MicrostockGroup

Agency Based Discussion => Shutterstock.com => Topic started by: bobkeenan on October 05, 2012, 22:55

Title: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: bobkeenan on October 05, 2012, 22:55
They are main earner by far.  I love that.

But boy do they got hot and cold on acceptance.   I send one in this evening and got it back a few hours later.  100% Rejection!!!!    Previous submittal took over a week to review..... 100% acceptance.  I am just shaking my head.   I think my stuff got caught up in the Weekend Curse!
Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: emblem on October 05, 2012, 23:03
Yep. Last week 10 out of 10 accepted...this week (and all from the same series as last week) 10 out of 10 rejected. It's really not fair, they need much better consistency.
Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: nicku on October 06, 2012, 00:52
i love SS because they are by far my best earners.....  ;D I hate SS because they reject many pictures/illustrations without any logic.  >:(
Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: JPSDK on October 06, 2012, 01:23
In the long run, they are consistant enough.
I suggest you stop worrying.
Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: Pauws99 on October 06, 2012, 02:15
Always felt they were harsh but consistent till yesterday with 23 out of 24 rejected from what I thought was one of my better efforts any point in asking for reconsideration?
Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: sharpshot on October 06, 2012, 03:55
They used to be quite lenient and very consistent with reviews.  Its a shame they haven't worked out how to automatically pick up on when a contributor who normally has close to 100% acceptance gets nearly all their images rejected. 

Wouldn't it be easy to keep the contributors rejection rate stats and if a batch is almost entirely rejected, send them to another reviewer?  If its a glaring error, warn or get rid of the reviewer.  The problem seems to be that they have so many images now, they aren't too concerned if they have a few dodgy reviewers.
Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: JPSDK on October 06, 2012, 04:06
sometimes a contributor can get careless. For example I  sometimes forget to check at 100%, also sometimes the monitor may be out of wack.
Or there can be problems with sharpness.

Also bear in mind, if a reviewer has looked at files from a nikon d 800 and gets a bunch from a nikon d 70. How would you react?
Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: microstockphoto.co.uk on October 06, 2012, 05:49
Not that I really hate them, since they are my best earner and among the few who never lowered commissions.

Anyhow, these random 100% rejections or 100% acceptance are happening lately, and neither is good.

I wish they could at least review each batch separately, especially now that the queue lasts almost a week. I am afraid of uploading more batches while there's still one in the queue and this is disrupting my workflow on other sites as well (I used to upload to all sites at the same time).
Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: rubyroo on October 06, 2012, 06:59
They used to be quite lenient and very consistent with reviews.  Its a shame they haven't worked out how to automatically pick up on when a contributor who normally has close to 100% acceptance gets nearly all their images rejected. 

Wouldn't it be easy to keep the contributors rejection rate stats and if a batch is almost entirely rejected, send them to another reviewer?  If its a glaring error, warn or get rid of the reviewer.  The problem seems to be that they have so many images now, they aren't too concerned if they have a few dodgy reviewers.

That sounds like a great idea to me!  When a contributor has really paid attention and learned through past experience to achieve a regular acceptance rate of 90 to 100%, they clearly know what they're doing.  A sudden mass rejection should definitely be raising a question mark at the agency.
Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: noodle on October 06, 2012, 07:03
instead of a batch going to a single reviewer , they should set it up that batches get split up and tossed around to different reviewers
There would be less of a chance of 100% this way or that way,
also less of a chance that a reviewer having a bad day will just do a 'blanket' judgement of an entire batch..

just sayin...
Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: luissantos84 on October 06, 2012, 07:59
upload again, easy ;)
Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: steheap on October 06, 2012, 08:45
Same for me yesterday - 56 uploads, 51 rejected. All perfectly reasonable travel shots, most of which were accepted by Dreamstime.

Steve
Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: stockastic on October 06, 2012, 09:51
It's neither love nor hate right now (9:50AM Central US), because the site is offline (verified by downforeveryone.com).
Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: velocicarpo on October 06, 2012, 09:56
It's neither love nor hate right now (9:50AM Central US), because the site is offline (verified by downforeveryone.com).

+1. Just noticed the same...
Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: rubyroo on October 06, 2012, 10:39
Oh that's weird.  I just mentioned that site's name in another thread.  When I tested it, it was fine.  Maybe I missed the crucial moment when I was having a snack...
Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: Poncke on October 06, 2012, 13:27
sometimes a contributor can get careless. For example I  sometimes forget to check at 100%, also sometimes the monitor may be out of wack.
Or there can be problems with sharpness.

Also bear in mind, if a reviewer has looked at files from a nikon d 800 and gets a bunch from a nikon d 70. How would you react?

Its not guaranteed that the D800 shots are good and the D70 shots are sheit. A noob with a camera cant even get tack sharp photos with a hassie. Equipment means nothing in the hands of a pro.
Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: tab62 on October 06, 2012, 17:36
If both photographers are equal- good in composition, lighting and other elements the higher end camera will give a 'slight' edge. One advantage would be cropping for sure. You could back out and crop and still have a good size file with the D800. One of the mistakes that I might is that I come in too close due to my MP count being on the low side of most dSLR's in use today...
Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: leaf on October 07, 2012, 08:33
Same for me yesterday - 56 uploads, 51 rejected. All perfectly reasonable travel shots, most of which were accepted by Dreamstime.

Steve

I really hate feeding conspiracy theories but I'd have to agree that there is one or two reviewers at Shutterstock that are a lot stricter than the others.  I often see 95%-100% acceptance but then all of a sudden, on photos from the same shoot but different upload see 25-50% acceptance.  I'd also agree that the mass rejections often come on the weekends.
Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: leaf on October 07, 2012, 08:35
perhaps it would be fun to start a poll.. I just had a mass 'rejection' / 'acceptance' on shutterstock and the day is...monday, tuesday etc.
Then we could fish out the day that the strict review works lol :)
unless their schedule is sporadic of course.
Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: Dantheman on October 07, 2012, 09:18
perhaps it would be fun to start a poll.. I just had a mass 'rejection' / 'acceptance' on shutterstock and the day is...monday, tuesday etc.
Then we could fish out the day that the strict review works lol :)
unless their schedule is sporadic of course.

good idea!
Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: klsbear on October 07, 2012, 09:30
perhaps it would be fun to start a poll.. I just had a mass 'rejection' / 'acceptance' on shutterstock and the day is...monday, tuesday etc.
Then we could fish out the day that the strict review works lol :)
unless their schedule is sporadic of course.

