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Author Topic: Stocksy - Are you in or out ? Experiences.  (Read 59870 times)

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« Reply #100 on: March 27, 2013, 09:39 »
+4
Exactly, thats not a co op. It would be a co op if all photographers could join and their images would be reviewed for acceptance, not a portfolio. Because basically I can shoot whatever they want, its just not in my portfolio. Read up what a co op is, Stocksy in the true sense, is not.

I've never had the sense that co-op means anyone can join, in any industry.


rubyroo

« Reply #101 on: March 27, 2013, 09:45 »
+13
I agree Sean, but Poncke makes a great point here:

Because basically I can shoot whatever they want, its just not in my portfolio.

A lot of people will have sent links to their micro ports because that's all the work they have online.  Given that micro ports are honed according to the acceptance criteria of those agencies, and given that Stocksy didn't indicate the style of work required, it seems a bit illogical to tell people they can't re-apply for a year based on this rather skewed and limited snapshot of their abilities.  (Mannn that was a long sentence!)

Instead - if the quality is fine but the style is the only issue - why not offer a response such as this:

"We have looked at your portfolio links, but unfortunately we do not feel that the style you show here is a good fit for Stocksy.  Feel free to browse our online collection and to submit a further five images for evaluation once you have a better sense of our requirements."

Then if they fail that test also, it will show that they don't have the right 'eye' to grasp what they're seeing.  I'm sure there are some applicants out there who might need a year to develop sufficiently, but surely for many it will just be a matter of tweaking their style.
« Last Edit: March 27, 2013, 10:00 by rubyroo »

Poncke

« Reply #102 on: March 27, 2013, 09:55 »
+2
Exactly, thats not a co op. It would be a co op if all photographers could join and their images would be reviewed for acceptance, not a portfolio. Because basically I can shoot whatever they want, its just not in my portfolio. Read up what a co op is, Stocksy in the true sense, is not.

I've never had the sense that co-op means anyone can join, in any industry.
Not anyone, I didnt say that, but certainly workers in the same industry could join a co op representing their industry. Back in the good ole days, 80% of British working age men and 90% of Australian working age men were members of one or more Friendly Society.

From wiki:
Cooperatives are dedicated to the values of openness, social responsibility and caring for others. Such legal entities have a range of social characteristics. Membership is open, meaning that anyone who satisfies certain non-discriminatory conditions may join

Cooperatives are typically based on the cooperative values of "self-help, self-responsibility, democracy and equality, equity and solidarity" and the seven cooperative principles:

  1. Voluntary and open membership
  2. Democratic member control (?)
  3. Economic participation by members
  4. Autonomy and independence
  5. Education, training and information (?)
  6. Cooperation among cooperatives (?)
  7. Concern for community


Stocksy is therefore in the true sense of the word not a co op. There is not a problem with that, but dont defend it as such when it truly isnt. Like I said, if it was  a co op, I could join freely and would only be judged on image by image cases. Now I am excluded based on a portfolio which really doesnt say anything about what I could shoot specific for Stocksy.

I would love to be part of Stocksy none the less.
« Last Edit: March 27, 2013, 10:05 by Poncke »

« Reply #103 on: March 27, 2013, 10:11 »
+1
Back in the good ole days, 80% of British working age men and 90% of Australian working age men were members of one or more Friendly Society.

When you say 'good ole days' you mean the era when you could expect no help from the government if you got into financial difficulties, whether for lack of work, medical or natural disaster? Friendly societies were simply a form of insurance before welfare existed.

mattdixon

« Reply #104 on: March 27, 2013, 10:21 »
+3
Microstock has a tendency to instil a kind of 'Battery Chicken' mentality with photographers.
Stocksy is a reaction against the mass produced WallMart approach - its not microstock, that area is well covered - the photographers there are trying build more emotive imagery.

