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Author Topic: OFFSET opened doors  (Read 47191 times)

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Uncle Pete

« Reply #50 on: September 25, 2013, 12:28 »
0
Interesting spin: "Offset opens with a collection of 45,000 authentic, narrative images from 100 renowned artists." Narrative images?

Also interesting: "Offset's pricing is simple. Straightforward and transparent, small files are currently priced at $250 and large files are $500. "

Help me someone: "Every image has been curated and serves a purpose in the collection. Categories include lifestyle, food, wildlife, travel and fashion." What is lifestyle, really? What makes an image Lifestyle?

Yeah, looks like the front page of Bing Search. The search looks like FOAP and some others, where you scroll down and new images load. Are these all made with the same cookie cutter?  ;)

Nice photos. I didn't know that fields from an airplane was such a popular subject. And most of all, when I click "No People" why do a good 1/4 of the images have people in them? LOL

Nice pretty site. Hope it pays back for the artists.



« Reply #51 on: September 25, 2013, 12:39 »
0
I had a look around and I honestly don't see the difference between the work here and the best work on Shutterstock.

I picked a few images from Offset and then did searches on Shutterstock for something similar. I found highly comparable things on Shutterstock for much less money (even if you buy an extended license or SOD).

I think it'd be a good idea for agencies to have groups of images for buyers to have fun browsing through, but they could do more of that on Shutterstock if they had a mind.

Perhaps the "brand name" of the artists they picked is enough to make an Offset shot of a lettuce field command the $500 price tag? I think for stock, it all begins and ends with the image - this isn't an art gallery pitching to collectors. I guess we'll see how this plays out and where things are a year from now.

« Reply #52 on: September 25, 2013, 12:50 »
0
I think they have a stunningly beautiful collection. Really well chosen images. I love stocksy more, but offset is the other really interesting agency on the net right now IMO.

The style is less trendy or artistic than stocksy  but they have great, very timeless work. More European in style. And although I am sure you can find similar images on many micros, the customer is paying for the time they save. That is the whole advantage of prefiltered collections, you are paying for the service more than the image.

What I dont understand is the bias against photographers who also supply micros, including Shutterstock. Apparently if you supply SS then they will not consider you for offset. At least this is the word from a thread on their own forums.

That is a great pity because SS has fantastic artists with a huge selection of work. It is strange they should be rejected from the more high end brand.

« Reply #53 on: September 25, 2013, 12:51 »
0
Seems a huge part of the collection is coming from various agencies like Aurora, Nat geo etc. (if you look at the list of contributors)

Ron

« Reply #54 on: September 25, 2013, 12:53 »
0
I think they have a stunningly beautiful collection. Really well chosen images. I love stocksy more, but offset is the other really interesting agency on the net right now IMO.

The style is less trendy or artistic than stocksy  but they have great, very timeless work. More European in style. And although I am sure you can find similar images on many micros, the customer is paying for the time they save. That is the whole advantage of prefiltered collections, you are paying for the service more than the image.

What I dont understand is the bias against photographers who also supply micros, including Shutterstock. Apparently if you supply SS then they will not consider you for offset. At least this is the word from a thread on their own forums.

That is a great pity because SS has fantastic artists with a huge selection of work. It is strange they should be rejected from the more high end brand.

I understood the opposite, at some point everyone can apply and if they images are good enough you would be able to contribute to Off Set, but in the start it was only for a select group.

« Reply #55 on: September 25, 2013, 12:57 »
0
Really? That would be great. I just read in that thread that people had applied and where rejected because they sold on the micros and that offset did not want anybody who worked with microagencies.

There were even photographers who thought it was good to do it this way and that we micro artists would never understand high end work etc...etc...

Anyway, i moved out of there, thought it made no sense to continue. But I didnt see an admin chime in and say - "hey dont worry, we will be including you guys later".

« Last Edit: September 25, 2013, 14:22 by cobalt »

ShadySue

  • There is a crack in everything
« Reply #56 on: September 25, 2013, 13:11 »
0
What makes an image Lifestyle?