7 out of 7 accepted on a Saturday afternoon for me so that's counter to the weekend theory.
Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: jcpjr on October 07, 2012, 10:03
7 out of 7 rejected Friday night..after hours of work.    :(
Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: JPSDK on October 07, 2012, 12:31
I have 30 in the que, if anybody cares?
Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: takestock on October 07, 2012, 13:29
The way I feel about it -
Be thankful for what I already have there, which continues to earn well for me.

And just keep plugging on!
Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: Tryingmybest on October 07, 2012, 16:05
Split your batches up during submission. Stagger the content. After 2 years as an illustrator and almost 4 years retouching and submitting another photographers work, I have found that the reviewing is completely arbitrary and subjective. There is no absolute regarding commercial value if you have professional experience behind your work. Resubmit when your gut tells you they are wrong.
Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: bobkeenan on October 07, 2012, 16:47
I just did a look at the last 8 months of submittals.  Here is what I found.   

If my stuff gets reviewed on a Sunday, 75% of the time I get most or all of the stuff approved.   Reviews on Friday are the worst.   About 50% of the time almost all of my stuff gets rejected the other 50% about 1/2 have get accepted.

All the other days of the week show no trend.

The bad news is trying to figure out when to submit to get it reviewed on Sunday. Because lead times for my reviews run from about 7-3 days.

And maybe my 8 months of data is random anyhow  ....   ;D

Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: stockastic on October 07, 2012, 16:52
Split your batches up during submission. Stagger the content. After 2 years as an illustrator and almost 4 years retouching and submitting another photographers work, I have found that the reviewing is completely arbitrary and subjective. There is no absolute regarding commercial value if you have professional experience behind your work. Resubmit when your gut tells you they are wrong.

These are wise words.

It really does seem, though, that from time to time things turn a corner.  I strongly suspect that software is now performing some rather simple-minded 'pre-screens', and that there's a lot of turnover among reviewers - if in fact the entire operation isn't outsourced and occassionally moved to a new low bidder.

What I'd like to see is a current 'weirdness index' for each agency, based on the number of posts here about senseless, arbitrary or mass rejections.  When the weirdness index gets high, I just won't submit anything for a while.
Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: Karimala on October 08, 2012, 09:29
Wouldn't it be easy to keep the contributors rejection rate stats and if a batch is almost entirely rejected, send them to another reviewer?  If its a glaring error, warn or get rid of the reviewer.  The problem seems to be that they have so many images now, they aren't too concerned if they have a few dodgy reviewers.

LuckyOliver showed a contributor's acceptance rate with every batch, so I know it's possible.  It was really helpful as a reviewer, because I knew when to be tough and when to be lenient.
Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: Pauws99 on October 08, 2012, 11:48
Er shouldn't the evaluation be based on the pictures in front of you?
Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: Karimala on October 08, 2012, 14:15
Of course it should.  Just saying I knew in advance which contributors have a problem submitting quality images and which ones don't, and it helped a lot in reviewing.
Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: JPSDK on October 09, 2012, 01:05
HA, it just happened to me!
They rejected 20 photos because of bad lighting.
Things like this:
(http://sphotos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/554183_10151182422449586_363116942_n.jpg]http://sphotos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/554183_10151182422449586_363116942_n.jpg)

Now I oploaded some of them again, with a note to the reviewer to take a second look and see if he agreed.
Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: RacePhoto on October 09, 2012, 01:23
They are main earner by far.  I love that.

But boy do they got hot and cold on acceptance.   I send one in this evening and got it back a few hours later.  100% Rejection!!!!    Previous submittal took over a week to review..... 100% acceptance.  I am just shaking my head.   I think my stuff got caught up in the Weekend Curse!

Reminds me to laugh at people who try to get reviewed for Monday, because it seems that's a sure death to an image. Reviews for the new week are harsh?

Oh wait, didn't someone else say, weekends are easy and weekdays are hard?

I don't get it?  ::) I think people can find anything they want on microstock. Day of the week superstitions. But I do agree that reviews have tightened up quite a bit.

HA, it just happened to me!
They rejected 20 photos because of bad lighting.

Now I oploaded some of them again, with a note to the reviewer to take a second look and see if he agreed.


Sad Jens, that's just superb. I don't know what's going on.
Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: Druid on October 09, 2012, 02:13
Hi,

I've yet to be accepted at SS, A few months back I submitted my 10 images for half of them to be rejected, last week I took out the ones that were rejected and kept the ones they said were acceptable added another 5 and resubmitted. Yesterday rejection but not the new files 2 of the original already accepted images and 2 of the new ones.
Surely if they have a standard and an image meets that standard it then a couple of weeks later not meet it???????

Rub head and think again..............

Druid
Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: heywoody on October 09, 2012, 03:56
At least when you're in, the files that got you in are there.  On IS, your exam images have to be resubmitted for the main collection with a better than average chance one or more of the three will be rejected.

Apart form a few dodgy model release / keyword rejections that were easily sorted, I haven't had a "what moment" with an SS rejection yet.
Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: JPSDK on October 09, 2012, 06:00
Does it matter?- If you get in on IS you can begin to upload all your crap, and have it accepted or not, including the initial 3, that just showed that you were somehow competent.
Actually I think that it is a good thing to separate the initial approvement from the sales department.

Like a contributor can prove his skills and then later on begin to deliver commercial pictures.
Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: kentannenbaum on October 09, 2012, 10:15
If the work is ordinary the acceptance rate will be low most places and deservedly so.  What sucks about Shutterstock is the split.  Make no bones about it, it's lop-sided relationship.  A single sale at other places out paces the rate here by far.
Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: zimmytws on October 09, 2012, 10:30
"HA, it just happened to me!
They rejected 20 photos because of bad lighting.
Things like this"

It looks like a good isolation but... could just be my monitor, but when I look very closely at the top edge of the mushroom, it looks like there are some stray pixels. Maybe double check your isolation to make sure its perfect.  I get "bad lighting" rejections if I leave a few stray pixels on the edges. If its not that, then they're nuts.
Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: luissantos84 on October 09, 2012, 10:33
HA, it just happened to me!
They rejected 20 photos because of bad lighting.
Things like this:
([url]http://sphotos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/554183_10151182422449586_363116942_n.jpg[/url]]http://sphotos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/554183_10151182422449586_363116942_n.jpg)

Now I oploaded some of them again, with a note to the reviewer to take a second look and see if he agreed.


maybe they haven´t enjoyed the almonds on the top lmao! Are you becoming the next pimping guy as Mike left? ;D
Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: Poncke on October 09, 2012, 11:28
Hi,

I've yet to be accepted at SS, A few months back I submitted my 10 images for half of them to be rejected, last week I took out the ones that were rejected and kept the ones they said were acceptable added another 5 and resubmitted. Yesterday rejection but not the new files 2 of the original already accepted images and 2 of the new ones.
Surely if they have a standard and an image meets that standard it then a couple of weeks later not meet it???????