Poncke if you go out and build a set of emotive imagery I'm sure you would get in - the doors aren't closed - find the best photo's you've already taken and build on that.
I sincerely hope some of you get in - would love to see some of you guys on the other side :-)

Poncke

« Reply #105 on: March 27, 2013, 10:25 »
0
Back in the good ole days, 80% of British working age men and 90% of Australian working age men were members of one or more Friendly Society.

When you say 'good ole days' you mean the era when you could expect no help from the government if you got into financial difficulties, whether for lack of work, medical or natural disaster? Friendly societies were simply a form of insurance before welfare existed.
No, thats not what I mean.  But least you are agreeing with me that a co op was not for a selected few. Which basically is my point.  :)

Poncke

« Reply #106 on: March 27, 2013, 10:30 »
0
Microstock has a tendency to instil a kind of 'Battery Chicken' mentality with photographers.
Stocksy is a reaction against the mass produced WallMart approach - its not microstock, that area is well covered - the photographers there are trying build more emotive imagery.

Poncke if you go out and build a set of emotive imagery I'm sure you would get in - the doors aren't closed - find the best photo's you've already taken and build on that.
I sincerely hope some of you get in - would love to see some of you guys on the other side :-)
The doors arent closed, but having to wait a year is ridiculous.

I understand what you are saying about a different look of images, but I have seen a lot of pure and simple stock images on Stocksy. Really plain images, showing a business shake or people lined up with different uniforms. Plain stock.

But I agree,  there is something to work towards. A new challenge, for me at least. And in one year from now all the new images will be somewhere else, as waiting a year is way too long.  ;)

« Reply #107 on: March 27, 2013, 10:31 »
+4
We should have a poll.

How many were rejected and how many were accepted.
how many apply and how many didn't.
I think you will find that a large percentage of people haven't heard back yet.

I think a large number of people will be sitting on their hands waiting to see how things develop. Actually having the site live now is a good start.

The images of mine that I think may match the required style are often some of my best-sellers elsewhere. I'd be hesitant to take them off sites where they've attained good sort-order position to make them exclusive at a new agency with unknown traffic and sales.

I'm also concerned how Istock may choose to interpret membership of a competing 'co-op' agency with regards to compliance to their membership agreement. They've already kicked out Sean, Rob and Stalman. It's possible that they may single out others yet.

Then there's SS Offset too. It'll almost certainly be a very well funded operation and, at the very least, won't make Stocky's task any easier. There are too many variables and unknown factors for me as yet.

« Reply #108 on: March 27, 2013, 10:35 »
+2
We should have a poll.

How many were rejected and how many were accepted.
how many apply and how many didn't.
I think you will find that a large percentage of people haven't heard back yet.

I think a large number of people will be sitting on their hands waiting to see how things develop. Actually having the site live now is a good start.

The images of mine that I think may match the required style are often some of my best-sellers elsewhere. I'd be hesitant to take them off sites where they've attained good sort-order position to make them exclusive at a new agency with unknown traffic and sales.

I'm also concerned how Istock may choose to interpret membership of a competing 'co-op' agency with regards to compliance to their membership agreement. They've already kicked out Sean, Rob and Stalman. It's possible that they may single out others yet.

Then there's SS Offset too. It'll almost certainly be a very well funded operation and, at the very least, won't make Stocky's task any easier. There are too many variables and unknown factors for me as yet.
I agree.  I like the idea of both sites but would be hesitant to delete best sellers from other sites and upload  to the new sites until we see how it goes.  If it really takes off then I would be happy to do special sessions for these sites. (assuming I get accepted of course)

aspp

« Reply #109 on: March 27, 2013, 11:11 »
0
I'm also concerned how Istock may choose to interpret membership of a competing 'co-op' agency with regards to compliance to their membership agreement.

This is an interesting point. They could decide that membership of a co-op constitutes partial ownership of a business rival.

EmberMike

« Reply #110 on: March 27, 2013, 11:45 »
+8
The doors arent closed, but having to wait a year is ridiculous...

