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Poll

Is there any meaning to continue the action? Will you participate?

YES
64 (68.1%)
NO
30 (31.9%)

Total Members Voted: 90

Voting closed: August 01, 2020, 03:45

Author Topic: Shutterstock blackout, 4th phase: JUL 8 - JUL 31?  (Read 29260 times)

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« Reply #25 on: July 04, 2020, 14:14 »
0
How can it be dead? There are over 322 million files online. 4 million more than just a few days ago.

Does all this blackout thing help at all? WHO is it that keeps uploading, and WHY do they do it? I'm getting so frustrated here. I don't see Shutterstock losing anything at the moment. The amount of files should be decreasing instead of increasing........

You shouldnt be worried about whether it will hurt SS. You should be deleting your port because your images are worth more than 10 cents! And if you dont delete and move on, next year you will be making 5 cents an image. Or a penny an image. Do it out of self-respect. Do it because its hurting EVERYBODY! (And when I say YOU, I dont necessarily mean YOU personally. I mean anyone who thinks the same way as you.)

It doesnt matter how many millions of files there are. If buyers only see crap in their searches, they will go elsewhere. Lots of people are worried about the wrong thing. But I suppose some watch those numbers go up and use it as justification for staying. 😟
beautifully said! congrats  :D


« Reply #26 on: July 04, 2020, 14:50 »
+5
I've been talking to many photographers lately and none of them stopped uploading. I honestly expected the contrary. What I want to say is that this forum is not reflection of reality at all. It is occupied by contributors who promorte boycott and agressive measures and the majority that still uploads is silent. The more realistic reflection of reality would make this forum much more useful for all of us. I blame promoters lf boycott for this, they (we) are too hursh on the ones who have different opinion. Let them talk and let not be even worse than SS itself by not listening or caring about others opinion.
« Last Edit: July 04, 2020, 16:04 by pics2 »

Les

« Reply #27 on: July 04, 2020, 20:24 »
+8
I've been talking to many photographers lately and none of them stopped uploading. I honestly expected the contrary. What I want to say is that this forum is not reflection of reality at all. It is occupied by contributors who promorte boycott and agressive measures and the majority that still uploads is silent. The more realistic reflection of reality would make this forum much more useful for all of us. I blame promoters lf boycott for this, they (we) are too hursh on the ones who have different opinion. Let them talk and let not be even worse than SS itself by not listening or caring about others opinion.

If some dummies are still uploading, they can't be helped. Maybe their mothers can explain it to them.

farbled

« Reply #28 on: July 05, 2020, 12:08 »
+8

If some dummies are still uploading, they can't be helped. Maybe their mothers can explain it to them.
And this is why some contributors don't take forums or boycotts seriously. It invariably slides into contributor versus contributor instead of agency. What other people do is their choice, and this kind of garbage helps no one.

« Reply #29 on: July 05, 2020, 13:23 »
0
And this is why some contributors don't take forums or boycotts seriously. It invariably slides into contributor versus contributor instead of agency. What other people do is their choice, and this kind of garbage helps no one.

Some contributors are morons, so Im not going to take the SS boycott seriously. Really?
« Last Edit: July 05, 2020, 13:25 by cathyslife »

farbled

« Reply #30 on: July 05, 2020, 13:43 »
+5
And this is why some contributors don't take forums or boycotts seriously. It invariably slides into contributor versus contributor instead of agency. What other people do is their choice, and this kind of garbage helps no one.

Some contributors are morons, so Im not going to take the SS boycott seriously. Really?

Really.

I am happy to protest (in my own way) SS's decisions but when contributors start slamming other contributors, don't expect me to join in this little parade. Not everyone has the luxury of stopping their income on a dime, and there is enough posts denigrating those who cannot or will not delete their portfolios to show the usual digression from "agency bad" to "what is everyone else doing and do I approve".

Les

« Reply #31 on: July 05, 2020, 15:45 »
+5
And this is why some contributors don't take forums or boycotts seriously. It invariably slides into contributor versus contributor instead of agency. What other people do is their choice, and this kind of garbage helps no one.

Some contributors are morons, so Im not going to take the SS boycott seriously. Really?

Really.

I am happy to protest (in my own way) SS's decisions but when contributors start slamming other contributors, don't expect me to join in this little parade. Not everyone has the luxury of stopping their income on a dime, and there is enough posts denigrating those who cannot or will not delete their portfolios to show the usual digression from "agency bad" to "what is everyone else doing and do I approve".