Rub head and think again..............

Druid

Never submit the same photos for your first 10 at SS. Always submit 10 new photos.
Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: RacePhoto on October 09, 2012, 13:29
perhaps it would be fun to start a poll.. I just had a mass 'rejection' / 'acceptance' on shutterstock and the day is...monday, tuesday etc.
Then we could fish out the day that the strict review works lol :)
unless their schedule is sporadic of course.

good idea!

I like it. Someone contact the guy who runs the site and tell him what a good idea it is.  ;D

I do most of my uploading on Fridays, and felt that except for a few times, reviews have been fair. What's funny to me is I don't often re-send anything. One that I was positive was useful, got a reply to send it again... hey it passed. It sells. It was refused for too many like this when it was the only one. I try to find those subjects and shoot one shot for that vacancy, so I knew before I did it.

Still most frustrating is shadows or focus where we don't think it's best. In other words, ANY shadows, even mild and don't dare have soft depth of field especially in front. (behind passes sometimes)

Hi,

I've yet to be accepted at SS, A few months back I submitted my 10 images for half of them to be rejected, last week I took out the ones that were rejected and kept the ones they said were acceptable added another 5 and resubmitted. Yesterday rejection but not the new files 2 of the original already accepted images and 2 of the new ones.
Surely if they have a standard and an image meets that standard it then a couple of weeks later not meet it???????

Rub head and think again..............

Druid

Never submit the same photos for your first 10 at SS. Always submit 10 new photos.

Sure tells the tale of inconsistent rejections and random rogue reviewers. How does something pass once and then fail the next time and didn't someone try three times and they got accepted. Typical Microstock industry illogical practices.

Anyway, someone do the day of the week survey. If it's like the Full Moon effect, people are already convinced that something which doesn't exist (except in urban myth) is real, and the facts aren't going to change their mind.

My suspicion has always been outsourcing reviews to some "review factory" in India for example. People come and go on a regular basis and they aren't well paid or well trained and aren't photographers! That's my best guess. (might be completely off base) But it beats computers are doing reviews. No computer could be that arbitrary or stupid some times!  ::)

They need a rejection that says: "I just didn't like it." So they don't have to make up excuses and rejections for things that aren't honestly flawed.

Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: CD123 on October 09, 2012, 16:49
They need a rejection that says: "I just didn't like it." So they don't have to make up excuses and rejections for things that aren't honestly flawed.
There are actually a number of sites that uses that, however just not that direct. Try "This is not quite what we are looking for", "This is not suitable for stock", etc. Same thing, just other words.  ;)
Question is, does all the reviewers know where to find that remark and is it not perhaps the last one on the scroll list?
Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: Poncke on October 09, 2012, 16:56
perhaps it would be fun to start a poll.. I just had a mass 'rejection' / 'acceptance' on shutterstock and the day is...monday, tuesday etc.
Then we could fish out the day that the strict review works lol :)
unless their schedule is sporadic of course.

good idea!

I like it. Someone contact the guy who runs the site and tell him what a good idea it is.  ;D

I do most of my uploading on Fridays, and felt that except for a few times, reviews have been fair. What's funny to me is I don't often re-send anything. One that I was positive was useful, got a reply to send it again... hey it passed. It sells. It was refused for too many like this when it was the only one. I try to find those subjects and shoot one shot for that vacancy, so I knew before I did it.

Still most frustrating is shadows or focus where we don't think it's best. In other words, ANY shadows, even mild and don't dare have soft depth of field especially in front. (behind passes sometimes)

Hi,

I've yet to be accepted at SS, A few months back I submitted my 10 images for half of them to be rejected, last week I took out the ones that were rejected and kept the ones they said were acceptable added another 5 and resubmitted. Yesterday rejection but not the new files 2 of the original already accepted images and 2 of the new ones.
Surely if they have a standard and an image meets that standard it then a couple of weeks later not meet it???????

Rub head and think again..............

Druid

Never submit the same photos for your first 10 at SS. Always submit 10 new photos.

Sure tells the tale of inconsistent rejections and random rogue reviewers. How does something pass once and then fail the next time and didn't someone try three times and they got accepted. Typical Microstock industry illogical practices.

Anyway, someone do the day of the week survey. If it's like the Full Moon effect, people are already convinced that something which doesn't exist (except in urban myth) is real, and the facts aren't going to change their mind.

My suspicion has always been outsourcing reviews to some "review factory" in India for example. People come and go on a regular basis and they aren't well paid or well trained and aren't photographers! That's my best guess. (might be completely off base) But it beats computers are doing reviews. No computer could be that arbitrary or stupid some times!  ::)

They need a rejection that says: "I just didn't like it." So they don't have to make up excuses and rejections for things that aren't honestly flawed.

You dont know why they got rejected, if its composition then its entirely subjective, even CV is subjective. So the advice is to submit 10 new photos because there is no guarantee the ones accepted will be accepted again. Once you are in you can submit all photos again and see what gets through.
Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: captain on October 09, 2012, 23:09
SS always like that. Just tell you guys a secreat:  :P all the photo uploaded in the weekend could be accepted with high ratio.---i am guessing the guy or lady could be happy duiring the weeked.

bad experience for me is once time they rejected 19 out of 20 photo! It really made me frustrated for a long time.
Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: Pixart on October 09, 2012, 23:53
Well, I'm going to bed drunk with love for SS tonight.  If I could get this many EL's and OD's per day I'd be oh so very content - but I'm afraid tomorrow will be just a normal day and I will have to blush and remember what a great day we had together today :-*

Sorry, I'm not talking submissions though....
Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: ClaridgeJ on October 10, 2012, 00:05
Dozens of ELs, hundereds of ODs, and thousands of subs. What else can you do but love it? Love is a many splendored thing!
Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: roboz on October 10, 2012, 02:11
65 out of 69 accepted today - Wednesday. Last week similar result - Wednesday again. Only one batch in the last months 100% rejected - and yes, it was Monday morning  ;)

Had this experience more or less with all the other agencies. Just today with 123RF. A quick moment of anger and frustration - and then move on. We can't change it anyway... or can we???

