Comments on: Microstock Is a Great Deal — for Buyers http://rising.blackstar.com/microstock-is-a-great-deal-for-buyers.html Professional Photography Blog Fri, 10 Feb 2012 23:56:37 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Brunohttp://rising.blackstar.com/microstock-is-a-great-deal-for-buyers.html/comment-page-1#comment-21520 Bruno Mon, 01 Nov 2010 00:58:05 +0000 http://rising.blackstar.com/?p=5711#comment-21520 I understand why so many are against microstock. As a microstock contributor I am also against it. However I am also against not having money to pay for my basic needs and this makes me "for" microstock. I am sure there are many other people like me who feel trapped between a rock and a hard place. As far as I see it the discussion of being for or against microstock is too simplistic. Can one say that McDonald's existence threatens luxury restaurants? Or that Radioshack competes with Bang & Olufsen? In my opinion you get you pay for. I don't sell photographs on microstock sites but I do sell illustrations. Does this mean that I will spend dozens of hours on an illustration that will sell for a few bucks? Not really. Because microstock is not about quality, it's about quantity. Best does not necessarily sell more. Most times popular sells more and as we all know popular doesn't mix with quality that well. Fortunately many of us live in so called free capitalism. Unfortunately this has a price. The price is that new markets rise all the time and these new markets undercut old markets with lower prices. So what happens to those who made a living in the old markets? They adapt or die. Is this fair to them? Absolutely not. But it is the way our societies are built. As far as I see it the question we should really be asking ourselves is: do the societies that we live in today make sense? Are they fair? Are they humane? Are they "profitable"? I think the answer is clearly: no. So this is really the problem we should address, both as individuals as well as organized groups. Microstock vs Rights Managed is really only symptomatic of a much wider problem. I understand why so many are against microstock. As a microstock contributor I am also against it. However I am also against not having money to pay for my basic needs and this makes me "for" microstock. I am sure there are many other people like me who feel trapped between a rock and a hard place. As far as I see it the discussion of being for or against microstock is too simplistic. Can one say that McDonald's existence threatens luxury restaurants? Or that Radioshack competes with Bang & Olufsen? In my opinion you get you pay for. I don't sell photographs on microstock sites but I do sell illustrations. Does this mean that I will spend dozens of hours on an illustration that will sell for a few bucks? Not really. Because microstock is not about quality, it's about quantity. Best does not necessarily sell more. Most times popular sells more and as we all know popular doesn't mix with quality that well. Fortunately many of us live in so called free capitalism. Unfortunately this has a price. The price is that new markets rise all the time and these new markets undercut old markets with lower prices. So what happens to those who made a living in the old markets? They adapt or die. Is this fair to them? Absolutely not. But it is the way our societies are built. As far as I see it the question we should really be asking ourselves is: do the societies that we live in today make sense? Are they fair? Are they humane? Are they "profitable"? I think the answer is clearly: no. So this is really the problem we should address, both as individuals as well as organized groups. Microstock vs Rights Managed is really only symptomatic of a much wider problem.

]]> By: Chrishttp://rising.blackstar.com/microstock-is-a-great-deal-for-buyers.html/comment-page-1#comment-13261 Chris Sun, 21 Mar 2010 17:05:53 +0000 http://rising.blackstar.com/?p=5711#comment-13261 I predict that within the year, any company which values it's reputation will no longer use microstock images on their website/s. And it is happening already...http://fairtradephotographer.blogspot.com/2010/03/microstock-why-would-reputable-company.html I predict that within the year, any company which values it's reputation will no longer use microstock images on their website/s. And it is happening already...

http://fairtradephotographer.blogspot.com/2010/03/microstock-why-would-reputable-company.html

]]> By: Roberthttp://rising.blackstar.com/microstock-is-a-great-deal-for-buyers.html/comment-page-1#comment-5771 Robert Thu, 03 Sep 2009 13:46:33 +0000 http://rising.blackstar.com/?p=5711#comment-5771 People like Yuri are trotted out whenever a discussion like this comes up. However they are the lottery winners how many people are selling microstock and will not only never make that sort of money but are struggling now?The reality is though that you can't "educate" people about something like this - just as you can't educate them that illegal downloading of music and video is wrong and they should stop. People only care about what something costs and if they can get it for less or for free (this includes corporations as well).With the digital age so many things have been commoditised (or bastardised - if you will) and photography is no exception. With cameras being so cheap and ubiquitous (with every phone capable of capturing an image) and digital media superseding the costliness of film the only thing left of value in photography is the rare and the unique.As for the photographer that got 30 bucks for his Time cover - more fool him. People like Yuri are trotted out whenever a discussion like this comes up. However they are the lottery winners how many people are selling microstock and will not only never make that sort of money but are struggling now?