I can understand when some contributors are dependent on every dollar and decide to leave their SS portfolios online, but I can't see any rationality in digging the hole deeper and continue uploading new images at the new rates. If you need money, then creating and uploading new images to SS is the last thing you want to do. There must be hundreds other more dignified or gratifying ways to earn money.

farbled

« Reply #32 on: July 05, 2020, 15:54 »
+5

I can understand when some contributors are dependent on every dollar and decide to leave their SS portfolios online, but I can't see any rationality in digging the hole deeper and continue uploading new images at the new rates. If you need money, then creating and uploading new images to SS is the last thing you want to do. There must be hundreds other more dignified or gratifying ways to earn money.

Then say that instead of calling people who work hard "dummies" and insulting their intelligence. You think people want to make less money by choice? In many cases it has nothing to do with dignity (look at all the people still contributing to istock for example for a few cents). The thing is, you don't know anyone else's situation. And I doubt any of them will be swayed by insults from their peers.


« Reply #33 on: July 05, 2020, 16:00 »
+6

[/quote]

 There must be hundreds other more dignified or gratifying ways to earn money.
[/quote]

Collecting refundable bottles would be one idea
Go around the neighbourhood on garbage day and take bottles that people would rather throw out than return for 10 cents.

You dont need to invest in any fancy equipment
Use your bike or walk around the neighborhood
Youll also be doing yourself a favour by excersizing

 

« Reply #34 on: July 05, 2020, 17:00 »
+1

 

Collecting refundable bottles would be one idea
Go around the neighbourhood on garbage day and take bottles that people would rather throw out than return for 10 cents.

You dont need to invest in any fancy equipment
Use your bike or walk around the neighborhood
Youll also be doing yourself a favour by excersizing

just silly --
== in many places, it's illegal to take from garbage or recycle bins
==  there are only about 20 states w bottle bills (mostly 5c-10c) and 10 in europe

but seriously? people complain about 10c royalties - but you're telling them to collect 100-200 bottles/hr to make $10/hr? (not counting time spent gathering, transporting, etc; not to mention pawing thru smelly, or worse, garbage) how are going to carry that many bottles on your bike?


« Last Edit: July 05, 2020, 17:03 by cascoly »

marthamarks

« Reply #35 on: July 05, 2020, 19:38 »
+5

 

Collecting refundable bottles would be one idea
Go around the neighbourhood on garbage day and take bottles that people would rather throw out than return for 10 cents.

You dont need to invest in any fancy equipment
Use your bike or walk around the neighborhood
Youll also be doing yourself a favour by excersizing

just silly --
== in many places, it's illegal to take from garbage or recycle bins
==  there are only about 20 states w bottle bills (mostly 5c-10c) and 10 in europe

but seriously? people complain about 10c royalties - but you're telling them to collect 100-200 bottles/hr to make $10/hr? (not counting time spent gathering, transporting, etc; not to mention pawing thru smelly, or worse, garbage) how are going to carry that many bottles on your bike?

I took Noodle's suggestion as tongue in cheek.

Les

« Reply #36 on: July 05, 2020, 20:06 »
+8

Collecting refundable bottles would be one idea
Go around the neighbourhood on garbage day and take bottles that people would rather throw out than return for 10 cents.

You dont need to invest in any fancy equipment
Use your bike or walk around the neighborhood
Youll also be doing yourself a favour by excersizing

just silly --
== in many places, it's illegal to take from garbage or recycle bins
==  there are only about 20 states w bottle bills (mostly 5c-10c) and 10 in europe

but seriously? people complain about 10c royalties - but you're telling them to collect 100-200 bottles/hr to make $10/hr? (not counting time spent gathering, transporting, etc; not to mention pawing thru smelly, or worse, garbage) how are going to carry that many bottles on your bike?

In my local wine store, they pay 20 cents for clean bottles (with no artifacts), and after the inspection and rinsing, they sell them at 80 cents to their winemaking customers. So, you are getting 25% commission, and they pay for the storage. Maybe when you get to the next level, you would get a higher commission.  AFAIK, similars are allowed and they don't reset your commission level every January.

marthamarks

« Reply #37 on: July 05, 2020, 20:49 »
+3

Collecting refundable bottles would be one idea
Go around the neighbourhood on garbage day and take bottles that people would rather throw out than return for 10 cents.