Cheers,

Rob
Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: ClaridgeJ on October 10, 2012, 07:07
Jealousy sets in when ppl, declare way over, 100 bucks per day. what a pitty, so sad!  my heart is bleeding.
Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: fotografer on October 10, 2012, 08:07
Jealousy sets in when ppl, declare way over, 100 bucks per day. what a pitty, so sad!  my heart is bleeding.
What is that supposed to mean?  Nobody has mentioned being jealous of downloads.  This thread is about reviewing not dls.  You seem to exist on a different plain to everybody else.
Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: ShadySue on October 10, 2012, 08:07
Jealousy sets in when ppl, declare way over, 100 bucks per day. what a pitty, so sad!  my heart is bleeding.
What is that supposed to mean?  Nobody has mentioned being jealous of downloads.  This thread is about reviewing not dls.  You seem to exist on a different plain to everybody else.
That's lagereek all over!
Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: rubyroo on October 10, 2012, 08:32
Isn't that what they call 'shadow boxing'?
Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: luissantos84 on October 10, 2012, 08:51
Jealousy sets in when ppl, declare way over, 100 bucks per day. what a pitty, so sad!  my heart is bleeding.
What is that supposed to mean?  Nobody has mentioned being jealous of downloads.  This thread is about reviewing not dls.  You seem to exist on a different plain to everybody else.
That's lagereek all over!

naaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhh ;D
Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: RacePhoto on October 10, 2012, 10:34
christain58 AKA LagerEek AKA ClaridgeJ and very likely a couple more here.
http://www.alamy.com/forums/default.aspx?g=posts&t=13889&p=3 (http://www.alamy.com/forums/default.aspx?g=posts&t=13889&p=3)

"I know a heck of a lot of people making a living in micro and Im not talking about the, MSG bunch, thats all mouth and no money ( yeah I also used to be there but it gave a bad rep )."


So that's how he feels about us, but keeps opening new accounts? Yes that's different alright.

Jealousy sets in when ppl, declare way over, 100 bucks per day. what a pitty, so sad!  my heart is bleeding.

What is that supposed to mean?  Nobody has mentioned being jealous of downloads.  This thread is about reviewing not dls.  You seem to exist on a different plain to everybody else.

That's lagereek all over!


naaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhh ;D
Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: gostwyck on October 10, 2012, 10:43
Jealousy sets in when ppl, declare way over, 100 bucks per day. what a pitty, so sad!  my heart is bleeding.
What is that supposed to mean?  Nobody has mentioned being jealous of downloads.  This thread is about reviewing not dls.  You seem to exist on a different plain to everybody else.
That's lagereek all over!

He's been on the sauce again. The 'single malt' variety.
Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: gostwyck on October 10, 2012, 10:48
Well, I'm going to bed drunk with love for SS tonight.  If I could get this many EL's and OD's per day I'd be oh so very content - but I'm afraid tomorrow will be just a normal day and I will have to blush and remember what a great day we had together today :-*

Sorry, I'm not talking submissions though....

Glad it's not just me! SS has gone ballistic this month. More EL's and OD's than you can shake a hairy stick at.
Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: RacePhoto on October 10, 2012, 10:57
Well, I'm going to bed drunk with love for SS tonight.  If I could get this many EL's and OD's per day I'd be oh so very content - but I'm afraid tomorrow will be just a normal day and I will have to blush and remember what a great day we had together today :-*

Sorry, I'm not talking submissions though....


Glad it's not just me! SS has gone ballistic this month. More EL's and OD's than you can shake a hairy stick at.


Welcome To:

(http://s5.postimage.org/fl12fx2sn/microstock_zone.jpg) (http://postimage.org/)
 (http://postimage.org/)
Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: Jo Ann Snover on October 10, 2012, 11:38
I love SS sales, but I think their reviewing is highly inconsistent and often borders on the bizarre.

I've had images that were accepted at IS and DT rejected for being out of focus at SS (just had a batch of 3 rejected this way yesterday). LCV rejections on images that have sold really well elsewhere. At least they don't have an "overfiltered" rejection :)

If the shot is outdoors and in dramatic light, the odds go way up that they'll reject - but that if they do happen to accept it, that it will sell very well there.

Funnily enough, BigStock (which now appears to be doing everything via SS) just rejected some images from last fall (I had stopped uploading to BigStock) that SS accepted - BS says out of focus. I know the images aren't out of focus.

I have a lovely picture I was given of a pickup truck in a swamp with the caption "Words of wisdom doni't mean sh*t until you're ready for them". IMO until SS has any interest in setting up a process to fix the things that are broken with reviewing, contributor complaints are a waste of breath - SS isn't interested in or ready for them.

I've been doing this for long enough, you'd think I'd just be able to brush it off, but it still p*sses me off!
Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: gostwyck on October 10, 2012, 11:50
^^^ Nicely put Jo Anne!
Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: ClaridgeJ on October 10, 2012, 13:07
Jealousy sets in when ppl, declare way over, 100 bucks per day. what a pitty, so sad!  my heart is bleeding.
What is that supposed to mean?  Nobody has mentioned being jealous of downloads.  This thread is about reviewing not dls.  You seem to exist on a different plain to everybody else.
That's lagereek all over!

Yes like an evil shadow he keeps lurking around in the depth of your poor soul. You have my sympathies. Pazuzu will strike within 24 hours, causing death and destruction. The autopsy will show no organic life. The remains will be in non holy ground.
Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: CD123 on October 10, 2012, 13:25
Jealousy sets in when ppl, declare way over, 100 bucks per day. what a pitty, so sad!  my heart is bleeding.
What is that supposed to mean?  Nobody has mentioned being jealous of downloads.  This thread is about reviewing not dls.  You seem to exist on a different plain to everybody else.
That's lagereek all over!

Yes like an evil shadow he keeps lurking around in the depth of your poor soul. You have my sympathies. Pazuzu will strike within 24 hours, causing death and destruction. The autopsy will show no organic life. The remains will be in non holy ground.
"I am a silly funnyman" is like a bad cold back and he refers to himself as "he". We are so amused, again......  :'(
Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: JPSDK on October 10, 2012, 14:14
Qoute: " Kæmp med åben pande og ingen formummet skælm"

Christian. Show your face or go away.
Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: heywoody on October 10, 2012, 14:28
Jealousy sets in when ppl, declare way over, 100 bucks per day. what a pitty, so sad!  my heart is bleeding.
What is that supposed to mean?  Nobody has mentioned being jealous of downloads.  This thread is about reviewing not dls.  You seem to exist on a different plain to everybody else.
That's lagereek all over!