Other agencies do the same thing. You get rejected, you have to wait some amount of time to re-apply.

Sure Stocksy's waiting period is a bit longer than most, but hey, it's their sandbox, their rules.

I'm starting to get the feeling that many of the complaints about Stocksy are rooted in the idea that they aren't micro enough. They don't take typical stock (for the most part). Their rules are different (image exclusive, long re-apply wait period, etc).

As far as I know, Stocksy didn't ask to be mentioned and discussed on a microstock forum. They're not calling themselves microstock. They're not pricing themselves as microstock. And yet it seems like a lot of folks around here wish they conducted themselves in more of a typical microstock company kind of way.

What would be the point of that? Then we'd all just be complaining about yet another typical microstock company emerging.

« Reply #111 on: March 27, 2013, 12:32 »
+2
Because basically I can shoot whatever they want, its just not in my portfolio.

The golden rule of this business is that you only get work shooting what you've already shot - and that extends to stock agencies as well. I totally understand what you mean, but how are they gonna be so sure you can shoot whatever they want the way they like unless you've already done so? It's a total gamble.

« Reply #112 on: March 27, 2013, 14:20 »
+6
The doors arent closed, but having to wait a year is ridiculous...

Other agencies do the same thing. You get rejected, you have to wait some amount of time to re-apply.

Sure Stocksy's waiting period is a bit longer than most, but hey, it's their sandbox, their rules.

I'm starting to get the feeling that many of the complaints about Stocksy are rooted in the idea that they aren't micro enough. They don't take typical stock (for the most part). Their rules are different (image exclusive, long re-apply wait period, etc).

As far as I know, Stocksy didn't ask to be mentioned and discussed on a microstock forum. They're not calling themselves microstock. They're not pricing themselves as microstock. And yet it seems like a lot of folks around here wish they conducted themselves in more of a typical microstock company kind of way.

What would be the point of that? Then we'd all just be complaining about yet another typical microstock company emerging.

Id agree with this, existing work is effectively your CV and, even on micro, there are these with both distinctive style and quality (90% + AR everywhere) that would get them in.  There is very much a riff raff need not apply vibe about this but as Mike says, their sandbox, their rules.  Out of curiosity, are there any accepted members who have not had a strong relationship with IS ? (Not suggesting anything, just curious).

WarrenPrice

« Reply #113 on: March 27, 2013, 15:08 »
+1
The doors arent closed, but having to wait a year is ridiculous...

Other agencies do the same thing. You get rejected, you have to wait some amount of time to re-apply.

Sure Stocksy's waiting period is a bit longer than most, but hey, it's their sandbox, their rules.

I'm starting to get the feeling that many of the complaints about Stocksy are rooted in the idea that they aren't micro enough. They don't take typical stock (for the most part). Their rules are different (image exclusive, long re-apply wait period, etc).

As far as I know, Stocksy didn't ask to be mentioned and discussed on a microstock forum. They're not calling themselves microstock. They're not pricing themselves as microstock. And yet it seems like a lot of folks around here wish they conducted themselves in more of a typical microstock company kind of way.

What would be the point of that? Then we'd all just be complaining about yet another typical microstock company emerging.

Id agree with this, existing work is effectively your CV and, even on micro, there are these with both distinctive style and quality (90% + AR everywhere) that would get them in.  There is very much a riff raff need not apply vibe about this but as Mike says, their sandbox, their rules.  Out of curiosity, are there any accepted members who have not had a strong relationship with IS ? (Not suggesting anything, just curious).

Interesting question.  one heart for you.

Poncke

« Reply #114 on: March 27, 2013, 15:26 »
0
@ EmberMike, since you quoted me, I assume you spoke to me. I never suggested they should be more close to stock. My portfolio is far from traditional stock, its mainly stuff I like to shoot. It has stock, but there is a lot of arty stuff as well.