The reality is though that you can't "educate" people about something like this - just as you can't educate them that illegal downloading of music and video is wrong and they should stop. People only care about what something costs and if they can get it for less or for free (this includes corporations as well).

With the digital age so many things have been commoditised (or bastardised - if you will) and photography is no exception. With cameras being so cheap and ubiquitous (with every phone capable of capturing an image) and digital media superseding the costliness of film the only thing left of value in photography is the rare and the unique.

As for the photographer that got 30 bucks for his Time cover - more fool him.

]]> By: Talbert McMullinhttp://rising.blackstar.com/microstock-is-a-great-deal-for-buyers.html/comment-page-1#comment-5690 Talbert McMullin Mon, 24 Aug 2009 23:47:55 +0000 http://rising.blackstar.com/?p=5711#comment-5690 Colin: Thanks. I have heard the same thing.As for the rest of you, I'm keeping my day job and my photo work will continue be a supplement. I've been a semi-pro for nearly 40 years now, and have been socking away that money for my retirement over the years. It dawned on me many years ago, that there are too many photographers chasing too few opportunities. Would Ansel Adams have been as great if he had started out today? Highly unlikely! Back in his day, there were very few people shooting with professional gear because 1.) It was horribly expensive 2.) Few knew which end to look into 3.) Few people had the opportunity to actually take pictures for a living.That being said, I may never sell another damn thing and frankly, I could care less. I turned 60 over the weekend and I plan to spend the rest of my days enjoying photography.Oh, and now that I'm "old" I can say what I damn well want. You will all have that priviledge some day. Colin: Thanks. I have heard the same thing.

As for the rest of you, I'm keeping my day job and my photo work will continue be a supplement. I've been a semi-pro for nearly 40 years now, and have been socking away that money for my retirement over the years. It dawned on me many years ago, that there are too many photographers chasing too few opportunities. Would Ansel Adams have been as great if he had started out today? Highly unlikely! Back in his day, there were very few people shooting with professional gear because 1.) It was horribly expensive 2.) Few knew which end to look into 3.) Few people had the opportunity to actually take pictures for a living.

That being said, I may never sell another damn thing and frankly, I could care less. I turned 60 over the weekend and I plan to spend the rest of my days enjoying photography.

Oh, and now that I'm "old" I can say what I damn well want. You will all have that priviledge some day.

]]> By: Todd - arenacreative.comhttp://rising.blackstar.com/microstock-is-a-great-deal-for-buyers.html/comment-page-1#comment-5685 Todd - arenacreative.com Mon, 24 Aug 2009 18:40:26 +0000 http://rising.blackstar.com/?p=5711#comment-5685 If you're going to land a photo on a big magazine cover, how many do you expect to land each year? 200? 500? 10,000? If you're lucky, maybe just 1 or 2. Is that going to pay the bills, even if it paid 5 grand? That's just one month's income for the average Joe Schmoe in the US. I will agree that the enhanced licensing is sometimes a little whacked, and the artist for the most part gets the bad end of the stick in microstock, but the majority of microstock sales are standard RF files, for use in much smaller print runs. Most of the images purchased might not even leave the purchaser's hard drive. I know that when I would buy microstock images at work as designer, that's what would happen for the most part. Especially on subscription sites. If you're going to land a photo on a big magazine cover, how many do you expect to land each year? 200? 500? 10,000? If you're lucky, maybe just 1 or 2. Is that going to pay the bills, even if it paid 5 grand? That's just one month's income for the average Joe Schmoe in the US. I will agree that the enhanced licensing is sometimes a little whacked, and the artist for the most part gets the bad end of the stick in microstock, but the majority of microstock sales are standard RF files, for use in much smaller print runs. Most of the images purchased might not even leave the purchaser's hard drive. I know that when I would buy microstock images at work as designer, that's what would happen for the most part. Especially on subscription sites.

]]> By: Colinhttp://rising.blackstar.com/microstock-is-a-great-deal-for-buyers.html/comment-page-1#comment-5682 Colin Sun, 23 Aug 2009 00:26:41 +0000 http://rising.blackstar.com/?p=5711#comment-5682 As of the last time Yuri Arcurs was interviewed, he was barely breaking even.$1.3 million sounds impressive, sure, until you take into account that it's revenue. It's not profit. It's not money in his pocket. As of the last time Yuri Arcurs was interviewed, he was barely breaking even.

$1.3 million sounds impressive, sure, until you take into account that it's revenue. It's not profit. It's not money in his pocket.