Yes like an evil shadow he keeps lurking around in the depth of your poor soul. You have my sympathies. Pazuzu will strike within 24 hours, causing death and destruction. The autopsy will show no organic life. The remains will be in non holy ground.
"I am a silly funnyman" is like a bad cold back and he refers to himself as "he". We are so amused, again......  :'(

Dunno - other great men (e.g. Caesar) referred to themselves in the 3rd person  ;D
Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: CD123 on October 10, 2012, 14:40
Dunno - other great men (e.g. Caesar) referred to themselves in the 3rd person  ;D
Not everybody in Caesar's time thought of him as a great man. Guess it all depends on whose side you were standing on  ;)
Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: heywoody on October 10, 2012, 17:35
Dunno - other great men (e.g. Caesar) referred to themselves in the 3rd person  ;D
Not everybody in Caesar's time thought of him as a great man. Guess it all depends on whose side you were standing on  ;)

True but the important bit here is that Caesar thought he was a great man  8)
Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: CD123 on October 10, 2012, 18:17
True but the important bit here is that Caesar thought he was a great man  8)
;D
PS Should dispose of the infestation problem now and get back to the OP's original subject as the song suddenly came to mind "Your so vain, you probably think this thread is about you...."  ;D
Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: OM on October 12, 2012, 06:29
Jealousy sets in when ppl, declare way over, 100 bucks per day. what a pitty, so sad!  my heart is bleeding.
What is that supposed to mean?  Nobody has mentioned being jealous of downloads.  This thread is about reviewing not dls.  You seem to exist on a different plain to everybody else.
That's lagereek all over!

Yes like an evil shadow he keeps lurking around in the depth of your poor soul. You have my sympathies. Pazuzu will strike within 24 hours, causing death and destruction. The autopsy will show no organic life. The remains will be in non holy ground.
"I am a silly funnyman" is like a bad cold back and he refers to himself as "he". We are so amused, again......  :'(

Dunno - other great men (e.g. Caesar) referred to themselves in the 3rd person  ;D

Ever watched interviews with psychopaths on death row? Many of them refer to themselves and their actions in the third person too.  ;D
Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: JPSDK on October 12, 2012, 07:40
maybe they have something in common with dictators and the like.
Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: Pauws99 on October 12, 2012, 10:32
Many sportsmen too
Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: cascoly on October 13, 2012, 21:24



Also bear in mind, if a reviewer has looked at files from a nikon d 800 and gets a bunch from a nikon d 70. How would you react?

why shou;d the camera matter at all? images should stand on their own - alamy is one of the worst in this regard - automatically damning some cameras which produce perfectly acceptable images. 
Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: ClaridgeJ on October 13, 2012, 23:59
All wrong. Anybody here know some Latin? ( asking for a miracle probably). Anyway, Caesar always refered to himself as a man of the past, using words like had, was, etc. As did Napoleon and Nelson.
Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: CD123 on October 14, 2012, 00:53
All wrong. Anybody here know some Latin? ( asking for a miracle probably). Anyway, Caesar always referred to himself as a man of the past, using words like had, was, etc. As did Napoleon and Nelson.
Weird way of bragging. So you know some Latin? Congratulations. And you assume that everybody else here has no education which might include some Latin? You might be surprised to find some highly educated retired (and even still professionally active) "photographers" here. I am sure you might find some retired (and active) Professors, Doctors, Engineers, Lawyers, etc. who happened to be retired or hobby photographers lurking the threads at MSG. Some might even enlighten you with some Historic Greek and Hebrew I am sure. Hope you "click" what I am trying to say  ;)
Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: ClaridgeJ on October 14, 2012, 00:58
Old news, nothing new. Im a qualified Vet myself, nothing special. However I was talking about Caesar, not you?  you dont fall into the Caesar, Napoleon category, do you? well then,  steady on 123.
Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: CD123 on October 14, 2012, 01:05
Anybody here know some Latin? ( asking for a miracle probably).
Quite highly educated myself (not that it matters here at all, as I have a lot to learn from a lot of members here). Not sure how you think that I thought you where referring to me specifically, if you made a general sweeping assumption of us all, as quoted above. Although some contributors do bark at each other here, it does not give you the superior edge in treating them here...  ;)
Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: CD123 on October 14, 2012, 01:08
you dont fall into the Caesar, Napoleon category, do you?
No I am not royalty, nor a high profile historical figure. What is your point? Are you? 
Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: ClaridgeJ on October 14, 2012, 01:12
Anybody here know some Latin? ( asking for a miracle probably).
Quite highly educated myself (not that it matters here at all, as I have a lot to learn from a lot of members here). Not sure how you think that I thought you where referring to me specifically, if you made a general sweeping assumption of us all, as quoted above. Although some contributors do bark at each other here, it does not give you the superior edge in treating them here...  ;)

Superior edge? because I happend to describe Caesars way of reffering to himself?  mentioning Latin, etc. Youre kidding me surely? may I suggest you have another cup of whatever and start the day all over.

end of conversation. have a good day sir.
Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: JPSDK on October 14, 2012, 01:53
QVO USQVE TANDEM ABUTERE PATIENTIA NOSTRA
Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: ClaridgeJ on October 14, 2012, 02:50
QVO USQVE TANDEM ABUTERE PATIENTIA NOSTRA

Not bad but its a well known saying by Cicero. The answer is:  longer then you will ever know. Do you want that in Swedish?
Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: rubyroo on October 14, 2012, 02:53
All wrong. Anybody here know some Latin? ( asking for a miracle probably).

Not asking for a miracle.  Merely unlikely since Latin education was phased out of schools. My father and older siblings all studed Latin.  I didn't because I'm at the younger end of the family and it wasn't on the curriculum at that stage.  People often have little time to learn things they'd like.  No need to brag and patronise them for being busy or focused on learning other things.

I just tried a translator out though... and I hope this reads as intended:

fortitudo in humilitate
Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: ClaridgeJ on October 14, 2012, 03:31
All wrong. Anybody here know some Latin? ( asking for a miracle probably).