What makes an image 'authentic'?
Meaningless marketspeak, probably, like 'real people, real places', which means nothing much. A model in a studio is a real person in a real place.

Ron

« Reply #57 on: September 25, 2013, 13:22 »
0
@ Cobalt, ok, that I didnt know. My recollection is of a thread a few months back when they announced off set. Maybe things have changed.

ShadySue

  • There is a crack in everything
« Reply #58 on: September 25, 2013, 14:02 »
0
I think they have a stunningly beautiful collection. Really well chosen images.
Yes, based on a couple of categories I looked at, I agree.
Just fix the front page, and they're good to go.

Tror

« Reply #59 on: September 25, 2013, 14:30 »
+1
They should rather check the SS contributors and invite the best of them and encourage them to raise the quality instead of ignoring their existing contributor base - assuming that it is true they do not want micro photogs.

Ron

« Reply #60 on: September 25, 2013, 15:00 »
0
http://submit.shutterstock.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=129466&highlight=offset

Quote
I hope it goes without saying that in the "big picture" (no pun intended) we're more committed to our "core" contributors than ever before and we're also focused on creating additional opportunities for you. For the time being, this new brand has a specific point-of-view and participation is by invite only. In the future, we expect that every contributor will have the opportunity to be considered for inclusion in the Offset collection as we continue to maintain the outstanding quality that we have in our core collection.

« Reply #61 on: September 25, 2013, 15:02 »
-1
http://submit.shutterstock.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=129466&highlight=offset

Quote
I hope it goes without saying that in the "big picture" (no pun intended) we're more committed to our "core" contributors than ever before and we're also focused on creating additional opportunities for you. For the time being, this new brand has a specific point-of-view and participation is by invite only. In the future, we expect that every contributor will have the opportunity to be considered for inclusion in the Offset collection as we continue to maintain the outstanding quality that we have in our core collection.


Sounds like you'll have to wait until they get a new logo.

« Reply #62 on: September 25, 2013, 15:12 »
+1
What makes an image Lifestyle?

What makes an image 'authentic'?
Meaningless marketspeak, probably, like 'real people, real places', which means nothing much. A model in a studio is a real person in a real place.

A model that looks like a model in a setting that looks like a studio backdrop isn't a "real person in a real place", I don't know anyone hanging around on a seamless backdrop in their spare time.

Authentic = Real looking people, real settings and places. Doing things people really do. Light looks like it's either from nature (=sun) or real lighting of the place. Candid, not posed.

« Reply #63 on: September 25, 2013, 15:13 »
0
Thanks Ron. That is good to read. But then I dont understand why that discussion on their forums was so negative? And why didnt an admin get in there to get people excited about the coming opportunities? Anyway, I am still new to their forums. So I dont know how their community builders handle things.

I think it is perfectly understandable they want to establish the brand first, but I would have thought that a few high ranking and quality contributors from SS would have been proudly presented from the beginning as well.



« Reply #64 on: September 25, 2013, 16:08 »
+1
Well, just applied today and guess I'll see what happens! :)
I like both sites(Stocksy and Offset)...very different in style but that's good.

« Reply #65 on: September 25, 2013, 16:18 »
0
Good luck! :)

Let us know if you hear anything.

« Reply #66 on: September 25, 2013, 16:27 »
0
Well, just applied today and guess I'll see what happens! :)
I like both sites(Stocksy and Offset)...very different in style but that's good.
So Shutterstock Offset is trying to compete with Getty RM right?  Why not license your work through Getty, wouldn't you get a higher royalty rate for your work there?  I'm a little surprised that people here would be excited about another company undercutting royalty rates for contributors.
« Last Edit: September 25, 2013, 16:40 by tickstock »


« Reply #67 on: September 25, 2013, 16:51 »
+14
Well, just applied today and guess I'll see what happens! :)
I like both sites(Stocksy and Offset)...very different in style but that's good.
So Shutterstock Offset is trying to compete with Getty RM right?  Why not license your work through Getty, wouldn't you get a higher royalty rate for your work there?