You dont need to invest in any fancy equipment
Use your bike or walk around the neighborhood
Youll also be doing yourself a favour by excersizing

just silly --
== in many places, it's illegal to take from garbage or recycle bins
==  there are only about 20 states w bottle bills (mostly 5c-10c) and 10 in europe

but seriously? people complain about 10c royalties - but you're telling them to collect 100-200 bottles/hr to make $10/hr? (not counting time spent gathering, transporting, etc; not to mention pawing thru smelly, or worse, garbage) how are going to carry that many bottles on your bike?

In my local wine store, they pay 20 cents for clean bottles (with no artifacts), and after the inspection and rinsing, they sell them at 80 cents to their winemaking customers. So, you are getting 25% commission, and they pay for the storage. Maybe when you get to the next level, you would get a higher commission.  AFAIK, similars are allowed and they don't reset your commission level every January.

Thanks for that info! Sounds like a good business opportunity, especially since no specialized (ie expensive) equipment is needed.

« Reply #38 on: July 05, 2020, 23:34 »
+1
And this is why some contributors don't take forums or boycotts seriously. It invariably slides into contributor versus contributor instead of agency. What other people do is their choice, and this kind of garbage helps no one.

Some contributors are morons, so Im not going to take the SS boycott seriously. Really?

Really.

I am happy to protest (in my own way) SS's decisions but when contributors start slamming other contributors, don't expect me to join in this little parade. Not everyone has the luxury of stopping their income on a dime, and there is enough posts denigrating those who cannot or will not delete their portfolios to show the usual digression from "agency bad" to "what is everyone else doing and do I approve".

You wont join the SS protest, but you WILL join the parade of contributors slamming other contributors. LOL


« Reply #39 on: July 06, 2020, 03:08 »
+5
I come to conclusion, that stock is not affected by our actions.

Snow

« Reply #40 on: July 06, 2020, 05:53 »
+3
I come to conclusion, that stock is not affected by our actions.

I was going to lay back and enjoy this forum as a reader instead of a poster but after reading your post I wanted to give an update of my view on the current situation.

You are right about the stock market not being affected at all by our actions.
Too many contributors are still ok with this change. They complain but are still uploading while others that can afford to deactivate their portfolio don't. This will never work anyway if they can continue to sell our work so even though it's impossible for many of us our portfolio's should be in fact be deactivated because stopping uploads isn't going to change much. Their buyers don't seem to have any intention to shop elsewhere and that is because they can still get what they want with so much on offer.

Then we have other agencies who do not seem to be eager to take their place. My best sellers at SS (with one over 9k downloads) are now dead since they never took off at other agencies and it looks like they never will.
I have picked up a lot on uploading to Adobe but they don't move an inch so I don't think Adobe is the solution. This seems to be the case for many others btw. I was a bit overenthousiastic about Adobe in the past. This is also probably the reason Mat still has a port on SS. Adobe is not a performer, on the contrary they seem to be going down after deactivating my portfolio at SS. It's as if the competition is afraid of SS and hey, maybe they are!

So if contributors don't care, buyers don't care and other agencies don't care?

With that I have re-activated my portfolio and will take what is left from Microstock instead of letting my deactivated best sellers do nothing but collect dust.
I might deactivate my port again in the near future because SS might have decided to screw those who have deactivated their ports even more and obviously I won't be sending them my new work.
Eventually SS might start lacking new content and maybe then we can see some movement but by that time most of us have probably moved out of Microstock.
I will continue uploading new work to Adobe and Pond5 just to see if there is even a slight uptick but this is wishful thinking.

To me Shutterstock is the creator and destroyer of the Microstock market!

So back to hiding for me. Again my apologies if I have offended anyone in my previous posts and my apologies to those who are taking a stand for no longer joining them in this battle. Well I still am for not uploading new work but that's not going to to have much effect I'm afraid.

Good luck to all my fellow contributors!

« Reply #41 on: July 06, 2020, 07:34 »
+8
I come to conclusion, that stock is not affected by our actions.

I was going to lay back and enjoy this forum as a reader instead of a poster but after reading your post I wanted to give an update of my view on the current situation.

You are right about the stock market not being affected at all by our actions.
Too many contributors are still ok with this change. They complain but are still uploading while others that can afford to deactivate their portfolio don't. This will never work anyway if they can continue to sell our work so even though it's impossible for many of us our portfolio's should be in fact be deactivated because stopping uploads isn't going to change much. Their buyers don't seem to have any intention to shop elsewhere and that is because they can still get what they want with so much on offer.