]]> By: johnravhttp://rising.blackstar.com/microstock-is-a-great-deal-for-buyers.html/comment-page-1#comment-5680 johnrav Sat, 22 Aug 2009 17:45:30 +0000 http://rising.blackstar.com/?p=5711#comment-5680 I think the cover STORY was on frugal-ness and the photo was a plain jar of coins. Kinda smart on Tim'e part. I wouldn't consider this a typical case.Complain about how the 'good ole days' are over or learn to adapt, it's up to you. I think the cover STORY was on frugal-ness and the photo was a plain jar of coins. Kinda smart on Tim'e part. I wouldn't consider this a typical case.

Complain about how the 'good ole days' are over or learn to adapt, it's up to you.

]]> By: David Coxhttp://rising.blackstar.com/microstock-is-a-great-deal-for-buyers.html/comment-page-1#comment-5679 David Cox Sat, 22 Aug 2009 17:41:37 +0000 http://rising.blackstar.com/?p=5711#comment-5679 Tony Wrote: We need to educate the general public in pricing photos for big newspaper and magazines. The cameras is like a gun it looks cold in your hand, until you shoot your eyes out.@Tony, The problem with that statement it was good 10 years ago, but the changes in the way people get thier news has changed, many get the news online, download it to a digital device, how many 16 - 30 year olds read a newspaper or magazine, how many newspapers and magazines have gone to the wall, London UK has just lost a free paper because of falling revenue, it is changing to an online subscription offering, as they cannot even give papers away.There will always be traditional image sales, free news online will change to subscription in time, but for many a medium resolution image that will load quickly in a webpage or on a mobile device is all that is required.I am not a microstock contributor, but I do look at the changes and trends in the Industry, and I think that the next 'new market' will be phone and websized, medium resolution pay-as-you-go images, with easy delivery.David :) Tony Wrote:
We need to educate the general public in pricing photos for big newspaper and magazines. The cameras is like a gun it looks cold in your hand, until you shoot your eyes out.

@Tony,
The problem with that statement it was good 10 years ago, but the changes in the way people get thier news has changed, many get the news online, download it to a digital device, how many 16 - 30 year olds read a newspaper or magazine, how many newspapers and magazines have gone to the wall, London UK has just lost a free paper because of falling revenue, it is changing to an online subscription offering, as they cannot even give papers away.

There will always be traditional image sales, free news online will change to subscription in time, but for many a medium resolution image that will load quickly in a webpage or on a mobile device is all that is required.

I am not a microstock contributor, but I do look at the changes and trends in the Industry, and I think that the next 'new market' will be phone and websized, medium resolution pay-as-you-go images, with easy delivery.

David :)

]]> By: Scott Bournehttp://rising.blackstar.com/microstock-is-a-great-deal-for-buyers.html/comment-page-1#comment-5678 Scott Bourne Sat, 22 Aug 2009 17:28:02 +0000 http://rising.blackstar.com/?p=5711#comment-5678 I am not a microstock hater - but I don't do microstock either. As for those who hail the photographer who took $30 for a Time magazine cover did undercut the market by a bunch. And those saying "screw you and your old model" I have one caution.Remember your present attitude when someone comes along and disintermediate's you - and you're out of a job because of YOUR old model. I wonder if you will yell with such glee at your own loss? Ummm no I don't - you'll all squeal like stuffed pigs. I am not a microstock hater - but I don't do microstock either. As for those who hail the photographer who took $30 for a Time magazine cover did undercut the market by a bunch. And those saying "screw you and your old model" I have one caution.

Remember your present attitude when someone comes along and disintermediate's you - and you're out of a job because of YOUR old model. I wonder if you will yell with such glee at your own loss? Ummm no I don't - you'll all squeal like stuffed pigs.

]]> By: Richhttp://rising.blackstar.com/microstock-is-a-great-deal-for-buyers.html/comment-page-1#comment-5676 Rich Sat, 22 Aug 2009 17:04:00 +0000 http://rising.blackstar.com/?p=5711#comment-5676 I agree 100% with Mark. I make more on microstock than I did after 12 years as a manager in a multi-national corporation. This is my business - I have a plan, work hard and yes, pay my taxes. I agree 100% with Mark. I make more on microstock than I did after 12 years as a manager in a multi-national corporation. This is my business - I have a plan, work hard and yes, pay my taxes.

]]> By: Tony Bleihttp://rising.blackstar.com/microstock-is-a-great-deal-for-buyers.html/comment-page-1#comment-5672 Tony Blei Sat, 22 Aug 2009 08:26:12 +0000 http://rising.blackstar.com/?p=5711#comment-5672 @Lorraine Swanson — It doesn't matter what the jar costs where it was shot or paid a stylist. What matters is its usage. Time saw a wonderful opportunity and took advantage of it.At the end of the day what we are really selling is a license allowing use of our copyright protected, intellectual property. In my opinion, the license of stock photography should cost more than the license for a commissioned image. I say that because with a piece of stock photography, the client knows everything about the image before they use it (as opposed to hiring someone to create a custom image).There is excellent software available to help calculate usage. And I think we all need to learn the value of our product. A photographer shouldn't be a baby with a portfolio of candy for others to steal. @Lorraine Swanson — It doesn't matter what the jar costs where it was shot or paid a stylist. What matters is its usage. Time saw a wonderful opportunity and took advantage of it.

