the original post says it is pointless now to upload there.


« Reply #92 on: October 13, 2016, 21:39 »
+3
Right in this moment in time SS seems completely dead in the water.

« Reply #93 on: October 13, 2016, 21:43 »
0
I have a terrible suspect about this (New images not selling on SS): since they started accepting everything without a proper review they are ashamed to show the new images to buyers; they just need more and more images to have the largest collection in the universe, provide those images stay hidden from buyers.

That's not even crazy.  And it gets even stranger: there's no way this sort of junk got through any legitimate review process.  It's being let in through a back door, somehow. 

jazz42

  • Computer scientist and hobby stock photographer
« Reply #94 on: October 13, 2016, 23:44 »
+2
I think what we are seeing here is the so-called long tail: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_tail

We have filled the first part (top selling) items long ago. SS realized that the only way to gain growth is to have material in the "tail". Hence, they now let in anyone who can press a shutter button. The requires an automated review process that can accept images in the not-so-well covered niches that have some potential for sale. We have recently seen this process in play as several have reported about lightning fast reviews at SS (15 secs). In other words, lightning fast review indicates a potential niche...

At the moment 21% sales increase from 60% asset increase is still probably very good for them. The tipping point is when the marketing, administration and cost of storing the image outweighs the sales income. They have probably calculated this and it could be as low as 5% sales increase from 100% asset increase.

For us, the question is of course when will it no longer pay off to shoot. There is no straight answer, but the days where we could invest several hours and a bit of money in a shot is definitely over.

« Reply #95 on: October 13, 2016, 23:44 »
+4
http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-492377512/stock-vector-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow-arrow.html?

Love it, check out the url as well as the portfolio with hundreds of duplicates!

I honestly think this isn't a problem as far as SS is concerned. They just want to have a big number for the next shareholders meeting.

I am not sure if they will start thinking more long term while they still have any customers left.


And I thought he was pure gold.  ;)  https://www.shutterstock.com/g/Anatoli+Priboutko

OM

« Reply #96 on: October 14, 2016, 06:08 »
+1
Shutterstock has a problem with spammers, that's in the open, but I had no idea how big the problem was.

Check the "best match" result for "arrow icon": https://www.shutterstock.com/search?searchterm=arrow+icon&search_source=base_search_form&language=en&page=1&sort=relevance&image_type=all&safe=true

Check the metadata of all the results.

Nothing new sells because spammers make it impossible for your images to be seen. But they grow the library for shutterstock, and that's what's important for them. They can show that number to the shareholders. If you make more or less, they don't care. :)
I guess that blows the theory about needing super clever keywording strategies to get to the top. I'm surprised repeat keywords are allowed let alone seeming to add weight to the relevance

The keywords are all different (albeit very slightly) because the SS keyword filter automatically removes duplicates. Clearly, this is not the case for the description where 'arrow.' repeated 40 times is 'allowed'. And the description seems to have more weighting in the search algo than we have perhaps been led to believe.

« Reply #97 on: October 14, 2016, 07:30 »
0
Thanks for the clarification. I always thought the description didn't count for much but I spose the algorithm is changing all the time

« Reply #98 on: October 14, 2016, 09:18 »
0
Right in this moment in time SS seems completely dead in the water.

true

« Reply #99 on: October 14, 2016, 10:37 »
0
Right in this moment in time SS seems completely dead in the water.

true
From your perspective maybe but for a lot of people its still  #1 declining maybe but not "dead"


 

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