Then we have other agencies who do not seem to be eager to take their place. My best sellers at SS (with one over 9k downloads) are now dead since they never took off at other agencies and it looks like they never will.
I have picked up a lot on uploading to Adobe but they don't move an inch so I don't think Adobe is the solution. This seems to be the case for many others btw. I was a bit overenthousiastic about Adobe in the past. This is also probably the reason Mat still has a port on SS. Adobe is not a performer, on the contrary they seem to be going down after deactivating my portfolio at SS. It's as if the competition is afraid of SS and hey, maybe they are!

....

Good luck to all my fellow contributors!

Thanks, for sharing your thoughts.
Agree that Adobe will not save us: they just another exploiter.

So i come to my final decision:
- enable my port at JUL 8
- delete all valuable stuff
- will not upload nothing new (forever)
- allow to flow fading income till it stops at some point
- delete ss bookmark
- forget about all this mess

I think that such scheme is pretty optimal.


« Reply #42 on: July 06, 2020, 07:52 »
0

So i come to my final decision:
- enable my port at JUL 8
- delete all valuable stuff
- will not upload nothing new (forever)
- allow to flow fading income till it stops at some point
- delete ss bookmark
- forget about all this mess

I think that such scheme is pretty optimal.
agreed, I'll do the same (before disabling, I deleted my valuable stuff yet)

« Reply #43 on: July 06, 2020, 10:10 »
+1

[/quote]
how are going to carry that many bottles on your bike?
[/quote]

I have an awesome wicker basket

farbled

« Reply #44 on: July 06, 2020, 11:00 »
+3
And this is why some contributors don't take forums or boycotts seriously. It invariably slides into contributor versus contributor instead of agency. What other people do is their choice, and this kind of garbage helps no one.

Some contributors are morons, so Im not going to take the SS boycott seriously. Really?

Really.

I am happy to protest (in my own way) SS's decisions but when contributors start slamming other contributors, don't expect me to join in this little parade. Not everyone has the luxury of stopping their income on a dime, and there is enough posts denigrating those who cannot or will not delete their portfolios to show the usual digression from "agency bad" to "what is everyone else doing and do I approve".

You wont join the SS protest, but you WILL join the parade of contributors slamming other contributors. LOL

Huh?  When did I say that? I thought I said the opposite, but ok...

And no, as I said earlier elsewhere, I am retiring from all agencies. It just takes time. I am offering all my best for for free on my website (farbled dot com) since I see little difference between ten cents (or less at istock or freepic) and doing that. :)

That way Shutter not only makes no money from my images, but they also potentially lose a sale of something else. See? Protesting in my own way.

« Reply #45 on: July 06, 2020, 12:56 »
+4

I was going to lay back and enjoy this forum as a reader instead of a poster but after reading your post I wanted to give an update of my view on the current situation.

You are right about the stock market not being affected at all by our actions.
Too many contributors are still ok with this change. They complain but are still uploading while others that can afford to deactivate their portfolio don't. This will never work anyway if they can continue to sell our work so even though it's impossible for many of us our portfolio's should be in fact be deactivated because stopping uploads isn't going to change much. Their buyers don't seem to have any intention to shop elsewhere and that is because they can still get what they want with so much on offer.

Then we have other agencies who do not seem to be eager to take their place. My best sellers at SS (with one over 9k downloads) are now dead since they never took off at other agencies and it looks like they never will.
I have picked up a lot on uploading to Adobe but they don't move an inch so I don't think Adobe is the solution. This seems to be the case for many others btw. I was a bit overenthousiastic about Adobe in the past. This is also probably the reason Mat still has a port on SS. Adobe is not a performer, on the contrary they seem to be going down after deactivating my portfolio at SS. It's as if the competition is afraid of SS and hey, maybe they are!

So if contributors don't care, buyers don't care and other agencies don't care?

With that I have re-activated my portfolio and will take what is left from Microstock instead of letting my deactivated best sellers do nothing but collect dust.
I might deactivate my port again in the near future because SS might have decided to screw those who have deactivated their ports even more and obviously I won't be sending them my new work.
Eventually SS might start lacking new content and maybe then we can see some movement but by that time most of us have probably moved out of Microstock.
I will continue uploading new work to Adobe and Pond5 just to see if there is even a slight uptick but this is wishful thinking.

To me Shutterstock is the creator and destroyer of the Microstock market!