@ Others who suggest its their sandbox, their rules. I agree with that, I never implied it wasnt, I am merely touching the fact they call themselves a co op which I believe its not. And waiting a year to try out again? Whatever the rules, thats a really long time. I wont sit on a batch of images for a year in hope Stocksy will like them then. They will be long up on other agencies by then. Thats my sandbox.

I will try to get accepted tho as I think Stocksy fits me more then traditional stock.

« Reply #115 on: March 27, 2013, 15:39 »
+1
On the plus side, waiting a year to re-apply will give you the chance to see if the whole idea actually works. This is a hugely saturated market place; it is not a given it will succeed or last, let alone generate good returns.

I wish them well, but have no intention of applying.

« Reply #116 on: March 27, 2013, 16:10 »
0
We do have the opportunity to put our images that we think fit the Stocksy style on our Symbiostock sites to see what buyer reaction is.  Granted we're not likely to get the same traffic, especially in the beginning, but it is a testing ground that is available to us.  And it would be easy enough to remove them to move over to Stocksy if the opportunity were there.

« Reply #117 on: March 27, 2013, 16:13 »
+2
Out of curiosity, are there any accepted members who have not had a strong relationship with IS ? (Not suggesting anything, just curious).

Absolutely.  I don't even know most of the accepted contributors.  Many are just starting out in "stock" but have a strong professional "aesthetic" or "style".

« Reply #118 on: March 27, 2013, 18:33 »
0
Curiosity satisfied  :)

« Reply #119 on: March 27, 2013, 20:22 »
+2
Not all CO-OOps have same rules but they can choose or reject whoever they want.

« Reply #120 on: March 28, 2013, 00:51 »
+2
If I go for style and angles suited to Stocksy. I must admit, all my shoot would be only stocksy specific only. Problem with such images is, they are not accepted by lots of agencies and even if they do, the images do not sell. An important question. Is Stocksy ready with volume of sale, it can offer to the people who will shoot the angles and styles suited to Stocksy only.  It looks like what Stocksy want is exactly opposite of what microstock agencies are doing. Going to old-golden days is fine and absolutely ok if photographers get the money to survive being stuck in time frame. It must not turn out to be time travel in wrong direction.

All my rejected images which were not accepted by any agency, fit what stocksy wants. Unfortunately I do not have that port anywhere, these images are on my drive because I could not find buyers for them. Good if Stocksy can sell those.


« Reply #121 on: March 28, 2013, 01:03 »
+2
I guess people can put up a gallery of their non-stock images somewhere and send that link to stocksy. Shouldn't be too hard in todays hosting environment. Personal portfolio site.

« Reply #122 on: March 28, 2013, 12:17 »
0
Is Stocksy just selling photos? No illustration?

michealo

« Reply #123 on: March 28, 2013, 12:33 »
+1
The doors arent closed, but having to wait a year is ridiculous...

Other agencies do the same thing. You get rejected, you have to wait some amount of time to re-apply.

Sure Stocksy's waiting period is a bit longer than most, but hey, it's their sandbox, their rules.

I'm starting to get the feeling that many of the complaints about Stocksy are rooted in the idea that they aren't micro enough. They don't take typical stock (for the most part). Their rules are different (image exclusive, long re-apply wait period, etc).

As far as I know, Stocksy didn't ask to be mentioned and discussed on a microstock forum. They're not calling themselves microstock. They're not pricing themselves as microstock. And yet it seems like a lot of folks around here wish they conducted themselves in more of a typical microstock company kind of way.

What would be the point of that? Then we'd all just be complaining about yet another typical microstock company emerging.

Agreed, they have upped the % payout and they aren't just building exactly the same collection

kudos to them on both counts

« Reply #124 on: March 28, 2013, 17:46 »
0
Is Stocksy just selling photos? No illustration?

They have some illustrations on the site, but not vectors.


 

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