Not asking for a miracle.  Merely unlikely since Latin education was phased out of schools. My father and older siblings all studed Latin.  I didn't because I'm at the younger end of the family and it wasn't on the curriculum at that stage.  People often have little time to learn things they'd like.  No need to brag and patronise them for being busy or focused on learning other things.

I just tried a translator out though... and I hope this reads as intended:

fortitudo in humilitate

Youre right. Its a "dead language", today as far as I know its only used in terminology and especially in the medical fields. Your proverb is correct btw. :) the actual history of the language is interesting though.
Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: Poncke on October 14, 2012, 03:56
When some people left here the forum was actually really nice for a short while and then Lagereek signed up again, and now its back as to where it was. A place for trolls just to stump on people.

You said this place gave you a bad rep so why didnt you stay away? What is with you that you constantly need to troll here? How old are you?

You are successful photographer doing really with well with your photos, why dont you tread gracefully and act in a matter that fits your status as photographer.
Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: ClaridgeJ on October 14, 2012, 04:06
When some people left here the forum was actually really nice for a short while and then Lagereek signed up again, and now its back as to where it was. A place for trolls just to stump on people.

You said this place gave you a bad rep so why didnt you stay away? What is with you that you constantly need to troll here? How old are you?

You are successful photographer doing really with well with your photos, why dont you tread gracefully and act in a matter that fits your status as photographer.

We are involved in an intelligent conversation regarding the history of languages actually and can do without any banal drivel.

BTW. are you trying to muster up some sort of a gathering of wannabees/neewbies around the round table? sorry but in that case, ClaridgeJ, is NOT your man.
Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: Poncke on October 14, 2012, 04:12
When some people left here the forum was actually really nice for a short while and then Lagereek signed up again, and now its back as to where it was. A place for trolls just to stump on people.

You said this place gave you a bad rep so why didnt you stay away? What is with you that you constantly need to troll here? How old are you?

You are successful photographer doing really with well with your photos, why dont you tread gracefully and act in a matter that fits your status as photographer.

We are involved in an intelligent conversation regarding the history of languages actually and can do without your banal drivel.

BTW. are you trying to muster up some sort of a gathering of wannabees/neewbies around the round table? sorry but in that case, ClaridgeJ, is NOT your man.

Sorry, I must have missed that intelligent conversation. All I read was you stumping on Charl.

But since I wrote my comment only addressing Lagereek, I guess you confirmed by replying you are Chris.

What I dont understand is that on SS and Alamy you come across as a very nice person with normal balanced comments. Here you act like a complete different person. I dont see the need for that.

Think about my last comment, you are a successful photographer, act like one. Like you do on SS and Alamy.
Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: ClaridgeJ on October 14, 2012, 04:54
When some people left here the forum was actually really nice for a short while and then Lagereek signed up again, and now its back as to where it was. A place for trolls just to stump on people.

You said this place gave you a bad rep so why didnt you stay away? What is with you that you constantly need to troll here? How old are you?

You are successful photographer doing really with well with your photos, why dont you tread gracefully and act in a matter that fits your status as photographer.

We are involved in an intelligent conversation regarding the history of languages actually and can do without your banal drivel.

BTW. are you trying to muster up some sort of a gathering of wannabees/neewbies around the round table? sorry but in that case, ClaridgeJ, is NOT your man.

Sorry, I must have missed that intelligent conversation. All I read was you stumping on Charl.

But since I wrote my comment only addressing Lagereek, I guess you confirmed by replying you are Chris.

What I dont understand is that on SS and Alamy you come across as a very nice person with normal balanced comments. Here you act like a complete different person. I dont see the need for that.

Think about my last comment, you are a successful photographer, act like one. Like you do on SS and Alamy.

Alright! fair enough I give you that. At the same time forget charl, he was just sfter a cheap score thats all. You and I have had many good conversations at SS and Alamy, so why not here?  there was no need to come with that usual stuff about lagereek, etc, was it? especially not after mine and robyroos postings about the Latin language.

As you probably have noticed, there is the usual " jumping-on-the-thread" crowd here, consists of some 4 people, only waiting for an opportunity to butt in and ruin anything, could be a thread about the weather but they find a way. So why nurse that crowd.

I bet you anything, that within a few hours from now, you will see the usual 4 or 5 people coming on to this thread and theire posts will be about everything exept the topic.
Fortunately for them, Tyler is too a nice chap, to intervene and tell people to stick to the topic, or else! like they do in many other forums, consequently theyre given a free passage.
Just wait and see?
Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: CD123 on October 14, 2012, 05:11
Anybody here know some Latin? ( asking for a miracle probably).
Quite highly educated myself (not that it matters here at all, as I have a lot to learn from a lot of members here). Not sure how you think that I thought you where referring to me specifically, if you made a general sweeping assumption of us all, as quoted above. Although some contributors do bark at each other here, it does not give you the superior edge in treating them here...  ;)

Superior edge? because I happend to describe Caesars way of reffering to himself?  mentioning Latin, etc. Youre kidding me surely? may I suggest you have another cup of whatever and start the day all over.

end of conversation. have a good day sir.

Latin knowing Historian Veterinarian Dictator I bow to your superior knowledge and aggressive nature. Hail Caesar in all his glory!!!  :-X

PS I love to "score" of self centered, mini Caeser, people belittling, hot heads who can not complete one entry without stepping on someones toes.   
Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: CD123 on October 14, 2012, 05:28
Can "someone" please intervene and get the thread back to the ACTUAL topic "Shutterstock Love/ Hate". A site neither loved nor hated for its unique Latin content.  Normal photographers might like to add some comments ;)
Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: ClaridgeJ on October 14, 2012, 05:56
Can "someone" please intervene and get the thread back to the ACTUAL topic "Shutterstock Love/ Hate". A site neither loved nor hated for its unique Latin content.  Normal photographers might like to add some comments ;)

Totally agree!  love SS!  BUT, to be normal is being boring. now we are back on topic. ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: CD123 on October 14, 2012, 07:45
BUT, to be normal is being boring.
Sure Chris.... (as Racephoto pointed out: christain58 AKA LagerEek AKA ClaridgeJ)  :o Is there a psychiatrist in the building?  :P  NOW now we are back on topic  ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: cathyslife on October 14, 2012, 07:51
Not sure I can call myself normal, but as for SS, I am in the love stage right now. I went through a period about a year ago where I was lucky enough just to make payout, and some months I didn't. Since istock imploded, my sales have gone up, almost double. Last month was slow, but since the IPO announcement, I have been doing well again. Overall, I have far more positive statements about SS than negative. Not much hate has ever gone on where they are concerned.
Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: rubyroo on October 14, 2012, 08:07
Ah well, if we're going to be on-topic an' all...