I was ask to join Getty but declined. I dislike what they did to IStock  and hate them with a passion!
They are many other agencies to place your exclusive or RM images in besides Getty! :)
« Last Edit: September 25, 2013, 16:56 by Sandralise »

« Reply #68 on: September 25, 2013, 16:58 »
0
Well, just applied today and guess I'll see what happens! :)
I like both sites(Stocksy and Offset)...very different in style but that's good.
So Shutterstock Offset is trying to compete with Getty RM right?  Why not license your work through Getty, wouldn't you get a higher royalty rate for your work there?

I was ask to join Getty but declined. I dislike what they did to IStock  and hate them with a passion!
They are many other agencies to place your exclusive or RM images in besides Getty! :)
So you are saying you would rather get a lower royalty rate from Offset than a higher royalty rate from Getty (25% higher at Getty for creative RM)?  Just to be clear.  I'm comparing Offset to Getty RM because that is what they've said is where they want to compete.
« Last Edit: September 25, 2013, 17:02 by tickstock »

« Reply #69 on: September 25, 2013, 17:03 »
+1
Are the images for Offset exclusive? I thought they dont want exclusive files and many of the files on offset are also available elsewhere.

This would be a major advantage to the artist. They could still sell from other sites with similar price point, or their own site.

In theory if files are non exclusive the could also be available on Getty, Corbis etc...

« Reply #70 on: September 25, 2013, 17:05 »
0
Are the images for Offset exclusive? I thought they dont want exclusive files and many of the files on offset are also available elsewhere.

This would be a major advantage to the artist. They could still sell from other sites with similar price point, or their own site.
I think we'll need to hear a little more about that, I have a feeling Shutterstock wouldn't let you license the same images on Offset and Shutterstock.  Maybe something like it's nonexclusive but you can't undercut Offset.  Maybe Sandralise can get some information, but then again she couldn't tell us anything she finds out could she?

« Reply #71 on: September 25, 2013, 17:13 »
+3
Well, just applied today and guess I'll see what happens! :)
I like both sites(Stocksy and Offset)...very different in style but that's good.
So Shutterstock Offset is trying to compete with Getty RM right?  Why not license your work through Getty, wouldn't you get a higher royalty rate for your work there?
I was ask to join Getty but declined. I dislike what they did to IStock  and hate them with a passion!
They are many other agencies to place your exclusive or RM images in besides Getty! :)
So you are saying you would rather get a lower royalty rate from Offset than a higher royalty rate from Getty (25% higher at Getty for creative RM)?  Just to be clear.  I'm comparing Offset to Getty RM because that is what they've said is where they want to compete.

I don't like Getty and really don't want to be with them. :)
As for exclusive or RM with Offset don't really know what they want as was said earlier in this thread...I guess I will find out if I'm approved.  ;)

« Reply #72 on: September 25, 2013, 17:16 »
0
Offset is all RF and not exclusive (my guess is this isn't going to be completely true) and offering royalty rates around 30% (or something vague like that) from what has been said.  They want to take market share from Getty RM which pays 40% (30% in some cases).

http://pandodaily.com/2013/03/28/shutterstock-dives-into-gettys-domain-with-offset-a-premium-photo-site-next-step-video/

From the article, it says RM sales aren't 'efficient revenue' wouldn't you think if Shutterstock is offering a more efficient revenue they would have more money to pay contributors rather than less?
« Last Edit: September 25, 2013, 17:23 by tickstock »

« Reply #73 on: September 25, 2013, 17:22 »
+10
I've never found a way into Getty but I've just been accepted at OFFSET. 30% of something is better to me than 40% held out of reach...

« Reply #74 on: September 25, 2013, 17:24 »
+2
I've never found a way into Getty but I've just been accepted at OFFSET. 30% of something is better to me than 40% held out of reach...

Well said, Lee! :)


 

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