At the end of the day what we are really selling is a license allowing use of our copyright protected, intellectual property. In my opinion, the license of stock photography should cost more than the license for a commissioned image. I say that because with a piece of stock photography, the client knows everything about the image before they use it (as opposed to hiring someone to create a custom image).

There is excellent software available to help calculate usage. And I think we all need to learn the value of our product. A photographer shouldn't be a baby with a portfolio of candy for others to steal.

]]> By: Markhttp://rising.blackstar.com/microstock-is-a-great-deal-for-buyers.html/comment-page-1#comment-5669 Mark Sat, 22 Aug 2009 02:06:14 +0000 http://rising.blackstar.com/?p=5711#comment-5669 Well I make more on microstock than a full time position with the ap. Guess I should quit and work spec for a wire service and sell one cover a year for $500. I don't care where it's published. I have a business model a plan and I make a living for my family. Well I make more on microstock than a full time position with the ap. Guess I should quit and work spec for a wire service and sell one cover a year for $500. I don't care where it's published. I have a business model a plan and I make a living for my family.

]]> By: Lorraine Swansonhttp://rising.blackstar.com/microstock-is-a-great-deal-for-buyers.html/comment-page-1#comment-5668 Lorraine Swanson Fri, 21 Aug 2009 20:50:34 +0000 http://rising.blackstar.com/?p=5711#comment-5668 Not that it makes much difference, but the story I heard was that the image sold for over $100 and the photographer's commission was $30. Yes, that's a lot less than $3000 - but seriously, how much is a photo of a jar of coins worth? It's not like the photographer rented a location, hired a makeup artist and model and paid a crew. Most covers are definitely worth $3k and I'm not saying he didn't have a great concept here, I think the value of this particular photo was somewhere in the middle. Not that it makes much difference, but the story I heard was that the image sold for over $100 and the photographer's commission was $30. Yes, that's a lot less than $3000 - but seriously, how much is a photo of a jar of coins worth? It's not like the photographer rented a location, hired a makeup artist and model and paid a crew. Most covers are definitely worth $3k and I'm not saying he didn't have a great concept here, I think the value of this particular photo was somewhere in the middle.

]]> By: Albert T. McCrackenhttp://rising.blackstar.com/microstock-is-a-great-deal-for-buyers.html/comment-page-1#comment-5666 Albert T. McCracken Fri, 21 Aug 2009 17:13:05 +0000 http://rising.blackstar.com/?p=5711#comment-5666 Tony:We need to educate the general public in pricing photos for big newspaper and magazines. The cameras is like a gun it looks cold in your hand, until you shoot your eyes out. Tony:

We need to educate the general public in pricing photos for big newspaper and magazines. The cameras is like a gun it looks cold in your hand, until you shoot your eyes out.

]]> By: Talbert McMullinhttp://rising.blackstar.com/microstock-is-a-great-deal-for-buyers.html/comment-page-1#comment-5665 Talbert McMullin Fri, 21 Aug 2009 16:46:59 +0000 http://rising.blackstar.com/?p=5711#comment-5665 I don't know Yuri. So, what is he doing that the rest of us are NOT doing? I don't know Yuri. So, what is he doing that the rest of us are NOT doing?

]]> By: Dean Mitchellhttp://rising.blackstar.com/microstock-is-a-great-deal-for-buyers.html/comment-page-1#comment-5664 Dean Mitchell Fri, 21 Aug 2009 14:05:34 +0000 http://rising.blackstar.com/?p=5711#comment-5664 Tell that to Yuri Arcurs - who turns over $1.3 million from micro stock sales.Check his website www.arcurs.comGood luck with your traditional libraries!?!?!?!Dean Tell that to Yuri Arcurs - who turns over $1.3 million from micro stock sales.

Check his website http://www.arcurs.com

Good luck with your traditional libraries!?!?!?!

Dean

]]> By: Microstockerhttp://rising.blackstar.com/microstock-is-a-great-deal-for-buyers.html/comment-page-1#comment-5663 Microstocker Fri, 21 Aug 2009 13:33:11 +0000 http://rising.blackstar.com/?p=5711#comment-5663 The numbers don't lie, and they all agree that selling microstock is a game that losers can't win. The numbers don't lie, and they all agree that selling microstock is a game that losers can't win.

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