LOVE them.  Always have, never waivered for a moment.  Because of their reliable and ever-increasing sales SS is solely responsible for making this a feasible enterprise for me and changing my life for the better.  No matter what happens from here, I will be eternally grateful for that.
Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: stockastic on October 14, 2012, 15:22
Love/hate:   

I've made a few single/on-demand sales this month. Love it.  Just got 2 more lunatic rejections for 'focus' on sharp images.  Hate it.

SS has driven prices all the way down through the basement floor, down to 25 cents, and made a ton of money for its owner.    At this point there seems to be some stability for contributors - SS has kept the formula consistent and for some people the number of sales actually goes up a bit over time.  Meanwhile other agencies keep churning things up with new marketing schemes and commission cuts every other month and become ever more of a PITA to deal with.   So we love life here at SS.  We are happy for Mr. Oringer's success, and think he is a fine plantation owner.   Those peanut shells keep landing on the floor and we joyfully scoop them up.



Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: gostwyck on October 14, 2012, 16:27
Well so far this month SS/BigStock have generated 55% of my microstock income. FT, DT and IS combined (including projected PP earnings) are just 45% of the total. Generally speaking I'd prefer a better balance, with my income spread more evenly between agencies, but all my data suggests that SS is trampling all over the competition and will continue to grow at others' expense.

At what point will the other agencies wake up to SS's success and adapt their own business models in order to compete more effectively? Seems to me with their complex pricing architecture, inadequate search results and poor attitude to their contributors that they are slowly sleep-walking into oblivion.
Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: Poncke on October 14, 2012, 17:03


At what point will the other agencies wake up to SS's success and adapt their own business models in order to compete more effectively? Seems to me with their complex pricing architecture, inadequate search results and poor attitude to their contributors that they are slowly sleep-walking into oblivion.

That is something I have been pondering on. Good point. I cannot for the life of me figure out why SS is not being copied more. The only thing I can think of is that its just pure stubbornness and pride not willing to change or to accept you got it wrong. But at some point something's got to give. SS has many things right, and what they have right are the most important things; pricing structure, uploading process and the search.
Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: w7lwi on October 14, 2012, 17:08


At what point will the other agencies wake up to SS's success and adapt their own business models in order to compete more effectively? Seems to me with their complex pricing architecture, inadequate search results and poor attitude to their contributors that they are slowly sleep-walking into oblivion.

That is something I have been pondering on. Good point. I cannot for the life of me figure out why SS is not being copied more. The only thing I can think of is that its just pure stubbornness and pride not willing to change or to accept you got it wrong. But at some point something's got to give. SS has many things right, and what they have right are the most important things; pricing structure, uploading process and the search.

That's called the "NIH" syndrome.  Been the downfall of more companies that I care to count.
Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: stockastic on October 14, 2012, 17:15
So  subscriptions, that pay us 25 cents per sale, are the best thing that could have happened to us?   

I guess I'm confused.  Our goal is not to make money for ourselves, but to make hundreds of millions for the people who the run agencies, and then enjoy their success vicariously?

 "He had won the victory over himself. He loved Big Brother." - Winston Smith




Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: CD123 on October 14, 2012, 17:58
From our perspective pricing and commission is the most important aspects, but I think we are looking to superficially at SS and its success. A business consists of much more than just its pricing model. The pictures they select, the pictures they do not select, the way they present them, the way they attract customers (marketing),  the ease of purchasing, the way they look after their customers (pre and post sales support), their value add they offer and many other (business related) aspects has to play a major role in SS's success. I think if their competitors believed it was just based on pricing, they would have done the logical thing and copied them a long time ago.
Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: gostwyck on October 14, 2012, 18:10
So  subscriptions, that pay us 25 cents per sale, are the best thing that could have happened to us?   

I guess I'm confused.  Our goal is not to make money for ourselves, but to make hundreds of millions for people who the run agencies, and then enjoy their success vicariously?

It is so cool, feeling like I'm a part of the team.   Could we at least get a discount on a SS t-shirt or coffee cup?


But I don't get any 25c sales at SS and haven't done so for over 5 years. The last one I had there was in April 2007. I get lots of much smaller commissions than that at iStock though, sometimes 10c or less. Ironically SS is actually the only agency that pays me a minimum of 38c per sale. Every other agency I'm with pays less than that.

You are such a depressing wet blanket. Why do you come here being as you never do anything but complain, distort the facts and run our industry down?

I love microstock. It's given me an enviable lifestyle. I get to work from home, have no boss or commuting, can play golf as many times per week as I like and ... I actually enjoy producing content (when I feel like doing so) often whilst also watching sport on the telly. It's great. Why don't you do the same?

If you think that SS is making too much money out of us then go and buy some SSTK stock (with your 25c commissions). Have you even bothered to read the IPO prospectus with all the financial details? I hate to burden you with actual facts, because that wouldn't be convenient for the inaccurate bile you like to spout, but nonetheless here it is for you;

http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1549346/000104746912005905/a2209364zs-1.htm (http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1549346/000104746912005905/a2209364zs-1.htm)

Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: Mantis on October 14, 2012, 18:27
Split your batches up during submission. Stagger the content. After 2 years as an illustrator and almost 4 years retouching and submitting another photographers work, I have found that the reviewing is completely arbitrary and subjective. There is no absolute regarding commercial value if you have professional experience behind your work. Resubmit when your gut tells you they are wrong.

Honestly I feel that rejections by in large are because of a particular inspector.  Arbitrary yes.  Does your batch go to atilla and is highly rejected? sometimes yes. This tells me that, for the most part, inspection at SS depends on who you get.
Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: trofia on October 15, 2012, 04:27
Split your batches up during submission. Stagger the content. After 2 years as an illustrator and almost 4 years retouching and submitting another photographers work, I have found that the reviewing is completely arbitrary and subjective. There is no absolute regarding commercial value if you have professional experience behind your work. Resubmit when your gut tells you they are wrong.

Honestly I feel that rejections by in large are because of a particular inspector.  Arbitrary yes.  Does your batch go to atilla and is highly rejected? sometimes yes. This tells me that, for the most part, inspection at SS depends on who you get.