So back to hiding for me. Again my apologies if I have offended anyone in my previous posts and my apologies to those who are taking a stand for no longer joining them in this battle. Well I still am for not uploading new work but that's not going to to have much effect I'm afraid.

Good luck to all my fellow contributors!

Most of us go through the Kubler Ross curve here (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K%C3%BCbler-Ross_model#/media/File:K%C3%BCbler_Ross_grieving_curve_(edited).png)

Each on their own, and at their own pace.

Most of us will re-enable portfolio's and even resume uploading.

Kudos to the ones like Farbled who decided to step out. It's either that or just accepting the new reality, there's no real in-between because indeed, you are right Snow, SS started the complete demolition of microstock.

farbled

« Reply #46 on: July 06, 2020, 15:53 »
+1
Kudos to the ones like Farbled who decided to step out.
Now if I could make Shutterstock delete my account after repeated requests. I have no photos left online with them, so i don't know why they won't....

And not really a kudos thing, but thank you. I am more tired of the uphill battle for smaller returns than anything else. At least with my own website I can tinker and play. So the timing is perfect.
« Last Edit: July 06, 2020, 18:03 by farbled »

« Reply #47 on: July 06, 2020, 18:39 »
+11
For those continuing to upload to Shutterstock, take a look at the new uploads they're accepting. This is a screenshot from a few minutes ago of new work from one of the aggregators, WireStock.

This is by no means the only example of pages and pages of filler, the bulk of which should have been rejected. It has no sales potential and lots of it is poorly lit, poorly composed with no concept. It doesn't do the contributors any favors to accept this rubbish and buyers aren't going tolerate this for long either.

Even if you keep your old work with Shutterstock for now, for heavens sake, put your new work somewhere better.

For what it's worth, the keywording is as bad as the images. For one of the scrumpled pieces of paper we have:

abstract backdrop background blank card computer design document empty grunge grungy image letter note notebook office page paper pen rough scrapbook sheet space stained surface texture wallpaper web website white

The upside down maple leaves use the keyword flag. The plastic bottle has healthy lifestyle & fitness. The speed limit sign has car, business, automobile, green. I could go on but you get the idea.

« Reply #48 on: July 06, 2020, 18:52 »
0

Collecting refundable bottles would be one idea
Go around the neighbourhood on garbage day and take bottles that people would rather throw out than return for 10 cents.

You dont need to invest in any fancy equipment
Use your bike or walk around the neighborhood
Youll also be doing yourself a favour by excersizing

just silly --
== in many places, it's illegal to take from garbage or recycle bins
==  there are only about 20 states w bottle bills (mostly 5c-10c) and 10 in europe

but seriously? people complain about 10c royalties - but you're telling them to collect 100-200 bottles/hr to make $10/hr? (not counting time spent gathering, transporting, etc; not to mention pawing thru smelly, or worse, garbage) how are going to carry that many bottles on your bike?

In my local wine store, they pay 20 cents for clean bottles (with no artifacts), and after the inspection and rinsing, they sell them at 80 cents to their winemaking customers. So, you are getting 25% commission, and they pay for the storage. Maybe when you get to the next level, you would get a higher commission.  AFAIK, similars are allowed and they don't reset your commission level every January.

Thanks for that info! Sounds like a good business opportunity, especially since no specialized (ie expensive) equipment is needed.

given the OP's quote it didnt sound satirical - and if the addtl comments are serious, the next question is just how many wine bottles do you expect to find each week?

as far as eqpt - a pickup is required to make this at all feasible! (tongue firmly in cheek)

-----
the reason i responded is the numerous posters telling people to find another way to make money, but w/o actually have any idea how to do it -; this when we have almost 40 MILLION unemployed and a tanked economy. not a time to be looking for a new career
« Last Edit: July 07, 2020, 01:51 by cascoly »

« Reply #49 on: July 06, 2020, 19:12 »
0
...

For what it's worth, the keywording is as bad as the images. For one of the scrumpled pieces of paper we have:
...

scrumbled?  i didnt think it was a word, but

https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=scrumbled

https://www.yourdictionary.com/scrumble

https://www.thefreedictionary.com/scrumble

now if only they could agree!

--------------------------

anyway, i learned a new word.  while imstocker.com is a great tool, often it also  fails on generic things like 'crumpled paper' with similar outliers, and those poor keywords were probably from a bot and the artist(!) didnt bother to check


 

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