Lat Sat the crazy reviewer rejected 32 out of 33 photos of my last batch! It really depends who is assessing your pics and that is not fair! Could we start a sort of e-petition against it...so frustrating and time consuming!
Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: ClaridgeJ on October 15, 2012, 06:38
So  subscriptions, that pay us 25 cents per sale, are the best thing that could have happened to us?   

I guess I'm confused.  Our goal is not to make money for ourselves, but to make hundreds of millions for the people who the run agencies, and then enjoy their success vicariously?

 "He had won the victory over himself. He loved Big Brother." - Winston Smith


Show me an industry, any industry that isnt there to make money for themselves? ofcourse they are. In the micro industry, if they were not there to make money, you would not have anywhere to upload your pics, would you?
Believe me, they dont come much more fair then SS.
Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: modviz on October 15, 2012, 10:57
So  subscriptions, that pay us 25 cents per sale, are the best thing that could have happened to us?   

I guess I'm confused.  Our goal is not to make money for ourselves, but to make hundreds of millions for the people who the run agencies, and then enjoy their success vicariously?

 "He had won the victory over himself. He loved Big Brother." - Winston Smith


Show me an industry, any industry that isnt there to make money for themselves? ofcourse they are. In the micro industry, if they were not there to make money, you would not have anywhere to upload your pics, would you?
Believe me, they dont come much more fair then SS.

There is "profit" and there is "excessive profit".  That is a judgement we all have to make individually.
Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: steheap on October 15, 2012, 10:57
Monday morning review - 25 out of 27 rejected. I used to have such a good record at Shutterstock!

Steve
Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: Poncke on October 15, 2012, 12:16
So  subscriptions, that pay us 25 cents per sale, are the best thing that could have happened to us?   

I guess I'm confused.  Our goal is not to make money for ourselves, but to make hundreds of millions for the people who the run agencies, and then enjoy their success vicariously?

 "He had won the victory over himself. He loved Big Brother." - Winston Smith


Show me an industry, any industry that isnt there to make money for themselves? ofcourse they are. In the micro industry, if they were not there to make money, you would not have anywhere to upload your pics, would you?
Believe me, they dont come much more fair then SS.

There is "profit" and there is "excessive profit".  That is a judgement we all have to make individually.
Is SS making excessive profit then?
Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: OM on October 15, 2012, 20:28
I'm new to SS (July '12) but it's already motivating me to create more stock for them! Initial submission........all 10 accepted. Following submission of 30......all accepted. Following 20+.........95% accepted and rejections for acceptable reasons. Following submission...90% accepted and the last submission only 50% accepted......of which, 50% of the rejections I can see their point (sort of).......but I'll know better for the next submission.
Just over 100 images since the last acceptance 7 days ago and my month total is already $50+. ;D
New stuff sells. Older stuff keeps on selling and although the majority of sales are subs there's sufficient ODD's and SOD's to keep me happy..........even an EL in the first 50 days! Yes sirree, SS is motorin' 4 me. Think that means I luv 'em right now!  ;D
Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: luissantos84 on October 15, 2012, 21:26
love I feel for my family/gf and a few close friends

regarding SS it is strictly professional and thats how it should be, yes it is the only agency that have never let me down since day 1
Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: gostwyck on October 15, 2012, 21:48
I'm new to SS (July '12) but it's already motivating me to create more stock for them! Initial submission........all 10 accepted. Following submission of 30......all accepted. Following 20+.........95% accepted and rejections for acceptable reasons. Following submission...90% accepted and the last submission only 50% accepted......of which, 50% of the rejections I can see their point (sort of).......but I'll know better for the next submission.
Just over 100 images since the last acceptance 7 days ago and my month total is already $50+. ;D
New stuff sells. Older stuff keeps on selling and although the majority of sales are subs there's sufficient ODD's and SOD's to keep me happy..........even an EL in the first 50 days! Yes sirree, SS is motorin' 4 me. Think that means I luv 'em right now!  ;D

Great to hear that your having a good experience at SS! Being as you joined in July you don't actually have anything that even remotely qualifies as 'older stuff'. For me that's my new stuff. It takes at least 6 months for images to properly establish themselves in the sort order. My 'older stuff', as far as I'm concerned, is from 2004/5, but they still contribute on a daily basis. Good luck with it!
Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: OM on October 16, 2012, 07:20
I'm new to SS (July '12) but it's already motivating me to create more stock for them! Initial submission........all 10 accepted. Following submission of 30......all accepted. Following 20+.........95% accepted and rejections for acceptable reasons. Following submission...90% accepted and the last submission only 50% accepted......of which, 50% of the rejections I can see their point (sort of).......but I'll know better for the next submission.
Just over 100 images since the last acceptance 7 days ago and my month total is already $50+. ;D
New stuff sells. Older stuff keeps on selling and although the majority of sales are subs there's sufficient ODD's and SOD's to keep me happy..........even an EL in the first 50 days! Yes sirree, SS is motorin' 4 me. Think that means I luv 'em right now!  ;D

Great to hear that your having a good experience at SS! Being as you joined in July you don't actually have anything that even remotely qualifies as 'older stuff'. For me that's my new stuff. It takes at least 6 months for images to properly establish themselves in the sort order. My 'older stuff', as far as I'm concerned, is from 2004/5, but they still contribute on a daily basis. Good luck with it!

Thanks. I didn't really mean 'old', of course. It's just that I have regular sales of images from my initial submission whilst getting regular sales from the 'latest' images. For me the SS-model appears to work as newbie and only time will tell whether my sellers of today will have longevity.
Title: Re: Shutterstock Love/ Hate
Post by: ClaridgeJ on October 16, 2012, 07:34
I'm new to SS (July '12) but it's already motivating me to create more stock for them! Initial submission........all 10 accepted. Following submission of 30......all accepted. Following 20+.........95% accepted and rejections for acceptable reasons. Following submission...90% accepted and the last submission only 50% accepted......of which, 50% of the rejections I can see their point (sort of).......but I'll know better for the next submission.
Just over 100 images since the last acceptance 7 days ago and my month total is already $50+. ;D
New stuff sells. Older stuff keeps on selling and although the majority of sales are subs there's sufficient ODD's and SOD's to keep me happy..........even an EL in the first 50 days! Yes sirree, SS is motorin' 4 me. Think that means I luv 'em right now!  ;D

Nice to hear from someone that doesnt complain about rejections, makes a change here. :)